Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies Tours: Your Guide to Exploring Atlanta’s History

Every spring, the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies tours turn the city into an open-air museum. For a few weeks, Atlantans and visitors can step inside historic homes, neighborhoods, churches, cemeteries, and landmarks that are often closed to the public–many of them completely free.

If you’re curious about Atlanta’s architecture, civil rights history, or just want a different kind of weekend outing, Phoenix Flies is one of the most worthwhile things to do in the city.

What Is Phoenix Flies?

Phoenix Flies is an annual celebration of Atlanta’s historic sites, coordinated by the Atlanta Preservation Center (APC).

Each year (typically in March), the APC partners with dozens of organizations to offer:

• Guided walking tours
• Open houses
• Lectures and talks
• Behind-the-scenes site visits
• Family-friendly activities and special events

The name “Phoenix Flies” nods to Atlanta’s symbol, the phoenix, representing the city’s rebirth after the Civil War. The event highlights how much of that history still survives in the buildings and places around you.

Who Runs Phoenix Flies?

Phoenix Flies is organized by the:

Atlanta Preservation Center
327 St. Paul Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: 404-688-3353

The APC is a nonprofit focused on preserving Atlanta’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks. Its headquarters, the Grant Mansion in Grant Park, often serves as a hub during Phoenix Flies—many tours start there or pass nearby.

When Do Phoenix Flies Tours Happen?

Phoenix Flies usually takes place over several weeks in March each year.

Key timing points:

• 📅 Dates vary by year, but the format is similar: a packed calendar of events across the city.
• ⏰ Time of day: Tours are held on weekdays and weekends, often in the late morning, afternoon, and early evening.
• ⛈️ Weather: Most tours run rain or shine, especially walking tours, but very severe weather can cause changes.

Because schedules and offerings change each year, it’s important to check the current year’s Phoenix Flies program through the Atlanta Preservation Center before you go.

Types of Phoenix Flies Tours You’ll Find in Atlanta

Phoenix Flies is really a collection of many different tours and events spread across the metro area. While offerings change each year, you can expect a mix like:

1. Neighborhood Walking Tours

These are ideal if you want to understand how Atlanta’s neighborhoods developed and changed over time.

Common areas often included:

• Grant Park – Victorian homes, early streetcar suburb history, and the park’s evolution.
• Inman Park – Atlanta’s first planned suburb, with ornate homes and a story of decline and revival.
• Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown – Mill town and railroad community roots, plus modern redevelopment.
• West End – African American history, historic churches, and early suburban growth.
• Downtown / Fairlie-Poplar – Early commercial buildings and classic skyscrapers.

These tours usually involve moderate walking, frequent stops, and a guide who explains architecture, past residents, and local preservation efforts.

2. Historic Home and Building Tours

Some Phoenix Flies events open the doors of private or limited-access historic buildings. You might see:

• Restored Victorian or Craftsman homes
• Converted industrial buildings turned into lofts or offices
• Historic theaters, banks, schools, or civic buildings

These tours often focus on:

• Architectural features (woodwork, facades, stained glass, original materials)
• How the building was saved or adapted instead of demolished
• Stories of owners, architects, or prominent residents

Because of capacity limits, these events sometimes require advance reservations.

3. Civil Rights and African American History Tours

Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and Black history is a major theme.

Phoenix Flies often includes tours in or around:

• Sweet Auburn – Churches, businesses, and organizations that shaped civil rights leadership.
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park area – Context around homes, churches, and community buildings.
• Historically Black neighborhoods such as West End and Vine City, when partner groups participate.

These tours help connect physical places to social and political history, giving a deeper perspective than what you might get from a quick drive-by.

4. Sacred Spaces, Cemeteries, and Cultural Sites

You’ll often find tours of:

• Historic churches and synagogues – Architecture, congregational history, and community role.
• Cemeteries – Such as Oakland Cemetery, focusing on Victorian funerary art, notable Atlantans, and changing burial traditions.
• Cultural landmarks – Auditoriums, social halls, or club buildings that hosted key events.

These can be especially compelling if you’re interested in genealogy, architecture, or local culture.

5. Special Interest and Themed Tours

Depending on the year, Phoenix Flies may feature:

• Architecture-focused tours (Art Deco, mid-century modern, industrial, or specific architects)
• Transportation-related tours (rail corridors, old streetcar routes, or transit-adjacent neighborhoods)
• Preservation case studies – Sites where major restoration or adaptive reuse projects took place
• Family-friendly activities – Shorter, interactive events aimed at kids and teens

How Much Do Phoenix Flies Tours Cost?

Phoenix Flies is known for being very affordable and often free.

Typical cost expectations:

• Many tours: Free admission
• Some events: Suggested donations to the Atlanta Preservation Center or host organization
• A few special tours: Modest fees to support upkeep or capacity-limited sites

You should:

• Confirm pricing for each event in the annual program.
• Bring cash or a card if you’d like to support the sites or the APC through donations.

Where Do Phoenix Flies Tours Take Place?

Phoenix Flies is citywide. Common geographic clusters include:

• Grant Park / Summerhill / Cabbagetown / Reynoldstown
• Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward / Sweet Auburn
• Downtown and Midtown
• West End and other southwest neighborhoods

Unlike a single attraction, Phoenix Flies is a network of events in many different locations. Expect to use:

• MARTA rail for Downtown, Midtown, and some east/west neighborhoods
• Walking or biking in compact historic districts
• Driving or rideshare to scattered or less transit-accessible sites

Parking situations differ widely; older neighborhoods often have limited street parking, so plan ahead.

How to Sign Up and Plan Your Phoenix Flies Experience

1. Get the Current Year’s Phoenix Flies Program

Each year, the Atlanta Preservation Center publishes a program guide listing:

• Event titles and descriptions
• Dates and times
• Meeting locations
• Reservation requirements
• Accessibility notes (when provided)

You can usually access this through the Atlanta Preservation Center directly (by phone or in person) or by searching for the most recent Phoenix Flies event details.

2. Check Reservation Requirements

Some tours are first-come, first-served, while others require:

• Advance registration
• Capacity limits (for safety or site preservation)
• Check-in before the start time

If there’s a site you’re especially excited about, reserve early if that option is available. Popular events can fill up quickly.

3. Plan Transportation and Timing

For each tour, note:

• 🕒 Start time and approximate length (many run 60–90 minutes, some longer)
• 📍 Exact meeting spot (often a street corner, church steps, or building entrance)
• 🚗 Transportation – whether MARTA, walking, biking, or driving makes the most sense
• 🅿️ Parking options, if you’re driving

Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early, especially when groups are limited.

What to Expect on a Typical Phoenix Flies Tour

While every tour is different, many follow a similar pattern:

• Greeting and overview from the guide
• Short history lesson about the neighborhood or site
• Walk or walkthrough with stops at points of interest
• Time for questions and conversation at the end

You’ll usually be with a small to medium-sized group, which can include long-time Atlantans, new residents, and out-of-town visitors.

Most tours are informational and conversational, with guides who are:

• Preservationists
• Architects
• Local historians
• Long-time community members
• Staff or volunteers from partner organizations

What to Bring and How to Prepare

To make the most of Phoenix Flies in Atlanta:

• 👟 Comfortable walking shoes – Many events involve uneven sidewalks, hills, or older buildings.
• 🌤️ Weather-appropriate clothing – March in Atlanta can be cool, warm, or wet in the same week.
• 🧴 Water and sun protection – Especially for mid-day walking tours.
• 📓 Notebook or phone for notes – Helpful if you’re learning about properties, architects, or organizations.
• 📸 Camera or phone for photos – When photography is allowed.
• 🪙 Small donation budget – If you’d like to support host sites or the APC.

If you have mobility concerns, check for:

• Accessibility notes in the event listing
• Building age (older properties sometimes involve stairs, narrow entries, or uneven surfaces)
• Alternatives like lectures or indoor events, which may be easier to navigate

Phoenix Flies vs. Other Atlanta Tours

Phoenix Flies is different from regular commercial tours in a few key ways:

• Time-limited – It’s a once-a-year event, usually only in March.
• Preservation-focused – Emphasis on saving buildings, understanding neighborhoods, and appreciating historic architecture.
• Broad participation – Many different organizations across Atlanta open their doors.
• Community-driven – Many guides are volunteers or staff deeply involved in local history and preservation efforts.

If you already enjoy standard sightseeing tours, Phoenix Flies adds depth and variety, letting you visit places that may not be accessible the rest of the year.

Who Should Consider Phoenix Flies?

Phoenix Flies tours are especially worthwhile if you:

• Live in Atlanta and want to better understand your own neighborhood’s history
• Are new to the city and want a structured way to explore
• Are visiting in March and want to see more than just the major tourist spots
• Care about architecture, planning, preservation, or local history
• Enjoy walking tours and hearing stories tied to real places

Families, students, and older adults can all find events that match their interests and comfort levels. The variety of tours makes it easy to pick and choose.

Quick Phoenix Flies Planning Snapshot

If you’re in Atlanta in March, Phoenix Flies is one of the most effective ways to see the city with fresh eyes. Start by checking the current year’s schedule with the Atlanta Preservation Center, pick a few tours that match your interests and mobility, and give yourself enough time to wander, listen, and take it all in.