Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park at 265 Park Ave W NW in Downtown Atlanta was built as the ceremonial public gathering place for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and remains one of the most historically significant open spaces in the city. The 21-acre park anchors what Atlanta calls its Tourism Triangle, bordered by the Georgia Aquarium to the north, the World of Coca-Cola to the east, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to the southeast.

The physical centerpiece is the Fountain of Rings, an interactive fountain designed in the shape of the five interlocking Olympic rings. The fountain runs programmed shows multiple times daily, with water jets rising in choreographed patterns synchronized to music. Evening performances add a full lighting component, making the night shows the most dramatic. The surrounding open lawn hosts free concerts, outdoor movies, food festivals, and community events throughout the year, particularly concentrated in summer.

Historical markers throughout the park document the 1996 Games, including the bomb site from the July 27 attack that killed two people and injured 111 others. Engraved bricks in the Olympic Ring Plaza were purchased by supporters before the Games and form a paved mosaic around the fountain. The park also contains a children's playground, picnic areas, and a small café building near the Baker Street entrance.

Visiting the grounds is free at all times. The park is walkable in 45 to 60 minutes on a casual circuit. The northern edge near Baker Street provides the best camera angle for the fountain with the Atlanta skyline behind it. The park's central location makes it a natural stopping point between the aquarium, the CNN Center to the west, and the broader Peachtree Street corridor leading north into Midtown.