So, you’re thinking about a trip to downtown. You've probably seen the massive red letters on the side of the building in every postcard of the city. But honestly, if you're planning to visit CNN Center Atlanta right now, things are a lot different than they were a few years ago.
It’s complicated.
For decades, this place was the heartbeat of global news. You’d walk in, see the world’s longest freestanding escalator, and maybe catch a glimpse of a news anchor rushing to a set. It was iconic. But here is the reality: CNN has mostly moved out. The building is in a massive state of transition. If you show up expecting the old "Inside CNN Studio Tour," you’re going to be disappointed because that specific experience officially ended in early 2024.
Does that mean you should skip it? Not necessarily. But you have to know what you’re actually walking into.
The big move and the "New" CNN Center
The building at 190 Marietta St NW is currently owned by CP Group and Rialto Capital. They bought it from WarnerMedia back in 2021. CNN, the network founded by Ted Turner in 1980, spent years migrating its primary operations to the Techwood WarnerMedia campus in Midtown. It’s a bit of an end of an era.
The center itself is being rebranded and reimagined. It’s no longer just a "news hub." It's becoming a mixed-use space. Think office luxury, high-end retail, and better food than the old greasy pizza slices in the basement.
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When people ask about a visit CNN Center Atlanta, they usually want the history. You can still feel it in the atrium. The sheer scale of the place is still impressive. It feels like a cathedral of the 1980s and 90s media boom. But the "news" vibe is fading, replaced by a more corporate, polished aesthetic.
What can you actually do there today?
You can still walk inside. The atrium remains open to the public, and it’s a great spot to escape the Georgia heat or a sudden downpour.
The escalator is still there. It’s eight stories high. Even without the tour ticket, seeing it is a trip. If you’re a fan of architecture or just weird urban records, that’s your main draw. It was originally built for a theme park called "The World of Sid and Marty Krofft." That park failed miserably—it only lasted six months in 1976—but the escalator stayed.
Food and the Surroundings
The food court used to be the go-to for tourists. Now, it’s a bit hit-or-miss as the new owners rotate vendors.
- The Omni Hotel: This is physically attached to the center. If you stay here, you’re basically living in the history of the building. It’s still a top-tier choice for people attending games at State Farm Arena.
- State Farm Arena: You can literally walk from the CNN Center atrium right into the home of the Atlanta Hawks. It makes the building a high-traffic zone on game nights.
- Centennial Olympic Park: It’s right across the street. Most people treat the CNN Center as a "bathroom and snack" break while exploring the park, the Georgia Aquarium, or the World of Coca-Cola.
Why the tour mattered (and what's missing)
The CNN Studio Tour was legendary. You’d go behind the glass, see the writers’ rooms, and look down into the main newsroom. It gave you a sense of how the "sausage was made." You saw the teleprompters. You saw the green screens.
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Without it, the building feels a bit like a hollow shell of its former self.
Some visitors feel cheated when they arrive and find out the studios are gone. To be clear: the news is still being made, just not in that specific hallway you used to walk through. CNN still maintains a presence in Atlanta, but the public-facing "theatre" of news has shifted.
Is the area safe?
People worry about downtown Atlanta. Look, it’s a major city. During the day, the area around the CNN Center is packed with tourists, business people, and fans. It’s generally fine. At night, like any metropolitan center, you just need to keep your wits about you.
The proximity to Mercedes-Benz Stadium means there is a massive security presence during Falcons games or big concerts.
How to plan your visit CNN Center Atlanta session
If you’re determined to go, don’t make it the only thing on your list. Pair it with the College Football Hall of Fame. It’s right next door.
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- Park at the CNN Deck or nearby lots. Be prepared to pay $20-$40 if there’s an event.
- Walk the atrium. Take the photos of the big CNN logo (if it hasn’t been moved yet—signage is changing).
- Use the MARTA. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station drops you right there. It saves you the headache of Atlanta traffic, which is, quite frankly, a nightmare.
The building is currently undergoing a "re-tenanting" phase. This means you might see a lot of construction walls. Don't let that shock you. It's part of the transition into a modern office and retail hub.
The verdict for 2026 and beyond
Honestly, the glory days of the CNN Center as a media mecca are over. It’s becoming a lifestyle destination. If you want to see where news history happened, go. If you want a high-tech media tour, you might be out of luck.
The building still anchors the city's tourism core. It’s the connective tissue between the sports world and the park.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the State Farm Arena schedule. If there’s a game, the CNN Center will be loud and crowded. If you want a quiet look at the architecture, go on a Tuesday morning.
- Visit the SkyView Ferris Wheel. It’s a two-minute walk from the Marietta Street entrance and gives you a much better view of the city than the building's interior ever did.
- Monitor the CP Group updates. They are frequently announcing new restaurant openings for the ground floor. Before you go, check if the new "high-end" dining options are actually open yet.
- Manage expectations. Tell your group that the "tour" is closed so nobody is grumpy when you get there. Focus on the architecture and the proximity to the Olympic Park instead.