Exploring Krog Street Tunnel: Atlanta’s Living Canvas of Street Art

Krog Street Tunnel is one of Atlanta’s most recognizable street art landmarks—a gritty, colorful passageway that connects Cabbagetown and Inman Park near the Old Fourth Ward. For locals and visitors, it’s both a shortcut and a constantly changing outdoor gallery.

This guide walks you through what Krog Street Tunnel is, why it matters in Atlanta’s art and neighborhood culture, and how to experience it safely and respectfully.

What Is Krog Street Tunnel?

Krog Street Tunnel is a pedestrian- and car-accessible underpass beneath the railroad tracks near the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail.

• Location: Krog St NE at DeKalb Ave NE, between Cabbagetown and Inman Park
• Nearby neighborhoods: Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown
• Closest major landmark:Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

The tunnel’s concrete walls, ceilings, and even the approaches on both sides are covered in layers of murals, tags, stencils, wheat-paste posters, and stickers. Artists paint over old work constantly, so it never looks the same twice.

Why Krog Street Tunnel Matters in Atlanta

A hub for Atlanta street art

Krog Street Tunnel has become a centerpiece of Atlanta’s street art scene, especially for people exploring Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park:

• It showcases local and visiting artists, from well-known muralists to first-time painters.
• Styles range from polished character murals to political messages, quick tags, and temporary posters.
• It often reflects Atlanta’s current events, music scene, and social issues in near real time.

For someone new to Atlanta, a walk through the tunnel gives a fast snapshot of the city’s artistic energy and creativity.

A connector between historic neighborhoods

The tunnel physically and symbolically connects:

• Inman Park: One of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, known for Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and neighborhood festivals.
• Cabbagetown: A former mill village turned artsy, colorful, and tightly knit community.
• Close to Old Fourth Ward, known for civil rights history, modern development, and the BeltLine.

For many Atlantans, Krog Street Tunnel is where historic neighborhoods, new development, and creative culture intersect.

What to Expect When You Visit

The look and feel

Expect a gritty, urban environment rather than a polished tourist site:

• Surfaces are entirely covered in paint, posters, tags, stickers, and paste-ups.
• The artwork changes frequently—sometimes overnight.
• Lighting is dim but usually adequate to see where you’re going and view the art.
• Paint drips, lingering spray paint smell, and uneven pavement are common.

This is part of the tunnel’s character: it’s not a curated museum, but a living, layered wall of expression.

Noise, traffic, and crowd levels

• Cars, bikes, scooters, and pedestrians all use the tunnel.
• Vehicles can echo loudly due to the tunnel’s shape and concrete walls.
• At busy times (evenings, weekends, nice weather), there can be a steady flow of people taking photos, walking, or commuting through.
• Late at night it can be quieter but may feel more isolated.

How to Get to Krog Street Tunnel

You can reach Krog Street Tunnel easily from several parts of intown Atlanta.

By car

Set your GPS for something like:

• Krog Street Tunnel, Krog St NE & DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Parking is street-based and can be limited:

• Look along Krog St NE, Wylie St SE, Edgewood Ave, and nearby side streets.
• Always check posted signs and respect residential parking and driveways.
• Parking rules and enforcement can vary, especially during events.

By MARTA

There is no station directly at the tunnel, but you can connect by bus, walking, or rideshare:

• Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station (Blue/Green Line):

  • From the station, it’s roughly a 10–15 minute walk using neighborhood streets toward Krog St NE and DeKalb Ave NE.

• King Memorial Station (Blue/Green Line):

  • From there, visitors often connect via rideshare, bike, or scooter toward Old Fourth Ward/Inman Park and then walk to the tunnel.

Check MARTA’s official resources for current bus routes and schedules that serve DeKalb Ave NE and nearby corridors.

By BeltLine, bike, or on foot

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail runs close to the tunnel:

• From the BeltLine, many people exit near Edgewood Ave or Irwin Street/Krog Street Market and walk a few minutes to the tunnel.
• The area is popular with cyclists and scooter riders, but inside the tunnel, it’s safer to slow down, yield to pedestrians, and watch for vehicles.

Exploring the Street Art: How It Works

Legal vs. illegal graffiti in the tunnel

Atlanta generally treats unpermitted graffiti as illegal, but Krog Street Tunnel is unusual:

• Over time, the tunnel has developed a tolerated culture of painting.
• Artists frequently paint inside the tunnel and its approaches without formal commissioning.
• Some nearby walls or surfaces may be privately owned and not intended for painting, even if they’re close to the tunnel.

The tunnel itself has become known as a designated or de facto street art zone, but this does not mean that any wall in the area is fair game. Anyone painting outside typical tunnel boundaries or on private property may face removal of work or legal issues.

The constantly changing art

Common experiences for Atlanta residents and visitors:

• A favorite mural might disappear overnight under a new piece.
• Messages responding to local or national events can appear rapidly.
• Sections of the tunnel might feature collaborations where multiple artists share a wall.

If you like something you see, it’s worth taking a photo; there’s no guarantee it will still be there next week.

Tips for Visiting Krog Street Tunnel

When to go

Different times of day offer different vibes:

• Daytime:

  • Best for clear viewing and photography.
  • Generally the most comfortable for first-time visitors.

• Golden hour (late afternoon):

  • Light on the approaches can be especially photogenic.

• Night:

  • Tunnel is lit but darker.
  • Art can feel more dramatic, but some visitors prefer going with a group.

Safety and comfort

Krog Street Tunnel is used daily by Atlanta residents, commuters, and visitors. Still, it’s wise to:

• Stay aware of vehicles and cyclists; hug the side walls when walking.
• Watch your step—surfaces can be uneven or slick from paint or water.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the area, many people prefer visiting with a friend or group, especially after dark.
• Keep valuables close and visible, as you would in any urban environment.

Photography etiquette

Krog Street Tunnel is one of Atlanta’s most photographed urban spots. To be respectful:

• Avoid blocking traffic while taking photos. Step aside to alcoves or widenings.
• If you’re photographing people, ask permission when possible, especially for close-ups.
• Professional or commercial shoots may be subject to separate rules or expectations; some creators coordinate with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment for broader filming in the area.

Respecting the Art and the Neighborhood

Be a good guest in Cabbagetown and Inman Park

These are residential neighborhoods with long-time residents:

• Keep noise levels reasonable, especially early in the morning or late at night.
• Do not block driveways, walk through private yards, or sit on front steps without permission.
• Use trash cans where available; if there aren’t any, pack your trash out.

Leave the artwork as you found it

In Krog Street Tunnel:

• Do not scratch, carve, or damage art. Painting over is part of the culture; vandalizing with gouges or physical damage is not.
• Avoid touching fresh paint or posters; this helps preserve them for others, even if they’re short-lived.
• If you’re not an artist, it’s completely acceptable just to observe, photograph, and move through.

Nearby Spots to Combine With Your Visit

Krog Street Tunnel sits at an intersection of several popular Atlanta destinations. Many people make it part of a longer outing in Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park.

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

A few minutes’ walk from the tunnel, the BeltLine offers:

• A paved multi-use trail for walking, biking, and skating.
• Access to additional murals and public art along the trail.
• Connections north toward Old Fourth Ward, Poncey-Highland, and Midtown; south toward Reynoldstown and beyond.

Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park attractions

While specific businesses change over time, the area around Krog Street Tunnel commonly offers:

• Cafés, restaurants, and markets within walking distance.
• Access to parks and green spaces, especially in Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward.
• Additional street art and murals on side streets and underpasses nearby.

Many Atlantans plan an outing like:

Quick Reference: Visiting Krog Street Tunnel

For Atlanta Residents and Repeat Visitors

If you live in Atlanta or visit frequently, Krog Street Tunnel can become a long-term point of reference:

• You’ll notice how the art evolves with elections, local news, music releases, and cultural shifts.
• It can be a good place to introduce out-of-town guests to Atlanta’s creative side in under 20 minutes.
• It’s a natural stop when showing someone around Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and the BeltLine in one loop.

For many in the city, the tunnel is less a one-time attraction and more a marker of Atlanta’s changing identity, painted and repainted in real time.