Five Points Atlanta: A Local Guide to Downtown’s Historic Crossroads

When people say “5 Points Atlanta” (often written as Five Points), they’re talking about one of the most important crossroads in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It’s where major streets, transit lines, history, and everyday city life all meet in one compact area.

If you live in Atlanta, commute through downtown, or you’re visiting and trying to understand how the city fits together, Five Points is a key landmark to know.

What Is Five Points in Atlanta?

Five Points is the historic intersection of five major streets in downtown Atlanta:

• Peachtree Street
• Edgewood Avenue
• Decatur Street
• Marietta Street
• Auburn Avenue (just off the main convergence)

This crossing is just a few blocks from the Georgia State Capitol and sits at the heart of the central business district. It’s:

• A major MARTA hub
• A historic commercial core
• A reference point locals use to describe where things are downtown

If you’re new to Atlanta, think of Five Points as downtown’s front door—busy, central, and a quick way to get almost anywhere else in the core of the city.

Why Is It Called “Five Points”?

The name comes from the five-point intersection that formed when multiple early roads converged in the mid-1800s.

Over time, that crossing evolved into:

• A streetcar and rail hub
• A center of commerce with banks, department stores, and offices
• A public gathering point, especially as the city grew around the railroad

Many longtime Atlantans still see Five Points as the symbolic center of the city, even if some modern activity has shifted toward areas like Midtown or Buckhead.

Five Points and MARTA: The Heart of Atlanta Transit

For everyday commuters, “Five Points” almost always means the Five Points MARTA Station.

Five Points MARTA Station Basics

• Location: 30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Lines served:
  • Red Line
  • Gold Line
  • Blue Line
  • Green Line
• Role: Primary transfer station where north-south and east-west rail lines intersect

If you’re traveling by train anywhere in Atlanta, there’s a good chance you’ll transfer at Five Points.

What You Can Do at Five Points Station

• Transfer between north-south (Red/Gold) and east-west (Blue/Green) lines
• Access multiple bus routes that fan out into neighborhoods
• Walk directly to:
  • Downtown offices and government buildings
  • Georgia State University’s downtown campus
  • Retail and restaurants in the central city

📝 Tip: If you’re visiting for the first time, Five Points is one of the easiest places to get oriented. Maps inside the station and street-level signage help you see what’s in each direction.

Nearby Streets and Landmarks Around Five Points

Walking out of Five Points, you’ll quickly notice how the streets radiate out in different directions. Here’s a simple orientation guide:

This compact area is busy on weekdays with workers, students, and commuters, and can feel quieter on some weekends depending on events and downtown activity.

Things to Know If You’re Visiting Five Points

1. What the Area Feels Like

Five Points has a dense, urban, and historic feel:

• Mid- to high-rise office buildings and older storefronts
• A mix of college students, office workers, and transit riders
• Street vendors and small businesses in and around the intersection

The surrounding blocks connect quickly to Woodruff Park, Georgia State University, and several government offices.

2. Safety and Awareness

Like many central urban transit hubs, Five Points is:

• Busy during peak commuting hours
• Patrolled by MARTA Police and Atlanta Police Department
• A place where it helps to stay alert and aware of your surroundings

Common practical habits locals follow:

• Keep bags zipped and close
• Be careful when using your phone on crowded platforms or sidewalks
• Use well-lit exits and main station entrances, especially at night
• Travel with others when possible if you’re unfamiliar with the area

If you ever feel unsafe at or near the station, you can look for:

• MARTA Police presence within the station
• Emergency call boxes on platforms and concourses
• Atlanta Police Zone 5 patrols around downtown

For non-emergency safety concerns in the area:

• MARTA Police Department (non-emergency): 404‑848‑4900
• Atlanta Police Department non-emergency line: 404‑658‑6666
• For emergencies, call 911.

Getting To and From Five Points

By Train

If you’re elsewhere in the city:

• From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  • Take Red or Gold Line northbound to Five Points (no transfer needed).
• From Buckhead, Midtown, or North Springs:
  • Take Red or Gold Line southbound to Five Points.
• From Decatur, East Lake, or Indian Creek:
  • Take Blue Line westbound to Five Points.
• From West Lake, Hamilton E. Holmes, or Bankhead:
  • Take Blue or Green Line eastbound to Five Points (depending on starting station).

By Bus

Numerous MARTA bus routes stop at or near Five Points, making it a common transfer point from neighborhoods to rail. Bus bays are generally located around Alabama Street, Broad Street, and nearby blocks.

📝 Tip: If you’re unsure which bus to take from Five Points, station attendants and posted route maps can help you find the correct bay and direction.

By Car

If you’re driving:

• Five Points is near the junction of I‑75/85 and I‑20.
• Parking options include:
  • Private parking decks and surface lots in the surrounding downtown area
  • Limited street parking on some nearby blocks (often metered and time-limited)

It’s common to park a bit outside the immediate Five Points intersection area and walk or take MARTA one stop into the core if you want to avoid heavy traffic.

Five Points as a Landmark: Using It to Navigate Downtown

Locals often use Five Points as a reference point when giving directions:

• “It’s two blocks north of Five Points on Peachtree.”
• “Walk from Five Points toward Woodruff Park.”
• “Transfer at Five Points, then take the train one stop to Peachtree Center.”

Knowing just a few nearby anchors can simplify downtown navigation:

• Woodruff Park – A short walk north on Peachtree Street
• Georgia State University (Downtown Campus) – East and southeast along Decatur Street and surrounding blocks
• State Capitol – Several blocks to the south/southeast
• Sweet Auburn Avenue – Northeast, connecting to historic landmarks and the King Historic District area (a longer walk or short ride)

Historical Context of Five Points

Understanding Five Points helps you understand how Atlanta grew:

• The area began developing around railroad lines in the 19th century.
• Over the decades, it became:
  • A major streetcar and commercial hub
  • A central node for banking, retail, and offices
• The introduction of MARTA rail in the late 20th century reinforced its role as the transit heart of the city.

Many older buildings and street layouts still reflect that early commercial core, even as newer development has grown in Midtown and beyond.

Practical Tips for Using and Visiting Five Points

If you’re planning to regularly use or pass through Five Points in Atlanta:

• Plan your transfers:
  • Allow a little extra time if you’re changing lines during rush hour.
• Know your exit:
  • Five Points Station has multiple exits; signs inside will point you toward key streets (Peachtree, Alabama, Broad, etc.).
• Check service changes:
  • Service adjustments sometimes affect train frequency or which platforms are used.
• Dress for walking:
  • Many destinations are within a 5–10 minute walk of the station, so comfortable shoes help.
• Stay oriented:
  • Street signs and building addresses are clearly marked; having your destination’s exact street address makes it much easier to navigate.

Key Takeaways About Five Points Atlanta

• “Five Points Atlanta” refers to the historic five-way intersection at the center of downtown and the surrounding area.
• It is also home to the Five Points MARTA Station, the primary rail transfer hub for the entire metro system.
• The area is dense, transit-focused, and historically significant, with quick access to offices, Georgia State University, government buildings, and nearby parks.
• If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding where Five Points is—and how to use it—makes navigating the city faster, simpler, and more intuitive.