Walking Atlanta: Four Routes and Transit Links
Atlanta is built for cars, but four pockets work well on foot. Each route below lists what you pass, how to get there and what to watch for. Summer heat indexes often top 100 F, so schedule walks before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. from June to August, and bring water and sun protection.
Route A: the downtown cluster
Distance: the main stops sit within a few blocks of each other.
Begin at the Georgia Aquarium and move toward World of Coca-Cola, then enter Centennial Olympic Park and look for the Fountain of Rings. From the park, the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights are close, and the College Football Hall of Fame stands at 250 Marietta Street NW. The Center, the reworked former CNN Center, has a food hall in its atrium for a break. Getting there: Peachtree Center or Five Points MARTA stations serve downtown, and the Atlanta Streetcar runs through it.
Route B: Sweet Auburn
Distance: about a mile east of downtown, then a short stroll between sights.
Take the Atlanta Streetcar to the King Historic District stop at Auburn Avenue and Jackson Street. Visit Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the King Center and its reflecting pool, and the Birth Home at 501 Auburn Avenue. The Birth Home reopened in July 2026, and free ranger-led tours take 15 people on a first-come basis. Historic Fire Station No. 6 serves as the temporary visitor center. This is a place for reflection, so keep voices low. Everything is free, and the park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Check the park’s Birth Home page before you go.
Route C: BeltLine Eastside Trail
Distance: about 2.4 miles one way.
The path starts at Monroe Drive near Piedmont Park and ends at the Krog Street Tunnel at DeKalb Avenue. Along it you reach Historic Fourth Ward Park, Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. Nearly 17 miles of the planned 22-mile loop were open by June 2026, so the Eastside Trail now links to longer stretches. The BeltLine site offers a map.
Route D: Midtown arts
Start at the High Museum of Art and the Woodruff Arts Center, walk to the Fox Theatre, and finish in or near Piedmont Park. The High Museum is closed on Mondays, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden nearby is closed on Mondays too. A MARTA rail ride to Midtown makes the start easy.
Fares and tips
A MARTA trip costs $2.50 and includes up to four free transfers in three hours, tap-to-pay works at gates, and a one-day pass costs $9. Children 46 inches and under ride free with a paying adult. The Atlanta Streetcar costs $1 each way, with no transfers. Details are on MARTA’s fare page . Never leave bags visible in a parked car at trailheads or tourist lots. If you want a guide, search Atlanta walking tours on Viator .
Read more: Atlanta sightseeing and the 5 day plan .