CNN Tour Atlanta: What Happened to the Studio Tour and What to Do Now

For years, the CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta was one of the city’s best-known indoor attractions, especially for visitors staying downtown. If you’re searching for information on the CNN Tour Atlanta, it likely means you’ve heard about it, are trying to book it, or are wondering what replaced it.

Here’s exactly how the CNN tour works now, what changed, and what you can do instead when you’re in Atlanta.

Is the CNN Tour in Atlanta Still Open?

No. The traditional CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta is no longer operating.

For many years, visitors could take a guided walk through CNN’s global headquarters at 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, see studios, and learn how live news was produced. That tour has been discontinued, and CNN’s operations in Atlanta have significantly shifted.

If you find older references to the CNN Tour Atlanta, those are describing a past attraction that is no longer available in the same form.

Why You Can’t Book the Old CNN Tour

Common reasons people run into confusion:

• Online ticket pages you remember are gone or redirect elsewhere.
• Travel blogs still mention the tour but haven’t been updated.
• Maps still show CNN Center, but the building’s purpose and access have changed over time.

If you are planning a visit to downtown Atlanta today, you should not count on being able to join a CNN studio tour. Instead, treat CNN Center as a historical reference point and look at nearby attractions.

Where Was the CNN Tour in Atlanta Located?

The former CNN Studio Tour operated out of the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta:

• Address: CNN Center, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Area: Between State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Neighborhood: Downtown / “Luckie-Marietta” tourism corridor

Even though the traditional tour is gone, this area is still one of the most walkable, visitor-friendly parts of the city.

What You Can See Around CNN Center Now

If you head to where the CNN tour used to be, you’re already in the middle of many of Atlanta’s top attractions. You can easily fill a morning or full day without the studio tour.

Top Attractions Within Walking Distance

1. Georgia Aquarium

• One of the largest aquariums in the world.
• Popular with families, school groups, and out-of-town visitors.
• A short walk north of CNN Center on Baker Street by Centennial Olympic Park.

2. World of Coca-Cola

• Museum-style attraction focused on the Coca-Cola brand and history.
• Includes exhibits about Atlanta’s role in the company’s beginnings.
• Located on Baker St NW, near the aquarium.

3. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

• Museum dedicated to the U.S. civil rights movement and global human rights issues.
• Near the aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, facing Pemberton Place.

4. State Farm Arena

• Home of the Atlanta Hawks and a major concert venue.
• Right next door to the former CNN Center footprint.

5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium

• Home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.
• Short walk from CNN Center, visible from the plaza.

6. Centennial Olympic Park

• Large green space with fountains, walkways, and city views.
• Directly across from the old CNN Center entrance.

CNN Tour Alternatives in Atlanta: Behind-the-Scenes & Interactive Experiences

While you can’t take a CNN studio tour anymore, Atlanta still has several “behind-the-scenes” style experiences that appeal to similar interests—media, sports, entertainment, and city history.

1. Sports & Arena Tours

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tours

• Offers guided tours on non-event days.
• Typically include locker rooms (when available), field-level views, and club areas.
• Focuses on stadium design, sustainability, and Atlanta sports culture.

Truist Park Tours (Atlanta Braves)

• Located in Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta area, not downtown.
• Tours often include the press box, dugout (when accessible), and team history exhibits.

These tours replace some of the “behind-the-scenes” curiosity people once brought to the CNN tour, but now in a sports and events context.

2. Museum & Exhibit Experiences With a Storytelling / Media Angle

If what interested you in the CNN tour was storytelling, media, and history, consider:

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Strong use of multimedia exhibits and archival footage.
• Atlanta History Center (in Buckhead) – Includes immersive exhibits on Atlanta’s growth, the 1996 Olympics, and regional history.
• World of Coca-Cola – Heavy on branding, advertising, and global media campaigns.

These are not news or TV production tours, but they still offer curated, story-driven experiences with a strong Atlanta focus.

Visiting CNN Center Today: What to Expect

If you walk up to CNN Center with memories or expectations of a public tour, here’s what you should know:

• No regular public studio tours are being operated there.
• The building’s interior access and mix of tenants have changed over time.
• Some areas that used to be accessible as part of the tour may now be secured or repurposed.

If you’re staying at a nearby hotel or convention site, you will likely still hear people refer to the area as “by CNN Center”, simply because it was such a dominant landmark for decades.

Getting to the Former CNN Tour Area (Downtown Atlanta)

Even without the CNN tour, the area around CNN Center remains a major transportation hub and is easy to reach.

By MARTA (Public Transit)

The closest MARTA station is:

• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Lines)
  • This station exits right by the former CNN Center and is very convenient for:
    • Georgia World Congress Center
    • State Farm Arena
    • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
    • Centennial Olympic Park area

If you’re coming from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can:

1. Take the Red or Gold Line north from the airport into downtown.
2. Transfer at Five Points Station to the Blue or Green Line.
3. Ride west one stop to Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center.

By Car

Use the address:

• 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303

Parking options nearby typically include:

• Garages at or near State Farm Arena and the stadium.
• Various downtown parking decks around Centennial Olympic Park.

Rates, availability, and event-related price changes are common downtown, so many visitors prefer MARTA on days with games or big events.

Quick Comparison: Old CNN Tour vs. Today’s Options

Below is a simple overview to reset expectations and help you plan your day:

Tips if You Originally Planned a CNN Tour

If you had planned your Atlanta trip with the CNN tour in mind, you can still have a full and interesting visit:

1. Stay in the same area.

   • The downtown cluster around CNN Center remains one of the most convenient spots for several major attractions on foot.

2. Pick one “anchor” attraction.

   • Many visitors choose Georgia Aquarium or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights as the centerpiece of their day.

3. Add a stadium or ballpark tour.

   • Consider a Mercedes-Benz Stadium or Truist Park tour to get that behind-the-scenes, guided experience.

4. Check event calendars.

   • Large events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium impact crowds, parking, and MARTA usage. Planning around game days can make your visit smoother.

If You Live in Atlanta and Remember the CNN Tour

For longtime Atlantans, the end of the CNN tour can feel like the end of an era. Many locals:

• Remember school field trips downtown that included CNN Center.
• Used the indoor food court as a meeting point or lunch option.
• Saw CNN Center as a symbol of Atlanta’s profile as a media city.

If you’re looking for new spots to introduce visiting friends or kids to Atlanta’s story:

• Point them to Centennial Olympic Park, Pemberton Place, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a balanced view of the city’s past and present.
• Use Mercedes-Benz Stadium and The Battery Atlanta (Truist Park) as your new go-to recommendations for tour-style outings.

Key Takeaways About the CNN Tour in Atlanta

• The CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta is no longer available in its original form.
• The tour used to operate out of CNN Center at 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303.
• Downtown around CNN Center is still a major visitor hub, with the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park all close by.
• If you want a similar guided, behind-the-scenes experience, consider stadium tours or major museum visits instead.
• For both locals and visitors, planning a stop in this part of downtown still makes sense—just adjust your plans away from expecting a CNN-branded tour.