Visiting the Atlanta Georgia Temple: What Locals and Visitors Need to Know

The Atlanta Georgia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most distinctive religious landmarks in the Atlanta area. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are visiting from out of town, or are just curious about what happens there, understanding how this temple works—and how it fits into the local community—can help you make the most of a visit.

Where the Atlanta Georgia Temple Is and What It Is

The Atlanta Georgia Temple is located in the northern suburbs of Atlanta:

Atlanta Georgia Temple
6450 Barfield Road NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Although it’s officially in Sandy Springs, many people refer to it as the Atlanta, Georgia Temple because it serves members across the Atlanta metro area and much of the Southeast.

The temple sits just east of GA-400, not far from I-285, in a largely residential and office area. If you’re familiar with Perimeter Center, the temple is a short drive from the Perimeter Mall/Hammond Drive area.

Key points about the temple:

• It is a Latter-day Saint (LDS) temple, not a regular Sunday meetinghouse.
• It is considered a sacred worship space for church members, focused on religious ordinances and covenants.
• Regular weekly worship services (open to the public) happen at nearby LDS meetinghouses, not inside the temple itself.

Public vs. Private Areas: Can Anyone Go Inside?

One of the most important things for Atlanta visitors and residents to understand is the difference between temples and meetinghouses in Latter-day Saint practice.

What’s Open to the Public?

For the Atlanta Georgia Temple:

• Temple grounds:
  • Generally open to the public during the day.
  • You can walk around, take photos from the outside, and enjoy the landscaping.
• Exterior views:
  • Many people stop by simply to see the architecture, especially at sunset or in the evening when the temple is lit.
• Information from local members:
  • If you encounter members on the grounds, they will often answer basic questions about the temple and its purpose.

What’s Not Open to the Public?

• The inside of the temple is reserved for baptized, temple-worthy Latter-day Saints with a valid temple recommend.
• There are no public tours of the interior once a temple is dedicated or rededicated.
• Regular Sunday services do not happen here; they are held in local chapels that are open to visitors.

If you’re new to the area and looking for a public worship service, you’ll need a nearby LDS meetinghouse, not the temple itself. There are several around metro Atlanta in areas like Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, and Decatur.

What Happens in the Atlanta Georgia Temple?

From the outside, the temple may look like a beautiful church building, but its function is more specialized.

Latter-day Saint temples are used for:

• Marriages and sealings: Eternal marriage ceremonies for couples and families.
• Baptisms for the dead: Proxy baptisms performed on behalf of deceased ancestors.
• Instruction and covenants: Religious ceremonies in which members make promises with God.
• Personal worship: Quiet prayer, reflection, and spiritual study.

These are not public ceremonies. For Atlanta-area Latter-day Saints, the temple is a central part of their religious life, often involving regular visits—weekly, monthly, or as often as their schedules allow.

Getting There: Directions and Transportation in Atlanta

Atlanta traffic and road layouts can be confusing if you’re not used to them. Here’s how locals typically reach the Atlanta Georgia Temple.

By Car

Most people drive. The temple is near two major highways:

• From GA-400:
  • Take the Hammond Drive or Glenridge Connector exits and follow local roads to Barfield Road NE.
• From I-285 (Perimeter):
  • Use an exit toward GA-400 or Roswell Road, then navigate north toward the Hammond area and Barfield Road.

Parking is typically available on-site in the temple parking lot. On especially busy days (such as large temple events or peak weekend times), parking may be more limited, but routine visits usually aren’t a problem.

By MARTA (Public Transit)

There is no MARTA station directly at the temple, but you can get reasonably close:

1. Take MARTA Red Line to Sandy Springs Station or Dunwoody Station.
2. From there, you will likely need:
   • A short rideshare (often under 10 minutes), or
   • A local bus plus walking, depending on current routes.

Because MARTA bus routes and schedules change periodically, it’s wise to check current routes and plan for a combination of train, bus, and walking or rideshare.

When Is the Atlanta Georgia Temple Open?

Temple schedules can and do change. Generally:

• The temple is closed one day a week, often Sunday or Monday, and operates on set hours the rest of the week.
• It may close for maintenance, holidays, or special events.
• Hours for different types of temple work (for example, baptisms vs. endowment sessions) may not all be the same.

If you are a Latter-day Saint planning to participate in temple ordinances, you will typically:

• Schedule an appointment in advance through official church channels.
• Confirm current hours before traveling—especially if you’re coming from outside metro Atlanta or coordinating with a group.

If you are not a member and just want to visit the grounds, daytime hours are usually your best bet. Late-night visits aren’t always ideal; even if the building is beautifully lit, access to parking and grounds may be more limited.

What to Expect When You Visit the Temple Grounds

Even if you don’t go inside, visiting the Atlanta Georgia Temple grounds can be a peaceful break from busy city life.

Atmosphere

You can expect:

• Quiet, respectful environment
• Neatly maintained gardens and landscaping
• A view of the temple’s striking white exterior and spire

The area is designed to feel calm and reflective, even though it’s just minutes from some of Atlanta’s busiest highways.

Dress and Behavior

There is no strict dress code for simply walking the grounds, but locals often aim for neat, modest casual clothing, similar to what you’d wear visiting a church or cemetery.

Basic expectations:

• Speak quietly
• Avoid disruptive behavior
• Keep music at low volume or use headphones
• Supervise children so they don’t climb on structures or disturb flowerbeds

Photography

Photography is generally allowed outside the building and on the grounds, especially:

• Family photos
• Wedding party photos (for couples married in the temple)
• Scenic shots of the building and gardens

The inside of the temple is not photographed for public use, so you will not be able to take interior photos.

Weddings and Events at the Atlanta Georgia Temple

Many couples across Georgia and the Southeast choose the Atlanta Georgia Temple for their weddings.

Temple Weddings (Sealings)

Key details:

• Ceremonies are not open to the general public. Only Latter-day Saints with current temple recommends may attend inside.
• Couples often hold:
  • The religious sealing inside the temple.
  • A separate ring ceremony or reception at another venue in metro Atlanta for family and friends who cannot go inside.

Popular reception locations for Atlanta-area couples include:

• Church meetinghouse cultural halls (for Latter-day Saint members)
• Local event spaces in areas like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, or Midtown
• Parks, gardens, or community centers around metro Atlanta

Planning Logistics

If you’re planning a temple wedding and you live in or near Atlanta:

• Build in time for traffic on GA-400 and I-285—especially if you’re also traveling to a reception venue.
• Consider nearby hotels in Sandy Springs/Perimeter Center for out-of-town guests who want to be close to the temple.
• Coordinate photography on the temple grounds for after the ceremony (when the couple exits the temple to greet family and friends).

How the Temple Fits into Religious Life in Atlanta

The metro Atlanta religious landscape is diverse, including large Baptist congregations, historic churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples from many traditions. The Atlanta Georgia Temple is the central sacred building for Latter-day Saints in the region.

For Local Latter-day Saints

Members living in Atlanta and throughout Georgia typically:

• Attend weekly Sunday services at local LDS chapels (often called wards or branches).
• Visit the Atlanta Georgia Temple for:
  • Personal worship and reflection
  • Ordinances for themselves
  • Proxy ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors

Some members travel several hours from cities across Georgia and neighboring states to reach this temple, making it a regional center of worship.

For Non-Members in Atlanta

If you’re not a Latter-day Saint but you’re curious:

• You are welcome at regular Sunday worship services held in nearby LDS meetinghouses.
• Missionaries or local leaders can explain:
  • The difference between chapels and temples
  • What takes place in each
  • How the Atlanta temple serves the region

Many Atlanta residents first learn about the temple by seeing it from the road or hearing about a friend or coworker’s temple wedding, then visiting the grounds or a local chapel to learn more.

Nearby Areas and Amenities

If you’re planning a visit to the temple and want to combine it with other errands or activities, the surrounding area is well-developed.

Close-By Neighborhoods and Hubs

Within a short drive:

• Perimeter Center
  • Shopping (including Perimeter Mall)
  • Restaurants ranging from quick service to sit-down
  • Numerous hotels and office buildings
• Sandy Springs City Center
  • City Springs complex
  • Community events, restaurants, and green space
• Dunwoody and Roswell Road corridor
  • Grocery stores, pharmacies, and everyday services

This makes it easy to:

• Coordinate family gatherings before or after temple visits
• Arrange accommodations for out-of-town visitors
• Run errands if you’re coming from farther away and want to make the trip count

Practical Tips for Atlanta Temple Visitors

Here’s a quick, skimmable overview if you’re planning a visit.

Atlanta Georgia Temple at a Glance

Quick Tips 👍

• Plan around traffic:
  Avoid heavy rush-hour windows on I-285 and GA-400 if you’re on a tight schedule.
• Verify hours in advance:
  Especially important if you’re coming from outside metro Atlanta or have a scheduled ordinance.
• Dress respectfully:
  Neat, modest clothing is appropriate for walking temple grounds or taking photos.
• Combine with other stops:
  The Perimeter/Sandy Springs area offers food, lodging, and shopping within minutes of the temple.

For residents in Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Georgia Temple is more than just a distinctive white spire off GA-400—it’s a central part of Latter-day Saint religious life and a quiet, reflective space in the middle of a busy metro area. Whether you’re visiting the grounds, attending a wedding, or planning regular worship, understanding how the temple works in the context of Atlanta helps you navigate your visit smoothly and respectfully.