The Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, as part of the programme of regeneration for the 1996 Summer Olympics. This space is popular with local residents and tourists alike, and plays host to public events and festivals all year round.
The highlight of the park is the Fountain of Rings, an interactive water feature based on the iconic Olympic emblem. 251 jets shoot up to 10 metres in the air, creating a beautiful water sculpture. Four times a day the fountain is illuminated with coloured lights and the jets are synchronised with music. This show draws crowds, especially after dark.
As you wander around the park, look down at the paved walkways and you’ll notice that many of the bricks have been inscribed with messages. To raise money for the park’s construction, people were offered the chance to donate a sum, in exchange for their choice of inscription on one of the 800,000 paving bricks used in this space.
Head to the park on a Wednesday evening between May and September to enjoy Wednesday Evening WindDown, a series of free concerts held in the park’s Southern Company Amphitheater. The audience sits on the grass, enjoying refreshments from the nearby Googie Burger restaurant. There are also free live music performances at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you are in Atlanta on 4th July, don’t miss the spectacular Independence Day celebrations in the park. Join the crowd for family entertainment and a dazzling firework display set to music.
To celebrate the winter holiday season, the park is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, and you can lace up your skates for a spin on the city’s largest outdoor ice rink.
Centennial Olympic Park is open all year round, from 7 am to 11 pm. An audio walking tour of the park, as well as general information, is available from the Visitor Center near the fountain. Parking is available nearby for a fee and the centre is well served by public transport.
