Remembering the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park Bombing: What Locals and Visitors Should Know

The Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta is one of the city’s most painful and defining moments. If you live in Atlanta, visit downtown often, or are planning a trip, understanding what happened at Centennial Olympic Park, how the city responded, and how the park feels today can add important context to this central Atlanta landmark.

This guide walks through the history of the bombing, what you’ll find at the park now, how Atlanta has changed its approach to safety, and how to visit respectfully.

What Happened at Centennial Olympic Park?

On the night of July 27, 1996, during the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, a bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown. The park had been designed as the “town square” of the Olympics, a place for concerts, gatherings, and celebrations.

• Location: Centennial Olympic Park, downtown Atlanta
• Context: The park was filled with spectators, volunteers, and visitors enjoying Olympic festivities and a late-night concert.
• Impact: The explosion killed two people and injured more than a hundred others.
• Aftermath: The attack shook Atlanta, the Olympics, and the broader public, leading to national investigations and long-lasting conversations about event and public space security.

The bombing was eventually linked to a domestic terrorist who targeted the Olympics and, later, other locations in the region. For Atlanta residents who were here at the time, the event is often remembered alongside the city’s rapid 1990s growth and its role on the global stage.

Where Exactly Is Centennial Olympic Park?

Many people searching for “Atlanta Centennial Park bombing” also want to understand where it took place in the city and what that area looks like now.

Centennial Olympic Park
265 Park Ave W NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

The park is in the heart of downtown, surrounded by major attractions, including:

• CNN Center (to the south)
• State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (a short walk away)
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame

The bombing occurred in the park itself, not inside any of these surrounding venues, and the area has since been redesigned and improved.

How the Bombing Changed Atlanta’s Public Spaces

The Centennial Park bombing pushed Atlanta—along with other major cities—to rethink security, emergency response, and event planning, especially in open, public spaces.

Visible Changes Locals and Visitors Notice Today

While most people visiting the park enjoy it like any other public green space, a few modern features reflect lessons learned:

• More coordinated security at large events
  Concerts, festivals, parades, and fan events in and around Centennial Olympic Park and downtown often include:

  • Bag checks
  • Visible law enforcement presence
  • Clearly marked entry and exit points

• Tighter coordination between agencies
  The Atlanta Police Department (APD), Georgia World Congress Center Authority Police, private security teams, and event organizers typically work together on large gatherings in and around the park.

• Improved emergency response planning
  Major venues nearby, like the Georgia World Congress Center and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, are known for detailed emergency plans, regular drills, and coordinated communication with city and state authorities.

While these changes are now seen as standard practice, many Atlantans view the 1996 attack as an early and powerful reminder of why they matter.

Visiting Centennial Olympic Park Today

Despite its tragic history, Centennial Olympic Park today is a family-friendly public space and one of the most visited spots in downtown Atlanta.

What You’ll Find at the Park

Centennial Olympic Park features:

• Open lawns and walking paths perfect for relaxing or taking a mid-day break
• Fountain of Rings, an interactive water feature that plays music and lights
• Olympic monuments and sculptures honoring athletes and the 1996 Games
• Views of the downtown skyline and nearby attractions

For many residents, the park is part of a normal day downtown—eating lunch on the grass, walking between the aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, or attending outdoor events and seasonal activities.

Is There a Memorial to the Bombing?

The park primarily honors the 1996 Olympic Games, but the bombing is an unavoidable part of the park’s story and Atlanta’s history.

There is not a large, standalone, heavily publicized bombing memorial comparable to some other national sites of tragedy. Instead, the memory of the attack is often:

• Recognized in historical narratives and tours of downtown
• Discussed in museum exhibits or educational materials about Atlanta in the 1990s
• Remembered privately by survivors, families, and long-time residents

If you’re specifically interested in the bombing’s history, you can:

• Visit the park and reflect near the general concert and gathering areas, understanding that this was once a crime scene but is now a space for community and recreation.
• Combine your visit with a trip to nearby cultural institutions that cover Atlanta’s modern history, such as the Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305).

Safety and Security in Downtown Atlanta Parks

For people who live in or visit Atlanta, a common question is whether Centennial Olympic Park and similar spaces are safe to visit today.

Day-to-Day Experience

Locals and visitors typically experience Centennial Olympic Park as:

• Active but relaxed during the day, with tourists, families, and workers
• Event-focused during concerts, festivals, and special gatherings
• Patrolled by security and law enforcement, especially during events

No public space is risk-free, but the park is generally treated as a standard downtown Atlanta space—busy, monitored, and central to tourism.

Practical Safety Tips for Visitors and Residents

These habits are common recommendations for downtown public spaces, including Centennial Olympic Park:

• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at large events.
• Follow posted security instructions and respect screening areas if they’re in place.
• Identify exits and gathering points when attending concerts or major events.
• Travel with others at night when possible and stick to well-lit, active areas.
• Report suspicious items or behavior to nearby officers or park security.

If you see something concerning, you can contact:

• Atlanta Police Department (non-emergency): 404-658-6666
• Emergency: 911

Key Atlanta Agencies Connected to Centennial Olympic Park

Knowing who oversees and supports safety in and around Centennial Olympic Park can be useful, especially if you’re organizing a large gathering or just want to understand how the area is managed.

These organizations work together behind the scenes to support both everyday park use and major gatherings near Centennial Olympic Park.

How Atlantans Remember the Bombing

For longtime residents, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing sits at the intersection of two powerful memories:

• Pride in hosting the 1996 Olympics and transforming downtown Atlanta
• Shock and grief that such a violent act occurred in the city’s central celebration space

Today, many Atlantans remember:

• Where they were when they heard the news
• The confusion and fear in the days immediately following
• The way the city continued the Games and tried to move forward while honoring those affected

If you’ve recently moved to Atlanta or you’re visiting from out of town, understanding this event can deepen your appreciation for why the park matters so much to locals—not only as a tourist stop, but as a symbol of both tragedy and resilience.

Visiting with Awareness and Respect

Whether you live in Atlanta or are just here for a weekend, you can experience Centennial Olympic Park in a way that honors its full story:

• Enjoy the green space, fountains, and skyline views as thousands of others do every week.
• Remember that this was once the site of a deadly attack, and that many people still carry personal memories of that night.
• Use your time there to reflect on how Atlanta has grown, changed, and continued to welcome the world—despite what happened.

The Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park bombing is part of the city’s history, but it does not define the park’s present. Today, the park stands as a public gathering place at the heart of downtown, shaped by the past yet focused on community, culture, and everyday life in Atlanta.