CityPASS Atlanta: How to Use It, What It Includes, and Whether It’s Worth It

If you’re planning to see multiple major attractions in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll quickly run into a familiar question: Is Atlanta CityPASS a good deal, and how does it work in Atlanta specifically?

This guide walks through what Atlanta CityPASS includes, how much you’re likely to save, how locals and visitors typically use it, and smart ways to plan your days around Atlanta traffic, parking, and neighborhood layout.

What Is Atlanta CityPASS?

Atlanta CityPASS is a discount ticket bundle for several of the city’s most popular attractions. Instead of buying separate admission at each site, you buy one pass that covers multiple entries at a reduced combined price.

It’s especially useful if you:

  • Are visiting Atlanta for 2–3 days and want to hit the big-name attractions.
  • Live in metro Atlanta but plan a “staycation” and want to do several paid attractions in a short window.
  • Have visiting friends or family and need a simple, pre-planned way to show them the city.

You purchase it online or via mobile, then show your ticket (usually a barcode on your phone) at each included attraction.

What Atlanta Attractions Does CityPASS Typically Include?

Specific lineups can change occasionally, but Atlanta’s main CityPASS package usually centers on the biggest, most-visited attractions near Downtown and Midtown.

Common inclusions (always confirm current details before buying) generally include:

Core Attractions Often Included

  1. Georgia Aquarium

    • Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    • Neighborhood: Downtown / Centennial Olympic Park area
    • Known for: Massive ocean tank, whale sharks, belugas, and family-friendly shows.
    • Tip: Mornings or weekdays are usually less crowded, especially outside school holidays.

  2. World of Coca‑Cola

    • Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    • Neighborhood: Downtown, right next to the Georgia Aquarium
    • Known for: Coca‑Cola history exhibits, brand memorabilia, and a tasting area with drinks from around the world.

  3. Zoo Atlanta

    • Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
    • Neighborhood: Grant Park
    • Known for: Giant pandas (subject to change over time), gorillas, and a very walkable layout.
    • Tip: A good pairing with nearby Grant Park and its historic homes if you want a more relaxed, leafy part of the city.

  4. College Football Hall of Fame

    • Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    • Neighborhood: Downtown, near CNN Center and State Farm Arena
    • Known for: Interactive exhibits, helmet wall, and activities geared to sports fans and kids.

  5. Fernbank Museum of Natural History or National Center for Civil and Human Rights (often a choice between the two in some CityPASS versions)

    • Fernbank Museum of Natural History

      • Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
      • Neighborhood: Druid Hills / near Emory area
      • Known for: Dinosaurs, nature exhibits, forest trails, and an IMAX-style theater (offerings may vary).

    • National Center for Civil and Human Rights

      • Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
      • Neighborhood: Downtown, near Centennial Olympic Park
      • Known for: Exhibits on the American Civil Rights Movement and global human rights, including materials related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

These are some of the most representative attractions associated with CityPASS in Atlanta, and they’re clustered in ways that make it easier to plan your days.

How Much Can You Save With CityPASS in Atlanta?

While exact ticket prices can change, the basic idea is:

  • Buying individual tickets to 3–5 of these attractions at the door quickly adds up.
  • CityPASS usually offers a bundled discount that can feel significant if you visit most or all included spots.

For someone planning to visit the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Zoo Atlanta, and at least one more major attraction, CityPASS often:

  • Reduces the overall cost compared to separate general-admission tickets.
  • Simplifies budgeting: you pay once upfront and don’t think about individual prices at each stop.

If you plan to visit only one or two attractions, CityPASS is usually not the best value. It tends to work best for:

  • Visitors on a weekend trip who intend to “do Atlanta.”
  • Local families planning a packed school-break itinerary.

How Long Is Atlanta CityPASS Valid?

CityPASS passes are generally valid for a multi-day window starting from the first day you use them (not the day you buy them).

Common patterns include:

  • A validity period of 9 consecutive days from first use, or something similar, allowing you to spread out visits.
  • Flexibility to visit attractions on non-consecutive days during that period.

This works well if:

  • You’re in Atlanta for a week and want breaks between busy attraction days.
  • You live in the metro area and want to space out your visits over several days without rushing.

Always check the current activation and expiration rules when purchasing, because policies can be updated.

How Atlanta Locals and Visitors Typically Use CityPASS

For Visitors Staying in or Near Downtown/Midtown

If you’re staying in hotels around Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Midtown, or near Georgia Tech, many CityPASS attractions are nearby:

  • You can often walk between Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
  • Public transit access via MARTA Rail (e.g., Peachtree Center Station, Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station) makes it easier to avoid parking fees.

For Local Residents

Atlanta-area residents often use CityPASS when:

  • Hosting out-of-town guests and wanting a ready-made itinerary.
  • Planning a birthday weekend, summer break, or “tourist in your own city” experience.
  • Looking to hit several paid attractions during spring break or winter holidays.

Locals might spread their visits over more days, pairing:

  • Zoo Atlanta with neighborhood time in Grant Park.
  • Fernbank with lunch in the Decatur or Druid Hills area.
  • Downtown attractions with a walk through Centennial Olympic Park or an event at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

Planning Your Atlanta Days Around CityPASS

Because Atlanta is spread out and traffic is a real consideration, how you group attractions matters.

Day-Planning Suggestions

Day 1 – Downtown Cluster 🏙️
Base yourself around Centennial Olympic Park and walk between:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights (if included in your pass)

These are all within a short walking radius. Parking is available in nearby decks along Baker St NW and Marietta St NW, but fees can add up, so consider MARTA if you’re staying along the rail line.

Day 2 – Zoo Atlanta + Grant Park 🌳

  • Start at Zoo Atlanta in the morning when it’s cooler and animals may be more active.
  • Stroll around Grant Park afterward or head to nearby neighborhoods such as Summerhill for food options.

Day 3 – Fernbank & East Side Neighborhoods 🌲

If Fernbank is included in your CityPASS option:

  • Visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History in the Druid Hills area.
  • Explore the museum’s outdoor forest areas if you want a more nature-focused outing.
  • Combine with a stop in Decatur Square or Little Five Points if you want a different neighborhood feel.

You can adjust these to fit your schedule, but grouping by neighborhood will minimize backtracking and time in traffic.

Getting Around Atlanta for CityPASS Attractions

MARTA Rail and Bus

Several Downtown attractions are near MARTA rail stations:

  • Peachtree Center Station: Short walk to World of Coca‑Cola and Georgia Aquarium.
  • Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station: Good for College Football Hall of Fame and Centennial Olympic Park area.

Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank are not directly on rail lines but are accessible via MARTA bus routes or rideshare.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving:

  • Expect paid parking near Downtown attractions. Parking decks around Baker St NW, Luckie St NW, and Marietta St NW are commonly used.
  • Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank have onsite or adjacent parking lots (often paid but sometimes more affordable than Downtown decks).
  • Allow extra time during rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.), especially if traveling via interstates like I‑75/85 or I‑20.

When Atlanta CityPASS Is (and Isn’t) Worth It

CityPASS Makes Sense If…

  • You plan to visit at least 3 major attractions on the list.
  • You’re comfortable scheduling time to use them within the validity window.
  • You value having a simple, pre-paid bundle rather than deciding attraction by attraction.

Families with kids often find it worthwhile because they tend to gravitate to:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • Zoo Atlanta
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • College Football Hall of Fame or Fernbank

Doing those individually at the gate can cost more than the typical CityPASS bundle.

CityPASS May Not Be Ideal If…

  • You only want to see one or two paid attractions.
  • Your trip is very short, or you’ll be in Atlanta mostly for specific events (conventions, sports games, concerts) and have limited free time.
  • You’re more interested in free or low-cost experiences, such as the Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park, neighborhood strolls, and local markets.

How to Make the Most of CityPASS in Atlanta

A few practical tips to get the best experience:

  • Check attraction hours and any timed-entry requirements.
    Georgia Aquarium and some others may use time slots, especially on busy days.

  • Arrive early at popular spots.
    Weekends and school holidays can be crowded. Earlier in the day often means shorter lines.

  • Verify what’s included before you go.
    Some attractions have special exhibits or shows that may or may not be covered by general admission.

  • Plan for meals nearby.
    Downtown attractions have food courts, fast-casual spots, and sit-down restaurants within walking distance, but they can be busy before and after major events.

  • Consider weather.
    Summers in Atlanta are hot and humid. Plan more indoor attractions (aquarium, museums) for midday and save parks and walking for mornings or evenings.

Key Takeaways for Using CityPASS in Atlanta

Atlanta CityPASS can be a strong value if:

  • You want to visit several of the city’s top, ticketed attractions.
  • You’re comfortable planning your visits within its validity window.
  • You group attractions by neighborhood to minimize driving and parking hassles.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, it’s essentially a convenient, discounted “highlight reel” of the city’s major family-friendly destinations, especially around Downtown, Grant Park, and Druid Hills. By planning your routes and days with Atlanta’s layout and traffic in mind, you can see a lot of what makes the city special while getting solid value out of the pass.