Where to Stay Near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta: Best Hotels & Local Tips
Looking for hotels near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta puts you right in the heart of downtown—steps from major attractions, MARTA transit, and some of the city’s best event venues. This guide walks through the most convenient places to stay around the park, what each area feels like, and how to choose the right hotel for your visit.
Why Stay Near Centennial Olympic Park?
Centennial Olympic Park sits at 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, and anchors a dense cluster of hotels, offices, restaurants, and attractions. Staying nearby means you’re within walking distance of:
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca‑Cola
- College Football Hall of Fame
- State Farm Arena
- Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
- CNN Center
- MARTA rail stations (for easy airport and city access)
It’s a practical location whether you’re in town for a convention, a Falcons or Hawks game, a concert, or family sightseeing.
Main Hotel Zones Around Centennial Olympic Park
You’ll find several “micro-areas” of hotels around the park. All are walkable to the green space itself, but each has a slightly different feel.
1. Directly on or Facing Centennial Olympic Park
These are the closest hotels to Centennial Olympic Park—ideal if you want to step outside and be in the park within a few minutes.
Common options in this immediate zone include:
- Large full-service hotels with restaurants, bars, and meeting space
- High-rise properties with park or skyline views
- Family-friendly hotels within a short walk to Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola
Staying here is convenient if you:
- Have young kids and want short walking distances
- Are attending events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
- Prefer to use MARTA instead of driving and parking every day
Potential trade-offs:
- Heavier event and tourist crowds
- Higher rates during conventions, big games, and concerts
- Parking fees are common and can be significant
2. CNN Center & State Farm Arena Side (South and Southwest of the Park)
On the south and southwest edges of the park, close to State Farm Arena and the former CNN Center complex, you’ll find hotels that cater heavily to event-goers and business travelers.
Good fit if you:
- Are in town for a concert, NBA game, WNBA game, or other arena event
- Want quick walking access to the GWCC (Georgia World Congress Center)
- Plan to spend a lot of time near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
What to expect:
- Large hotels with convention-style amenities
- Lots of game-day foot traffic on event nights
- Easy access to MARTA’s Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (names occasionally get updated, but locals usually still reference the arena)
3. North of the Park: Aquarium & World of Coca‑Cola Area
Walk north from Centennial Olympic Park toward Baker St NW and you’re in prime family and sightseeing territory. Hotels in this direction are popular with out-of-town families and school groups.
This area works well if you want to:
- Visit Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola on foot
- Stay in a busier tourist cluster with lots of daytime activity
- Be within a short walk of Centennial Olympic Park, the park fountains, and playgrounds
Things to keep in mind:
- It can be busier during daytime hours, especially on weekends and school breaks.
- Evening options are more about casual restaurants and quick bites than nightlife.
4. Peachtree Street & Downtown Core (A Few Blocks East)
A short walk east from Centennial Olympic Park puts you along Peachtree St NW and the central downtown grid. This area has one of the densest concentrations of business hotels in the city.
Ideal if you:
- Want to be close to offices, courthouses, or government buildings
- Prefer a slightly more “business traveler” feel
- Don’t mind a 5–10 minute walk to the park and main attractions
Typical features:
- Mix of historic and modern hotels
- Often more weekday business traffic, quieter on weekends
- Easy access to Peachtree Center MARTA Station via indoor walkways from some properties
5. Slightly Farther but Walkable: Fairlie-Poplar & Castleberry Hill
If you don’t mind a bit more walking (often 10–15 minutes), you can also consider:
Fairlie-Poplar Historic District (northwest of the park):
Quieter streets, historic buildings, and some loft-style accommodations. Better if you want a more local-feeling downtown experience rather than being right in the tourist core.Castleberry Hill (south of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium):
A historic arts district with a more neighborhood vibe, galleries, and local restaurants. Hotels and short-term stays here give you a different view of city life but are still relatively close to the park and stadium.
Quick Comparison: Hotel Areas Near Centennial Olympic Park
| Area / Orientation | Walk to Park | Best For | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directly on / facing the park | 1–5 minutes | Families, first-time visitors, events | Very central, tourist-heavy |
| CNN Center / State Farm Arena side | 3–8 minutes | Games, concerts, conventions | Event-focused, high-energy |
| North: Aquarium & Coca‑Cola zone | 3–8 minutes | Family trips, school groups, attractions | Busy daytime, kid-friendly |
| Peachtree St & downtown core (east) | 5–12 minutes | Business travelers, metro access | Office-heavy, classic downtown |
| Fairlie-Poplar / Castleberry Hill | 10–15 minutes | Longer stays, local neighborhood feel | Quieter, more residential feel |
How to Choose the Right Hotel Near Centennial Olympic Park
1. Decide What You Want to Be Closest To
Ask yourself which of these is your top priority:
- Attractions (Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, park fountains)
- Sports & events (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena)
- Business & offices (downtown government and corporate buildings)
- Transit (easy MARTA access from Peachtree Center or GWCC/Dome stations)
From there:
- For attractions → look north and directly around the park
- For games and concerts → consider the southwest side, closer to the arena and stadium
- For business meetings → focus on Peachtree St and the downtown core
- For a neighborhood feel → look at Fairlie-Poplar or Castleberry Hill
2. Think About Transportation & Parking
Getting around from Centennial Olympic Park is relatively straightforward:
From Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Take MARTA’s Red or Gold Line north to Five Points or Peachtree Center Station, then walk or transfer to the west line if you’re headed closer to the stadium.MARTA Stations Near Centennial Olympic Park
- GWCC/Dome/State Farm Arena Station – convenient for the west/southwest side of the park, stadium, and arena
- Peachtree Center Station – helpful for eastern downtown hotels and only a short walk to the park
- Five Points Station – hub for transfers; walkable but less commonly used as a “destination” stop for hotels
Parking Considerations
- Many downtown hotels near Centennial Olympic Park charge nightly parking fees.
- Public decks and surface lots are scattered around Marietta St NW, Luckie St NW, and Baker St NW, but rates fluctuate depending on events.
- If you’re mainly exploring the park and nearby attractions, using MARTA, walking, or rideshare often makes more sense than driving between locations.
3. Match the Hotel Type to Your Stay
Around Centennial Olympic Park, you’ll generally find these hotel types:
Full-service hotels
- On-site restaurants and bars
- Room service (at some properties)
- Larger lobbies and meeting spaces
Limited-service / select-service hotels
- Often include breakfast options and basic amenities
- Can be slightly more budget-friendly than full-service properties
Extended-stay or suite-style hotels
- Kitchenettes or small kitchens
- Good for longer visits, business assignments, or families wanting more space
Choose based on:
- Trip length (short vs. extended stay)
- Whether you plan to eat out vs. cook simple meals
- Need for meeting space or work-friendly areas
4. Plan Around Events and Peak Times
The Centennial Olympic Park area can feel completely different depending on what’s happening nearby.
Expect higher demand and rates when:
- The Falcons, Atlanta United, or major college teams are playing at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
- Big concerts or events are booked at State Farm Arena
- There are major conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
- Popular holiday light displays or festivals take place at or near the park
If your travel dates are flexible, you can:
- Check non-game weekends for more availability
- Be open to weeknights if visiting for attractions, not events
- Look slightly farther into Fairlie-Poplar or Castleberry Hill if park-adjacent options are sold out or higher-priced
What It’s Like to Stay Near Centennial Olympic Park
Daytime
- The park itself is often lively, especially on pleasant-weather days.
- You’ll see a mix of tourists, office workers, and school groups.
- Attractions like the Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola draw steady foot traffic.
Evenings
- Before and after games or concerts, streets near State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium can be crowded but energetic.
- On non-event nights, things can quiet down earlier than in midtown or other nightlife-heavy neighborhoods.
- Many visitors rely on walkable dining options, hotel bars, or rideshares to nearby districts like Midtown or the BeltLine for more nightlife.
Safety and Practical Tips
- As with most busy downtown areas, it’s common for locals and visitors to:
- Stay on well-lit, populated streets at night
- Be aware of surroundings and personal belongings
- Use hotel front desks for guidance on the best walking routes to nearby venues
- If you’re new to Atlanta, staff at downtown hotels are generally used to fielding questions about walking paths to the park, Arena, or stadium and can point out the easiest, busiest routes.
Using Centennial Olympic Park as Your Base to Explore Atlanta
Staying by the park makes it easy to reach other parts of the city:
Midtown Atlanta
A quick MARTA ride or short drive north; home to Piedmont Park, the High Museum of Art, and the Fox Theatre.Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
Reachable by car, rideshare, or a combination of MARTA + short rideshare, popular for walking, biking, and dining.Old Fourth Ward & Sweet Auburn
East of downtown, significant for civil rights history and neighborhood eateries.
Using a hotel near Centennial Olympic Park lets you keep your home base central, especially if you want easy access to both downtown attractions and other neighborhoods via MARTA or rideshare.
Local Addresses & Info That Help You Plan
To get oriented around the hotels near Centennial Olympic Park, these landmarks and addresses are useful:
Centennial Olympic Park
265 Park Ave W NW
Atlanta, GA 30313Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) – the main convention complex
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Dr
Atlanta, GA 30303Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
1 AMB Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
When searching for hotels online, using these addresses as your map center points can help you see exactly how far each property is from the places you plan to visit.
Staying at a hotel near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta puts you at the center of downtown’s attractions, sports, and convention activity. By choosing the right side of the park—whether you prioritize family attractions, stadium events, or offices—you can make your stay more convenient, walkable, and closely aligned with what you’re in the city to do.