Atlanta Union Station Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide to Atlanta Historical Sites

Date: 15/06/2025

Introduction

Atlanta Union Station, once the city’s major passenger rail terminal, remains an enduring symbol of Atlanta’s transformation from a railway crossroads to a thriving metropolis. Established in 1853, the original station played a pivotal role in connecting the American South, supporting economic expansion, and shaping Atlanta’s cultural landscape. While the original structure was demolished in the 1970s, its legacy is preserved through active sites like Peachtree Station, the Southeastern Railway Museum, and the Five Points MARTA station, which now occupies the historic Union Station site. This comprehensive guide details the history of Atlanta Union Station, practical visiting information, and nearby attractions, ensuring visitors can fully appreciate the city’s railway heritage. For up-to-date visiting hours and ticketing, refer to Amtrak Peachtree Station Information and the Southeastern Railway Museum Official Site. Additional historical insights are available at Yesterday’s America and Worldly Known.

Table of Contents

Historical Overview

Early Foundations: Atlanta’s First Union Station (1853–1864)

Atlanta’s transportation prominence began with its first Union Station in 1853, strategically positioned at the intersection of major rail lines. This hub facilitated commerce and migration, cementing Atlanta’s role as a gateway to the South. The original structure was lost in 1864 when General Sherman ordered its destruction during the Civil War (Yesterday’s America).

Postwar Recovery and the Second Union Station (1871–1930)

Rebuilt in 1871, the second Union Station—often referred to as Union Depot—supported Atlanta’s rapid postwar growth. It reinforced the city’s identity as the “Gate City.” However, by 1930, the facility was outdated and subsequently demolished (Yesterday’s America).

The Third and Final Union Station (1930–1971)

The third Union Station, completed in 1930, featured Beaux-Arts architecture and modern amenities. It became a central hub for iconic rail routes, including the Nancy Hanks, linking Atlanta with key destinations (Yesterday’s America).

Decline and Demolition

With the rise of automobiles and air travel in the mid-20th century, passenger rail traffic dwindled. Union Station closed in 1971 and was demolished soon thereafter, effectively ending an era in Atlanta’s transportation history (Yesterday’s America; Towns and Nature).


Legacy and Surviving Heritage

While the original Union Stations are gone, Atlanta’s railway legacy is preserved through active sites and museums:

  • Peachtree Station: The city’s sole active passenger rail station, serving Amtrak’s Crescent line.
  • Southeastern Railway Museum: Georgia’s official transportation museum, featuring extensive exhibits and restored railcars.

Visiting Peachtree Station

  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Hours: Open daily, aligned with Amtrak Crescent train schedules. Confirm current hours on the Amtrak website.
  • Tickets: Purchase online, via the Amtrak app, or at the station.
  • Accessibility: The station is wheelchair accessible and offers traveler amenities.

Southeastern Railway Museum

  • Address: 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA 30096
  • Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday, 12 PM–5 PM; closed Mondays.
  • Tickets: Buy at the museum or online via the official site.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Nearby Historical Sites and Tours

  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park: Explore the life and legacy of Dr. King.
  • Sweet Auburn Historic District: Renowned for its African American heritage.
  • CNN Center, Georgia State Capitol, National Center for Civil and Human Rights: All within easy reach of Five Points and Peachtree Station.

Self-guided and guided walking tours of downtown Atlanta often highlight key transportation and civil rights landmarks.


Atlanta Union Station: Architecture, Legacy, and Urban Impact

Atlanta Union Station’s architectural evolution mirrored the city’s growth—from its humble 1853 beginnings to the grand Beaux-Arts structure of 1930. The station became a powerful symbol of Atlanta’s commercial and cultural ascent, transforming the Five Points neighborhood into a bustling urban center (Worldly Known). Although demolished in 1972 for MARTA expansion, its influence endures. The station’s demolition spurred a preservation movement and reshaped the city’s approach to architectural heritage.

Today, the Five Points MARTA station occupies the historic site, continuing the tradition of connecting Atlanta’s communities. The area is marked by multicultural vibrancy and is home to diverse populations, reflected in local cuisine, events, and public art (Worldly Known).


Visiting Atlanta Union Station Site: Location, Hours, and Tips

Location and Site Details

  • Location: Between Spring Street and Forsyth Street, immediately west of Five Points MARTA station (Atlanta Union Station history).
  • Current State: No original structures remain. The area consists of modern infrastructure, including the Five Points MARTA station and commercial buildings.
  • Access: The site is publicly accessible at all times.

Practical Information

  • No Admission Fees: The site is part of downtown Atlanta’s urban landscape.
  • Getting There: Easily accessible via MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid transit system.
  • Nearby Parking: Public lots and garages are available but can be limited.

What to Expect

No visible remains exist, but the Five Points area is a hub for exploring Atlanta’s history. For a deeper dive into the city’s railroad past, visit the Atlanta History Center or Southeastern Railway Museum.

Safety and Accessibility

  • Accessibility: Sidewalks, crosswalks, and transit options make downtown accessible.
  • Safety: Visit during daylight for the best experience; always be mindful of urban surroundings.

FAQ

Can I visit the original Atlanta Union Station?
No. The original station was demolished in 1972, but the site is open to the public as part of downtown Atlanta.

Are there tours of the Union Station site?
No official tours focus solely on the site, but many self-guided and guided tours of downtown Atlanta include it.

Where can I buy Amtrak tickets in Atlanta?
Purchase tickets at Peachtree Station, online, or via the Amtrak app.

What are the visiting hours for Peachtree Station and the Southeastern Railway Museum?
Peachtree Station hours align with train schedules (Amtrak Peachtree Station Information). The Southeastern Railway Museum is open Tuesday–Sunday; check their official site for details.

Are there historic markers at the site?
No dedicated markers exist, but archival materials can be found at the Atlanta History Center.


Travel Tips for Visitors

  • Check hours and ticket availability in advance for Peachtree Station and the Southeastern Railway Museum.
  • Use MARTA to avoid parking hassles and experience Atlanta’s public transit.
  • Bring a camera for photos of downtown, street art, and historic landmarks.
  • Combine visits to multiple sites for a full rail heritage experience.
  • Look for special events at the museum and downtown cultural centers.

Conclusion

Atlanta’s Union Station, while physically absent, continues to shape the city’s narrative through its enduring legacy and the sites that honor its past. Visiting Peachtree Station, the Southeastern Railway Museum, and exploring the Five Points area offers a meaningful connection to Atlanta’s railroading heritage. For the most immersive experience, use digital guides like the Audiala app, participate in local tours, and stay informed through official resources.


Further Resources


For more tips and interactive guides, download the Audiala app and follow our social media channels for updates on Atlanta’s historical sites and events.

Visit The Most Interesting Places In Atlanta

1105 West Peachtree
1105 West Peachtree
1180 Peachtree
1180 Peachtree
999 Peachtree
999 Peachtree
Academy Of Medicine
Academy Of Medicine
|
  All Saints' Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
| All Saints' Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
Alliance Theatre
Alliance Theatre
Americasmart
Americasmart
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Antico Pizza
Antico Pizza
Antioch Baptist Church North
Antioch Baptist Church North
Apex Museum
Apex Museum
Atlanta Biltmore Hotel And Biltmore Apartments
Atlanta Biltmore Hotel And Biltmore Apartments
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta City Hall
Atlanta City Hall
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum
Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Atlanta Silverbacks Park
Atlanta Silverbacks Park
Atlanta Symphony Hall
Atlanta Symphony Hall
Atlanta Union Station
Atlanta Union Station
B. Mifflin Hood Brick Company Building
B. Mifflin Hood Brick Company Building
Bank Of America Plaza
Bank Of America Plaza
Basilica Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Basilica Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Bass Furniture Building
Bass Furniture Building
Besharat Museum Gallery
Besharat Museum Gallery
Big Bethel Ame Church
Big Bethel Ame Church
Bobby Dodd Stadium
Bobby Dodd Stadium
Brookwood Hills
Brookwood Hills
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Carnegie Building
Carnegie Building
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Cathedral Of Christ The King
Cathedral Of Christ The King
Center For Puppetry Arts
Center For Puppetry Arts
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Cnn Center
Cnn Center
College Football Hall Of Fame
College Football Hall Of Fame
Consulate-General Of Japan, Atlanta
Consulate-General Of Japan, Atlanta
Crum & Forster Building
Crum & Forster Building
Delta Flight Museum
Delta Flight Museum
Donna And Marvin Schwartz Center For Performing Arts
Donna And Marvin Schwartz Center For Performing Arts
Dramatech
Dramatech
Edward C. Peters House
Edward C. Peters House
Elbert P. Tuttle United States Court Of Appeals Building
Elbert P. Tuttle United States Court Of Appeals Building
Emory University
Emory University
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Fairlie-Poplar
Fairlie-Poplar
Federal Reserve Bank Of Atlanta
Federal Reserve Bank Of Atlanta
Fernbank Forest
Fernbank Forest
Ferst Center For The Arts
Ferst Center For The Arts
Fire Station No. 11
Fire Station No. 11
First Church Of Christ, Scientist
First Church Of Christ, Scientist
First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church
First Presbyterian Church Of Atlanta
First Presbyterian Church Of Atlanta
Flatiron Building
Flatiron Building
Food Processing Technology Building
Food Processing Technology Building
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
Fox Theatre
Fox Theatre
French Consulate General, Atlanta
French Consulate General, Atlanta
Garden Hills
Garden Hills
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
|
  Georgia Governor'S Mansion
| Georgia Governor'S Mansion
Georgia Institute Of Technology College Of Architecture
Georgia Institute Of Technology College Of Architecture
Georgia Institute Of Technology Historic District
Georgia Institute Of Technology Historic District
Georgia Mental Health Institute
Georgia Mental Health Institute
Georgia State Capitol
Georgia State Capitol
Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center
Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center
Georgia World Congress Center
Georgia World Congress Center
Glenn Building
Glenn Building
Glg Grand
Glg Grand
Goat Farm Arts Center
Goat Farm Arts Center
Grace United Methodist Church (Atlanta)
Grace United Methodist Church (Atlanta)
Grady Memorial Hospital
Grady Memorial Hospital
Grant Park
Grant Park
Gravity Research Foundation Monument
Gravity Research Foundation Monument
Healey Building
Healey Building
Herndon Home
Herndon Home
High Museum Of Art
High Museum Of Art
Historic Fourth Ward Park
Historic Fourth Ward Park
Homage To King
Homage To King
Hope Moving Forward
Hope Moving Forward
Hotel Ansley
Hotel Ansley
Hotel Aragon
Hotel Aragon
Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown
Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown
Hurt Park
Hurt Park
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
|
  Imagine It! The Children'S Museum Of Atlanta
| Imagine It! The Children'S Museum Of Atlanta
J. Mack Robinson College Of Business Administration Building
J. Mack Robinson College Of Business Administration Building
Jimmy Carter Library And Museum
Jimmy Carter Library And Museum
King Center For Nonviolent Social Change
King Center For Nonviolent Social Change
King Plow Arts Center
King Plow Arts Center
Krog Street Tunnel
Krog Street Tunnel
Lanier University
Lanier University
|
  Loew'S Grand Theatre
| Loew'S Grand Theatre
Majestic Hotel
Majestic Hotel
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
M.C. Kiser Company Building
M.C. Kiser Company Building
Mccamish Pavilion
Mccamish Pavilion
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Millennium Gate
Millennium Gate
Morningside Nature Preserve
Morningside Nature Preserve
Murder Kroger
Murder Kroger
Museum Of Contemporary Art Of Georgia
Museum Of Contemporary Art Of Georgia
Museum Of Design Atlanta
Museum Of Design Atlanta
National Center For Civil And Human Rights
National Center For Civil And Human Rights
Oakland Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery
Olympia Building
Olympia Building
Omega Chapter Of The Chi Phi Fraternity
Omega Chapter Of The Chi Phi Fraternity
Omni Coliseum
Omni Coliseum
Peachtree Station
Peachtree Station
Pemberton Place
Pemberton Place
Phipps Plaza
Phipps Plaza
Plaza Theatre
Plaza Theatre
Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market
Prince Hall
Prince Hall
Promenade Ii
Promenade Ii
Regal Tara Cinemas
Regal Tara Cinemas
Regions Plaza
Regions Plaza
Rhodes Hall
Rhodes Hall
Rialto Center For The Arts
Rialto Center For The Arts
Robert C. Williams Paper Museum
Robert C. Williams Paper Museum
Roxy Theatre
Roxy Theatre
Rufus M. Rose House
Rufus M. Rose House
Russ Chandler Stadium
Russ Chandler Stadium
|
  Saint Joseph'S Hospital
| Saint Joseph'S Hospital
Saint Philip Ame Church
Saint Philip Ame Church
Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception
Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception
Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia
Spelman College
Spelman College
|
  St. Luke'S Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
| St. Luke'S Episcopal Church (Atlanta)
St. Mark Methodist Church (Atlanta, Georgia)
St. Mark Methodist Church (Atlanta, Georgia)
Statue Of Eugene Talmadge
Statue Of Eugene Talmadge
Statue Of Jimmy Carter
Statue Of Jimmy Carter
Statue Of Martin Luther King Jr.
Statue Of Martin Luther King Jr.
Swan House
Swan House
Sweet Auburn
Sweet Auburn
Taipei Economic And Cultural Office In Atlanta
Taipei Economic And Cultural Office In Atlanta
Terminal Station
Terminal Station
The Masquerade
The Masquerade
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle
The Temple
The Temple
Trap Music Museum
Trap Music Museum
Turner Field
Turner Field
United States Penitentiary, Atlanta
United States Penitentiary, Atlanta
Utoy Cemetery
Utoy Cemetery
Variety Playhouse
Variety Playhouse
W. D. Grant Building
W. D. Grant Building
Washington Hall
Washington Hall
Westview Cemetery
Westview Cemetery
William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum
William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum
William-Oliver Building
William-Oliver Building
Winecoff Hotel
Winecoff Hotel
Woodlands Garden
Woodlands Garden
Woodruff Arts Center
Woodruff Arts Center
World Of Coca-Cola
World Of Coca-Cola