Fox Theatre, Atlanta (must see)

Inspired by Eastern and Moorish design, the Fox Theater announces its fantasy character before you even step inside. From Peachtree Street, look up to see the building’s onion-shaped domes and slender minarets rising above the facade, framing the arched main entrance. Passing through the doors, you arrive in the grand lobby, where the building’s theatrical identity becomes fully apparent.

Directly ahead, the brass-trimmed marble ticket kiosk marks the transition from street to spectacle. From here, corridors branch outward toward the main auditorium and auxiliary spaces. If you move toward the auditorium entrances, you’ll pass decorative arches and richly detailed walls that echo Moorish and Egyptian motifs. Before entering the seating area, note the presence of the Mighty Mo organ, one of the world’s largest theater organs, housed within the building and still used for performances and special events.

Stepping into the 4,665-seat auditorium, you find yourself in what feels like an open-air Arabian courtyard. Look upward: the ceiling is painted and lit to resemble a night sky filled with stars. Around you, crenelated walls and ornate balconies reinforce the illusion of being outdoors. During performances, lighting effects—first installed when the theater opened in 1929 and refined over time—gradually shift the sky from deep starlight to the hues of sunset or sunrise, subtly changing the atmosphere without drawing attention away from the stage.

Before or after a performance, make your way back toward the lobby level and follow interior signage to the Egyptian Ballroom. This space is designed to evoke an ancient temple, with hieroglyphic motifs, carved columns, and richly patterned interiors inspired by the era of Ramesses II. Today, it serves as a venue for events, receptions, and performances, preserving its original decorative character.

As you explore, it’s worth remembering that the Fox nearly disappeared in the 1970s, when demolition plans threatened the building. A successful grassroots “Save the Fox” campaign preserved the structure, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the theater hosts everything from Broadway touring productions and the Atlanta Ballet to concerts and film screenings, all within a layout that allows visitors to move easily between spaces while remaining immersed in its distinctive, carefully staged world.