Centennial Olympic Park Park

Urban park commemorating 1996 Olympics with public installations

Built for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park now hosts concerts, civic events and the Fountain of Rings; tourists visit for its central location near museums, the aquarium and downtown attractions.

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Centennial Olympic Park at a Glance#

Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

Website: https://www.centennialpark.com

Hours: Daily 8:00am-10:00pm (hours vary for events)

Admission: Free

About Centennial Olympic Park#

Centennial Olympic Park is a 21‑acre public park in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, created as the central public space for the 1996 Summer Olympics. It serves as a civic greenspace and events venue adjacent to several major attractions.

The park’s principal attractions include the interactive Fountain of Rings, a choreographed splash fountain at the central plaza, and a large Great Lawn used for concerts, festivals and seasonal events. It sits within easy walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium, World Congress Center and CNN Center, making it a hub for visitors to downtown Atlanta.

Planned and built for the 1996 Games, the park has remained an active public space since the Olympics and hosts regular free and ticketed events, festivals and commemorative displays. Landscaping, monuments and plaques around the site reference its Olympic legacy.

The park sits in the heart of downtown Atlanta, between major convention and visitor attractions, and is accessed from public transit stations and surface streets in the central business district.

  • Size and origin: The park covers about 21 acres and was created as the central public space for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
  • Best time to visit: Evening fountain-lighting and scheduled events make downtown visits after dusk a popular time to go.

What to See#

  • Fountain of Rings: An interactive splash fountain with choreographed water, lighting and music; it sits at the park’s central plaza and is designed for public play and staged shows.
  • Great Lawn and event space: An open grassy event lawn and amphitheater area used for concerts, festivals and public gatherings; the park’s 21 acres include paths, planted areas and hard‑surface event space.

How to Get to Centennial Olympic Park#

Centennial Olympic Park is adjacent to the CNN Center and is a short walk from Peachtree Center MARTA station. Driving is possible but downtown parking can be expensive; MARTA and rideshares are practical options.

Tips for Visiting Centennial Olympic Park#

  • Visit in the evening to see the Fountain of Rings (interactive fountain) illuminated and to avoid midday heat.
  • Pair a park visit with nearby attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center) - they are within a short walk.
  • On event days (concerts, festivals) arrive early and use MARTA or the CNN Center parking decks to avoid congestion.

Best Time to Visit Centennial Olympic Park#

Spring and fall are ideal for weather and events; the park is active year-round with seasonal programming.

Spring
March-May · 50-75°F (10-24°C)
Comfortable weather and frequent public events.
Fall
September-November · 55-75°F (13-24°C)
Crisper air and fewer summer crowds - good for strolls and outdoor concerts.

Weather & Climate near Centennial Olympic Park#

Climate

Centennial Olympic Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1295 mm/year), wettest in March.

Air Quality: AQI 37 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
0°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 0° - 11° 3° 127 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
February - 2° - 14° 6° 120 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
March - 6° - 19° 12° 142 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
April - 10° - 23° 17° 104 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
May - 15° - 27° 21° 105 mm - - 2.3 m/s - -
June - 19° - 30° 25° 95 mm - - 2.0 m/s - -
July - 21° - 32° 26° 127 mm - - 1.9 m/s - -
August - 21° - 31° 26° 94 mm - - 1.8 m/s - -
September - 17° - 28° 23° 95 mm - - 2.0 m/s - -
October - 11° - 23° 17° 82 mm - - 2.1 m/s - -
November - 6° - 18° 12° 95 mm - - 2.3 m/s - -
December - 2° - 13° 6° 109 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -

Nearby Attractions to Centennial Olympic Park#