Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is the central area of Atlanta, as well as the center of Georgia.

Understand

Downtown skyline

Downtown is home to the Georgia State Capitol, City Hall, and headquarters of numerous corporations. Despite the rise of Midtown and Buckhead, Downtown still contains much of the commercial activity of the city. All the places to see here are within 10 minutes walk of each other, and within a similar walking distance of any of the MARTA stations at Five Points, Peachtree Center or Omni-Dome-World-Congress Center.

Get in

Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is 7 miles (11 km) from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Interstate 75/85 runs directly through Atlanta, providing numerous exits into the downtown streets. Downtown Atlanta can also be accessed by MARTA trains and buses.

• 1 Five Points Station, 30 Alabama St SW, ☏ +1 404 848-5000. Is where the North-South Line and the East-West Line intersect.  

Other MARTA stations in the Downtown area include Garnett Station (S1), Peachtree Center (N1), and Civic Center (N2) on the North-South Line, and Georgia State (E1) and Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (W1) on the East-West Line.

By long-distance bus

• Greyhound Bus Lines. Service from many locations throughout the U.S. Buses arrive at and depart from the Greyhound terminal at 232 Forsyth Street, in a less affluent neighborhood on the southern edge of downtown, directly beneath MARTA's Garnett Station.
• Megabus. Service from locations across the Southern U.S. The bus stop at 435 West Peachtree Street is near MARTA's Civic Center Station; buses stop on the east side of the street at the north end of the station.

Get around

By streetcar

Downtown Atlanta is served by the small Atlanta Streetcar loop, connecting the Olympic park with Peachtree Center and Auburn. Fares are $1 for a one-way trip and $3 for a full day.

See

Subdistricts

Downtown Atlanta is large and can be further broken down into subdistricts:

Five Points area

• Five Points is the central area and reference point of downtown Atlanta. The name refers to a point where five streets intersect, which are Marietta Street, Edgewood Avenue, Decatur Street, and two legs of Peachtree Street. It is also where the North-South Line and the East-West Line of the MARTA Rail intersect at MARTA Five Points Station. Underground Atlanta was at the entrance of Five Points Station, and the World of Coke used to be there but was moved to the Centennial Park area.
• The Centennial Park Area includes the park, the State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, and a few other attractions. This area is heavily frequented by tourists and local residents.
• Sweet Auburn served as the thriving center of black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s and is the birthplace of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• The Hotel District is the northern section of downtown. Some of the more luxurious hotels of Atlanta are in this area.
• Castleberry Hill is an artsy and eclectic transitioning area west of downtown Atlanta with galleries, restaurants and bars.

Centennial Park with Atlanta Westin Hotel in background

Destinations

• 1 Apex Museum, 135 Auburn Ave, ☏ +1 404-523-2739, info@apexmuseum.org. Tu - Sa 10AM - 5PM. (updated Jun 2016)
• 2 Centennial Olympic Park, ☏ +1 404 222-7275. The focal point of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Centennial Park has now become the center for tourism. Georgia Aquarium, the New World of Coke, State Farm Arena and Georgia Tech are all in walking distance of the park. In the winter the park features an ice skating rink and in the summer there are free concerts. The park often features concerts and other activities, and kids may love to pay in the fountains that are shaped in the form of the Olympic rings. (updated Oct 2024)
• 3 Flatiron Building, 84 Peachtree St (adjacent to Woodruff Park). This 11-story building, squeezed into its small wedge of land, is Atlanta's oldest standing skyscraper, and a well known land mark in the area.  
• 4 Georgia State Capitol, 214 State Capitol, ☏ +1 404 656-2844. Native gold from Lumpkin County tops the dome of the Georgia State Capitol Building. This restored 1889 building houses a museum which collects, maintains and exhibits significant artifacts, including a priceless collection of Georgia's state flags.  
• 5 The King Center and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, 449 Auburn Ave, NE, ☏ +1 404 526-8900. The memorial of Martin Luther King Jr. which was established in 1968. The place shows Martin Luther King, Jr's nonviolent Social Change works. The historic site features a museum and preserves the neighborhood that includes Dr. King's birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. His Nobel Prize and tomb are also located here.  
• 6 Madame C.J. Walker Museum, 54 Hilliard St, ☏ +1 404-518-2887. (updated Jun 2016)
• 7 Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama Ave. Housed entirely underground, this shopping and entertainment district is a bustling hub for retail activity during the day and clubbing at night, although it closes at 8PM Monday through Thursday and only stays open until 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays.  
• The neon Coke sign one block north of Underground Atlanta is worth looking at, and gives an update of time and temperature.
• 8 College Football Hall of Fame, 250 Marietta St NW (Adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and Omni Hotel. 10 minute walk from Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station or Peachtree Center Station. Bus route 52 from Civic Center or Five Points Stations. Parking at corner of Baker St & Marietta St), ☏ +1 404-880-4800. Su-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-6PM. This 94,526-square-foot (8,781.8 m²) museum includes 50,000 square feet (4,600 m²) of exhibit space and a 45-yard football field dedicated to college football with memorabilia and interactive exhibits in downtown Atlanta. Adults $21.99, children 3-12 $17.99, children under 3 free, seniors and students $18.99. Parking free up to 20 minutes, $15 first 3 hours, $1 each additional hour. (updated Sep 2017)
• 9 Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, ☏ +1 678-999-8990. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. This museum shows the story of the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on activism in the 1950s and 1960s. The museum also exhibits a collection of Martin Luther King's personal papers. Don't miss the Lunch Counter Sit-In simulation. Adult $20. (updated Aug 2020)
• 10 Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW (at Pemberton Place next to Centennial Park), ☏ +1 404-659-5437, askme@childrensmuseumatlanta.org. M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta creates environments and activities where young children experience the power of imagination and the pure delight of learning with each other and with grown-ups. $14.95.  
• Georgia World Congress Center

Do

• 1 The World of Coca-Cola, 121 Baker St (next to the Georgia Aquarium), ☏ +1 404 676-5151. M-Sa 9AM-5PM (9AM-6PM during Summer), Su 11AM-5PM. The museum is largely dedicated to the advertising history of Coca Cola. Experience the reach of the world's most iconic brand in a new, highly interactive expanded space open in May 2007. Good for kids. $16 (adult); $14 (senior); $12 (ages 3-12); under 3 free and admission includes access to all exhibits and a commemorative Coke bottle. Booking online saves $1 as well as gets you a time slot due to increased traffic to the new exhibit.  
• 2 Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. NW, ☏ +1 404 581-4000. Su-Th 9AM-6PM, F 9AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-8PM. The largest aquarium in the world with over a hundred thousand animals in 8 million gallons of water. The Aquarium has a swim and dive activity called "Journey with Gentle Giants." It is the only opportunity in the world to swim with captive whale sharks, the largest fish in the world. Adult $29.50, child (3-12) $22, senior (55+) $25.50; Journey with Gentle Giants $233. (updated Apr 2023)
• 3 State Farm Arena. Covering 4.4 acres, State Farm Arena is Atlanta's state-of-the-art multipurpose sports and entertainment complex. Home to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks; it also hosted the WNBA's Atlanta Dream before that team moved to suburban College Park. State Farm also hosts concerts and other major events. (updated Feb 2022)
• 4 Sun Dial, 210 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 589-7506. Have a Georgia Peach Martini atop the revolving restaurant bar of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, and watch the sunset followed by entertainment provided by a jazz band. As of September 2024 the restaurant is not rotating. 
• 5 Atlanta Falcons, 1414 Andrew Young International Blvd NW. The NFL's Atlanta Falcons have created a host of exciting game-day experiences and affordable family ticket packages for the fans. The 1998 and 2016 NFC champions, the Atlanta Falcons, gear up each September to kick off the official season. The Falcons now play in the NFL's newest venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened in August 2017 as the replacement for the adjacent and now-demolished Georgia Dome. Every year, it hosts the Southeastern Conference football championship game and the Peach Bowl (one of the six bowl games associated with the College Football Playoff). It has also hosted major events such as Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018. 
• 6 Atlanta United FC, ☏ +1 470 341-1500, tickets@atlutd.com. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also home to this soccer team, which began play in Major League Soccer in 2017, playing the first half of its inaugural season at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium until the new stadium was ready. The stadium choice was not a coincidence—United shares ownership with the Falcons. The team proved extraordinarily popular in its first MLS season, setting a new record for single-season average attendance. The soccer capacity was originally intended to be only about 30,000, but was soon increased to 42,500, and more of the stadium is often opened up due to strong ticket demand. 
• 7 The Tabernacle (The Tabby), 152 Luckie Street NW, ☏ +1 404-659-9022. (updated Feb 2016)
• 8 Woodruff Park, 51 Peachtree Street. This park is home to one of the great symbols of Atlanta, Phoenix Rising from the Ashes by Gamba Quirino. The rebirth of the phoenix, emerging from destruction of fire, is symbolic of Atlanta's emergence after being razed by the Union Army during Sherman's March in the Civil War.  

Theater

• 9 Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St, NW, ☏ +1 404 413-9TIX (849). Georgia State University is the home of the 833-seat Rialto Center for the Arts. The venue is host to jazz music concerts and dance performances as well as performances by Georgia State's School of Music and the home of the Atlanta Film Festival.  
• 10 Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie St, NW, ☏ +1 404 577-5257. Theatrical Outfit entertains their audience by producing classic and contemporary theater with an emphasis on work indigenous to the culture of the American South. It's also certified as the first "green" theater in the country by the US Green Building Council. 

Events

• Sweet Auburn Springfest. (updated Jun 2016)

Buy

• There are several street vendors outside the Five Points Station. However, purchasing expensive items such as jewelry should be avoided, as the products may possibly be an imitation of an expensive brand.
• 1 AmericasMart, 240 Peachtree St, NW. AmericasMart consists of four buildings that are open to trade only: the Atlanta Gift Mart, Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Atlanta Apparel Mart and Inforum. Each year, AmericasMart hosts more than 400,000 retailers from every state and more than 70 countries around the world in 17 home furnishings, gift, floor covering and apparel markets.  

Eat

• 1 No Mas Cantina, 180 Walker St. Festive cantina with large patio. 
• 2 The Municipal Market, 209 Edgewood Avenue. M - Sa 8AM - 6PM, Su noon - 5PM. 

Budget

• 3 Dua Vietnamese, 53 Broad Street, NW, ☏ +1 404 589-8889. A favorite among the locals and Georgia State college students who also rave about the Buns and the signature Pho dishes. 
• 4 Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta, 215 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 688-7625. The Atlanta branch of the world-famous chain, featuring over 300 pieces of rock memorabilia and burgers, ribs and malts. 
• 5 Rosa's Pizza, 62 Broad Street, NW, ☏ +1 404 521-2596. Hole-in-the-wall lunchtime favorite pizzeria for pizza, calzones or lasagna. It's a little bit of "authentic" New York on beautiful Broad Street. 
• 6 Thumbs Up Diner, 573 Edgewood Ave, SE, ☏ +1 404 223-0690. Known for its great breakfast options, the line is often out the door. Check the house rules before going! 

Mid-range

Soul food at its finest - Chicken and Waffles

• 7 Alma Cocina, 191 Peachtree St, NE (adjacent to Ritz-Carlton), ☏ +1 404 968-9662. One of the latest trendy restaurants to pop up in Downtown, right on Peachtree Street, Alma Cocina is a new Upscale Latin American cuisine that has created quite a following with its reasonably priced Drinks and Food. 
• 8 Atlanta Grill, 181 Peachtree St, NE (inside the Ritz-Carlton), ☏ +1 404 659-0400. Artistic and warm decor with a menu that offers steaks and seafood. Seasonal balcony dining is available overlooking Peachtree Street, but if you're looking for a more intimate setting, try their "Cheater's Booth" complete with privacy draperies. 
• 9 Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta, 215 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 688-7625. The Atlanta branch of the world-famous chain, featuring over 300 pieces of rock memorabilia and burgers, ribs and malts. 
• 10 Suite Food Lounge, 375 Luckie St, NW (across the street from the Georgia Aquarium), ☏ +1 404 577-2500. 11AM - 2AM. 
• 11 Max Lager's American Grill and Brewery, 320 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 525-4400. The 10,000-square-foot, turn-of-the-century industrial building helps highlight the copper and brass brewery; the patio, deck, and large windows overlook Hardy Ivy Park. 
• 12 Pacific Rim Bistro, 303 Peachtree Center Ave, ☏ +1 404 893-0018. Pan-Asian menu, sushi bar and pleasant covered patio downtown near the major hotels. 
• 13 Ray's In the City, 240 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 524-9224. Seafood diners have enjoyed Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs, GA for years. The same experience is now in the heart of Downtown Atlanta at their remodeled location on Peachtree Street. 
• 14 Thrive, 101 Marietta St, ☏ +1 404 389-1000. Upscale, casual restaurant in Centennial Tower. Traditional American fare with an Asian twist. 

Splurge

• 15 Morton's of Chicago - Atlanta, 303 Peachtree Center Ave (At the Suntrust Plaza Building), ☏ +1 404 577-4366. The famous chophouse of Chicago features steak, lobster and veal. (updated Jan 2017)
• 16 Nikolai's Roof, 255 Courtland St, NE (inside the Atlanta Hilton), ☏ +1 404 221-6362. This glamorous AAA four-diamond restaurant serves French cuisine from a popular prix fixe menu and a limited a la carte menu. $30 - 50. 
• 17 Trader Vic's, 255 Courtland St, NE (inside the Atlanta Hilton,), ☏ +1 404 221-6339. This South Pacific-themed restaurant features Polynesian cuisine and Mai Tais. 
• 18 New South Kitchen, 100 CNN Center (inside the Omni Hotel), ☏ +1 404 659-0000. breakfast and dinner only. Dine on local specialties (fried green tomatoes) or try one of their internationally inspired dishes, all while taking in a view of the Centennial Olympic Park. 
• 19 The Sun Dial, 210 Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 589-7506. Perched 723 feet atop the tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere (the Westin Peachtree Atlanta), this restaurant is known primarily for its breathtaking views and slowly rotates around on a platform 360 degrees. Frequented by tourists and popular for Sunday brunch. Have a Georgia Peach Martini atop the revolving restaurant bar of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, and watch the sunset followed by entertainment provided by a jazz band. Lunch mains $13–20, dinner mains $30–60. Business casual dress required for restaurant dinner. (updated Jan 2017)

Drink

• 1 Sidebar, 79 Poplar St, ☏ +1 404 588-1850, owners@sidebaratlanta.com. Downtown’s true neighborhood bar, serving locals, workers and Georgia State University students in addition to out-of-town visitors. (updated Jan 2017)
• 2 Park Bar, 150 Walton St, ☏ +1 404 524-0444, owner@parkbaratlanta.com. Downtown Atlanta's best bar is the home of the 3-2-1 special and the Wheel of Fun. Great Food, Beer Selection and Bourbon. (updated Jan 2017)
• 3 Joystick Gamebar, 427 Edgewood Ave SE, ☏ +1 404-525-3002, player1@joystickgamebar.com. (updated May 2016)
• 4 Top Draft, 100 CNN Center (inside the Omni Hilton), ☏ +1 404 659-0000. If you're attending a conference, sporting event, or just taking in the downtown sights, Latitudes is a great place for meet-ups or night-caps. On weekdays they cater to patrons seeking coffee and pastries. 
• 5 Meehan's Public House Downtown, 200 Peachtree St (next to the Westin), ☏ +1 404 214-9821. An Irish Bar with Neighborhood Charm. The place to watch Soccer downtown. (updated Jan 2017)
• 6 Der Biergarten, 300 Marietta Street NW, ☏ +1 404-521-2728. (updated Jun 2016)
• 7 Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, 466 Edgewood Ave SE, ☏ +1 404 522-8275. (updated May 2016)
• 8 Stats, 300 Marietta St. High-tech sports bar with 70 HDTVs to watch the game, and a rooftop deck bar which has a self-serving beer dispenser. (updated Apr 2017)
• Sugar Hill. Live urban music. 

Sleep

Westin Peachtree

Budget

• 1 Clarion Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown, 186 Northside Dr. SW, ☏ +1 404 893-4663. A downtown hotel inside the historic arts district featuring 168 rooms including standard rooms, adjoining rooms as well as spacious queen and king suites. Walking distance to art galleries, restaurants, the Georgia Dome, the World Congress Center, and other attractions. However, if you are a foreign visitor, be aware that this can be an unsafe area at night, and it is not very recommended to use the MARTA station at night. 
• 2 Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Atlanta, 161 Spring St NW, ☏ +1 404 589-1111. Built into a historic office building, this Hampton Inn is close to all downtown attractions and features complimentary wireless internet for business travelers. 

Mid-range

• 3 Hampton Inn Atlanta Northlake, 3400 Northlake Pkwy, ☏ +1 770 493-1966. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Located on the I-285 perimeter with easy access to Buckhead, Downtown and Decatur, provides an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers. Property offers complete fitness room and outdoor pool. (updated Mar 2022)
• 4 Embassy Suites Atlanta - at Centennial Olympic Park, 267 Marietta Street, ☏ +1 404 223-2300. All-suite hotel located across from Centennial Olympic Park and walking distance to area attractions. Free breakfast and manager's reception for all guests. Ruth's Chris restaurant on-site for lunch and dinner. 
• 5 Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown, 275 Baker Street, ☏ +1 404 577-2001. New hotel adjacent to World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium, and close to nightlife within the newly created Luckie Marietta District. Sleek and modern with lots of amenities, including a heliport and rooftop restaurant. 
• Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St NE. With an appealing poolyard plus restaurant.

Splurge

• 6 Twelve Centennial Park Hotel, 400 W Peachtree St, ☏ +1 404 418-1212. All-suite hotel. Meeting space for up to 250 guests is available for conferences and weddings. $175-350. (updated Jan 2017)
• 7 Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection, 110 Marietta St NW, ☏ +1 404-521-2250, toll-free: +1-866-404-5366. New downtown boutique hotel, State Farm Arena, Georgia Dome, and Georgia Bar and within walking distance to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park as well as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke. (updated Jan 2017)
• 8 Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland Street NE, ☏ +1 404 659-2000, fax: +1 404 221-6368. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Modern and fashionable décor, first class amenities, and connected to MARTA via skybridge. The views from the top of this luxury hotel at Nikolai's Roof restaurant are the best in the city. Parking $21. 
• 9 Omni Hotel at CNN Center, 100 CNN Center, ☏ +1 404 659-0000, fax: +1 404-525-5050, reservations@omnihotels.com. The hotel is close to major sporting venues (Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the State Farm Arena) and has a view of the Centennial Olympic Park. They also host weddings! (updated Jan 2017)
• 10 Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St NE, ☏ +1 404 577-1234, fax: +1 404 588-4137. Rooms with city views, numerous meeting room and ballroom space for any occasion, dining and entertainment in an atrium setting, and a revolving bar/restaurant on top under a glass dome. (updated Jan 2017)
• 11 The Ellis Hotel, 176 Peachtree Street NW, ☏ +1 404 523-5155. The Ellis Hotel features a women’s only floor, 127 guest rooms, including 12 junior suites and an executive suite, all adorned with a palette of Georgia-inspired earth tones and sleek designs characteristic of boutique style yet comfy and functional. (updated Jan 2017)
• 12 Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue NE.  
• 13 Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree Street NW, ☏ +1 404 659-1400, fax: +1 404 589-7424, peach@westin.com. This is Atlanta's most recognizable hotel. Its ultra-modern, cylindrical, glass body towers over Downtown and has become an architectural symbol of the skyline. You can ride the elevator to the Sundial, walk around the observatory, and relax at the revolving restaurant and get a 360 degree view of Atlanta.  

Stay safe

Downtown Atlanta is relatively safe compared to many of the surrounding areas. Statistics have shown that downtown crime continues to decrease, contradicting the recent citywide statistics. Certain precautions should still be taken such as not traveling alone at night and being aware of suspicious activity. A more common activity that may be intimidating to visitors is pan-handling, which is mostly harmless. Do not plan to walk anywhere in this area at night unless you are in a larger group. Tourists are often approached and/or followed by aggressive pan-handlers and hustlers. Three downtown hotels have made a formal complaint regarding this with the City of Atlanta due to an increase in complaints from guests at their properties.

Go next

Routes through Downtown

END ← West Atlanta ←	W  E	→ East Atlanta → END
Doraville ← Midtown ←	N  S	→ West Atlanta/South Atlanta → Hartsfield-Jackson ATL
Sandy Springs ← Midtown ←	N  S	→ West Atlanta/South Atlanta → Hartsfield-Jackson ATL