Exploring Atlanta Underground: History, Attractions, and What to Know Now

If you’ve heard people talk about “Atlanta Underground” and wondered what it is today, you’re not alone. For decades, Underground Atlanta has been a landmark downtown—first as a historic district, then as a nightlife and shopping complex, and now as a redeveloping cultural space.

This guide walks through what Underground Atlanta is, where it is, what you can do there now, how it fits into the broader “underground” side of the city (tunnels, nightlife, arts), and how locals and visitors can make the most of it.

What Is Underground Atlanta?

Underground Atlanta is a historic district and mixed-use development in downtown Atlanta, centered around the area where Alabama Street, Pryor Street, and the old railroad viaducts meet.

It originally grew up around:

• Railroad tracks and viaducts from the 19th century
• Early commercial buildings at “street level” that later became “underground” once streets were elevated
• A dense cluster of shops, saloons, and storage spaces under the roadways

Over time, the area went through multiple lives:

1. Historic commercial core (late 1800s / early 1900s)
2. Abandoned and boarded up mid-20th century
3. Revived as an entertainment district in the 1960s
4. Redeveloped as a shopping and tourist complex in the 1980s–1990s
5. Now in a new phase of redevelopment focusing on arts, culture, music, and mixed-use spaces

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta today, “Atlanta Underground” usually refers to:

• The Underground Atlanta property (streets, plazas, and buildings in the historic core)
• The broader underground vibe of the city: hidden venues, basement clubs, tunnels, and alternative arts scenes

Where Underground Atlanta Is and How to Get There

General Area:
Underground Atlanta sits in the heart of downtown, near the intersection of:

• Peachtree Street SW
• Alabama Street SW
• Pryor Street SW

It’s just southeast of Five Points and south of the main central business district.

Getting There by MARTA

Underground Atlanta is highly accessible by MARTA, which is often the easiest way to reach it:

• Rail:

  • Take any Red, Gold, Blue, or Green Line train to Five Points Station.
  • Exit toward Alabama Street; the Underground area is just outside the station.

• Bus:

  • Many MARTA bus routes connect at or near Five Points.
  • From the bus bays, follow signs to street level and walk a short distance to the Underground blocks.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving:

• Look for parking decks and surface lots surrounding Alabama Street, Wall Street, and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
• Downtown streets can be one-way and busy during business hours and events; using a navigation app can help.
• Expect event pricing for parking during major games, conventions, and concerts.

What You’ll Find at Underground Atlanta Today

The experience at Underground Atlanta is changing as the area redevelops. You’re less likely to find a traditional enclosed mall and more likely to encounter open-air courtyards, creative spaces, events, and evolving storefronts.

Typical Features You May See

Depending on timing and current tenants, you might encounter:

• Art galleries and studios
• Bars, lounges, and music venues
• Pop-up markets and vendor stalls
• Restaurants, quick bites, and food stalls
• Event spaces hosting festivals, concerts, and community events

Because tenants and uses can shift, locals often check social media pages, event calendars, or venue websites for the latest happenings before going.

A Quick Overview of Underground Atlanta at a Glance

Safety, Timing, and Practical Tips

Like many city-center districts, time of day and events dramatically change the feel of Underground Atlanta.

When to Go

• Daytime (weekday):

  • Often quieter, with some businesses open.
  • Good for a walk-through to appreciate the historic setting and surrounding downtown activity.

• Evenings/Weekends:

  • More nightlife, concerts, and special events.
  • Crowds can swell during festivals, college events, or major Atlanta sports weekends.

Safety and Awareness

Downtown Atlanta is an active urban environment. Visitors and locals commonly:

• Stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night
• Stick to well-lit, populated areas
• Move with a group when attending late-night events when possible
• Plan transportation ahead of time (rideshare pickup spots, MARTA schedules, or designated driver)

If you’re unfamiliar with downtown, it can be helpful to:

• Arrive in daylight the first time
• Note key points: Five Points Station, visible hotels, the State Capitol dome, or Peachtree Street as anchors

“Underground” as Part of Atlanta’s Nightlife and Arts Scene

When people say “Atlanta underground,” they sometimes mean more than just the formal Underground Atlanta property. The city has a strong underground culture that includes:

• Basement music venues and DIY spaces
• Indie art studios and warehouse galleries
• Small, low-key clubs that lean into hip-hop, EDM, alternative, or experimental music
• Pop-up events in less obvious locations

How Underground Atlanta Fits In

Underground Atlanta’s evolving redevelopment aims to tap into that energy by:

• Hosting independent artists and vendors
• Offering flexible spaces for events and markets
• Providing performance venues for local music and nightlife

If you’re new to Atlanta and want to experience this side of the city, keeping an eye on:

• Local event listings
• Venue calendars for spots downtown and in neighborhoods like Edgewood, Old Fourth Ward, West End, and East Atlanta Village

can help you find the “underground” Atlanta experience beyond just the historic district.

Historic Underground: What’s Actually Underground?

One of the biggest questions locals and visitors have is: “Is there really something underground?”

The Short Answer

Yes—parts of the district are physically below the later-raised street level. Decades ago, Atlanta elevated some downtown streets over the railroad tracks, turning what was once street-level into a partially enclosed, tunnel-like environment beneath the viaducts.

Features of the historic underground area include:

• Brick archways and old storefronts that used to face the original street level
• Columns and tunnel-like passages created by the viaduct structure
• Walkways that feel like they’re beneath the modern street grid

Over time, some access points and pathways have changed as redevelopment continues, but the basic idea remains: newer streets and structures sit above the older city fabric.

Nearby Attractions to Combine with a Visit

If you’re heading to Underground Atlanta, it often makes sense to combine it with other downtown or nearby Atlanta sites:

• Georgia State Capitol and Liberty Plaza

  • A few blocks south and east
  • Important government buildings and public spaces

• Georgia State University Campus Area

  • Brings student life and additional eateries and coffee shops to downtown

• Downtown Attractions (within a short MARTA ride or walk, depending on your route):

  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Doing Underground Atlanta as part of a half-day downtown loop can give you a better feel for the city’s historic layers and modern personality.

“Underground” Infrastructure: Tunnels and Transit Below the City

Some people also use “Atlanta underground” more broadly to talk about:

• MARTA tunnels and rail lines beneath downtown
• Utility and service tunnels
• Pedestrian paths and connectors in and around major buildings

While most of these spaces aren’t tourist attractions, they shape daily life:

• MARTA’s underground stations (like Peachtree Center) move thousands of riders.
• Buildings in the central business district sometimes connect via underground corridors or lower-level walkways, especially around Peachtree Center and major hotels.

This subterranean infrastructure is part of why downtown can feel layered, with activity happening below, at, and above street level—and Underground Atlanta is one of the most visible symbols of that.

Tips for Locals and Visitors Considering Underground Atlanta

Here are practical ways to approach Underground Atlanta today:

• Use MARTA if possible 🚆
  Five Points is the simplest jumping-off point, especially at night or during big events.

• Check current events and venue info
  Because the district is in transition, specific shops and venues can change. Look up the latest lineup before committing your whole evening.

• Pair it with other downtown activities
  Plan a broader downtown outing—lunch or dinner nearby, a game or attraction, then a stop at Underground Atlanta for a show, market, or drinks.

• Stay flexible
  Understand that the area is still evolving. Some blocks may feel more active and curated, while others feel quieter or in flux.

Key Takeaways About Atlanta Underground

• “Atlanta Underground” most often refers to the historic Underground Atlanta district in downtown near Five Points.
• The area has gone from rail-era commercial hub to abandoned zone to nightlife district to redeveloping arts and entertainment space.
• Today, you’ll find a mix of events, nightlife, art, and evolving retail, not a traditional indoor mall.
• It’s easy to reach via Five Points MARTA Station, making it accessible for both locals and visitors.
• The phrase “Atlanta underground” also overlaps with the city’s broader underground culture—music, arts, and nightlife that thrive in low-profile or historic spaces.

Understanding Underground Atlanta in this context helps you decide when to go, what to expect, and how it fits into the wider Atlanta experience, whether you’re a longtime resident or seeing downtown with fresh eyes.