Information
Landmark: Centennial Olympic ParkCity: Atlanta
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Centennial Olympic Park, with its wide lawns and splashing fountains, stands as one of Atlanta’s most beloved public landmarks.Right in the middle of downtown Atlanta, this 22-acre park first came to life as the showpiece of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, where fountains sparkled under the July sun.Over time, it’s become a lively spot where locals meet friends, tourists wander with cameras, and crowds gather for events, all wrapped in a mix of history, art, recreation, and city energy.Before it turned into the beloved Centennial Olympic Park, the area was a patchwork of crumbling storefronts and dusty old warehouses.As Atlanta readied itself for the 1996 Summer Olympics, the city’s organizing committee imagined a sprawling public park-one that could bustle with crowds during the Games and, long after, offer shady paths and open lawns as a gift to the community.Private and corporate donations paid for the park, boosted by a campaign where people bought engraved bricks-like one etched with a family’s name-that now sit permanently in its pathways.Centennial Olympic Park opened its gates to the public on July 16, 1996, with sunlight glinting off the fountains.safeThough the moment was somber, the park stood as a quiet emblem of resilience and unity, later redesigned and reopened in 1998 with sturdier gates and a more welcoming layout.Main landmarks and standout features, like the old stone clock tower.The Fountain of Rings, the park’s most famous landmark, is the world’s largest interactive fountain, with jets arranged in the shape of the Olympic symbol.Two hundred fifty-one water jets are set into the ground, forming five Olympic rings that overlap like silver loops glistening in the sun.Each day at set times, the jets fire streams of water that dance to music while colored lights flash across the spray.The fountain isn’t just for show-it’s a favorite spot where kids and visitors cool off, their laughter mingling with the sound of water on hot summer days.Number two.More than half a million engraved bricks, each etched with a name or message, pave winding paths that lead you through the park.Individuals and local businesses bought these bricks to help build and improve the park, each one laid with care beside the fresh green lawn.Visitors often search for names or notes-anything from a heartfelt “Thanks, Coach” scratched into the wood to a proud mention of past Olympic glory.Number three.The Gateway of Dreams pays tribute to Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement, its bronze plaque catching the afternoon sun.The sculpture shows a bronze figure of Coubertin, gleaming in the sunlight, honoring sportsmanship, global cooperation, and the Olympic spirit.Number four.Quilt Plazas - the park offers five distinct spots to wander, each with its own theme: Quilt of Dreams, Remembrance, Origins, Olympic Spirit, and Nations, where you might catch the scent of freshly cut grass drifting through the air.These plazas showcase Atlanta’s mix of cultures, rich history, and Olympic pride with colorful mosaics, lush gardens, and striking art installations.Number five.Paralympic Plaza honors the athletes of the 1996 Paralympic Games, celebrating their victories beneath a bronze plaque that catches the afternoon sun.It sparks awareness of how sports can be inclusive and accessible for everyone, from clearer signage to ramps by the court.Centennial Olympic Park often bustles with concerts, festivals, and food stalls that bring in both locals and visitors from far away.These events keep the park buzzing, drawing neighbors together and filling the air with music and laughter.First.Wednesday WindDown is a weekly summer concert series held at the Southern Company Amphitheater, right in the heart of the park where music drifts through the warm evening air.Local and regional artists take the stage, bringing jazz, R&B, soul, and funk to life-sometimes with a sax riff that lingers in the air.After work, downtown employees and music lovers flock here, filling the place with laughter and the smell of fresh coffee.Number two.On the Fourth of July, the park bursts to life with one of the Southeast’s biggest Independence Day gatherings, where music drifts through the warm evening air.You’ll find live music, plenty of food stalls, games for all ages, and a dazzling fireworks show lighting up the downtown Atlanta skyline.Number three.During the holidays, the park turns into a sparkling winter wonderland, with glowing light displays, garlands draped over lampposts, and Atlanta’s biggest outdoor ice-skating rink.The festival fills the air with laughter and music, wrapping families and visitors in a warm, almost magical glow.Number four.SweetWater 420 Fest rolls in every year around Earth Day, blending live music and food trucks with a strong dose of environmental awareness.You’ll find several music stages, a buzzing artist market, plenty of food stalls, and eco-friendly projects backed by the local SweetWater Brewing Company.Centennial Olympic Park sits in the heart of Atlanta, with top attractions just steps away-perfect for kicking off a day of exploring, whether it’s strolling to the aquarium or catching the scent of fresh popcorn from a street vendor.The Georgia Aquarium is one of the biggest in the world, with thousands of shimmering creatures gliding through its tanks, including massive whale sharks and graceful manta rays.The World of Coca-Cola invites you into an immersive museum that tells the brand’s global story, complete with a vibrant tasting room where you can sample more than 100 drinks from every corner of the world.The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a dynamic museum that brings the story of America’s Civil Rights Movement to life, then links it to human rights struggles around the world, from Selma’s dusty streets to distant voices demanding justice.At the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, little ones can climb, build, and explore hands-on exhibits that turn learning into pure play.If you’re planning a visit, you’ll find us at 265 Park Avenue West NW in Atlanta, GA 30313.We’re open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and admission won’t cost you a thing.Getting here’s simple-MARTA trains stop nearby at the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station and Peachtree Center Station, just a short walk away past the coffee stand on the corner.It’s easy to get around on foot, especially if you’re staying in a downtown hotel just steps from the main street.Centennial Olympic Park isn’t just grass and trees-it’s a living monument that captures Atlanta’s bold transformation during the Olympic Games, where the sound of cheering once echoed through the city.This urban park combines open lawns for play, striking public sculptures, and quiet memorials, giving it a rare mix of cultural, historical, and civic significance.Today, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority runs the park, keeping it alive as Atlanta’s gathering spot for festivals, marches, celebrations, and neighborhood meet‑ups under the shade of its old oak trees.It shows how a well-planned renewal can shape a city for the better, weaving new spaces into its streets and traditions so the impact lingers for decades.
