Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta (must see)

Built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as part of the infrastructure for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park welcomes millions of visitors each year and regularly hosts large events, including a popular summer concert series and an annual Independence Day concert and fireworks display. The park is organized into several distinct areas, including The Great Lawn, Centennial Plaza, and the Visitor Information Center.

As you enter through the northwestern entrance, begin walking eastward to reach the Centennial Plaza. Keep the broad lawn on your right side and follow the paved path, guiding you diagonally across the park. As you continue, look ahead and slightly to the east. From far away, you can observe the tall structure of SkyView Atlanta, serving as an orientation point.

There, you'll find the Fountain of Rings, the park’s most recognizable feature. Set flush into the ground, the fountain is easy to walk around and through. Its 251 computer-controlled water jets, arranged in the shape of the Olympic rings, rise and fall in choreographed patterns synchronized with music and lighting. Pause here for a few minutes—this is where scheduled shows take place several times a day, and on warm days visitors are welcome to wade through the jets.

Standing near the fountain, look up and around the plaza to notice the tall light towers, inspired by classical Greek marker columns, which reinforce the Olympic theme. As you slowly circle the fountain clockwise, you’ll see flags lining the plaza, representing the host nations of every Summer Olympic Games prior to 1996. Nearby, set slightly off the main walking paths, are several sculptures, including a statue of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement.

From the fountain, continue westward across the open lawn toward The Great Lawn, a broad green space often used for concerts and large public events, including summer music programs and Independence Day celebrations. This area offers a quieter contrast to the activity of the plaza and is a good place to pause, sit, or take in wider views of the park.

Tip:
On hot days, plan your route so you pass the Fountain of Rings twice—once to watch a show, and again to cool off in the water. For orientation and event updates, starting and ending your visit at the Visitor Information Center makes navigating the park much easier.