Atlanta's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks & History
Places: 15 POIsDistance: 9.05 miDuration: 1h:09m
Tour #2549
About this English self-guided 1h:09m driving tour in Atlanta
Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia — a city of history, culture, and constant reinvention. Known as the “City in a Forest” for its canopy of trees, Atlanta blends Civil War history, the Civil Rights Movement, Olympic legacy, and a modern skyline into one dynamic story.
The name Atlanta itself comes from the Western & Atlantic Railroad, with the city growing first as a rail hub and later as a crossroads for business, music, and culture. Today, it’s the capital of the New South — a place that honors its past while embracing the future.
On this tour, we’ll guide you through some of Atlanta’s most iconic landmarks: the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park, world-class attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, historic sites such as the Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center, cultural destinations like the Fox Theatre and the High Museum of Art, and green escapes from Piedmont Park to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
As you drive, you’ll hear stories that connect Atlanta’s history, architecture, and culture, and we’ll point out the best spots to stop, look around, and experience the city.
So buckle up and get ready to explore Atlanta — a city that’s always moving forward, but never forgets where it came from.
Marietta St NW @ Park Ave West, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
Centennial Olympic Park
On your right is Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre green space built for the 1996 Summer Olympics. What was once a run-down part of downtown was transformed into the heart of the Games, and today it remains one of Atlanta’s most popular gathering places.
At the center of the park is the famous Fountain of Rings, designed in the shape of the Olympic logo. It’s not just for show — kids splash and play in it every day, and during the Games it became a symbol of Atlanta’s hospitality to the world. The fountain still hosts daily water shows choreographed to music.
The park is surrounded by some of the city’s biggest attractions: the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the CNN Center are all just steps away. It’s a hub that connects Atlanta’s history, culture, and entertainment.
But Centennial Olympic Park also carries a somber history — it was the site of the 1996 Olympic bombing. Today, it stands as a place of resilience and remembrance, a space that honors the Games while welcoming millions of visitors each year.
With its skyline views, walking paths, and iconic fountain, Centennial Olympic Park is the perfect spot to start exploring downtown Atlanta.
On your right is the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world and one of Atlanta’s proudest landmarks. It first opened in 2005 with a gift from Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, who wanted to give the city a world-class attraction that would also inspire conservation and education.
The numbers here are mind-boggling: more than 10 million gallons of water and tens of thousands of creatures from oceans, rivers, and reefs all around the globe. The aquarium is best known for its whale sharks — the largest fish in the sea — making it the only place outside of Asia where you can see them. Alongside them, you’ll find beluga whales, manta rays, dolphins, penguins, and even sea lions.
What makes the Georgia Aquarium stand out is how immersive it feels. Massive viewing windows give you the sensation of standing right inside the ocean, while tunnels let you walk beneath swimming sharks and rays.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Centennial Olympic Park
Place 2Georgia Aquarium
Place 3Civil and Human Rights Center
Place 4World of Coca-Cola
Place 5CNN Center
Place 6State Farm Arena & Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Place 7Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
Place 8Memorial Rose Garden & The King Center
Place 9MLK Jr. Birth Home
Place 10Krog Street Market
Place 11Ponce City Market
Place 12Piedmont Park
Place 13Margaret Mitchell House
Place 14High Museum of Art
Place 15Atlanta Botanical Garden
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How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).