Grant Park Atlanta: A Guide to the Neighborhood and Green Space

Grant Park Atlanta is both a city park and the name of the historic neighborhood around it. The park covers 131.5 acres at 840 Cherokee Avenue SE, near Sydney Street and Boulevard. The surrounding neighborhood extends across more than 430 acres and is one of Atlanta’s oldest residential areas.

The park dates to 1883, when Lemuel P. Grant donated the first 100 acres to the city. Atlanta later purchased 44 more acres in 1890, bringing the park to its current area.

The City of Atlanta describes it as the city’s oldest park. Landscape architect John Charles Olmsted visited in 1903 to prepare plans, and Atlanta City Council adopted his master plan in 1916.

The neighborhood has a distinct historic streetscape: Victorian-era mansions and cottages sit alongside early-20th-century bungalows, with brick-paved sidewalks, rolling terrain and scenic vistas. The city designated Grant Park a historic district in 2000.

The park’s 131.5 acres offer open green space within the city. Paths and lawns make it possible to take a walk or pause outdoors, while the surrounding neighborhood’s changing terrain and historic homes add interest along the way.

The available details don’t specify particular trail lengths or walking routes, so treat the park as a place to stroll rather than plan around a measured circuit.

For a visit with a dog, City of Atlanta guidance says pets must stay on leash except in designated areas, and owners must clean up after them. Pets are not allowed during A, B or C festivals. The city’s parks are listed as open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Zoo Atlanta is at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, within historic Grant Park. It makes a natural addition to time in the neighborhood: you can pair the zoo with a walk through the park or the surrounding historic streets.

Zoo Atlanta estimates an average visit at around three hours. For more visit-planning details, see this guide to Zoo Atlanta tickets, hours and planning.

Grant Park also has a connection to the city’s early transit history. In 1883, a streetcar ran along what is now Park Avenue to a pavilion in the park, helping connect the area with downtown.

Grant Park is about a 14-minute drive from Travel Inn Atlanta. MARTA’s Route 7 serves Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta, and connects with King Memorial and West End stations. Route availability can change, so use MARTA’s current service information to plan your trip. The Atlanta public transport guide offers more help with getting around the city.

Zoo Atlanta identifies two nearby City of Atlanta public parking options: the Cherokee Avenue lot at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE and Grant Park Gateway at 759 Boulevard SE. Both are managed by AAA Parking under contract with the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority. The listed rate is $3 per hour, with a maximum of $12 per day.

City park rules prohibit overnight vehicle parking between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a written parking permit applies. Before setting out, check the official site before you go: use the City of Atlanta’s park information for park rules and Zoo Atlanta’s visitor information for nearby parking details. For public transport, check MARTA’s current schedule and service information.