Downtown Atlanta Things To Do: A Local’s Guide to the Heart of the City

Downtown Atlanta packs many of the city’s biggest attractions, landmarks, and local experiences into a walkable core. Whether you live in metro Atlanta or you’re visiting for a day, you can easily fill a weekend (or more) just exploring downtown.

Below is a practical guide to things to do in Downtown Atlanta, organized by interest so you can mix and match: major attractions, history and culture, family fun, sports, dining, nightlife, and easy ways to get around.

Essential Downtown Atlanta Attractions

These are the must-see spots most people associate with Downtown Atlanta. Many are within a few blocks of each other, making it simple to plan a full day on foot.

Centennial Olympic Park & Nearby Icons

The Centennial Olympic Park District is the core of downtown sightseeing.

Centennial Olympic Park

• Location: Around 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Why go: Built for the 1996 Olympic Games, this green space is now a central gathering spot with fountains, walking paths, and skyline views.
• What to do:
  • Relax on the lawn and people-watch.
  • Let kids play at the splash pad (when in season).
  • Check out events and festivals frequently hosted in the park.

Right around the park, you’ll find three of Downtown Atlanta’s biggest attractions:

1. Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

   • One of the largest aquariums in the world.
   • Features massive viewing windows, shark and ray habitats, and interactive exhibits.
   • Very popular with families and school groups; arriving early helps avoid peak crowds.

2. World of Coca‑Cola (121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

   • Museum and experience dedicated to the history of Coca‑Cola, founded in Atlanta.
   • Offers tasting areas, memorabilia, and exhibits about the brand’s global reach.
   • Often paired with the Georgia Aquarium in one outing due to close proximity.

3. SkyView Atlanta (168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303)

   • A large Ferris wheel across from Centennial Olympic Park.
   • Offers skyline and park views, especially striking at night.
   • Quick activity to fit between visits to the nearby museums.

CNN Center Area & State Farm Arena

While CNN’s operations have shifted in recent years, the CNN Center area is still a familiar landmark near:

• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303) – home of the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts.
• The western edge of Centennial Olympic Park and close to the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium area.

It’s a convenient zone for grabbing a quick bite before a game or concert, then walking to your event.

History, Civil Rights, and Culture

Downtown Atlanta is packed with places that tell the story of the city’s role in American history, civil rights, and culture.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

• Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Focuses on the American Civil Rights Movement and modern human rights issues.
• Exhibits connect Atlanta’s history with ongoing global struggles for justice.
• A strong choice if you want more context about the city beyond its skyline and sports.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (Nearby in Sweet Auburn)

Technically just east of the core downtown grid, this area is usually included in central-city itineraries:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  • Visitor Center: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  • Includes:
    • Dr. King’s birth home (guided tours often require day‑of signup).
    • The Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached.
    • Historic exhibits about the civil rights movement.
• It’s easily reached from downtown by car, rideshare, or MARTA (using Peachtree Center or Five Points as starting points).

Atlanta History & Architecture Walks

While Midtown often gets attention for arts and museums, downtown streets tell their own story:

• Peachtree Street corridor – Lined with historic and modern buildings, hotels, and landmark theaters.
• Fairlie‑Poplar Historic District – A compact area with early 20th‑century commercial architecture, brick facades, and narrow streets.
• Underground Atlanta – Historic commercial district located around 50 Upper Alabama St SW. It has gone through multiple redevelopment phases and is sometimes used for events, art, and nightlife.

Self‑guided walks in these areas can give you a feel for old vs. new Atlanta in a compact space.

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown is especially convenient for families since many attractions are clustered and easy to reach without a car.

Top Family Stops

• Georgia Aquarium – Hands-on exhibits and impressive marine life appeal to kids of all ages.
• World of Coca‑Cola – Short museum-style visit with interactive elements and tastings.
• SkyView Atlanta – Quick, memorable ride that provides a “wow” moment.
• Centennial Olympic Park – Open space for kids to run around between attractions.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

• Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Aimed at younger children, with interactive, play-based exhibits focusing on learning and creativity.
• Located just off Centennial Olympic Park, making it easy to add to a full downtown day.

College Football Hall of Fame

• Address: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• College football–themed experience with exhibits, interactive games, and memorabilia.
• Especially popular with sports‑loving families and SEC fans traveling through Atlanta.

Sports, Events, and Live Entertainment

Downtown Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major hubs for big events, from pro sports to concerts.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Home to:
  • Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
  • Atlanta United FC (MLS)
• Also hosts major concerts, college football games, and large-scale events.
• Located on the western side of downtown, within walking distance from Five Points and GWCC/CNN MARTA stations.

State Farm Arena

• Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Home to the Atlanta Hawks (NBA).
• Hosts concerts, comedy tours, and other live events.
• Walkable from central downtown and connected by the GWCC/CNN MARTA station.

Performance Venues and Theaters

Inside or just on the edge of downtown, you’ll find:

• Tabernacle (152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303) – Historic church-turned-concert-venue, popular for live music.
• Rialto Center for the Arts (80 Forsyth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303) – Theater associated with Georgia State University; hosts performances, film, and cultural events.

Checking event calendars before your trip or weekend can help you pair sightseeing with a game or concert in the same area.

Dining and Drinks in Downtown Atlanta

Food options in Downtown Atlanta range from quick lunch spots for office workers to sit-down restaurants for pre‑event dinners. The mix changes over time as new places open and older spots rotate, but there are consistent patterns in where people go.

Where People Commonly Eat Downtown

• Peachtree Street NW corridor – Restaurants and bars near hotels, office towers, and MARTA Peachtree Center Station.
• Centennial Olympic Park area – Casual spots and chain restaurants that cater to aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola visitors.
• MLK Jr Drive & Mitchell St area – Close to government buildings and the courthouse, with a mix of local lunch spots and small eateries.

If you’re headed to a game or concert, many people eat:

• Around State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, where walkable options serve pre‑ and post‑event crowds.
• In the Castleberry Hill neighborhood just southwest of downtown, which has a growing restaurant and bar scene in historic warehouse buildings.

Casual vs. Special-Occasion Choices

• Quick eats: Sandwich shops, pizzerias, bakeries, and fast‑casual chains are concentrated near Peachtree Center and the office core.
• Sit-down dining: You’ll find more full-service restaurants attached to major hotels and along Peachtree Street. These are popular for business dinners, convention visitors, and date nights close to attractions.

Because downtown dining can be closely tied to event schedules, reservations or checking hours ahead of time is often helpful, especially on game days.

Nightlife and Evening Activities

Downtown Atlanta nightlife is shaped by sports events, conventions, and visitors staying in nearby hotels. Even when there isn’t a major game, there are plenty of ways to spend an evening.

Evening Ideas in Downtown

• Ride SkyView at night – City lights and park views offer a different perspective from daytime visits.
• Walk through Centennial Olympic Park – Night lighting and fountain displays make for a relaxed stroll after dinner.
• Catch a show at Tabernacle or Rialto – Both venues host evening performances.
• Bar-hopping near Peachtree Street – Hotel bars and nearby pubs often draw a mix of locals and out-of-towners.

For a slightly different vibe, many locals also head to Castleberry Hill, Edgewood Avenue, or Midtown in the evenings. All are within a short ride from Downtown Atlanta and provide more concentrated nightlife districts.

Shopping and Local Finds

Most downtown shopping centers are focused on convention visitors and office workers, but there are still interesting finds if you know where to look.

What to Expect

• Souvenir and gift shops – Clustered around Centennial Olympic Park and major hotels, with Atlanta- and Georgia-themed items.
• Small boutiques and specialty shops – Scattered throughout the Fairlie‑Poplar area and nearby streets.
• Underground Atlanta – Once a major retail center, it now functions more as a mixed-use event and artistic space, with retail and entertainment evolving over time.

For more extensive shopping malls and fashion retail, many locals head to:

• Atlantic Station (just northwest of Midtown)
• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead

These aren’t in downtown, but they’re commonly paired with a downtown visit for those spending multiple days in the city.

Quick Planning Guide: How to Spend a Day in Downtown Atlanta

Here’s a simple sample schedule many visitors and locals use when they want to focus on Downtown Atlanta attractions:

You can easily stretch this into a two-day downtown itinerary by adding MLK Jr. National Historical Park, a performance at Tabernacle or Rialto, and more time in Fairlie‑Poplar and Castleberry Hill.

Getting Around Downtown Atlanta

Understanding how to move around downtown can make your visit smoother, whether you’re local or just arriving.

MARTA Rail and Bus

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the primary public transit system.

Key downtown rail stations:

• Peachtree Center Station – Central for hotels, Peachtree Street, and many office buildings.
• Five Points Station – Main transfer point between MARTA lines; close to Underground Atlanta and government buildings.
• GWCC/CNN Center Station – Convenient for Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• Georgia State Station – East side of downtown, near Georgia State University and some government offices.

Using MARTA can save time and parking costs, especially on game days or during conventions.

Walking and Micromobility

Downtown is relatively walkable, with most major attractions within a 10–15 minute walk of each other. Many people also use:

• Scooters and bike-share services (when available), common along Peachtree Street and around Centennial Olympic Park.
• Clearly marked crosswalks and signals, though you should be mindful of traffic and event congestion.

Driving and Parking

If you drive into Downtown Atlanta:

• Expect varied parking garages and surface lots, with prices that often increase during major events.
• Event venues such as Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena offer official lots and pre-paid parking options.
• Street parking is limited and often time‑restricted; checking signs carefully is important.

Many locals choose to park once and then walk or use MARTA for the rest of the day.

Tips for Making the Most of Downtown Atlanta

• Bundle nearby attractions: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights are all in the same cluster.
• Check event calendars: Big games, concerts, and conventions can change parking, traffic, and restaurant crowds.
• Plan for weather: Atlanta summers can be hot and humid; build in indoor breaks at museums and attractions.
• Use MARTA when possible: Especially from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where trains go directly to downtown stations.
• Explore beyond the main strip: Side streets in Fairlie‑Poplar and nearby neighborhoods like Castleberry Hill can provide more local-feeling experiences than the main tourist corridors.

Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to spend a Saturday or a visitor trying to see the highlights in one trip, Downtown Atlanta offers a dense mix of culture, history, entertainment, and big-city energy within a relatively compact area.