Visiting CNN Studios in Atlanta, Georgia: What’s There Now and How to Explore Media History

For years, CNN Center in downtown Atlanta was one of the city’s biggest visitor draws. Travelers and locals alike would head there for studio tours, an atrium full of restaurants, and a behind-the-scenes look at cable news.

Today, things look very different. If you search for “CNN Studios Atlanta Georgia”, you’ll find a mix of old information, newer building updates, and a lot of confusion about what’s actually open to the public.

This guide explains:

• What happened to CNN Center and the famous CNN studio tours
• Where CNN still operates in Atlanta
• What you can and can’t visit now
• The best alternative media and news-related experiences in Atlanta
• Practical tips if you’re planning a trip downtown

CNN Studios in Atlanta: A Quick Overview

Atlanta is the birthplace and former headquarters of CNN (Cable News Network), founded here in 1980 by Ted Turner. For decades, the network’s most recognizable public space was:

• CNN Center
  190 Marietta St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

This building housed newsrooms, studios, offices, and the popular CNN Studio Tour, and it was connected to State Farm Arena and located next to Centennial Olympic Park.

However:

• The official CNN Studio Tour is no longer operating.
• CNN has shifted many operations to other locations, including New York.
• CNN Center itself has gone through ownership changes and is no longer the public attraction it once was.

If you’re coming to Atlanta hoping to take a CNN studio tour, you currently cannot do the traditional tour that used to run inside CNN Center.

Is CNN Center Still Open to the Public?

As of recent changes:

• CNN Center no longer functions as a major visitor attraction with tours and a full food court as it once did.
• The building’s use is shifting away from being primarily CNN-focused.
• Some parts of the complex may still be active for tenants, offices, and arena access, but not as a dedicated CNN visitor experience.

Because property usage can evolve, it’s wise to:

• 🕒 Check current information shortly before your visit by searching for “CNN Center Atlanta hours” or checking city visitor resources.
• 🚶 Expect limited or no public CNN-branded experiences inside, even if the building itself is accessible.

If your main goal is to see an active CNN newsroom or live broadcast, Atlanta currently does not offer a routine, bookable public tour like it once did.

Where CNN Still Operates in Atlanta

While the public-facing side has changed, CNN still maintains a presence in the city:

• News and production operations:
  CNN has historically operated from downtown Atlanta facilities and maintains technical and production capabilities in the area.
• Corporate presence:
  Atlanta remains an important location for Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN’s parent company) and related media operations.

However:

• These facilities are working newsrooms and offices, not walk-in visitor centers.
• Access is typically restricted to employees, guests, and authorized personnel only.

From a local’s perspective, CNN is still woven into Atlanta’s media and business landscape, but not in a way you can tour on a casual visit.

Can You Still Tour CNN Studios in Atlanta?

No standard public CNN studio tours are currently being offered in Atlanta.

The previous Inside CNN Studio Tour at CNN Center included:

• A ride up the huge escalator in the atrium
• A guided walk past control rooms and newsroom spaces
• Demonstrations of green screen and other TV technologies
• A chance to see live broadcasts in progress (depending on timing)

Those tours have been discontinued.

If you find online listings still mentioning the former tour, they are out of date. To avoid disappointment:

• ❗ Do not assume you can just show up and buy CNN tour tickets.
• ✅ Always confirm any advertised tour directly with the organizer or venue, not just a third-party listing.

What to Do Instead: Atlanta Media & News-Related Experiences

If you were hoping for a media-focused experience in Atlanta, there are still several ways to explore journalism, broadcasting, and storytelling in the city.

1. Tour the WSB Radio / WSB-TV Facilities (When Offered)

Atlanta’s WSB outlets (radio and television) have been major players in Southern media for decades. At times, they’ve offered special tours or educational programs for students and groups.

• WSB-TV and WSB Radio
  1601 W Peachtree St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30309

These opportunities are usually:

• By appointment or special arrangement (e.g., school groups, media students)
• Focused on broadcast operations, local news, and community service

It’s best to:

• Visit the station’s official channels for current visitor or tour policies
• Reach out via general contact numbers or email for group inquiries

2. Visit the Atlanta History Center for Media & Civil Rights Context

While not a studio, the Atlanta History Center often includes exhibits that touch on media, civil rights coverage, and Atlanta’s role in national stories.

• Atlanta History Center
  130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW
  Atlanta, GA 30305

You may find:

• Exhibits showing how news outlets covered major events, including the civil rights era
• Artifacts and stories about Atlanta-based media figures

This is a good way to place CNN and other outlets into the larger story of Atlanta as a communications hub.

3. Explore the National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Located near where CNN Center once drew tourists, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects closely to themes of journalism, free speech, and public information.

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313

Inside, you’ll see:

• Exhibits about press coverage of civil rights movements
• The role of media in shaping public understanding of justice and equity

It’s not a studio tour, but it offers powerful context that helps you understand why Atlanta’s media footprint matters.

4. Take a Self-Guided Walk Through Downtown’s Media Landmarks

If you’re downtown near the former CNN Center area, you can build your own media-history walk:

Key spots to include:

• Former CNN Center area – 190 Marietta St NW
  Stand outside, look across to State Farm Arena and Centennial Olympic Park, and picture the era when CNN Center’s atrium was full of global visitors.
• Centennial Olympic Park – 265 Park Ave W NW
  A central public space surrounded by attractions such as the Georgia World Congress Center and near many legacy media buildings.
• Downtown skyline views
  From here, you can see multiple buildings that have housed local and national media companies over the years.

Nearby Attractions if You Planned a CNN Visit

Many visitors who used to plan a CNN tour often paired it with nearby Atlanta attractions. Even without the tour, the surrounding area is still one of the city’s busiest visitor districts.

Here’s a quick comparison of what you can do within walking distance of the former CNN Center:

If your plan included “CNN Studios Atlanta Georgia” as a core stop, you can easily rebuild your itinerary around these nearby experiences.

Tips for Locals Curious About Atlanta’s CNN Legacy

If you live in Atlanta and want to better understand CNN’s place in the city:

• Follow local business and development news
  Outlets like Atlanta Business Chronicle and major local TV stations often cover changes in downtown properties, including the former CNN Center.
• Watch for special events
  Occasionally, media organizations, universities, or journalism groups in Atlanta host panels, open houses, or public discussions about news and broadcasting.
• Explore university media programs
  Local institutions such as Georgia State University and Emory University have strong communication and journalism connections, sometimes open to the public through lectures or events.

While you may not be able to walk through an active CNN control room, you can still stay connected to the media conversation in Atlanta.

Practical Planning Advice

Whether you’re a resident showing visiting family around or a traveler planning an Atlanta itinerary, keep these points in mind:

• ✅ Do your research right before you visit
  Downtown Atlanta evolves quickly. Always check directly with venues and attractions for current hours, ticketing, and security requirements.
• 🚗 Plan your parking or transit
  The former CNN Center area is near major event venues. On game or concert days, parking can be limited and expensive. Consider MARTA rail to GWCC/CNN Center Station (name may change over time, but the stop serves the same area).
• 📷 Set expectations for photos
  You may be able to take photos outside former CNN-branded spaces, but expect no interior studio access and follow any posted photography or security rules.
• 🕊️ Think of CNN as part of Atlanta’s story, not a current tourist attraction
  CNN’s Atlanta presence is now mostly about history and behind-the-scenes operations, not public tours.

In summary, there is no longer a traditional, public CNN studio tour operating in Atlanta, and CNN Center is not the bustling visitor hub it once was. However, Atlanta still offers rich media, history, and storytelling experiences—especially around downtown—if you adjust your plans and focus on the broader story of how news, civil rights, and culture intersect in this city.