Visiting the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta: What’s There Now and How It Works

For years, “CNN Headquarters Atlanta” meant one thing to locals and visitors: the massive CNN Center downtown with studio tours, a food court, and crowds of tourists. That picture has changed.

CNN has deep roots in Atlanta, but its presence and public access have evolved. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or just want to understand how CNN operates here now, this guide walks through what still exists, what has moved, and what you can realistically see or do.

Is CNN Still Based in Atlanta?

CNN was founded in Atlanta in 1980 and operated for decades from CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. Over time, though, many operations have shifted to other cities, especially New York and Washington, D.C.

Today:

• CNN still maintains operations in Atlanta, but
• The historic CNN Center is no longer the same public “headquarters” experience, and
• Some departments and staff now work out of other Atlanta office locations, not the old tour-focused complex.

If you remember the classic behind-the-scenes studio tours, escalators over the atrium, and bustling lobbies, be aware that:

• Public tours are no longer offered.
• The building’s ownership and usage have changed, and parts of the complex have been repurposed.

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, CNN is now more of a behind-the-scenes presence than a daily tourist attraction.

CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta: What to Know

Former primary complex:
CNN Center
Downtown Atlanta, adjacent to State Farm Arena and Centennial Olympic Park

This is the building most people picture when they think “CNN Headquarters Atlanta.”

What was CNN Center?

For many years, CNN Center:

• Housed CNN’s main newsroom and studios
• Included a public atrium with restaurants and shops
• Offered the CNN Studio Tour, a guided walk-through of the news operation
• Sat at the center of downtown activity, right next to the World of Coca‑Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and the College Football Hall of Fame

What’s it like now for visitors?

If you’re planning a visit expecting the old CNN experience, you’ll notice several changes:

• No CNN public tours.
• The atrium and retail mix have changed; some spaces have closed or been redeveloped.
• CNN-branded signage and on-site public experiences are far more limited than in the past.

For downtown trips, most locals now treat the former CNN Center area as:

• A through-point when attending events at State Farm Arena
• A landmark near Centennial Olympic Park attractions
• A convenient MARTA-accessible zone (Five Points and GWCC/CNN Center stations are nearby, though names and signage may shift as development continues)

If your priority is taking photos, you may still find some CNN-related signage in the area, but don’t expect the interactive, visitor-friendly headquarters experience that existed years ago.

Where Does CNN Operate in Atlanta Now?

CNN’s footprint in Atlanta has been reorganized rather than erased. Instead of operating as a big tourist destination, CNN’s Atlanta presence is now more focused on news production, back-end operations, and offices.

While internal operations often span multiple office locations (and can change over time), CNN’s Atlanta work now typically involves:

• News and production teams handling parts of the CNN broadcast and digital workflow
• Technical and support staff working from office space rather than a public complex
• Hybrid or remote work models, which are common across large media organizations

For locals, that means:

• You’re unlikely to walk into a classic “CNN lobby” downtown as a visitor.
• Most CNN-related spaces in Atlanta are professional offices, not tourist or walk-in sites.
• On-air programming you see labeled “from Atlanta” may be produced in studios that are not publicly accessible.

If you have business with CNN (for example, media-related work, vendor contact, or employment matters), contact details are generally handled through CNN’s corporate or careers channels, not by visiting a front desk in Atlanta.

Can You Still Tour CNN in Atlanta?

No – CNN Atlanta studio tours are no longer operating.

Historically, the CNN Studio Tour was one of downtown’s most recognizable attractions. Visitors could:

• Watch live news production from a glassed-in viewing area
• See control rooms and technology demonstrations
• Walk through exhibits on how 24-hour news is made

Those experiences have ended. If you see old travel blogs, guidebooks, or posts mentioning the CNN tour in Atlanta, they are out of date.

Alternatives for Media and Broadcast Fans in Atlanta

If your interest is in journalism, TV production, or media, Atlanta offers other ways to explore those fields:

• College and university media programs

  • Schools such as Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta University, and others often have student-run TV, radio, or digital newsrooms.
  • Some host public events, lectures, or open houses related to media and communication.

• Film and TV production sites

  • Atlanta has become a major film and TV production hub, with large studios in places like Fayetteville, Union City, and across the metro area.
  • While most active sets are closed to the public, there are occasional tours, fan events, or museum-style exhibits tied to film and TV.

• Local news stations

  • Atlanta’s local TV stations (WSB-TV, WXIA 11Alive, WAGA Fox 5, CBS46/WANF) sometimes feature behind-the-scenes content or community events, although they are not daily walk-in attractions.

Practical Tips if You’re Visiting the Old CNN Headquarters Area

Even without the CNN tour, the area around the former headquarters remains a major hub for visitors.

Nearby Attractions

Within a short walk of the former CNN Center, you’ll find:

• Centennial Olympic Park – Green space, fountains, and city views
• Georgia Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums in the world
• World of Coca‑Cola – Brand museum and interactive exhibits
• College Football Hall of Fame – Sports museum with hands-on displays
• State Farm Arena – Home of the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – Falcons, Atlanta United, and large events

If you were planning a CNN-focused trip, you can still have a full downtown day by building your itinerary around these attractions instead.

Getting There

The area around the old CNN Center is well-connected:

• MARTA Rail:

  • GWCC/CNN Center Station on the Blue/Green line (name historically linked to CNN Center, though signage can evolve as development changes)
  • Five Points Station (central transfer point) is also within walking distance for many downtown destinations.

• Driving:

  • Multiple parking garages and surface lots are available near State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park.
  • On event days, be prepared for heavy traffic and higher parking rates.

• Walking:

  • Downtown’s attractions around Centennial Olympic Park are walkable from each other, which is useful if you’re replacing a CNN tour with other stops nearby.

Simple Snapshot: CNN and Atlanta Today

Below is a quick overview for context:

How Atlanta Residents Still Feel CNN’s Presence

Even without daily tours, CNN’s history and presence still show up in Atlanta life:

• Local pride: Many Atlantans still see CNN as one of the city’s signature brands, especially older residents who remember when the 24-hour news model was new.
• Employment & careers: Atlantans continue to work for CNN in news, digital, production, and support roles, though often in lower-profile or less tourist-oriented spaces than CNN Center.
• Community & culture: CNN’s legacy contributes to Atlanta’s identity as a media, business, and civic hub, alongside film studios, tech companies, and universities.

For students or professionals interested in media careers, Atlanta remains a realistic place to build a path into broadcast or digital news, whether or not that involves CNN specifically.

If You Need to Contact CNN from Atlanta

If your interest in “CNN Headquarters Atlanta” is less about visiting and more about reaching CNN, most people now use:

• CNN’s main website contact forms for general feedback or story tips
• Newsroom email addresses or social media channels listed in CNN’s on-air or online information
• Corporate or HR channels for employment and business inquiries

These options are generally more effective than trying to visit an office in person in Atlanta, since security and access policies are tight at major media organizations.

For Atlanta residents, the practical next step is usually:

• Decide whether your need is news-related (tips, footage, corrections) or business-related (partnership, legal, HR)
• Use the specified contact methods given during broadcasts or on official CNN pages, rather than relying on a physical headquarters visit

In summary, if you’re searching for “CNN Headquarters Atlanta” today:

• CNN’s historic downtown hub at CNN Center no longer functions as a public attraction, and tours have ended.
• CNN still operates in Atlanta, but primarily from office and production spaces that are not open to casual visitors.
• The area around the former headquarters remains a lively downtown district, with plenty of other attractions to anchor a visit or a day out in the city.