The park's Fountain of Rings is the world's largest fountain utilizing the Olympic Rings motif.
The park contains the 1996 Olympic cauldron, which was repurposed from the original temporary structure into a permanent monument.
Over 500,000 bricks used in the park's walkways are inscribed with the names of people who contributed to the park's construction via a donor program.
The park was designed to transform a previously derelict industrial area of downtown Atlanta into a central urban gathering space.
The park is home to the 'Gateway to the World,' a series of stylized entrance columns that reference historical Olympic host cities.
Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre public green space in downtown Atlanta, originally constructed to serve as the gathering hub for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The park is managed by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and is defined by its central Fountain of Rings, which features interactive water displays synchronized to music. It serves as the primary gateway to Atlanta’s major tourist district, anchoring the area around the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The park incorporates 23 Olympic-themed art installations and brick pathways engraved with the names of nearly 500,000 donors. It functions as both a recreational space and a major site for large-scale outdoor events, concerts, and festivals. The layout emphasizes open lawns and paved walkways designed to accommodate large crowds. It remains a key focal point of downtown revitalization efforts since its post-Olympic transition.
The elevated overlook point facing the Fountain of Rings with the downtown skyline in the background.
Visit during the afternoon to witness the Fountain of Rings water shows, which occur multiple times throughout the day.
Check the official GWCCA calendar before visiting to see if a ticketed private event is restricting access to certain sections of the park.
Do not assume the park is entirely open during major ticketed music festivals or private corporate events that may fence off large portions of the grounds.
Occasional closures of specific lawn sections occur for private event setup and breakdown.
Public park rules apply: no glass containers, stay off the grass in designated restricted areas, and respect the fountain play rules.
