Best Hotels in Atlanta Near State Farm Arena: Where to Stay for Games, Concerts & Events

If you’re heading to State Farm Arena in Downtown Atlanta for a Hawks game, big-name concert, or special event, staying nearby can make the experience much easier. You can skip the long drives, avoid stressful parking, and walk back to your room in minutes.

This guide breaks down the best areas and types of hotels near State Farm Arena, what they’re like, and how to choose the right one for your trip to Atlanta.

Quick Overview: Where to Stay Near State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is located at 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, right next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and CNN Center.

Here’s a simple snapshot of nearby hotel areas:

If your top priority is walking to State Farm Arena, focus on Downtown hotels near Centennial Olympic Park and along Marietta St NW / Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW / Andrew Young International Blvd.

How Close is “Close”? Understanding Walking vs. Transit

When people search “hotels in Atlanta near State Farm Arena,” they often mean different things:

• Right next door: 1–5 minute walk
• Comfortable walking distance: 5–15 minute walk
• Quick MARTA ride: 1–2 stops away on the rail system

If you want to walk to the arena, look for hotels:

• Within a few blocks of:
  • State Farm Drive
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Marietta St NW
  • Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Within walking distance of MARTA’s GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station on the Blue/Green Line.

If you’re comfortable using MARTA, you can expand your search to Midtown and the Hartsfield–Jackson airport area, which are both on the North–South (Red/Gold) Line and connect easily to the Blue/Green Line that serves the arena.

Downtown Atlanta Hotels Within Easy Walking Distance

1. Hotels Around Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center

This cluster is the prime zone if you want to walk to State Farm Arena in just a few minutes. The area is also next to major attractions like:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia World Congress Center
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola

Typical features of hotels in this pocket:

• Walking time to State Farm Arena: About 3–10 minutes
• Who it’s good for:
  • Event-goers who don’t want to deal with parking
  • Families visiting downtown attractions
  • Business travelers attending conventions at GWCC
• What to expect:
  • Mid-range to upscale properties
  • Heavier crowds on event days and weekends
  • Valet or paid garage parking instead of free lots

If you want to avoid walking through quieter streets late at night, staying near Centennial Olympic Park or the CNN Center generally keeps you closer to well-trafficked routes back from the arena.

2. Peachtree Street & Core Downtown Hotels

A second cluster sits a bit deeper into Downtown Atlanta along Peachtree St NE/NW and surrounding blocks.

• Walking time to State Farm Arena: Roughly 10–20 minutes, depending on the exact address
• Transit option: Many hotels are near Peachtree Center Station on MARTA’s Red/Gold Line. From there you can:
  • Walk to the arena, or
  • Transfer at Five Points Station to the Blue/Green Line and travel one stop to GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station.

Good for:

• Travelers who want a more traditional downtown feel with shops, small restaurants, and office buildings
• Business trips combining meetings plus an evening at the arena
• Visitors who want to balance price and proximity

During big events, room rates closest to the arena can jump. Looking a few blocks deeper into downtown sometimes gives slightly better pricing while staying reasonably close.

Midtown & Other Nearby Neighborhoods (Easy MARTA Access)

If you don’t mind a short train ride or rideshare, Midtown Atlanta is another popular base.

Midtown Atlanta Hotels (One Train Transfer Away)

Midtown is along the Red/Gold MARTA Line, with major stations like Midtown Station and Arts Center Station.

From Midtown, you can:

• Take the Red or Gold Line south to Five Points Station
• Transfer to the Blue or Green Line
• Ride one stop west to GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Travel time on the train is generally around 10–15 minutes, not counting walking.

Why stay in Midtown?

• More dining and nightlife than many parts of downtown
• Quick access to:
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta BeltLine – Eastside Trail (walkable from some hotels)
  • Fox Theatre
• Good choice for:
  • Visitors who want a livelier neighborhood before and after events
  • Longer stays that combine work, leisure, and arena events
  • People who value restaurants and bars within walking distance of the hotel

You’ll trade a short walk to the arena for a short train ride, but gain a different neighborhood feel.

Airport Hotels with Easy Train Access to State Farm Arena

If you’re flying in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and only plan to be in town briefly, the airport hotel cluster might make sense.

• The airport connects directly to MARTA’s Red/Gold Line at the Airport Station.
• From the airport:
  • Ride north to Five Points Station
  • Transfer to the Blue/Green Line
  • Exit at GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Total train time is typically 15–25 minutes, depending on waits and transfers.

Pros of airport-area hotels:

• Often more budget-friendly than central downtown hotels (especially on non-peak days)
• Convenient for late-night arrivals or early-morning departures
• Many offer free airport shuttles

Trade-offs:

• You’ll rely on MARTA or rideshare to get to/from the arena.
• You won’t be able to walk to State Farm Arena.

If your priority is minimizing overall hassle and you’re in and out of Atlanta quickly, this can be a practical choice.

Getting From Your Hotel to State Farm Arena

Walking Routes

From most Downtown and Centennial Park hotels, walking is straightforward. General tips:

• Follow well-lit main streets such as:
  • Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
  • Marietta St NW
  • Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• On event nights, you’ll usually see plenty of other fans walking in the same direction, which can make navigation easier.

Using MARTA Rail

State Farm Arena is served by:

• GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
  • On Blue and Green Lines

For most visitors:

1. Take Red or Gold to Five Points Station
2. Transfer to Blue or Green, westbound
3. Ride one stop to GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

If you stay in Midtown or near Peachtree Center, this is often the easiest way to reach the arena without driving.

Driving & Parking from Nearby Hotels

If you decide to drive:

• The arena sits near major highways:
  • I-20
  • I-75/85 (Downtown Connector)
• Parking is available in:
  • Official State Farm Arena lots and decks
  • Surrounding private lots and garages

Common local advice:

• Pre-book parking when possible on big event nights.
• Expect heavy traffic around the arena before and after major games or concerts.
• Some hotels in downtown charge separate fees for parking, so include that in your budget.

What to Consider When Choosing a Hotel Near State Farm Arena

1. Walking Distance vs. Price

In Atlanta, hotels closest to major venues like State Farm Arena often:

• Charge more on event nights
• Fill up quickly when:
  • The Atlanta Hawks have home games
  • There’s a major concert or multi-day event
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium next door also has big events

If you’re price-sensitive:

• Consider staying a bit further in Downtown or in Midtown, using MARTA to reach the arena.
• Look at weeknight vs weekend rates; they can differ significantly.

2. Safety & Street Activity

Like every major city, Atlanta’s downtown has pockets that feel more or less active late at night.

Common local patterns:

• Areas around Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia World Congress Center, and CNN Center tend to be busier on event nights with other fans walking around.
• If you’ll be returning very late, you may prefer:
  • A hotel on or near main streets rather than isolated blocks
  • Using a rideshare service from the arena back to your hotel if the walk feels too long or quiet

3. Access to Food & Nightlife

If you want a full evening out before or after an event:

• Downtown / Centennial Park:
  • Close to tourist-friendly restaurants and some sports bars
  • Good for families and groups who want simple, accessible options
• Midtown:
  • Expanded nightlife, lounges, and local restaurants
  • Better if you want to make a weekend out of your trip beyond the arena event

4. Other Atlanta Attractions on Your List

It’s common for visitors to combine a State Farm Arena event with:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• College Football Hall of Fame
• A show at the Fox Theatre
• A stroll through Piedmont Park or along parts of the Atlanta BeltLine

If you’re planning this kind of trip:

• Downtown is ideal for the aquarium, civil rights center, World of Coca-Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Midtown works well if you also want:
  • Fox Theatre
  • Piedmont Park
  • Easy BeltLine access

Choosing your hotel based on your full itinerary, not just the arena, can save transit time.

Practical Tips for Booking a Hotel Near State Farm Arena

Here are some Atlanta-specific strategies to keep in mind:

• Check the Atlanta event calendar
  On certain weekends, multiple big events (Hawks game, stadium event, downtown convention) can happen at once, pushing room rates up and reducing availability.

• Look for hotels near MARTA stations
  Names to look for on maps:

  • GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green)
  • Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold)
  • Five Points Station (transfer hub)
  • Midtown Station (Red/Gold)
  • Airport Station (Red/Gold, at ATL)

• Factor in parking costs
  Many downtown and Midtown hotels charge daily parking fees, sometimes comparable to a budget hotel’s nightly rate. If you’re renting a car, compare:

  • Hotel parking fee
  • Arena parking or rideshare
  • Possibility of just using MARTA.

• Arrive early on event days
  Whether you’re walking, taking MARTA, or driving, it’s easier if you:

  • Check in at your hotel early
  • Settle your bags
  • Head to the arena ahead of peak crowds

• Consider noise and crowds
  Hotels closest to the arena area can feel more crowded on big event nights, especially in lobbies and nearby streets. If you prefer quieter evenings, a bit of distance (or a different neighborhood) may be worth it.

Key Takeaways for Staying Near State Farm Arena

• For maximum convenience, stay in Downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park or the CNN Center area. You’ll typically be within a short walk of State Farm Arena.
• For more nightlife and dining, look at Midtown hotels and plan on a 10–15 minute MARTA ride each way.
• For budget-conscious or quick trips, consider airport-area hotels and use MARTA to reach the arena.
• Always weigh:
  • Walking distance vs. room rate
  • Parking costs vs. transit
  • Neighborhood feel vs. convenience

With a bit of planning around location, transit, and events happening in Atlanta, you can find a hotel that fits your style while staying comfortably close to State Farm Arena.