CityPASS Atlanta: How the Atlanta CityPASS Works, What’s Included, and How to Make It Worth It

If you’re planning to explore Atlanta’s major attractions—whether you live here or you’re visiting—the Atlanta CityPASS is one of the main bundle options you’ll run across. It’s designed to let you see several top sights for a single, discounted price.

This guide walks through how Atlanta CityPASS works, what’s included, where those attractions are located around the city, typical pros and cons, and how to decide if it’s a good fit for your plans.

What Is Atlanta CityPASS?

Atlanta CityPASS is a multi-attraction ticket that gives you admission to several of the city’s most popular paid attractions for one packaged price.

Key points:

• It focuses specifically on major Atlanta attractions, mostly in or near downtown and Midtown.
• You pay once for the pass instead of buying separate tickets at each attraction.
• It’s typically valid for a limited number of days from when you first use it (often around a week), which encourages you to visit several places in a short window.

For residents, it can be a way to “tour your own city” or entertain out-of-town guests. For visitors, it’s often used to build a simple, pre-planned itinerary.

What Attractions Are Usually Included?

CityPASS offerings can change occasionally, but Atlanta’s pass consistently centers on a few anchor attractions that most people recognize, plus a couple of flexible choices.

Below is a general example of what’s commonly included with an Atlanta CityPASS. Always verify details with the provider before purchasing, as lineups and rules can change.

Core Atlanta Attractions Commonly on the Pass

1. Georgia Aquarium

   • Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
   • Area: Downtown / Centennial Park District
   • Highlights: One of the largest aquariums in the world, known for its whale sharks, manta rays, and large interactive galleries.
   • Good to know: Popular with families; mornings and weekends can be crowded.

2. World of Coca-Cola

   • Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
   • Area: Next to the Georgia Aquarium at Pemberton Place
   • Highlights: Brand history exhibits, memorabilia, and a tasting area with different Coca‑Cola products from around the world.
   • Good to know: Compact enough to visit in 1–2 hours.

3. Zoo Atlanta

   • Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
   • Area: Grant Park, southeast of downtown
   • Highlights: Gorillas, giant pandas, African savanna exhibits, and a strong focus on conservation.
   • Good to know: This one is not downtown, so plan for extra travel time or parking.

4. College Football Hall of Fame

   • Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
   • Area: Centennial Olympic Park area
   • Highlights: Interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and hands-on activities centered on college football culture.
   • Good to know: Especially appealing if you’re a college football fan or visiting during the season.

5. Additional Choice Attractions (often 1–2 from a short list)
   In some years, the pass structure lets you choose between a couple of attractions, such as:

   • Fernbank Museum of Natural History
     • 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307 (Druid Hills / East Atlanta near Emory)
   • Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame (if not already a core item)
   • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
     • 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

   The exact mix and whether something is “included” or a “choice” can change. Check the current list before you buy.

Quick Comparison: Where the CityPASS Attractions Are in Atlanta

Use this overview to visualize where you’ll actually be going around town.

This layout matters because, with careful planning, you can cluster several attractions on the same day in the Centennial Olympic Park area, and then plan a separate day for Grant Park or Druid Hills.

How the Atlanta CityPASS Works Step-by-Step

While exact procedures may shift slightly, the general flow is similar:

1. Purchase the Pass

• You typically buy online.
• You select the number of adult and child passes you need.
• After payment, you receive digital passes (usually via email or app). Many people either save them on their phone or print them.

2. Activate the Pass

• The clock starts when you scan the pass at your first attraction.
• From that moment, you usually have a limited number of consecutive days (often around 9 days, but verify current rules) to visit the included attractions.
• You don’t have to visit everything in one day, but you do need to use it within that window.

3. Reserve Time Slots (Where Required)

Some Atlanta attractions now use timed-entry reservations, especially during busy periods or holidays. Common examples:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• Occasionally, others during high-traffic times

🔎 Important: Holding a CityPASS is not always the same as having a reservation. You may need to:

• Visit the attraction’s official site
• Select a CityPASS or “partner ticket” option
• Book a specific entry time
  Plan this before you arrive, especially on weekends, summer, and school breaks.

4. Show Your Pass at Each Attraction

• At the entrance, your CityPASS barcode is scanned instead of a standalone ticket.
• Some places may exchange the scan for a paper ticket; others scan it directly at the gate.

Who Benefits Most from Atlanta CityPASS?

CityPASS can be a solid value—but only for certain kinds of trips and travelers.

Best Fit

You’re more likely to benefit if:

• You plan to visit several big-ticket attractions (such as Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, and at least one more).
• You stay multiple days in or near downtown Atlanta.
• You’re okay with a structured itinerary.
• You’re traveling with family or a group and want cost predictability.

Might Not Be Worth It If

• You only want to see one or two attractions.
• You prefer outdoor or free activities (like the BeltLine, Piedmont Park, or city neighborhoods) over paid attractions.
• You live in Atlanta and already have annual memberships to some included venues (for example, a family membership to Zoo Atlanta or Fernbank).

For locals, CityPASS sometimes works best when hosting guests from out of town, or if you want an “Atlanta sights week” without managing separate tickets.

Typical Pros and Cons of Using CityPASS in Atlanta

Advantages

• Bundled savings: When you visit several attractions, the total cost is usually less than buying separate tickets.
• Simplified planning: You know your core attractions ahead of time and can organize your schedule around them.
• Good for short stays: Perfect for a long weekend or 4–5 day visit focused on downtown and a couple of nearby neighborhoods.
• Group-friendly: Keeps everyone in the group on the same ticket structure.

Disadvantages

• Time pressure: You’re bound to a use-by window, which can feel rushed if your plans change, or if bad weather or traffic gets in the way.
• Less flexible: You might feel obligated to go somewhere just because it’s “on the pass,” even if interest changes once you’re here.
• Attraction overlap with memberships: If you already have memberships or free passes (for example, through work, school, or local programs), the package may not save money.

How to Plan Your Atlanta Itinerary Around CityPASS

To get full value, it helps to plan your days around geography and timing.

Downtown / Centennial Park Day

These are all within walking distance of each other:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame
• (If included) National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Suggested approach:

• Morning: Georgia Aquarium (reserve early slot).
• Lunch: In the Centennial Olympic Park or Luckie-Marietta area.
• Afternoon: World of Coca-Cola or College Football Hall of Fame.
• Evening: Stroll through Centennial Olympic Park or head to a downtown/Midtown restaurant.

Grant Park & Druid Hills Day

These stops require either driving, rideshare, or public transit plus some walking:

• Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Druid Hills, if on your pass)

Possible plan:

• Morning: Zoo Atlanta.
• Lunch: Grant Park / nearby neighborhoods (Ormewood Park, East Atlanta Village).
• Afternoon: Head north to Fernbank if it’s one of your choices, or return toward downtown/Midtown.

Transportation Tips for CityPASS Users

Because several attractions cluster downtown but a couple sit farther out, transportation is part of the equation.

MARTA (Public Transit)

• Rail:
  • Take MARTA trains to Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center or Peachtree Center stations for easy walks to the Centennial Olympic Park area (Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Hall of Fame, Civil and Human Rights Center).
• Bus:
  • Routes around Grant Park and Druid Hills/Emory can reach Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank, but transfers and walking are often required.

Driving & Parking

• Downtown attractions have paid parking in nearby decks and surface lots.
• Grant Park and Druid Hills have mixed street and paid parking; be sure to check signs and neighborhood rules.
• Factor parking fees into your budget when calculating whether CityPASS saves you money.

Rideshare & Taxis

• Widely available in central Atlanta.
• Helpful if you’re trying to combine downtown attractions with Zoo Atlanta or Fernbank on the same day and want to avoid parking twice.

How to Decide If Atlanta CityPASS Is Right for You

Use this quick checklist:

CityPASS is probably a good choice if:

• You plan to visit at least 3–4 of the included attractions.
• You’re okay spending most of 2–3 days doing major sights.
• Your lodging is in or near downtown or Midtown.
• You don’t already have free or discounted tickets from another source.

You might skip it if:

• You mostly want to explore neighborhoods, parks, and free attractions like the BeltLine, Krog Street Market, or Oakland Cemetery.
• You only care about one big-ticket attraction, like the Georgia Aquarium.
• Your schedule in Atlanta is too tight (for example, in town for only one day with limited time).

Practical Next Steps in Atlanta

If you think Atlanta CityPASS might work for your plans:

1. List the attractions you truly want to see (not just “might” see).
2. Check individual ticket prices on each attraction’s official site.
3. Compare the total to the current CityPASS price.
4. Look at your calendar and transportation:
   • Can you reasonably visit everything in the allowed timeframe?
   • Is your hotel or home base close to downtown, or will you spend a lot of time in traffic?

With a bit of planning around Atlanta’s layout, traffic, and timing, the CityPASS can be an efficient way to see the city’s headline attractions—whether you’re a local finally doing the “tourist” circuit or a visitor trying to make the most of a few days in town.