Exploring Atlanta’s Historic Five Points: What to Know Before You Go

Five Points is one of the most important crossroads in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. If you’ve ever ridden MARTA, gone to a game, or walked around the historic core of the city, you’ve likely passed right through it—maybe without even realizing.

This guide walks you through what Five Points in Atlanta is, where it is, what’s nearby, how to get there, and how locals typically use and experience the area.

What Is Five Points in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, Five Points refers to both:

• A historic intersection where five streets meet, and
• The surrounding downtown neighborhood/core centered around that crossroads.

It’s essentially the heart of downtown Atlanta, where the city’s earliest commercial activity grew and where transit, business, and street life still converge today.

Historically, Five Points formed where these streets come together:

• Marietta Street NW
• Decatur Street SE
• Edgewood Avenue SE
• Peachtree Street SW
• Peachtree Street NW

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Five Points is mainly known for:

• The Five Points MARTA station
• Being a central transit hub and transfer point
• Its proximity to Peachtree Center, Georgia State University, and major attractions
• Its role as a historic core of the city

Exactly Where Is Five Points?

Five Points sits in downtown Atlanta, in Fulton County, just south of Peachtree Center and near the main government and business district.

Core Location

• Five Points intersection area:
  Roughly around Peachtree St NW & Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• ZIP code: Primarily 30303

If you’re looking at a map, you’ll find Five Points:

• Just south of Peachtree Center
• North of Underground Atlanta
• West of Georgia State University’s main campus buildings
• East of the CNN Center / State Farm Arena area

Five Points MARTA Station: The Transit Heart of Atlanta

For many locals, “Five Points” mainly means the MARTA station.

Key Details

• Name: Five Points Station (MARTA)
• Address: 30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Serves:
  • Red Line (North–South)
  • Gold Line (North–South)
  • Blue Line (East–West)
  • Green Line (East–West)

That makes Five Points the main transfer station for MARTA rail. If you’re traveling between most parts of the city by train, you will likely pass through or transfer here.

Why Five Points Station Matters

People in Atlanta use Five Points Station to:

• Transfer between rail lines
• Catch MARTA buses that fan out across the city
• Walk to downtown offices, hotels, and government buildings
• Access nearby tourist attractions (often with a short walk or connecting ride)

If you’re visiting Atlanta without a car, learning how to navigate Five Points Station can make it much easier to get around.

Getting To and From Five Points

By MARTA Train

If you’re already in Atlanta and near a MARTA line, the easiest route is by train:

• From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Take the Red or Gold Line north and get off at Five Points.
• From Buckhead, Midtown, or North Springs
  • Take the Red Line south to Five Points.
• From Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven
  • Take the Gold Line south to Five Points.
• From Decatur, East Lake, or Indian Creek
  • Take the Blue Line west to Five Points.
• From West Lake, Ashby, or Bankhead
  • Take the Green or Blue Line east to Five Points.

Transfers between north–south and east–west lines are done inside Five Points Station, with clear signage.

By Bus

Five Points is a major bus hub. Many MARTA bus routes terminate or pass through streets around the station, particularly along:

• Alabama Street SW
• Broad Street SW
• Nearby cross streets

You can typically find bus bays and shelters on the streets surrounding the station entrances. Schedules are posted at bus stops and inside the station.

By Car

If you’re driving:

• Five Points is accessed via Peachtree St, Marietta St, Pryor St, Edgewood Ave, and nearby one-way streets downtown.
• On-street parking is limited and often metered or time-restricted.
• Many people choose to park in downtown garages or lots near Peachtree Center, Underground Atlanta, or other nearby blocks and then walk.

💡 Tip: Downtown streets can be confusing, with one-way segments and event-related closures. It’s often simpler to park once and walk or use MARTA for short hops.

What’s Around Five Points? Key Nearby Landmarks

While Five Points itself is primarily streets, transit access, and some retail, it sits close to many of Atlanta’s major destinations.

Within a Short Walk

• Underground Atlanta
  A historic and evolving multi-level area with retail and event spaces just south of Five Points along Alabama St SW.

• Georgia State University (GSU) – Downtown Campus
  Many GSU buildings are east and northeast of Five Points, around Decatur St, Courtland St, and Peachtree Center Ave. The area has a strong student presence on weekdays.

• Downtown Business District
  Banks, office towers, government buildings, and law offices around Marietta St, Mitchell St, and Peachtree St are easily reachable on foot.

A Bit Farther, Still Accessible from Five Points

Most of these are a 10–20 minute walk or a short train/bus ride:

• State Farm Arena & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

  • Walk west and a bit south, or take MARTA one stop west from Five Points to GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City (depending on your exact destination and line).

• Centennial Olympic Park Area
  Home to major attractions like:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
    These are generally northwest of Five Points; many people walk or ride MARTA to Peachtree Center or GWCC/CNN Center and then walk.

• Peachtree Center
  A cluster of office towers, hotels, and retail spaces just north of Five Points. Often accessed via the Peachtree Center MARTA station, or a walk up Peachtree St from Five Points.

Five Points as a Neighborhood: What It Feels Like

While some people use “Five Points” loosely to mean the broader downtown core, the immediate Five Points area has a distinct feel.

Atmosphere

You can expect:

• High foot traffic, especially during rush hours and on weekdays
• A mix of office workers, students, commuters, and visitors
• Street activity that can feel busy and sometimes hectic, especially near the station entrances
• An environment that changes throughout the day—more business‑oriented during work hours, quieter but still active in the evenings and on game/event days

Safety and Common-Sense Tips

Like many large-city downtown transit hubs, Five Points is highly public and well-used, but it’s smart to use standard city awareness:

• Keep your bags zipped and valuables out of sight.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
• Stick to well‑lit, main streets, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
• If you’re unsure where to go, look for MARTA staff, station signage, or larger groups of commuters moving between exits.

Most local commuters treat the area as a routine part of daily travel, especially when moving quickly between trains, buses, and nearby offices.

Services and Practical Spots Near Five Points

If you’re passing through Five Points, you might be looking for food, banking, or quick errands.

Food and Quick Bites

Around the immediate area, you’ll typically find:

• Fast-food and counter-service spots on and near Peachtree St, Broad St, and Decatur St
• Small cafés and take-out locations catering to office workers and students
• Occasional street vendors or pop-up stands during busier times

Options come and go, so what you find will depend on the particular block and time of day, but it’s generally easy to find something quick nearby on foot.

Banking, ATMs, and Essentials

Downtown blocks around Five Points often include:

• ATMs inside or near office lobbies and around the MARTA station
• Convenience stores or small markets for drinks and basic items
• Access to nearby drugstores within a few blocks north or east

Because the area serves so many commuters and office workers, practical services are generally within short walking distance.

Government and Civic Locations Near Five Points

If you’re in downtown Atlanta for official business, Five Points can be a convenient anchor.

Nearby Civic Sites (Within Walking Distance)

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Located southwest of Five Points, reachable via a short walk.

• Fulton County Government Center / Courthouse Area
  Around Pryor St, Central Ave, and Peters St SW, a few blocks from the Five Points area.

• State of Georgia Government Offices
  Many state offices are clustered around the Georgia State Capitol, south of Five Points.

These locations are typically accessible by walking, short bus rides, or quick taxi/ride-hail trips from Five Points.

Using Five Points as a Visitor

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying in a hotel downtown, in Midtown, or near the airport, Five Points can be a central launch point for exploring the city.

Helpful Patterns for Visitors

• Use Five Points Station to:
  • Transfer between lines when going from airport → downtown → Buckhead/Midtown or Decatur → downtown → stadiums.
  • Reach GSU and Underground Atlanta on foot.
• Pair Five Points with:
  • A short walk or link to Peachtree Center for hotels, restaurants, and indoor access through skybridges in that complex.
  • A quick MARTA hop to GWCC/CNN Center for events and attractions around Centennial Olympic Park.

If you prefer to minimize driving and parking downtown, centering your routes around Five Points and other core MARTA stations can make your trip smoother.

Quick Reference: Five Points at a Glance

If You Live in Atlanta: How Five Points Fits Into Daily Life

For residents, Five Points often becomes less of a “destination” and more of a connection point:

• You may pass through on your way between work and home.
• You may use it to connect rail lines for games, concerts, or classes.
• You might walk through the area to get between offices, GSU buildings, or government sites.

Understanding Five Points—where the station exits lead, which streets are best for walking, and what’s nearby—can help you:

• Shorten your commute
• Better plan errands downtown
• Navigate events and game days when crowds are heavier

If you’re new to Atlanta, spending a little time getting oriented around Five Points (exits, surrounding streets, and nearby landmarks) can make the rest of downtown feel more manageable and connected.