For one day in Atlanta from Forest Park, make Centennial Olympic Park your downtown starting point and leave room for a nearby attraction. The park offers a central outdoor stop, while MARTA fare and service information can help you plan the journey; the exact route from your starting point depends on your plans.
- Start: Centennial Olympic Park, open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Fountain of Rings: Daily showtimes are 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Standard MARTA fare: $2.50 one way; a 1-Day (24-hour) pass is $9.00.
- Hotel base: Rodeway Inn Jonesboro - Atlanta South is in Forest Park. You can browse rooms at the Rodeway Inn.
Plan the trip from Forest Park
MARTA says all four rail lines connect at Five Points station in downtown Atlanta. Route 55 runs between Georgia State Station and Forest Park, and Route 195 connects Forest Parkway with College Park Station. For context on the area around your starting point, read what to know about Forest Park, Georgia.
A standard MARTA one-way fare is $2.50 for rail, bus, Rapid and MARTA Reach, and a standard trip includes up to four free transfers within three hours. Use the same payment method for bus-to-bus and bus-to-rail transfers to avoid an additional fare charge. Transfers do not apply to Atlanta Streetcar trips. A 1-Day (24-hour) pass costs $9.00.
Service hours vary by mode and day. Train service runs from 4:45 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Bus service runs from 5 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays and from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays, with some schedules varying by neighborhood.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is about 30 minutes by car from the hotel. For your airport connection, consider how to get from Forest Park to Hartsfield-Jackson.
Start around Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park gives your Atlanta day a downtown outdoor starting point, with daily opening hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can build your first stop around a walk through the park and, if the timing suits, a Fountain of Rings show.
The daily showtimes are 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The Centennial Olympic Park Visitor Information Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though its hours can vary during events.
Keep to the paths and out of flower and shrub beds. Pets must be on leash; organized sports are not allowed, and biking, skating and skateboarding are restricted. Alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited.
Choose a nearby museum or attraction
Use the park as a starting point, then choose a downtown attraction that fits the time you have. MARTA’s Atlanta Streetcar connects downtown destinations with attractions in the Centennial Park District, including the Georgia Aquarium and SkyView Atlanta.
If the aquarium is on your list, plan it as a separate stop in the Centennial Park District. You can review how to plan a Georgia Aquarium visit before settling your itinerary.
World of Coca-Cola is another downtown attraction to consider. Check its official information for details as you decide whether to include it in your day.
Allow time for lunch and a second stop
Leave a flexible block between your park visit and a second downtown stop. Choose a lunch spot that works with the attraction you select and the timing of your day.
If you want to include World of Coca-Cola, consider its details while shaping this part of the day; how to plan a World of Coca-Cola visit can help you prepare. The Atlanta Streetcar connects downtown destinations with the Centennial Park District, including the Georgia Aquarium and SkyView Atlanta, but transfers do not apply to streetcar trips.
Return to Forest Park
Before leaving downtown, check the MARTA route and service details that apply to your return. Route 55 runs between Georgia State Station and Forest Park, while Route 195 connects Forest Parkway with College Park Station.
Service schedules can vary by neighborhood, and hours differ between weekdays, weekends and holidays. Check the official site before you go, using MARTA’s service information for current schedules.
FAQs
What time does Centennial Olympic Park open?
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The visitor information center has different hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and those hours can vary during events.
When does the Fountain of Rings show run?
Daily showtimes are 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
How much does a standard MARTA trip cost?
A standard one-way fare is $2.50 for rail, bus, Rapid and MARTA Reach. A 1-Day (24-hour) pass costs $9.00.
Does MARTA connect downtown with the Centennial Park District?
The Atlanta Streetcar connects downtown destinations with Centennial Park District attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium and SkyView Atlanta. Transfers do not apply to streetcar trips.