Map of Downtown Atlanta: How to Find Your Way Around the Heart of the City

Downtown Atlanta is compact but busy, full of one-way streets, major attractions, and different “mini-districts” packed close together. If you’re looking for a map of downtown Atlanta and practical guidance on how to use it, it helps to understand the layout before you arrive.

Below is a clear, local-focused guide to the main streets, landmarks, transit, and tools that make navigating downtown Atlanta much easier.

The Big Picture: How Downtown Atlanta Is Laid Out

When you look at a map of downtown Atlanta, you’ll notice a few key patterns:

• Downtown sits just south of Midtown, centered around Peachtree Street.
• Interstates I‑75/85 (the Connector) run north–south through the city just east of the main core.
• I‑20 runs east–west just south of downtown.
• The main walkable area is roughly bounded by:
  • North: Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd / Civic Center area
  • South: Memorial Dr / Capitol area
  • West: Northside Dr and the sports stadiums
  • East: The Georgia State University campus and the Sweet Auburn area

If you can keep Peachtree Street, Centennial Olympic Park, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in mind as anchor points, every downtown map becomes much easier to read.

Key Districts You’ll See on a Map of Downtown Atlanta

Most downtown maps break the area into several recognizable districts. Knowing these names helps you orient yourself quickly.

1. Centennial Olympic Park & Entertainment District

This is one of the most visible clusters on any downtown Atlanta map.

Key landmarks in this zone include:

• Centennial Olympic Park – The central green space
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• College Football Hall of Fame
• World of Coca‑Cola
• Georgia Aquarium

This district sits west of Peachtree Street and just north of the stadiums, making it a good reference when reading maps or planning walking routes.

2. Five Points & Central Business Core

On a map, Five Points is the star-shaped street intersection and major transit hub where several MARTA lines meet. It’s the traditional center of downtown.

Nearby you’ll see:

• Peachtree Street SW and Marietta Street NW
• Lots of office buildings, banks, and government offices
• The Underground Atlanta area

If your map marks the Five Points MARTA Station, that’s a central point for transfers and orientation.

3. Georgia State University & Government District

To the east and southeast of Five Points, most maps show a dense cluster of GSU buildings and state offices, including:

• Georgia State University campus
• Georgia State Capitol and government buildings
• Court complexes and administrative offices

When you see the gold dome of the Capitol on a map (often used as a symbol), you’re in the official government area on the south side of downtown.

4. CNN Center & Stadiums

On the west side of downtown:

• CNN Center (still commonly marked on maps as a landmark building)
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons / Atlanta United home)
• State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks home)

These are usually highlighted as a distinct “sports and media” area along Northside Drive NW and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr NW.

5. Edge of Sweet Auburn & South Downtown

Most broad downtown maps also brush against:

• Sweet Auburn to the east/northeast (historic district, Auburn Ave)
• South Downtown just south of Five Points, where you’ll see older commercial blocks and newer redevelopment projects

These areas are walkable from the downtown core and may appear as labeled neighborhoods or just as street grids on your map.

Main Streets to Know When Reading a Downtown Atlanta Map

Downtown has some quirks: diagonals, one‑way streets, and multiple “Peachtree” names. A quick street overview will help any map make more sense.

Core North–South Routes

• Peachtree Street NW / SW
  The spine of downtown. Runs from Midtown into downtown, changing from NW to SW as it crosses certain points. Most visitors use this as their primary walking and orientation line.

• Marietta Street NW
  Cuts diagonally from the Five Points area toward Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia World Congress Center.

• Spring Street NW and Ted Turner Dr NW
  Parallel routes west of Peachtree; often important on driving maps because of one‑way patterns and access to parking decks.

• Courtland St NE / Piedmont Ave SE
  Routes along the eastern side of downtown near Georgia State University and many hotels.

East–West Corridors

• Andrew Young International Blvd NW
  Runs past Peachtree, heading toward Centennial Olympic Park and major hotels and venues.

• John Portman Blvd NW
  Connects big hotels and office towers, a key path on maps showing convention routes.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW / NW
  Crosses downtown and passes near the Capitol, stadiums, and various government buildings.

• Decatur St SE
  Runs through the Georgia State University and Sweet Auburn side of downtown.

Knowing these names and spotting them on your map can anchor you even if you’re not using turn‑by‑turn directions.

Using a Map of Downtown Atlanta for Walking

Downtown Atlanta is more walkable than it looks on a highway map. A detailed pedestrian or visitor map will usually highlight:

• Sidewalk routes between:
  • Centennial Olympic Park → World of Coca‑Cola → Georgia Aquarium
  • CNN Center / stadiums → Five Points → Underground Atlanta
  • Georgia State University → State Capitol → Government buildings
• Crosswalk-heavy intersections along Peachtree and Marietta
• Public plazas and park spaces that function as shortcuts

Walking Tips Using a Downtown Map

• Check elevation changes. The area around Peachtree Street and Centennial Olympic Park has some hills. If a route looks shorter but cuts up a steep street, you may prefer a slightly longer, flatter path.
• Note where MARTA stations are. Many walking maps mark Peachtree Center, Five Points, GWCC/CNN/State Farm Arena, and Georgia State stations, letting you mix walking with transit.
• Account for events. On event days at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena, some streets near the venue may be heavily congested or partially closed. Your paper map will still be correct, but walking or transit routes may be more efficient than driving.

Using a Map of Downtown Atlanta for Driving and Parking

Driving in downtown Atlanta can feel tight, especially during events. A driver-focused map of downtown typically shows:

• Interstate exits:
  • I‑75/85 exits for Courtland St, Williams St, Spring St, and Central Ave
  • I‑20 exits for Capitol Ave / Memorial Dr and Spring St
• One‑way streets with arrows
• Parking decks and garages
• Event routes near the stadiums and convention center

Common Landmarks for Drivers

When you view a map, look for these anchors:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  Near Northside Dr NW and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr NW
• Georgia World Congress Center
  Just north of the stadium along Northside Dr
• State Farm Arena
  Between the stadium and Centennial Olympic Park
• Peachtree Center
  Dense cluster of hotels and parking decks, east of Peachtree St

🔑 Tip: If your map shows multiple garages, aim for periphery parking (for example, along Courtland, Piedmont, or the east side of downtown) and walk or ride MARTA into the densest area.

Downtown Atlanta Transit on the Map: MARTA and Streetcar

A good city map of downtown Atlanta will highlight transit options. Learning these saves time and parking stress.

MARTA Rail Stations in Downtown

On most maps, MARTA rail lines are color‑coded. Downtown stations to look for:

• Peachtree Center Station – Under Peachtree St, close to many hotels and offices
• Five Points Station – Main hub where north–south and east–west lines intersect
• GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena Station – Closest to the convention center, arena, and stadium
• Georgia State Station – Serves the GSU campus and east side of downtown

These stations are important both for visitors (airport access, Midtown trips) and locals (daily commuting, event access).

Atlanta Streetcar

On detailed maps of downtown and nearby areas, you’ll often see the Atlanta Streetcar loop, which runs a short route connecting:

• Centennial Olympic Park area
• Edgewood Ave and Sweet Auburn
• Peachtree Center and the core business district

The streetcar line is typically shown as a loop with marked stops. It’s useful for short hops if you don’t want to walk the full distance.

Landmarks to Use as Map “Checkpoints”

When you’re reading a map (or zooming in on a digital one), these major downtown landmarks help you confirm where you are:

Spotting these on your map makes it easier to estimate walking times and plan simple routes.

Where to Get a Reliable Map of Downtown Atlanta (Physical & Local Sources)

While most people rely on digital navigation, printed or official-style maps can be very helpful downtown—especially for planning walks or when cell service is spotty inside large buildings.

Here are some local places where maps or wayfinding information are often available:

Visitor & Information Desks

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors spaces inside major hotels or convention venues
  Many large downtown hotels and the Georgia World Congress Center maintain lobby information desks that can provide basic area maps, event maps, or printed guides.

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  Visitor information desks near baggage claim frequently stock general Atlanta and downtown area maps, especially for travelers heading to conferences or events.

Transit & Rail Hubs

• MARTA Rail Stations (Downtown)
  Stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, and GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena often have:
  • System maps posted on walls
  • Pocket‑sized MARTA system maps
  • Station‑area neighborhood maps on signage near exits

These help you visually connect where the station sits inside downtown.

Major Attractions

Many attractions in the Centennial Olympic Park area include simple maps on brochures, signs, or handouts:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium tour desks or event info spots

These usually highlight walking routes and nearby transit more than driving directions.

Reading a Downtown Atlanta Map Efficiently

Once you have a map in hand (digital or paper), a few Atlanta‑specific habits help:

1. Identify Peachtree Street first.
   Use it as your “spine.” Most other streets and landmarks are easier to relate to once Peachtree is located.

2. Find your nearest MARTA station.
   Even if you’re driving, knowing the closest station gives you a backup option if traffic or parking become difficult.

3. Check for one‑way arrows.
   Downtown is full of one‑way streets; on a driving map, these arrows are critical to avoiding unnecessary loops.

4. Use major venues as orientation points.
   Stadiums, the Capitol, Georgia World Congress Center, and Centennial Olympic Park don’t move—and they stand out clearly on maps.

5. Look at the borders.
   Note where Midtown starts to the north and where neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn and Castleberry Hill appear on the edges of your map so you don’t unintentionally wander far from your intended area.

Practical Map-Based Routes People Commonly Use

Here are a few typical routes that show how a map of downtown Atlanta comes to life:

• From Centennial Olympic Park to Five Points (on foot)

  • Head southeast toward Marietta St or Andrew Young International Blvd
  • Use your map to cut toward Peachtree Street and then south into the Five Points area
  • On a map, this looks like a short, diagonal move from the park’s southeast corner

• From Georgia State University to the State Capitol

  • Check your map for Capitol Ave SW and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SE
  • The route is generally a short walk south/southwest, often shown as just a few blocks

• From Mercedes‑Benz Stadium to Peachtree Center (MARTA)

  • On a rail map, board at GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena Station
  • Travel one stop to Five Points, then transfer north one stop to Peachtree Center
  • Many maps show this clearly as a short L‑shaped connection

Using a clear map of downtown Atlanta along with these local reference points makes navigating the city center far easier—whether you’re catching a game, attending a conference, starting classes at Georgia State, or exploring Atlanta’s core for the first time.