Your Guide to Shopping Centers in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is more than office towers and arenas—it’s also home to several shopping centers, mixed‑use developments, and retail corridors that serve workers, residents, students, and visitors. If you’re looking for a downtown Atlanta shopping center, you won’t find one giant suburban-style mall, but you will find a cluster of urban shopping hubs within walking or quick transit distance of each other.

This guide walks through the main places to shop in and around Downtown Atlanta, how to get there, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your trip.

How Shopping Works in Downtown Atlanta

Instead of one single “Downtown Atlanta Shopping Center,” the area is made up of:

• Historic indoor arcades and smaller centers
• Mixed-use complexes that combine shopping, dining, offices, and attractions
• Street-level retail corridors with boutiques, souvenir shops, and convenience stops

Most downtown shopping is concentrated around:

• Peachtree Street corridor
• Centennial Olympic Park / CNN Center area
• Five Points / Underground Atlanta area
• Georgia State University and Government District

If you’re staying at a downtown hotel or using MARTA, many of these areas are easily accessible on foot.

Key Shopping Hubs in and Near Downtown Atlanta

Peachtree Center: An Indoor Downtown Shopping Hub

Peachtree Center has traditionally been one of downtown’s go-to spots for indoor shopping, quick dining, and services, especially for office workers and convention-goers.

• Location: Near the intersection of Peachtree St NE and Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Closest MARTA Station: Peachtree Center Station (direct access via escalators/elevators)
• Typical mix:
  • Casual eateries and food-court-style options
  • Small retail shops (gifts, convenience, specialty)
  • Services (bank branches, barbers, salons, shipping, etc.)

Peachtree Center is especially useful if:

• You work downtown and need a quick lunch or errand stop.
• You’re attending an event at the Georgia World Congress Center and staying at a nearby hotel.
• You want to stay indoors during hot, rainy, or cold weather and still find food and light shopping.

Underground Atlanta: Reviving Historic Downtown Retail

Underground Atlanta is a historic multi-level district that has gone through several waves of redevelopment. It sits right at the core of Downtown, beneath and around street level.

• Location: Around 50 Upper Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Closest MARTA Station: Five Points Station (steps away)
• What you may find:
  • Pop-up retail and art spaces
  • Food and drink options
  • Event spaces, entertainment, and cultural programming

The exact tenant mix can shift over time as the property continues to evolve, so it’s wise to check current listings or event calendars before planning a major shopping trip here. Still, it’s a unique spot for local flavor if you’re already downtown for sightseeing or transit.

CNN Center Area and Centennial Olympic Park District

The area around Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center is more focused on attractions and dining than pure shopping, but it still works like a mini shopping and entertainment district.

• Location: West side of downtown, around Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW and Marietta St NW
• Closest MARTA Station: GWCC/CNN Center Station or Vine City Station
• What you’ll find nearby:
  • Team stores and merchandise shops near State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Souvenir shops for attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola
  • Casual and sit-down restaurants
  • Convenience stores and kiosks for grab-and-go items

If you’re already in the Centennial Park district for a game, concert, or aquarium visit, plan a little extra time to browse team gear, Atlanta-themed souvenirs, or quick essentials.

Georgia State University & Government District Retail

Moving east and southeast from the core of downtown, you’ll find street-level retail serving:

• Georgia State University students
• Employees at City of Atlanta and Fulton County government buildings
• Nearby residents

This isn’t one formal “shopping center,” but a network of small shops, cafes, copy/print centers, bookstores, and services clustered around:

• Decatur St SE
• Piedmont Ave SE
• MLK Jr Dr SE
• The Georgia State campus area

If you:

• Study or work nearby, this is a convenient area for daily needs.
• Are visiting for business, you’ll find spots for lunch, coffee, printing, or picking up office supplies without leaving downtown.

Just Outside Downtown: Major Shopping Centers Worth the Short Trip

While the core of downtown doesn’t have a huge enclosed mall, some of the largest and most popular shopping centers close to Downtown Atlanta are only a short MARTA ride or drive away.

Atlantic Station (Midtown/Westside – Close to Downtown)

Atlantic Station is a major mixed-use development often used by downtown visitors who want a more traditional shopping center feel.

• Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
• Transit:
  • MARTA: Arts Center Station + free shuttle to Atlantic Station
  • Short drive or rideshare from Downtown
• What you’ll find:
  • National and regional retail chains
  • Restaurants and cafés
  • A movie theater
  • Seasonal events, markets, and outdoor activities

If you’re staying downtown without a car, Atlantic Station is one of the easiest full-service shopping centers to reach.

Ponce City Market (BeltLine – East of Downtown)

While not in Downtown proper, Ponce City Market is a heavily visited adaptive reuse shopping, dining, and office complex in a historic Sears building.

• Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Transit:
  • Short drive/ride from Downtown
  • Bike or scooter via the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Highlights:
  • Boutiques and specialty shops
  • A large central food hall
  • Rooftop attractions (separate admission)
  • Easy access to BeltLine walking and cycling

If you’re a visitor staying in Downtown Atlanta, this is one of the top recommended spots for a mix of local and national shopping plus dining.

Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza (Buckhead – Regional Malls)

For classic mall shopping with a wide range of brands, most Atlantans head to Buckhead.

• Lenox Square
  • Address: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Large enclosed mall with many fashion and lifestyle stores
• Phipps Plaza
  • Address: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Higher-end retail, boutiques, and dining
• Transit from Downtown:
  • MARTA Red or Gold Line from Five Points to Lenox or Buckhead stations
  • Rideshare or drive (Peachtree Rd NE corridor)

If your priority is serious shopping with lots of options, these two Buckhead centers are the most comprehensive mall-style destinations convenient to Downtown Atlanta.

Quick Comparison: Downtown vs Nearby Shopping Centers

Getting Around: Transportation Tips for Downtown Shopping

Using MARTA

For many downtown shoppers, MARTA rail and buses are the easiest way to move between shopping areas:

• Key Downtown Stations:
  • Peachtree Center Station: For Peachtree Center and nearby hotels
  • Five Points Station: For Underground Atlanta and transfers
  • GWCC/CNN Center Station: For Centennial Olympic Park district
• From downtown MARTA stations, you can connect directly to:
  • Arts Center Station: For shuttle to Atlantic Station
  • Lenox/Buckhead Stations: For Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

🚌 Tip: If you’re visiting, consider a MARTA pass if you plan multiple trips between downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead in a day.

Driving and Parking

Downtown Atlanta has multiple parking decks and surface lots near all major shopping clusters. Things to keep in mind:

• Parking can be more expensive and limited during big events, especially near State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Many shopping areas and attractions use validated or event-based pricing, so check posted rates before parking.
• For short errands in the core of downtown, rideshare is often easier than hunting for a space.

What You Can Realistically Expect from Downtown Atlanta Shopping

If you’re picturing a single, massive indoor mall right in Downtown: that’s not how Atlanta is set up. Instead, you’ll find:

• Convenient, indoor options mainly at Peachtree Center
• Historic and evolving retail at Underground Atlanta
• Souvenir and event-oriented shops around Centennial Olympic Park
• Everyday services and campus-oriented shops in the GSU and Government District

For a full day of destination shopping with lots of brand choices, most locals and visitors head slightly beyond downtown to:

• Atlantic Station
• Ponce City Market
• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead

Practical Tips for Shoppers in and Around Downtown Atlanta

• Plan around events: Check whether there’s a major game, concert, or convention. This affects parking, crowds, and wait times downtown.
• Time of day matters:
  • Weekdays: More lunch-hour and after-work activity, many services open.
  • Weekends: Attractions and entertainment-heavy areas are busier; some office-oriented shops may have limited hours.
• Stay weather-aware: Downtown is walkable, but Atlanta’s heat, humidity, and storms can be intense. Indoor hubs like Peachtree Center are useful backups.
• Use MARTA for shopping hops: Moving between Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead by rail is often faster and simpler than driving and parking multiple times.
• Check current tenants: Properties like Underground Atlanta and some mixed-use centers can change tenants over time, so if you’re looking for a specific kind of store, it’s wise to verify what’s currently open.

By thinking of “Downtown Atlanta Shopping Center” as a network of nearby hubs—and pairing it with easy MARTA trips to bigger centers like Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and Buckhead malls—you can cover most shopping needs whether you live in Atlanta, commute to Downtown, or are visiting the city.