Best Hotels Near Zoo Atlanta, Georgia: Where to Stay and What to Know

Planning a trip to Zoo Atlanta and want to stay close by? Whether you’re an Atlanta local planning a staycation in Grant Park or a visitor looking to be near the zoo and downtown, there are several convenient hotel options within a short drive.

This guide focuses specifically on hotels near Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, plus what each area is like, how to get around, and tips for choosing the best place to stay.

Quick Overview: Areas to Stay Near Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is located at 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 in the historic Grant Park neighborhood, just southeast of Downtown.

Here’s a quick snapshot of nearby areas where most visitors choose to stay:

If your top priority is being as close as possible to Zoo Atlanta, look at Grant Park and nearby corridors. If you also want easy access to other attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola, Downtown and Midtown are usually the most convenient.

How Close Can You Actually Stay to Zoo Atlanta?

There are no large hotels directly inside Grant Park or on the Zoo Atlanta grounds, but you can stay within a short drive—often 5–15 minutes—in several directions:

• North / Northwest: Downtown and Midtown hotels
• West / Southwest: Hotels near Downtown, Castleberry Hill, and near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium area
• South: Airport-area hotels near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• East: Small hotels and inns along the Memorial Drive and Decatur corridors

If you’re looking for walkability to the zoo itself, you’ll usually be staying in a small inn or rental in Grant Park. Larger hotels are more likely to be a short drive away.

Downtown Atlanta: Closest Cluster of Major Hotels

Downtown is often the most practical base for visitors who want to:

• Be within 5–10 minutes of Zoo Atlanta by car or ride share
• Stay near ATL staples like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, and State Farm Arena
• Have access to MARTA rail and buses

Most Downtown hotels are located within a rough box bordered by Peachtree St, Baker St, Courtland St, and Marietta St.

Pros of staying Downtown near Zoo Atlanta:

• Short drive to Zoo Atlanta via:
  • I-20 East to the Boulevard SE exit, or
  • Surface streets through Memorial Dr SE or Hill St SE
• Easy access to:
  • Peachtree Center and Five Points MARTA Stations
  • Atlanta Streetcar loop around Downtown
• Good choice if you want a central, transit-friendly location

Things to consider:

• Downtown can feel busy and corporate on weekdays.
• Parking fees at many hotels can be higher than in suburban areas.
• Walking to Zoo Atlanta from Downtown isn’t practical; you’ll typically need a car, Uber/Lyft, or a taxi.

Midtown Atlanta: A Livelier Option Still Close to the Zoo

Midtown is a popular choice if you want to combine a Zoo Atlanta visit with:

• Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Arts and culture at the High Museum of Art, the Fox Theatre, or the Woodruff Arts Center
• A walkable neighborhood with restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife

From Midtown, Zoo Atlanta is usually a 10–15 minute drive, depending on traffic. Common routes are:

• I-75/85 South → I-20 East → Boulevard SE, or
• Local routes via Ponce de Leon Ave and Boulevard down into Grant Park

Why Midtown works well for Zoo Atlanta visits:

• Still fairly close to Zoo Atlanta
• More neighborhood feel than Downtown, with plenty of dining options
• Direct access to several MARTA rail stations, including:
  • Midtown Station (41 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
  • Arts Center Station (1255 W Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)

Things to consider:

• Parking can be limited or valet-only at some hotels.
• Nightlife makes parts of Midtown busier and louder in the evenings.

Grant Park & Nearby Corridors: Closest to Zoo Atlanta

If your priority is being closest to the zoo and the park itself, you’ll be looking around:

• Grant Park
• Summerhill
• Memorial Drive / Cabbagetown / Reynoldstown corridors

This area is mostly residential and historic, with tree-lined streets and older homes. You’ll find fewer large hotels and more:

• Small inns
• Boutique-style accommodations
• Short-term rentals

What to know about staying close to Zoo Atlanta:

• You’ll likely be within a 5-minute drive or a short rideshare of the zoo.
• Some spots near Memorial Drive SE and Boulevard SE make it especially easy to reach:
  • Zoo main entrance: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  • Nearby park entrances along Cherokee Ave SE and Boulevard SE

Pros:

• Very short commute to the zoo
• Easier access to green space in Grant Park
• A more residential, local feel compared to Midtown/Downtown

Considerations:

• Fewer large, name-brand hotels
• You’ll probably need a car or rideshare for most other attractions

Airport Hotels: Good for Early Flights + Zoo Visits

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is about 15–20 minutes by car from Zoo Atlanta, depending on traffic. The airport address is:

• 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

The airport area has a dense cluster of hotels, including many with shuttle service to the terminals.

Why stay near the airport if you’re visiting Zoo Atlanta:

• Convenient if you have an early-morning or late-night flight
• Often straightforward freeway access:
  • I-75/85 North → I-20 East or surface streets toward Grant Park
• Can be a budget-friendlier option compared to Midtown or Downtown

Things to consider:

• The airport area doesn’t offer much in terms of walkable sightseeing.
• You’ll be relying on:
  • A rental car
  • Hotel shuttles (for the airport only)
  • Rideshares to reach Zoo Atlanta and city attractions

Getting From Your Hotel to Zoo Atlanta

Even if you’re not right next door to Zoo Atlanta, it’s generally easy to reach by car from most central Atlanta hotels.

By Car or Rideshare

Most visitors use Uber, Lyft, or a personal/rental car.

Key routes:

• From Downtown / Midtown:
  • Take I-75/85 South → I-20 East → Exit at Boulevard SE, then head south into Grant Park
  • Or use surface streets such as Memorial Dr SE and Cherokee Ave SE
• From the Airport:
  • Head north on I-75/85, then east on I-20, exiting toward Boulevard SE
• From East Atlanta / Decatur:
  • Drive west on Memorial Dr SE and turn toward Grant Park and Cherokee Ave SE

Zoo Atlanta’s primary address for navigation:

• Zoo Atlanta
  800 Cherokee Ave SE
  Atlanta, GA 30315
  Main phone (general information): (404) 624-5600

By Public Transit (MARTA + Walking/Rideshare)

There isn’t a MARTA rail station directly next to Zoo Atlanta, but public transit can still help you get close.

General approaches:

• Rail to Downtown, then transfer to a bus or short rideshare.
• Use stations such as:
  • Five Points Station (30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  • King Memorial Station (377 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312)

From King Memorial, you can:

• Take a short rideshare (about 5–10 minutes depending on traffic), or
• Check MARTA bus routes serving the Grant Park / Zoo Atlanta area.

For the most current bus routes and schedules, MARTA customer information is available at:

• MARTA Customer Service: (404) 848-5000

What Type of Hotel Is Best for Your Zoo Atlanta Visit?

When choosing a hotel near Zoo Atlanta, consider what else you want from your trip.

1. Families with Kids 🐾

If your main goal is a fun zoo day and stress-free logistics, focus on:

• Short drive times to Zoo Atlanta (Downtown, Grant Park area, or airport hotels with easy freeway access)
• On-site parking or simple valet
• Family-friendly features such as:
  • Larger rooms or suites
  • On-site breakfast
  • Pool, if that’s important for kids

Tip: Staying north of the zoo (Downtown or Midtown) makes it simpler to add a stop at the Georgia Aquarium or Children’s Museum of Atlanta on the same trip.

2. Visitors Wanting to Explore the City

If Zoo Atlanta is just one stop on a bigger Atlanta itinerary, Midtown or Downtown are usually the most balanced options.

You’ll have:

• Reasonable driving time to Zoo Atlanta
• Easy connections via MARTA rail and city buses
• Walkable access to:
  • Major attractions
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Parks and cultural venues

3. Locals Planning a Staycation

If you already live in metro Atlanta and want to turn a zoo visit into a quick escape:

• Grant Park / nearby corridors offer a more neighborhood feel.
• Midtown works well if you want to mix the zoo with:
  • A show at the Fox Theatre
  • Time at Piedmont Park
  • Dinner or nightlife outings

Practical Tips for Booking a Hotel Near Zoo Atlanta

A few local-focused considerations can make your stay smoother:

• Check traffic expectations.
  Atlanta traffic is known to be heavy during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–6:30 p.m.). If you plan to visit Zoo Atlanta in the morning, consider leaving your hotel earlier than you think you need to.

• Ask about parking specifics.
  Hotel parking policies vary widely. Some Downtown and Midtown hotels charge nightly parking fees, while others include parking or have self-park garages.

• Consider how you’ll move around once you’re here.

  • If you don’t plan to rent a car, staying near a MARTA rail station and using rideshares for the zoo can be simpler.
  • If you do rent a car, check hotel parking and Zoo Atlanta parking details in advance. Zoo Atlanta typically directs visitors to parking lots along Cherokee Ave SE and Boulevard SE.

• Align your stay with your itinerary.
  If your schedule is:

  • Zoo + Aquarium + Downtown attractions: Stay in Downtown.
  • Zoo + parks + arts + nightlife: Stay in Midtown.
  • Zoo + flights in/out the same day or next morning: Consider airport-area hotels.

Key Takeaways for Finding Hotels Near Zoo Atlanta

• You won’t find large hotels inside Grant Park, but you have several convenient areas within a 5–20 minute drive.
• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta give you the best mix of:
  • Reasonable distance to Zoo Atlanta
  • Access to other major city attractions
  • Public transit via MARTA
• Grant Park and nearby neighborhoods put you closest to the zoo in a quieter, more residential setting.
• Airport hotels work well for travelers focused on flight convenience who still want to make a stop at the zoo.

If you narrow down where else you plan to go beyond Zoo Atlanta—Downtown landmarks, Midtown parks and arts, or the airport—you can quickly decide which hotel area near Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, will be the best fit for your visit.