CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK: Atlanta, Georgia

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia

When I was in Atlanta, Georgia, in February, I spent a day in Centennial Olympic Park visiting both the Center for Civil and Human rights and the World of Coca-Cola. (see my previous posts) The park is at the edge of downtown and was created for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. It is close to a number of  major museums and attractions including College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum.

Center for Civil and Human Rights, Pemberton Place

On my way to the museums I passed a variety of sculptures and  a series of pools, linked by a waterfalls and a rushing stream.

Rock and Water Garden

The day of my visit was chilly and windy, so not many people were in the park, but I could tell that on a warm spring or summer day, it would be the perfect place to relax, or, if you were so warm you wanted to cool off, to play in the fountains. 

Fountain of Rings with Georgia Stadium in the background

Here is a description of the fountains from the park website: Not only is it one of the most sophisticated fountains in the world, the Fountain of Rings is also the world’s largest interactive fountain to incorporate the Olympic Rings symbol. Children of all ages play in the Fountain and enjoy the synchronized water and music program where water dances to familiar tunes complete with sound and lighting effects. It’s free to view the Fountain of Rings show, which plays four times a day, 365 days a year, at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Make a Splash in the Fountain of Rings)

One of the many Olympic themed sculptures in the park

Centennial Olympic Park is about a ten minute walk from the Ellis hotel where I was staying. I simply followed the trolley tracks to get to the park, passing the giant ferris wheel on my way. One can also ride the trolley, which does a circle route from downtown past the park. In between my museum visits I ate lunch in one of the many restaurants that surround the park. Then, at the end of the afternoon, I took a stroll through the park back to my hotel. Despite the brisk weather, I enjoyed my day in Centennial Olympic Park.

Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel, across from the park entrance