Where to Stay Near State Farm Arena in Atlanta: A Local Guide to Nearby Hotels

If you’re coming to State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta for a concert, Hawks game, or special event, staying nearby can make your trip much easier. You’ll be able to walk to the arena, avoid some traffic, and enjoy nearby dining and attractions around Centennial Olympic Park and the CNN Center area.

This guide focuses on hotels near State Farm Arena Atlanta, what to expect in each nearby area, and how to choose the right place for your budget, schedule, and comfort level.

Understanding the Area Around State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

The arena sits in Downtown Atlanta, right next to:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• CNN Center
• Centennial Olympic Park
• The GWCC (Georgia World Congress Center)

Most hotels that are truly “near State Farm Arena” fall into a few walkable zones:

1. CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park hotels – closest, heavily event-focused
2. Downtown business core (Peachtree corridor) – short walk or quick rideshare
3. Auburn Avenue / Sweet Auburn & GSU area – slightly farther but still convenient by car, MARTA, or rideshare

When you’re searching, anything described as “downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park or CNN Center” is usually your best bet for walking distance.

At-a-Glance: Common Hotel Zones Near State Farm Arena

Below is a simple summary of typical hotel zones and what they’re like for arena visitors.

Walking times are approximate and depend on your exact hotel location and mobility needs.

Hotels Within a Short Walk of State Farm Arena

If your priority is “park once and walk to everything”, look directly around:

• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Centennial Olympic Park
• CNN Center

This area is built for events and conventions. Expect:

• Higher prices on big game or concert days
• A lot of foot traffic before and after events
• Easy access to MARTA’s GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines)

Typical benefits of staying within a 10-minute walk:

• You can avoid driving in heavy event traffic.
• Easier to go back to your room if you buy merchandise, need a jacket, or are attending a long multi-act show.
• Shorter late-night walk after events, which many visitors and locals staying downtown find reassuring.

Downtown Hotels a Bit Farther but Still Convenient

If you’re okay with a 10–20 minute walk, or a quick rideshare, look east from the arena toward Peachtree Street and the main Downtown core.

This area usually offers:

• More variety in price and hotel style
• Easy access to Peachtree Center and Five Points MARTA stations
• Walkable routes to the arena using Andrew Young International Blvd, Marietta St, or Centennial Olympic Park Dr

This can work well if:

• You want to be close to other downtown attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame).
• You’re combining an event with downtown business meetings.
• You’re looking for a balance between price and location.

Nearby Areas Outside Immediate Walking Distance

If being right next to the arena isn’t essential, you can expand your search slightly and still stay very convenient.

Sweet Auburn / Georgia State University Area

East of downtown, near Auburn Avenue and the Georgia State University campus, you’ll find:

• Hotels that are often a bit quieter than the arena cluster
• Easy access via I-75/85 and surface streets
• Proximity to King Historic District and local restaurants

From here, you can typically:

• Take a 5–10 minute rideshare to State Farm Arena
• Use MARTA from Georgia State or Five Points, then walk from the GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Midtown Near North Avenue and Arts Center

If you prefer a more neighborhood-style stay with arts, restaurants, and nightlife, Midtown can work well:

• Take MARTA Red/Gold line from Midtown, North Avenue, or Arts Center Stations to Five Points, then transfer to the Blue/Green line for one stop to the GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station.
• Total train time is usually around 10–15 minutes, not including transfer and walking time.

Midtown is a good fit if:

• You’re in Atlanta for several days, with the arena just one part of your plans.
• You want a less convention-focused environment.

How to Choose the Right Hotel Near State Farm Arena

When comparing hotels, focus less on star ratings and more on practical details that matter for arena events.

1. Walking Distance and Accessibility

Consider:

• Actual walking route: Check if your path to the arena crosses major roads, rail lines, or construction zones.
• Mobility needs: If you or someone in your group has mobility challenges, prioritize:
  • Hotels that are directly along level streets heading to the arena
  • Proximity to the GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center MARTA station
  • Accessible rooms and elevators; most larger downtown hotels offer ADA-compliant features, but availability may vary.

2. Transportation and Parking

If you’re driving:

• Downtown parking can be pricey and event-dependent.
• Many hotels near State Farm Arena offer:
  • Valet parking with daily rates
  • Some form of self-parking in adjacent garages
• The State Farm Arena parking decks and surrounding lots often increase prices for major events, so check current rates and availability when you book.

If you’re not driving:

• MARTA is often the easiest way on event days.
  • Arena stop: GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station on the Blue/Green lines
  • Downtown core: Peachtree Center and Five Points stations (Red/Gold → connection to Blue/Green)
• Many visitors staying downtown simply walk to the arena and use MARTA or rideshare for other parts of town.

3. Noise Level and Event Crowds

Hotels closest to the arena and Centennial Olympic Park area can be:

• Lively and noisy right before and after events
• Busy in lobbies, elevators, and nearby restaurants

If you prefer something quieter:

• Consider hotels a few blocks farther east in the central business area
• Ask the hotel (when booking) about rooms on higher floors or facing away from the busiest streets, if that’s important to you

4. Timing and Pricing Around Major Events

In Atlanta, hotel rates around State Farm Arena often change based on:

• NBA games or playoff runs
• High-profile concerts and tours
• Conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Falcons games and other events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (right next door)

To manage costs:

• Try to book early if you know a big event is coming.
• Look at weekday vs. weekend prices; downtown can be more affordable on some nights when there are no major events.
• Compare rates for hotels a short MARTA ride away (Midtown or Buckhead) if prices immediately around the arena spike.

Safety and Practical Tips for Staying Near State Farm Arena

Downtown Atlanta is a typical major-city environment: busy, walkable in many areas, and more crowded around big events. Common-sense precautions go a long way.

Helpful tips:

• 🚶‍♀️ Stick to main routes: Walk along well-lit, busy streets such as:
  • Centennial Olympic Park Dr
  • Andrew Young International Blvd
  • Marietta St
• 🚕 Use official rideshare pick-up zones near the arena or your hotel instead of random side streets.
• 🕙 Plan your route ahead of time, especially if you’ll be walking back after a late show.
• 🧾 Ask hotel staff about:
  • Best walking routes to the arena
  • Where taxis and rideshares typically pick up
  • Any construction or road closures that might affect your path

Using MARTA to Connect Hotels and State Farm Arena

MARTA can be one of the easiest ways to get between your hotel and the arena, especially if you’re staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport.

Key stations for arena access:

• GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines)
  Directly serves the arena and Georgia World Congress Center.

• Five Points Station (Red/Gold + Blue/Green connection)
  Main transfer station; from here you can:

  • Walk to parts of downtown
  • Transfer to Blue/Green for one stop to the arena

• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines)
  Serves many downtown hotels; you can:

  • Walk west toward Centennial Olympic Park
  • Transfer at Five Points if you prefer the train to the arena

MARTA details are managed by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority:

• MARTA Headquarters
  2424 Piedmont Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer information phone lines are published on MARTA’s official materials and are widely available.

Using MARTA can help you:

• Avoid event parking costs
• Move between hotel, arena, and airport more easily
• Bypass some of the downtown event traffic

What Locals and Regular Visitors Often Consider

People who attend events at State Farm Arena regularly and either live in Atlanta or visit often tend to focus on:

• “Can I walk back safely and easily?”
  This usually leads them to pick hotels that connect to the arena via straightforward streets, or to use MARTA/rideshare instead of moving their car.

• “Will I be stuck in traffic if I drive out after the show?”
  Some visitors prefer hotels slightly away from the immediate arena cluster to make it easier to leave the area by car.

• “Do I want to be in the middle of the event scene or a bit removed?”
  If the arena event is the whole point of the trip, staying right next to it can be worth the cost.
  If it’s part of a broader Atlanta visit, Midtown or Eastside neighborhoods can give you a different feel while staying just one short train ride away.

How to Narrow Down Your Options

When you search for “hotels near State Farm Arena Atlanta,” use these filters and questions to refine your pick:

1. Distance filter:

   • Start with 0.5 miles from State Farm Arena for true walking distance.
   • Expand to 1 mile if you’re comfortable with a slightly longer walk.

2. Transit access:

   • Look for mention of MARTA stations in the hotel description (GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center, Peachtree Center, Five Points, Midtown).

3. Trip purpose:

   • Mostly arena-focused? Choose CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park area.
   • Mix of business and leisure? Look toward Peachtree Street downtown.
   • Longer trip with nightlife, dining, and arts? Consider Midtown with an easy MARTA ride to the arena.

4. Budget vs. convenience:

   • If budget is tight, see if staying one or two MARTA stops away significantly lowers the nightly rate while keeping your ride straightforward.

By focusing on location, transit, and how you plan to move around Atlanta, you can quickly find a hotel near State Farm Arena that fits your schedule, comfort level, and budget—whether you’re an Atlanta local planning a staycation or a visitor coming in just for the show.