Best Hotels Within Walking Distance of State Farm Arena in Atlanta

If you’re heading to a Hawks game, concert, or special event at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, staying within walking distance can save you time, parking headaches, and late-night transportation worries. This guide breaks down Atlanta hotels you can realistically walk to, what the walk feels like, and nearby options if you’re okay with a short MARTA ride.

State Farm Arena’s address:
1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

How Close Is “Walking Distance” to State Farm Arena?

In downtown Atlanta, “walking distance” usually means:

• 0–5 minutes (0–0.2 miles): Right next door or across the street
• 5–10 minutes (0.2–0.5 miles): Easy sidewalk walk, usually fine even at night when events end
• 10–15 minutes (0.5–0.7 miles): Still walkable for most people, especially on event nights when lots of people are out

State Farm Arena sits next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park, close to the CNN Center area and the Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center MARTA Station (Blue/Green lines).

Hotels That Are a Very Short Walk to State Farm Arena

These hotels are typically within about a half-mile or less, which most people consider an easy walk.

1. Downtown hotels along Marietta St NW & Centennial Olympic Park Dr

This cluster of hotels is popular with people going to events at State Farm Arena because you can simply walk down Marietta Street NW or Centennial Olympic Park Drive toward the arena, following the crowd.

Common options in this area include:

• Hotels facing or near Centennial Olympic Park
  These are generally about 0.3–0.5 miles from State Farm Arena. The walk usually takes 6–10 minutes:
  • Head toward Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW
  • Walk south toward the Georgia World Congress Center / State Farm Arena complex
  • Follow signage and crowds, especially on event days

Why people choose this area:

• Easy walk to State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and GWCC
• Close to SkyView Atlanta, College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca-Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium
• Plenty of restaurants and quick food options nearby

2. Hotels near the CNN Center area

There are hotels in and around the former CNN Center complex that are particularly convenient:

• Typically 0.1–0.3 miles to State Farm Arena
• Often connected or adjacent to large convention or office buildings
• You can usually:
  • Exit onto Andrew Young International Blvd NW or Marietta St NW
  • Follow signs toward State Farm Arena / Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Benefits:

• Shortest walks of almost any area
• Heavily trafficked and well-lit on event days
• Good if you prefer to avoid crossing major intersections or walking several blocks

Hotels a Short Walk Away via MARTA or a Slightly Longer Stroll

If you don’t mind a 10–15 minute walk or a quick MARTA hop, you’ll have more options while still staying “near” State Farm Arena.

3. Hotels in the Peachtree Center area

Peachtree Center is a major hotel and office hub in downtown Atlanta, about 0.6–0.8 miles from State Farm Arena.

Typical experience:

• From many hotels in Peachtree Center, you can:
  • Walk:
    • About 12–15 minutes depending on the hotel location
    • Route often goes west along Andrew Young International Blvd NW or Marietta St NW
  • Or take MARTA:
    • Walk to Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines)
    • Ride to Five Points Station
    • Transfer to Blue/Green line and go one stop to Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Why consider this area:

• More variety in hotel styles and price points
• Still feels central to downtown
• Plenty of dining and grab-and-go food options
• Indoor walkways (“Peachtree Center Mall” area and surrounding skybridges) can help you avoid bad weather for part of your walk

4. Hotels near Five Points or the Government District

There are fewer hotels here than Peachtree Center, but if you find one:

• You’re roughly 0.5–0.7 miles from State Farm Arena
• You can:
  • Walk west toward Forsyth St SW and then to Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW
  • Or hop on MARTA at Five Points Station and go one stop on the Blue/Green line to the arena

This can be a good option if:

• You’re okay with a slightly more urban-feeling walk
• You want quick access to multiple MARTA lines
• You’re also visiting City Hall, Fulton County Government Center, or nearby offices

Quick Comparison: Staying Near State Farm Arena

How to Walk Safely and Comfortably to State Farm Arena

Walking in downtown Atlanta to and from State Farm Arena is common, especially during events. A few practical tips:

1. Use main streets and follow the crowd

On game and concert nights, you’ll usually find steady foot traffic:

• Common walking streets:
  • Marietta St NW
  • Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
  • Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Stick to well-lit, busy routes instead of cutting through quiet side streets or alleys

2. Pay attention to event timing

• For evening events, many people plan to:
  • Arrive 30–60 minutes early to avoid security lines
  • Leave with the crowd so you’re walking with many others
• After late events, you may prefer:
  • A hotel within 5–10 minutes on foot
  • Or a route that keeps you on major streets the entire way

3. Know your MARTA backup options

If the weather turns or you’re tired after the event, even if your hotel is technically walkable, MARTA can be an easy alternative.

Key MARTA stations:

• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
  • Blue/Green lines
  • Directly next to State Farm Arena
• Five Points Station
  • Red/Gold + Blue/Green lines intersect here
  • One stop from the arena station
• Peachtree Center Station
  • Red/Gold lines
  • Connected by underground walkways to many downtown hotels

MARTA customer information (central contact):
MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Main phone: (404) 848-5000

Parking vs. Walking: Why Many Visitors Choose a Walkable Hotel

In Atlanta, event parking around State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be:

• Pricey on major event nights
• Congested when everyone leaves at once

Staying at a hotel within walking distance lets you:

• Avoid driving and parking near the arena
• Skip rideshare surge pricing after games and concerts
• Drop off bags and freshen up easily before walking over

If you’re traveling with kids, a group, or planning to enjoy downtown restaurants or nightlife before or after the event, staying nearby can make the whole day more relaxed.

Tips for Choosing the Right Hotel Near State Farm Arena

When comparing hotels within walking distance in Atlanta, consider:

1. How much walking you’re comfortable with

• If mobility is a concern or you’re traveling with young children:
  • Aim for under 0.4–0.5 miles to the arena
• If you’re fine with a brisk walk:
  • Peachtree Center and Government District options open up more choices

2. Your plans beyond the event

Ask yourself:

• Are you also visiting Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or the College Football Hall of Fame?
  • The Centennial Olympic Park hotel cluster is especially convenient for attractions.
• Do you want easy MARTA access to Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport (ATL)?
  • Staying near Peachtree Center Station or Five Points is helpful.

3. Event schedules and special dates

During:

• Big concerts
• NBA season and playoffs
• Major conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
• College football events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

…rooms near State Farm Arena can book up quickly. Booking earlier typically gives you better location options within walking distance.

Using Landmarks to Navigate on Foot

If you’re unfamiliar with downtown Atlanta, landmarks make it easier to walk confidently to State Farm Arena:

• From Centennial Olympic Park:
  • Face the Ferris wheel (SkyView Atlanta)
  • Walk toward the large stadium structures beyond it
• From Peachtree Center:
  • Walk downhill toward Centennial Olympic Park and follow signs to the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena
• From Five Points:
  • Head west along Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW or follow signs toward Mercedes-Benz Stadium / GWCC

If you’re unsure, most hotel front desks in this part of Atlanta are familiar with arena events and can point you to the simplest walking route.

When a Walkable Hotel Might Not Be Your Best Choice

Even though staying within walking distance of State Farm Arena is convenient, it’s not always the right fit. You might prefer another neighborhood if:

• You want a quieter, more residential feel (Midtown, Inman Park, or parts of Buckhead may suit you better)
• You’re splitting time between suburban offices and downtown events
• You have a very early morning flight and want to stay next to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) instead

In these cases, you can still reach State Farm Arena easily by:

• Taking MARTA to Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
• Using rideshare or taxis and being dropped at the arena entrance

By focusing on hotels in the CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park / Marietta St / Peachtree Center areas, you’ll have several realistic walking-distance options to State Farm Arena. From there, it’s simply a matter of deciding how short you want your walk to be, how much you plan to explore downtown Atlanta, and whether easy MARTA access matters for the rest of your trip.