Visiting the Atlanta LDS Temple: A Practical Guide for Locals and Visitors

The Atlanta Georgia Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Atlanta LDS Temple) is a quiet, beautifully landscaped religious site in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. Whether you’re a local curious about the building you’ve driven past for years, a visitor wanting to see the grounds, or a church member planning a temple visit, this guide focuses on what you need to know specifically in the Atlanta area.

Where the Atlanta LDS Temple Is Located

Atlanta Georgia Temple
Address: 6450 Barfield Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Although it’s called the Atlanta temple, it’s actually located in Sandy Springs, just north of the city. It sits in a residential and office corridor not far from major routes.

Nearby roads and access:

• Close to GA-400 and I-285
• Generally easiest to access from:
  • GA-400 (get off near Glenridge Connector or Hammond Drive and follow local roads), or
  • Roswell Road (US-19) then east toward Barfield Road

If you’re staying in central Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead), you can usually reach the temple by car in roughly 20–35 minutes, depending on traffic.

Atlanta LDS Temple vs. Local Meetinghouses

It helps to know the difference between:

• The Atlanta Georgia Temple – a sacred worship space for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with limited access.
• Local meetinghouses/chapels – open to the public for regular Sunday worship and many weeknight activities.

In metro Atlanta, there are multiple LDS chapels, including in:

• Atlanta proper (often near in-town neighborhoods and the Emory/Decatur area)
• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
• Marietta, Roswell, and Alpharetta
• Gwinnett County (Norcross, Lawrenceville, etc.)
• South Atlanta areas like Fayetteville, Newnan, and McDonough

If you’re just looking to attend a Sunday service or meet local church members, a meetinghouse is where you’ll go, not the temple.

Who Can Go Inside the Atlanta LDS Temple?

The Atlanta LDS Temple is not a general public museum or tourist building. Access is limited according to church practice:

• Temple grounds (outside areas, gardens, parking lot):
  • Generally open to visitors who want to quietly walk the grounds, take photos of the exterior, or enjoy a peaceful spot.
• Inside the temple building:
  • Restricted to baptized, adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold a current temple recommend (a type of religious approval determined locally by church leaders).

If you are not a member of the church or do not have a temple recommend, you are still typically welcome on the grounds but not inside the building.

What You Can Do at the Atlanta LDS Temple if You’re Not LDS

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can still:

• Walk the grounds
  The landscaping is usually well maintained, with lawns, trees, and walkways. Many people describe it as a peaceful place for a short walk, reflection, or quiet conversation.

• View and photograph the exterior
  The temple’s white exterior, spire, and grounds are often of interest to photographers and architecture enthusiasts. Respectful photography from public areas and designated visitor areas is generally acceptable.

• Ask questions at a local meetinghouse
  If you’re interested in what happens in the temple, local church members and missionaries at nearby chapels can explain beliefs and practices and help you understand what role the temple plays in their faith.

• Attend open house events (when available)
  When a temple is first built or after major renovations, the church occasionally holds public open houses, where anyone can tour the inside before it is dedicated or rededicated. These events are rare and specific to certain periods, but if one is announced in Atlanta, it will typically be publicized locally and well in advance.

Temple Access for Church Members in the Atlanta Area

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in or visiting Atlanta, the temple is your regional location for:

• Endowment sessions
• Sealings (marriages and family sealings)
• Baptisms for the dead
• Other ordinances and worship specific to temples

To attend the Atlanta Georgia Temple, you typically need:

• A current temple recommend from your local bishopric or branch presidency
• To check current temple hours, ordinance schedules, and appointment procedures (these often change over time and may require advance scheduling)
• To plan for travel and parking, especially during busy evening or weekend sessions

Many Atlanta-area members also coordinate carpools or group trips from:

• Alpharetta / Roswell wards
• Marietta / Kennesaw wards
• Gwinnett County wards
• South Atlanta stakes (Fayetteville, Peachtree City, etc.)

Because Atlanta traffic can be heavy, many members try to schedule temple visits at off-peak hours—mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays when possible.

Getting to the Atlanta LDS Temple: Transportation Tips

By Car

For most people in metro Atlanta, driving is the most practical option.

• From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta:
  • Take I-85 North or I-75/85 North to GA-400 North, then exit near Sandy Springs and follow local roads east to Barfield Rd.
• From Buckhead / Lenox area:
  • Use GA-400 North or Roswell Road north, then cut over toward the temple.
• From Cobb County (Marietta/Smyrna):
  • Use the I-285 East Perimeter, cross over GA-400, and exit toward Roswell Road or Glenridge Connector.
• From Gwinnett County:
  • Take I-85 South to GA-400 North, or use the top end of I-285 West, then approach via Roswell Road or Glenridge.

⚠️ Tip: Atlanta traffic is often heaviest:

• Weekday mornings (roughly 7–9 a.m.) heading into the city
• Late afternoons/evenings (roughly 4–7 p.m.) heading outward and on the Perimeter

Build in extra time if you’re trying to make a specific temple session.

Parking

The temple has an onsite parking lot. On most weekdays, parking is straightforward. It may be busier on:

• Friday evenings
• Saturdays
• Special temple events or stake temple days

Members often advise arriving early to park, settle in, and prepare.

By Public Transit

Reaching the temple entirely by public transit is possible but takes some planning:

1. MARTA Rail:
   • Take the Red Line to a northern station such as Sandy Springs or Dunwoody.
2. Bus or Rideshare:
   • From the station, use:
     • A MARTA bus (if a route is operating nearby at your time), or
     • A rideshare/taxi for a short trip to the temple on Barfield Rd.

Because specific bus routes and timing can change, it’s wise to check current MARTA rail and bus schedules when planning a trip from another part of Atlanta.

What the Atlanta LDS Temple Is Used For (From a Local Perspective)

In metro Atlanta, many members view the temple as:

• A place for quiet worship away from the rush of city life
• A site for eternal marriage ceremonies (sealings) for couples and families
• A central location for multi-stake temple days, where congregations across the region organize group visits
• A spiritual focus point for young adults and youth groups, who may come together for baptisms or service-related activities supporting temple work

If you’re LDS and new to Atlanta, local leaders can help you connect with:

• YSA (Young Single Adult) groups who organize regular temple trips
• Family or youth temple trips typically scheduled by wards and stakes
• Indexing and family history work that supports temple ordinances

Atlanta LDS Temple: Quick Reference Guide

Below is a simple summary designed for people navigating the temple from a metro Atlanta standpoint:

How the Atlanta Temple Fits into the Local LDS Community

In a large, spread-out metro area like Atlanta, this single temple serves members from:

• City neighborhoods (Westside, East Atlanta, Virginia-Highland, etc.)
• Northside suburbs (Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming)
• East and northeast suburbs (Norcross, Duluth, Lawrenceville)
• South metro communities (Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan)
• Some members from more distant parts of Georgia and neighboring states also travel here when it is their closest temple.

This makes the Atlanta Georgia Temple an important religious hub for a wide region, not just the city itself. Many families schedule day trips or evening visits into their broader routine—sometimes combining a trip to the temple with errands, shopping, or dining in nearby Sandy Springs, Perimeter Center, or Buckhead.

If You Want to Learn More or Get Involved

For those in Atlanta who are curious about the temple or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

• Visit a local meetinghouse on Sunday
  Services generally include:

  • Sacrament meeting (main worship service)
  • Classes for adults, youth, and children
    You do not need to be a member to attend.

• Talk with local leaders or missionaries
  They can:

  • Explain what makes a temple different from a regular chapel
  • Answer questions about beliefs and practices
  • Help you understand how Atlanta-area members use the temple in everyday life

• Ask about family history resources
  Many local units in and around Atlanta emphasize family history and genealogy, which ties directly into temple worship. They can often direct you to FamilySearch centers or local resources where you can explore your own ancestry, regardless of your faith background.

Practical Tips for an Atlanta Temple Visit

Here are a few concise pointers if you’re planning to visit the Atlanta LDS Temple area:

• Dress respectfully
  Even if you’re just walking the grounds, modest, neat clothing is appreciated.
• Keep noise low
  Many people come to the temple to pray or reflect quietly.
• Check ahead (for LDS members)
  Confirm hours, ordinance times, and any appointment requirements through your ward or stake before heading out.
• Allow extra time for traffic
  If you’re traveling during rush hour anywhere near GA-400, I-285, or Roswell Road, add buffer time.
• Consider nearby stops
  The temple is not far from Perimeter Mall, many restaurants, and hotels in the Sandy Springs / Dunwoody / Perimeter Center area, which is useful if you’re visiting from out of town or making a day of it.

With these Atlanta-specific details in mind, you can better understand what the Atlanta LDS Temple is, how it functions in the metro area, and what your options are whether you’re a local resident, a traveling church member, or simply a curious visitor.