Grant Park Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Took an afternoon to practice some photography. I always think going to a zoo is cheating, but it's a great way to practice. This eagle was all about the pose.
Took an afternoon to practice some photography. I always think going to a zoo is cheating, but it's a great way to practice. This eagle was all about the pose.
City fathers purchased six acres in 1850 to be a public burial ground for a young but fast-growing town that already had a population of more than 2,500. It was designed as a rural garden cemetery, a 19th Century innovation conceived as an alternative to traditional graveyards which often were crowded and aesthetically unappealing.

Originally called Atlanta Graveyard or City Burial Place, Oakland was renamed in 1872. By then it had expanded to 48 acres, mainly due to pressures of the Civil War. During the war, the City and the Confederate government added land to bury soldiers who died in local hospitals. As fighting drew closer and engulfed Atlanta, more burial space was needed. After the war, space was added to provide a proper final resting place for soldiers who had been hastily buried on area battlefields. By 1867 the cemetery reached its present size.

In the late 19th Century, Oakland was a popular destination for Sunday carriage rides and picnics. Families tended the plots of loved ones, creating an assortment of lovely gardens. Atlanta’s first greenhouse was established here in 1870. Many distinctions of daily life were maintained in death, as African Americans were buried apart from whites and Jewish sections were separate from Christian.

As the 20th Century unfolded, Oakland increasingly was surrounded by residential and industrial development. The cemetery also was filling up. The last sites were sold in 1884. With the passage of time, many graves went unattended as descendants moved away or lost touch with their antecedents. Oakland fell into serious disrepair from neglect and occasional vandalism.

In 1976, Oakland was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic Oakland Foundation was founded. The City and the Foundation have worked together to stabilize the cemetery and make it an attractive and inviting place for all Atlantans.
Zoo Atlanta featuring street scenes, fall colors and heritage architecture
Oakland Cemetery featuring a cemetery

Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Grant Park Hotel Deals

Hilton Atlanta

Hilton Atlanta

4 out of 5
255 Courtland St NE Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$254 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
NZ$254
7 Mar - 8 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy 4 restaurants, 2 outdoor pickleball courts and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,803 reviews)
The rooms are clean and the staff are always so nice.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Hilton Atlanta
Atlanta Marriott Marquis

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

4 out of 5
265 Peachtree Center Ave Ne Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$250 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
NZ$250
7 Mar - 8 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,788 reviews)
I’ll be coming back I loved da stay it was wonderful everything was just perfect

Reviewed on 7 Feb 2026

Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center

Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center

3 out of 5
3405 Lenox Rd NE Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$191 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
NZ$191
6 Mar - 7 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,026 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center
The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
188 14th St NE Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$316 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
NZ$316
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,389 reviews)
I enjoyed my stay. Rooms were clean and service was great

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

4 out of 5
210 Peachtree St. NW Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$320 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
NZ$320
27 Feb - 28 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,080 reviews)
Clean room & nice staff

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
The Westin Buckhead Atlanta

The Westin Buckhead Atlanta

4 out of 5
3391 Peachtree Rd Ne Atlanta GA
The price is NZ$258 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
NZ$258
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,270 reviews)
Just fine.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

The Westin Buckhead Atlanta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

Other neighbourhoods around Grant Park

Jackson Street Bridge

South Downtown

While you're in South Downtown, take in top sights like Underground Atlanta and jump on the metro at Garnett Station to see more of the city.

South Downtown
Atlanta_FairliePoplarHistoricDistrict_6267748_0003

Fairlie-Poplar Historic District

The ample dining options and popular aquarium are top of the list for many visitors to Fairlie-Poplar Historic District. A stop by Rialto Center for the Performing Arts or Tabernacle might round out your trip.

Fairlie-Poplar Historic District
ATLights.
#Trovember

Peachtree Center

While you're in Peachtree Center, take in top sights like AmericasMart and jump on the metro at Peachtree Center Station to see more of the city.

Peachtree Center
Ponce City Market featuring signage

Old Fourth Ward

If you're spending some time in Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market and Central Park are top sights worth seeing.

Old Fourth Ward
World of Coca Cola featuring skyline, autumn colours and a high-rise building

Downtown Atlanta

3.5/5(11 area reviews)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena are a few top attractions in Downtown Atlanta. Hop around the city on the metro at Five Points Station or Dome-GWCC-Philips Arena-CNN Center Station and check out the area's must-see aquarium, great live music and popular shops.

Downtown Atlanta
Fernbank Museum of Natural History showing heritage elements

East Side

While you're in East Side, take in top sights like Variety Playhouse or Krog Street Market, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Edgewood-Candler Park Station or Inman Park-Reynoldstown Station.

East Side


Grant Park Travel Guide

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