Atlanta Preservation Center Walking Tours
Atlanta Preservation Center Walking Tours
Guided Walking Tours of Historic Atlanta
General Information
See Atlanta’s history firsthand on the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Guided Walking Tours:
* The Fox Theatre
* Historic Downtown
* Sweet Auburn/Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District
* Inman Park
* Frederick Law Olmsted’s Druid Hills
* Grant Park
* Ansley Park
* Historic Midtown
* Rails to the Future
* SoNo (South of North Avenue)
Our Guided Walking Tours are an informative and fun way to learn about Atlanta’s remarkable history and the people who led the city to prominence as the capital of the New South. Our historic neighborhood tours illustrate why Atlanta’s quality of life has been sought after for generations.
Tour Schedules
Atlanta Preservation Center (APC) Guided Walking Tours are scheduled on a regular basis. They last about 1½ hours. The schedules for the eight tours are included in the following description of each tour.
Our Tour Hotline number is 404-688-3350.
If you have a group of 20 or more, please read information about Special Group Tours below.
All tours except the Fox Theatre are offered from March 1 through November 30. The Fox tour is given year round. Tours are not conducted on legal Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
All tours except the Fox are canceled in the event of rain or inclement weather. Fox Theatre tours are sometimes canceled by the Fox Theatre management due to programs and special events. Please call us for an up-to-date tour schedule.
For more information, please call our offices, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 404-688-3353.
Tour Admission
Walking tour admission fees support the work of the Atlanta Preservation Center. Fees for regularly scheduled tours may be paid in cash or by personal check made payable to the Atlanta Preservation Center. Our guides cannot accept credit or debit cards. Admission fees are:
Free for Atlanta Preservation Center members.
Adults $10.00
Seniors $5.00 (60 and older)
Students $5.00
Groups (20 people or more) – Regular admission plus a surcharge based on number in the group; reservations are required. Call 404-688-3353.
Special Group Tours
If you have a group of 20 or more, please call the APC group tour coordinator at 404-688-3353 to make arrangements for a special tour.
We charge the regular admission fee per person plus a surcharge based on the number in your group. We request that you reserve a date for a special group tour at least two weeks in advance.
Group tours are scheduled based on availability.
To schedule a special group tour, click here
Tour guides
APC Tour guides are professionally trained volunteers who are passionate about preservation. Experts in the fields of architecture, preservation, planning and history lead our annual training classes in January. If you would like to become a tour guide, please call 404-688-3353.
Map of start locations
Fox Theatre
Explore the mysterious interior of the Fabulous Fox Theatre, one of the few remaining exotic movie palaces of the 1920's. Middle eastern and Egyptian designs create a dreamlike spectacle of grandeur. Learn about the inspiration behind the Egyptian Ballroom, Grand Salon and Spanish Room, as well as the many other intriguing rooms within the Fox, without performance crowds.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10:00 a.m.; Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. This tour, available year around, is subject to modification or cancellation due to special events or matinees. Meet beneath the marquee, 660 Peachtree Street.
Fox tours are cancelled on the following dates:
June 27, 29
July 2, 9, 11, 20, 22, 23, 25 (11 a.m. only), 27, 29, 30
August 22, 26, 27, 29 (11 a.m. only)
Nearby historic attraction:
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, 404-249-7015
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at North Avenue station (N3), follow signs to Fox Theatre.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 249B (Pine St, Peachtree St., Civic Center). Go to Peachtree St. and turn left. Theater is four blocks on your left at 660 Peachtree.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 249D (North Avenue/Georgia Tech). Left at end of exit ramp. Turn left at third traffic light onto Peachtree St. Theatre is one block on the left at 660 Peachtree St.
Note: This tour is subject to cancellation or modifications due to special events and matinees. Please call 404-688-3353 for latest updates.
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Historic Downtown
Experience Atlanta's earliest skyscrapers district, beginning at the historic Candler Building and winding through interiors of several of Atlanta's landmark structures. You'll see how Atlanta's downtown architecture developed from Victorian period styles to Art Deco to modern, and learn about the businessmen, architects, and prominent families who created the city's early commercial center.
Friday Lunchtime Tours at 12:00 noon and Saturday at 11:00 A.M. March-November. Meet in the Candler Building lobby, 127 Peachtree Street.
Nearby historic attractions:
Georgia State Capitol, 404-651-6996
The World of Coca-Cola, 404-676-5151
Ivan Allen, Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame, 404-614-2311
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at Peachtree Center station (N1), Ellis Street exit. Proceed south on Peachtree St. to the Candler Building on your left.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 248B (Edgewood/Auburn/Dobbs). Go straight to second light, turn left on Auburn Ave. Take Auburn to Peachtree St. Right on Peachtree. Candler Building is on the right.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 249A (Georgia State University/Courtland St.). Continue on Courtland St. to sixth traffic light and turn right onto Auburn Ave. Take Auburn to Peacthree St. and turn right. The Candler Building is on the right.
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Sweet Auburn/Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District
Stroll down Sweet Auburn Avenue, the heart of African-American commerce and culture in Atlanta at the turn of the century. Discover landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement, and several historic African-American churches including Big Bethel AME Church, the first African-American church in Atlanta, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Offered only as a special group tour. Please call 404.688.3353 for more information
Nearby historic attractions:
APEX Museum, 404-523-APEX
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, 404-331-5190
Studioplex on Auburn, artists' studios, 404-523-4467
Directions:
MARTA: Peachtree Center station (N1), Ellis St. exit. Then proceed south on Peachtree Street. Left on Auburn Ave. APEX is on your right after intersection of Auburn and Courtland St.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 248B (Edgewood/Auburn/Dobbs). Go straight to second light, turn left on Auburn Ave. Go through three lights and APEX Museum is on left.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 249A (Georgia State/Courtland St.). Continue on Courtland St. to sixth traffic light and turn left onto Auburn Ave. APEX Museum is on right.
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Inman Park
Visit Atlanta's first trolley suburb and see the elegant Victorian homes built by Coca-Cola magnates Asa Candler and Ernest Woodruff. Dating from 1889, Inman Park has become a nationally celebrated example of neighborhood preservation. Discover the distinctive features that make up Victorian period architecture: turrets, sweeping porches and elaborate gingerbread woodwork.
Sunday at 2:00 PM. March – November.
Twilight Tour: 6:30 p.m
June 18 /July 16. /August 20.
Meet in front of King Keith Bed and Breakfast, 889 Edgewood Avenue.Reservations required: 404.688.3353 x11
Nearby historic attractions:
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, 404-865-7100
Little Five Points neighborhood, www.L5P.com
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at Inman Park station (E3) on the Inman Park side. Walk two blocks west on Edgewood Ave. to the King Keith Bed and Breakfast.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 248B (Edgewood/Auburn/Dobbs). Take first right onto Edgewood Ave. King Keith is on the right 1.2 miles at fifth traffic light.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 248D (Butler/Dobbs). Go straight to third light at Edgewood Ave. King Keith's is on the right 1.2 miles at the fifth light.
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Frederick Law Olmsted’s Druid Hills
Enjoy the gracious ambiance of Druid Hills, planned in 1893 by Frederick Law Olmsted, America's preeminent landscape designer. View elegant homes of diverse architectural styles, created by notable architects such as Neel Reid, W.T. Downing and Philip Shutze in a lush park-like setting of curving streets and mature plantings. Discover the inspiration for Alfred Uhry's Academy Award-winning film, “Driving Miss Daisy."
Saturdays only at 10:00 a.m. March - November.
Meet in front of St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue; corner of Oakdale Road.
Twilight Tour 6:30 p.m.
June 12 /July 10
Meet in the parking lot of St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave. (corner of Ponce de Leon and Oakdale Rd.)
Nearby historic attractions:
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 404-872-5338
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 404-929-6300
Michael C. Carlos Museum, 404-727-4282
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at North Avenue station (N3). Take the #2 Ponce de Leon bus. Get off at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Oakdale Ave.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 249B (Peachtree/Pine St.). Turn left on Peachtree St. At the fourth traffic light turn right onto Ponce de Leon Ave. The Church is approx. two miles on left at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Oakdale.
Heading South on I- 85: Exit 89 (North Druid Hills Rd.). Turn left on North Druid Hills Road, go three lights and turn right onto Briarcliff. Rd. Continue on Briarcliff four miles and turn left onto Ponce de Leon. Church is on the left at the second light.
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Grant Park
Walk through Atlanta's history from the antebellum Grant Mansion and Confederate fortifications to the Victorian era and present day in Grant Park. The park, the centerpiece of this revitalized neighborhood, was given to the city in 1883 by entrepreneur Lemuel P. Grant and quickly became a favorite spot because of its beautiful lake, numerous springs and amusement area. It is now home to the Atlanta Cyclorama and Zoo Atlanta.
Sunday at 10:00 a.m. March - November. Meet in front of the Grant Park Conservancy (499 Broyles St., SE), corner of Sydney and Broyles streets.
Nearby historic attractions:
Historic Oakland Cemetery, 404-688-2107
Atlanta Cyclorama, 404-624-1071
Directions:
MARTA: Please contact MARTA for current route information
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 246 (Fulton St.) Follow Fulton St. sign, turn right on Fulton and go three blocks to fork in the road. Take right fork, Sydney St., and go three blocks to Broyles St. Kelley's is on the corner.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 246 (Fulton St.). Turn left on Fulton and go three blocks to fork in the road. Take right fork, Sydney St., and go three blocks to Broyles St. Kelley's is on the corner.
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Margaret Mitchell’s Ansley Park
a Tour Atlanta ’s first driving suburb, developed in 1904 and home to Margaret Mitchell for most of her life. The majestic trees, broad lawns and tidy parks of this National Register District exist in harmony with Peachtree Street, once lined with impressive homes and now the heart of Midtown's commercial and cultural life.
Meet at plaza of First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1235 Peachtree Street.
Twilight Tour 6:30 p.m.
June 13 /August 6 /July 11 /August 8
Meet in front of First Church Christ, Scientist at 1235 Peachtree St., NE (corner of Peachtree and 15th Street).
Nearby historic attractions:
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, 404-249-7015
Piedmont Park 404-875-PARK
Rhodes Hall, 404-885-7800
The William Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum of the Atlanta Jewish Federation, 678-222-3700
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at Arts Center Station (N5). Follow signs to Peachtree Street. Church is on the left at Peachtree and 15th St.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 250 (10th St./14th St./Georgia Tech). Go straight to second light and turn right onto 14th St. Turn left at third light onto Peachtree St. and immediate right at statue onto 15th St. The Church is on the left.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 250 (10th St./14th St./Georgia Tech). Take first left onto 14th St. and then left at fourth traffic light onto Peachtree St. Take immediate right at statue onto 15th St. Church is on the left.
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Historic Midtown
Peters HouseStep back into Midtown Atlanta’s origins at the 1883 Peters House and its surrounding streets. This turn-of-the-century neighborhood is rich in its variety of residential architectural styles and stories of notable residents.
Twilight Tour: 6:30 p.m.
June 4 /July 2
Meet on sidewalk in front of Ivy Hall (Edward Peters House) on Piedmont Avenue between North and Ponce de Leon avenues.Reservations required: 404.688.3353 x11.
Directions:
MARTA: Exit at North Avenue station (N3). Walk 3 blocks east along North Avenue to the intersection of Piedmont Avenue. Cross Piedmont and turn left. Peters House will be on your right.
Heading North on I-75/85: Exit 249B (Pine St., Peachtree St., Civic Center). Go to Peachtree St. and turn left. Go three blocks to North Ave. and turn right. Go two blocks to Piedmont Ave. and turn left. The Peters House is on the right.
Heading South on I-75/85: Exit 249D (North Avenue/Georgia Tech). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp. Go 5 blocks to Piedmont Avenue and turn left. The Peters House is on the right.
Rails to the Future
Explore the unseen underground and early commercial district
May 30, 1 p.m. /June 27, 1 p.m. /July 25, 1 p.m. /August 22, 1 p.m.
Meet in front of the Visitors Center at Underground, corner of Upper Alabama and Pryor streets.
SoNo (South of North Avenue)
Midtown Commercial District Tour
June 20, 3 p.m./ July 18, 3 p.m./August 15, 3 p.m.
Meet on steps of Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree Street NE
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