Atlanta’s Domes: From the Georgia Dome Legacy to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and Beyond

When people search for “Atlanta dome”, they’re usually thinking about one of three things:

1. The Georgia Dome that once stood downtown
2. Its modern replacement, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, with the famous retractable “oculus” roof
3. Or other dome-style venues and attractions in the Atlanta, Georgia area

This guide breaks down what the “Atlanta dome” is today, what happened to the Georgia Dome, and how to visit and enjoy the major dome-style spaces around the city.

The Georgia Dome: What It Was and Where It Went

For years, the phrase “Atlanta Dome” basically meant the Georgia Dome.

Key facts about the former Georgia Dome

• Location: Downtown Atlanta, on what is now The Home Depot Backyard and part of the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium campus
• Opened: 1992
• Closed: 2017
• Primary use: Home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and host of major college football games, concerts, and special events

The Georgia Dome hosted:

• Multiple Super Bowls
• Olympic events during the 1996 Atlanta Games
• SEC Championship games and other major college football matchups
• Large concerts and religious gatherings

What happened to the Georgia Dome?

The Georgia Dome was demolished in 2017 after Mercedes‑Benz Stadium was completed next door.

In its place, you’ll now find:

• The Home Depot Backyard – a large, green space used for tailgating, festivals, fitness classes, and community events
• Part of the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium complex

If you’re in Atlanta and trying to figure out “where the dome went,” you’re essentially looking at the same footprint—but with a new stadium and outdoor community space instead of the old enclosed dome.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium: The New “Atlanta Dome”

While it’s technically not called a “dome,” Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is the modern replacement for the Georgia Dome and fills the same role in Atlanta life.

Basic info for visitors

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Main phone (stadium info): 470‑341‑5000 (main line, subject to change)

You can see it easily from downtown and from MARTA rail lines, especially around Vine City and GWCC/CNN Center stations.

What makes the roof unique?

Instead of a traditional dome, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium has a retractable “oculus” roof made of multiple panels that open and close like a camera aperture.

For locals and visitors, this means:

• Games can feel like they’re outdoors when the roof is open
• Events can still be protected from rain and heat when the roof is closed
• From the outside, it gives the stadium a futuristic, “dome-like” silhouette

Many people still casually refer to it as “the new dome” or “Atlanta’s dome stadium” even though its official name is Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

What happens at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium?

If you’re looking for “dome events” in Atlanta, this is where you’ll likely end up:

• Atlanta Falcons home games (NFL)
• Atlanta United FC matches (MLS)
• College football games like the Chick‑fil‑A Kickoff Game and Peach Bowl
• Major concerts, national tours, and large-scale events
• Occasional conventions, fan fests, and community events

Visiting the “Atlanta Dome” Area: Transportation & Parking

When people plan a visit to the old or new “Atlanta dome” area, they usually mean a trip to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and its surroundings.

Getting there by MARTA

Public transit is often the simplest way to reach the stadium area.

Closest MARTA rail stations:

Tips:

• On Falcons and Atlanta United game days, trains may be crowded but more frequent.
• Allow extra time for bag checks and security after you arrive.

Driving and parking near the stadium

If you’re driving:

• There are multiple official parking lots and decks surrounding the stadium and Georgia World Congress Center campus.
• Prices and availability vary by event type and date.
• Expect road closures and heavier traffic on big event days, especially along Northside Drive and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.

Locals often recommend:

• Pre-arranging parking for major events if possible
• Using rideshare or MARTA if you want to avoid post-game traffic

Tours and Inside Experiences

If you remember the Georgia Dome and want a similar “inside the stadium” experience, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium tours are the modern equivalent.

What a stadium tour typically includes

Tours commonly highlight:

• On-field or sideline access (when available)
• Locker room areas (subject to team schedules)
• Club levels and premium seating areas
• A close look at the retractable roof structure and architectural features
• Views of the Atlanta skyline from inside the venue

Tours are usually scheduled on non-event days, and availability can change around busy sports seasons. It’s wise to check ahead for:

• Tour times
• Any age or group size limits
• Accessibility accommodations if you need them

The Home Depot Backyard: On the Former Georgia Dome Site

Where the Georgia Dome once stood, you’ll now find The Home Depot Backyard—a major part of the modern “dome” experience in Atlanta.

What it is

The Home Depot Backyard is a 13‑acre green space used for:

• Tailgating before Falcons and Atlanta United games
• Outdoor fitness classes, yoga, and wellness events
• Festivals, community gatherings, and seasonal events
• Space to relax, walk, or play on non-event days

For many Atlantans, this space is a direct, physical reminder of the former Georgia Dome location, even though the dome itself is gone.

Access and nearby landmarks

You’ll find it just outside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, within easy walking distance of:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• CNN Center (now partially repurposed, but still a major landmark)
• State Farm Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks)
• Centennial Olympic Park (short walk away)

Other Dome-Style and Covered Venues Around Atlanta

While the Georgia Dome is gone, Atlanta still has several dome-like or fully covered attractions that residents and visitors often think of when they say “the dome.”

Georgia State Capitol Dome

Not a stadium, but still one of Atlanta’s most recognizable domes.

Georgia State Capitol

• Address: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334

Its gold dome is visible from several parts of downtown and is one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.

You can usually find:

• Public tours on select weekdays
• Educational displays about Georgia history and government

This is a good stop if you’re interested in architecture or civic history rather than sports.

Georgia Aquarium (massive indoor complex)

While not a dome in shape, the Georgia Aquarium is a large, fully enclosed attraction that some visitors loosely think of when they picture “big indoor Atlanta landmarks.”

Georgia Aquarium

• Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

It’s just a short walk from Centennial Olympic Park and relatively close to the stadium area, making it easy to combine in a day’s itinerary.

Smaller domes and observatories

Around metro Atlanta you may also encounter:

• Religious buildings with dome-style roofs
• Smaller planetariums or observatory domes at local universities and schools

These are usually not major tourist draws but can be interesting if you’re exploring specific neighborhoods or campuses.

Planning Your Visit: What You’re Likely Looking For

Depending on what you meant by “Atlanta dome,” here’s how to move forward:

• 🏈 If you want to see a game or major event:
  Look up schedules for Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Falcons, Atlanta United, college games, concerts).

• 🏟 If you’re curious about the old Georgia Dome:
  Visit The Home Depot Backyard next to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium—you’ll be standing where the Georgia Dome once stood.

• 🏛 If you meant an iconic dome building:
  Plan a stop at the Georgia State Capitol to see the gold dome and explore state history exhibits.

• 🚶 If you’re touring downtown Atlanta generally:
  You can easily walk between Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, and the State Capitol with a bit of planning.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, “the dome” today is less about the demolished Georgia Dome itself and more about the new stadium, the surrounding campus, and the landmark domes that still define the city skyline.