CNN in Atlanta: What to Know About the Network’s Former Downtown Hub

When people search for “CNN Atlanta”, they’re usually looking for one of three things:

• The history of CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta
• Whether you can still tour the CNN Center
• How CNN still operates in or connects to Atlanta today

Here’s a clear guide tailored to Atlanta residents, visitors, and anyone trying to understand how CNN fits into the city.

A Quick Overview of CNN’s Atlanta Roots

CNN (Cable News Network) was founded in Atlanta in 1980 by Ted Turner. For decades, Atlanta was known worldwide as:

• The original home of CNN
• A major news-production hub
• A symbol of Atlanta’s status as a global media city

The main site associated with CNN in Atlanta was the CNN Center, a large mixed-use complex in Downtown Atlanta that combined:

• CNN offices and studios
• A massive atrium with restaurants and shops
• The well-known CNN Studio Tour (popular with tourists and school groups)

While CNN has shifted much of its daily on-air operations to other cities over the years, its Atlanta legacy remains strong, and the network still has a footprint in the area.

CNN Center in Atlanta: Where It Is and What’s Changed

CNN Center Location

CNN Center is located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta:

CNN Center
190 Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

It sits next to or near:

• State Farm Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Centennial Olympic Park
• The Georgia World Congress Center

For many years, this was the iconic CNN building that people recognized from Atlanta skyline photos and televised shots.

What CNN Center Used to Offer

Historically, CNN Center featured:

• News studios and editorial offices
• The CNN Studio Tour, where visitors could see how live TV news was produced
• Food courts, shops, and public atrium space
• Occasional public events and tapings

For locals, it was a familiar stop when attending Hawks games, conventions, or exploring downtown attractions. For tourists, it was often bundled with visits to other nearby sites like the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

Changes to CNN Operations in Atlanta

Over time, CNN has:

• Reduced some of its Atlanta-based live on-air operations
• Shifted more programming to New York and Washington, D.C. studios
• Adjusted its use of CNN Center and surrounding office space

From a consumer point of view in Atlanta, that mostly affects:

• Whether you can still visit CNN studios the way you once could
• How often you see “LIVE from Atlanta” on CNN broadcasts

CNN continues to maintain news and production capabilities in Atlanta, but the way the space is used has evolved.

Can You Still Tour CNN in Atlanta?

The Status of the CNN Studio Tour

The CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta, once a popular attraction, has been discontinued. That means:

• You generally cannot book an official CNN tour in Atlanta anymore
• There is no public walk-through of control rooms or live studios like in past years

If you’re planning a trip and had “tour CNN Atlanta” on your list, you will likely need to adjust your itinerary.

👍 Tip: When planning a downtown visit, think of CNN Center as a landmark building near major attractions, rather than as an active, open-to-the-public studio experience.

What You Can Do Around CNN Center Now

Although the classic tour is gone, the surrounding area is still very active. Within a short walk of CNN Center you can:

• Watch a game or concert at State Farm Arena
• Visit Centennial Olympic Park for walking, fountains, and events
• Check out the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Use MARTA’s Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station for easy transit access

For most visitors today, CNN Center functions primarily as:

• A reference point for directions
• A gateway into the broader convention, sports, and entertainment district downtown

Where CNN Fits into Atlanta’s Media Landscape Today

Even though the CNN tour has ended and the network’s on-air presence has shifted, CNN is still part of Atlanta’s media and business identity.

CNN and Atlanta as a Media Hub

Atlanta continues to be:

• A major center for television and film production (including Turner/Warner-affiliated brands and other networks)
• Home to many journalists, producers, and media professionals with CNN experience
• A city used as a backdrop and reference point for coverage of national events in the Southeast

You’ll often see CNN reference Atlanta in coverage related to:

• Major trials or federal cases held in the city
• State and local politics with national impact
• Weather and emergency coverage in the Southeast region

Nearby Media and Corporate Neighbors

While CNN Center is downtown, other large media and entertainment-related offices in the metro area include:

• Offices and studios in Midtown and Buckhead
• Production studios in areas like Fayette County, DeKalb County, and other parts of the metro region

CNN is part of a broader ecosystem that has helped Atlanta earn its reputation as a “Hollywood of the South” and a center for broadcast and digital media.

Getting to CNN Center and the Surrounding Area

Even if you’re not entering the building, you may want to navigate to CNN Center as a downtown landmark.

By MARTA

The most convenient MARTA station is:

Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
(West Line – Blue/Green)

From this station, you can:

• Walk directly to CNN Center and State Farm Arena
• Access nearby attractions and convention facilities

By Car

If you’re driving:

• CNN Center is near the intersection of Marietta St NW and Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Parking is typically available in nearby parking decks and surface lots, especially around State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center
• On heavy event days (games, concerts, conventions), it’s often easier to take MARTA or allow extra travel time

Key Things to Know About “CNN Atlanta” Today

Here’s a simple summary for anyone searching specifically for CNN Atlanta:

If you live in Atlanta, “CNN Atlanta” now mostly means a historic media landmark and a reminder of the city’s role in shaping modern cable news. If you’re visiting, think of CNN Center as a central anchor point in downtown—useful for navigation and close to many of Atlanta’s biggest attractions, even if the traditional CNN tour is no longer part of the experience.