In 2023 – after over 35 years – CNN bid farewell to its longstanding Downtown Atlanta location and relocated to their 30-acre Turner Techwood campus in nearby Midtown Atlanta. All Downtown Atlanta CNN Studio Tours are permanently canceled as of March, 2020.
Atlanta is home to the world’s top news network – CNN. This worldwide leader in news has maintained its post as the most trusted source in news around the world. Previously located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, directly across the street from Centennial Olympic Park and adjacent to the Philips Arena, the CNN Center was a landmark and major tourist attraction for those seeking to learn more about the leading news network.
The CNN Center became a part of the Downtown Atlanta horizon in 1976 as part of the Omni International Group but the actual offices and newsrooms didn’t move into the facility until 1987. In addition to the CNN offices and newsrooms, a world-class hotel, the Omni Atlanta Hotel Downtown was located within the CNN Center. The CNN Center also contained an impressive food court that was available to visitors, employees of CNN and patrons of the Philips Arena and other Downtown Atlanta attractions.
With the success of several news programs throughout the years, the CNN Center decided to create a special fifty-five minute guided tour which would enable visitors to take a peek into the inner workings of a twenty-four hour news network. During the tour, visitors got the opportunity to experience the state of the art technology utilized by many of the programs produced within the CNN Center as well as watch live tapings of shows from CNN, CNN International and Headline News to name a few.
The CNN Center was the epicenter of emerging new media, allowing visitors to witness how this news giant consistently kept its finger on the pulse of all things current, and made it one of Downtown Atlanta’s most popular attractions.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour:
Ending in March of 2020 amid the emergence of Covid, CNN offered 50 minute walking tours that gave visitors behind-the-scenes access to the world headquarters of CNN. The guided tour gave an inside look at how a live broadcast was produced and broadcast around the world. Visitors would have seen a more in-depth look at how the world’s largest news organization operated From the historic first newscast to the now living legacy, visitors learned how CNN became the worldwide leader in news.
Tour Times:
The CNN Tour in Downtown Atlanta has been permanently discontinued as of March 2020. Formerly, tours ran approximately every 20 minutes daily from 9am – 5pm.
Former Address:
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
Parking:
- CNN Center Parking Deck: $10 per day per vehicle (excluding events)
- Payments Accepted: American Express, Cash, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
- Public parking is available within walking distance of CNN Center
Southbound via I-75/85
- Exit 249C Williams St
- Turn RIGHT onto Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd
- Turn LEFT onto Centennial Olympic Park Dr
- Parking garage is on the LEFT after you cross over Marietta St. and pass the large CNN letters on your RIGHT
Northbound via I-75/85
- Exit 249D Spring St./W. Peachtree St
- Turn RIGHT onto Spring St. ramp toward Centennial Olympic Park Dr
- Bear LEFT onto Centennial Olympic Park Dr
- Stay on Centennial Olympic Park Dr
- Parking garage is on the LEFT after you cross over Marietta St. and pass the large CNN letters on your RIGHT
Eastbound or Westbound via I-20:
- Exit I-75/85 North and follow Northbound via I-75/85
Bus Parking
Bus Marshalling — bus parking is available at the Georgia World Congress Center for $25 per entry per day. The area is secured and has a lounge for bus drivers to relax while their group is away.
There is also free street parking on Centennial Olympic Drive by Philips Arena, but drivers must stay with their bus and may be asked to move if the space is needed.
Public Transportation
- MARTA stop W1: Dome/ GWCC/ Philips Arena/ CNN Center
- MARTA stop N1: Peachtree Center — approximately a 10-minute walk from this station
Atlanta Streetcar
Use the Centennial Olympic Park stop and head south on Centennial Olympic Park Dr. The CNN Center is located on the corner of Centennial Olympic Park Dr. and Marietta St.
For more information, please call 1-877-4CNNTOUR or (404) 827-2300.
