What Is Atlanta Known For? A Comprehensive Guide

Sometimes called "The Big Peach," Atlanta is Georgia's largest city, home to nearly 500,000 people and steadily growing. But what is Atlanta, Georgia, known for? The city is known for much more than just its shaded streets, Civil War history and vibrant murals. 

Once home to Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta was at the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Museums like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights share stories from sit-ins and Morehouse University protests. Today, Atlanta is a cultural epicenter in the South and at the forefront of the film and television industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Atlanta has one of the largest economies in the country. Its metro area has an approximate GDP of 455.33 billion U.S. dollars. Atlanta is home to over a dozen Fortune 500 companies. These include Coca-Cola, The Home Depot and Delta Airlines, Atlanta's leading employer. 

Lending Tree data indicates that nearly 9% of businesses in the city are Black-owned, the highest rate in the country. "There's growth, new restaurants, new specialty shops. It really feels like the city is doing well," says Kendra Sanders, a real estate agent with Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage. 

Prior to the Civil War, Atlanta was better known as "Terminus," the endpoint of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. It's still a transportation hub 150 years later as home to the world's busiest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The facility welcomes over 100 million annual passengers, and five runways manage 2,000 daily arrivals and departures. 

MARTA, the city's rapid transit system, includes a streetcar line, bus routes and a network of 38 subway/Metro stations. "When we want to go to a game or event, we take MARTA to get us in because we know there's going to be a lot of cars downtown," says Sanders. PeachTree Station is serviced by Amtrak's Crescent Line, which connects New York City to New Orleans. 

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Atlanta is an emerging giant in the film and television industry. The entertainment industry in Atlanta falls just behind Los Angeles and New York City, generating approximately $4 billion annually. Tyler Perry Studios, Techwood Studios and CoCo Studios call Atlanta home. Everything from "Black Panther" to "Stranger Things" has been filmed within the city limits.

Atlanta's visual art scene is in the midst of a renaissance. You’ll find the High Museum of Art, Buckhead Murals and street art in Little Five Points. There are public art installations along the Beltline, including everything from live dance performances to sculptures. Piedmont Park Arts Festival is consistently ranked among the country's best. 

Over the span of two days in August, hundreds of local artisans set up tents in the shadow of Atlanta's skyline. The city has long-standing ties to musical genres like Soul, R&B, Jazz and Rap. Acts like Gladys Knight, James Brown, Otis Redding and OutKast all got their start in ATL. Famous venues include The Masquerade in Underground Atlanta, Tabernacle and Fox Theatre.  

As per the Atlanta History Center, the city is sometimes referred to as "the cradle" of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was pioneered by MLK Jr. in Atlanta. It orchestrated a series of boycotts and marches in the 1960s, including the March on Washington and Selma Voting Rights Campaign. 

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was also located in Atlanta. Moreover, historically black universities like Moorhouse, Spelman and Clark became central to the movement. Today, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is home to MLK memorabilia and interactive galleries. 

A century before Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Ebenezer Church, Atlanta was a supply depot for the Confederate army. Union General William Sherman successfully sieged Georgia's capital in September of 1863. Between November 1863 and December 1864, he led over 60,000 men to Savannah. The 285-mile campaign was known as "Sherman's March to the Sea." Along the way, soldiers employed scorched earth tactics, burning civilian homes, trampling crops and destroying train tracks. The march catalyzed Robert E. Lee's eventual surrender at Appomattox in April of 1965. 

Atlanta is home to dozens of neighborhoods, each with a distinctive personality. There's Little Five Points, also known as the "Hippie Hood," which has been at the forefront of counterculture since the 1920s. Atlanta's West End belongs to the National Register of Historic Places. Some homes in that area date back to the 19th century. 

If you’re planning a move to Atlanta, these five neighborhoods should give you a feel for what the city has to offer.

The Edward Inman "Swan" House, which famously served as a filming location for "The Hunger Games," stands tall off Andrews Drive in Buckhead. This neighborhood is known for its upscale shopping, dining and historic architecture. Buckhead Village Mall is home to fine clothiers like Hermès and Todd Patrick, as well as restaurants like Capital Grille. The neighborhood also hosts annual events like the Buckhead Arts Festival and the French Market. The latter features live music and open-air vendors on Peach Tree Road. 

Midtown Atlanta is known as one of the city's premier entertainment hubs. It’s home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Alliance Theatre and Fox Theatre. The latter is a venue that previously hosted the likes of Elvis Presley and James Brown. Midtown is also associated with its nightclubs. There's dancing at DOMAINE ATL and Tongue & Groove, and Laughing Skull Comedy Lounge has weekly open mic nights. Center Stage on West Peachtree houses three distinct music venues, which have hosted artists The Weeknd, The Strokes and Lady Gaga. 

Downtown Atlanta is made up mainly of multi-story condominiums where unit prices typically range between $150,000 and $700,000. Georgia State University's College of Business, county government buildings and corporate offices are also downtown. 

Downtown is home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame. The Georgia Aquarium is also in downtown Atlanta and welcomes over 3 million visitors annually. Of course, there's also Centennial Olympic Park, designed for the 1996 Summer Games. SkyView Atlanta, a 200-foot Ferris Wheel, sits just across the street. 

Old Fourth Ward was established around the Ponce de Leon Spring, a 19th-century destination spa and amusement park. At one point in time, the neighborhood was better known as "The Coney Island of Atlanta." 

Today, it's a hot spot for ATL arts and culture and home to the ever-popular Ponce City Market in the former Sears building. The space has apartments, retailers and restaurants like Dub's Fish Camp and Hops Chicken. There's a diverse music scene with venues like City Winery and improv shows at Dad's Garage. O4W is also the location of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park. 

East Atlanta is widely considered to be home to one of Atlanta's best farmers markets. It starts in April and runs through December on Thursday nights. There's also the East Atlanta Strut in September. This event includes bake-offs, parades and bands for its Porchfest performances. Eclectic bars and restaurants in EAV are representative of the neighborhood's hip population. There's Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room (aka "Church"), indie bookstores and live music at The EARL. 

From fried green tomatoes, to pulled pork and fried chicken, the Atlanta area is world famous for its southern cuisine. Its craft beer scene also includes numerous breweries where you can grab a pint after work with friends or coworkers. 

"Whether you're looking for Ethiopian food or a place that specializes in breakfast, whatever you may want to try, we've probably got it," says Sanders. 

Buford Highway is known for its multicultural food scene. You’ll find fresh arepas at Plaza Fiesta or steamed fish and noodles at Atlanta Chinatown. Closer to Downtown, restaurants like Busy Bee Cafe and Majestic Diner have been serving up southern comforts for generations. Meanwhile, Silver Skillet has appeared in multiple movies and TV shows, including "The Founder" and "Anchorman 2." Atlanta is also home to the world's largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity, which opened back in 1928. 

Over the last decade, dozens of craft breweries have popped up across Atlanta. Cold drinks are often paired with wood-fired pizzas and live music, and trendy city breweries include Bold Monk, Torched Hop and New Realm. ATL has a Winter Beer Fest in February and a Summer Beer Fest in June, both of which feature hundreds of local brews. 

"Dogwood City" is the home base for five major league sports teams: The Atlanta Braves, the Hawks, the Falcons, Atlanta United FC and The Atlanta Dream. The Braves moved to Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966. They've won two World Series in the years since and have a decades-long rivalry with the New York Mets. The Hawks have produced iconic NBA stars like Dominique Wilkins. The Falcons' last Super Bowl was in 2017 when they took on the New England Patriots. 

The Atlanta Sports Council has worked to make Atlanta a hot spot for athletic events. These include the 2019 Super Bowl and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a capacity of approximately 75,000. It replaced the Georgia Dome as the Falcon's home base in 2017, and it's also a popular destination for large-scale world tours. 

Over the past few years, it's welcomed Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Elton John. Atlanta's other notable venues include the State Farm Arena, Truist Park in Cobb County and Center Parc Stadium. The latter was originally designed for the 1996 Olympic Games. Today, it’s home turf for the George State University Panthers. 

There are over 30 parks and recreation centers within Atlanta, collectively spanning over 3,000 acres. Piedmont Park in midtown Atlanta hosts weekly fitness classes and annual summer camps. The grounds are maintained by The Piedmont Park Conservancy. This local nonprofit has raised millions for restoration since the 1980s. 

Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,500 animals, including African lions and Sumatran tigers. It’s less than 2 miles from downtown. Piedmont Park is home to a public pool and splash pad. It’s popular during Georgia's notoriously humid summers. 

Residents can cast their fishing lines into the central lake, head to the off-leash dog park or attend Atlanta Pride in October. There's also Centennial Olympic Park, found near downtown attractions like  the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Visitors can also watch daily shows at the "Fountain of Rings." The city has planned continued investment in its BeltLine trail over the coming years. This 22-mile loop will one day connect 45 neighborhoods throughout Atlanta, incorporating public art along the way. 

Atlanta has something for everyone. The homes for sale in Atlanta are offered with varied price points and personalities. With so many options, Sanders says "It really depends on what type of living the person is interested in." Most importantly, "The Southern hospitality is alive and well here." Neighbors say hello to one another. 

"You wave while they're cutting the grass, you chit-chat. When someone new moves in, you knock on the door and say, 'Hey, if you need anything, I'm right over here,'" explains Sanders. "I love it."