What is Atlanta Famous For? (Fun Facts & Strange Secrets!)

We all know that Atlanta is famous for being the home of Coca Cola (and if you didn’t, where have you been!?) but we’re betting you didn’t know this.

Coca Cola was invented in 1886 by Atlanta-based pharmacist John S. Pemberton. His chief marketer, Frank Marson Robinson, wrote the name in his own handwriting which just so happened to be Spencerian Script style. 

If you look at Robinson’s signature and the famous logo, you’ll see the similarities!

That stands for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and it’s one of the world’s leading public health institutions, headquartered right here in Atlanta.

It has played a key role in tracking global epidemics and pandemics.

Atlanta is famous for being dubbed the “City in a Forest” due to its incredible urban tree canopy. Over 47% of the city is covered in trees, more than any other major U.S. city.

Generally, this is a wonderful thing - unless you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer. But even then, you’ll be glad to hear that Atlanta isn’t in the top 10 worst US cities for allergies (apparently)!

Whether you’re a Hawks or a Braves fan, or perhaps even both, you might not have read about Atlanta’s official symbol: the phoenix.  

Phoenixes are mythical birds reborn from its ashes, a nod to the city’s complete destruction (it was burned to the ground during the Civil War) and its subsequent rebirth as a modern metropolis.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world’s busiest airport (by passenger numbers) for much of the 21st century, serving as a major hub for both domestic and international flights.

And just in case you’re wondering, the busy airport is named after two of Atlanta’s mayors: William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The former also had a gorilla named after him at Zoo Atlanta.

Who knew that a “brick” was a measurement of time? Well, Atlantans know, of course!

Atlanta's accent and dialects are studied in linguistics due to the convergence of Southern American English with influences from urban, African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and Northern dialects.

Many of us are already familiar with the story of how Atlanta came to be: founded in 1837 as the terminus of the Western & Atlantic railroad, it was first named Terminus, then Marthasville, and finally Atlanta. 

But the legacy continues to this day. The Atlanta BeltLine is a massive urban redevelopment project repurposing old railway corridors into walking trails, parks, and transit, a unique model of sustainable city planning.

And it wasn’t just any old Olympic year, either. 

Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics, the centennial games (100 years of the modern Olympic Games).  

The Games featured a then-record 197 nations participating and were notable for introducing new sports and disciplines like beach volleyball, mountain biking, and women's soccer.

Most of us know from school that Atlanta is famous for being a key center for the Civil Rights Movement and the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. You might not know that you can visit his childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the King Center to learn more. 

We recommend it!

Ever heard of the “Hollywood of the South”? Now you have!

Atlanta is a major production hub. Shows like The Walking Dead and films like Black Panther and many Marvel movies were filmed in and around the city, including one of my all-time favorites, Hidden Figures.

Atlanta was home to WERD, the first Black-owned radio station in the United States, founded in 1949 by the professor, entrepreneur, civil rights activist, businessman and accountant Jesse B. Blayton. Interestingly, Blayton was also the co-owner and co-founder of Atlanta’s first Black nightclub called “The Top Hat” in 1937. 

The radio station played a major role in broadcasting civil rights messages.

Yes, Atlanta is famous for its peaches, but before we get onto those, how do you like these peaches? 

Atlanta is a rapidly growing tech hub nicknamed “Silicon Peach,” with a strong startup ecosystem and major offices from companies like Microsoft, Google, and Mailchimp (which was founded in Atlanta).

Whatever you do, don’t tell someone you live on Peachtree Street. 

Atlanta is infamous for having over 70 streets named “Peachtree.” As you can imagine, this quirky and sometimes confusing aspect of the city leads to plenty of navigation problems, so if you’re headed over here, look it up first!

Atlanta is famous for being the birthplace of trap music, a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the early 2000s. 

Pioneered by artists like T.I., Gucci Mane, and Young Jeezy, it has shaped global music trends and led to some awesome dance moves over the years.

Atlanta is known for its vibrant street art scene, and the Living Walls project has transformed the city into a giant open-air gallery. 

Dozens of international and local artists have painted large-scale murals that celebrate social justice, diversity, and community can be found here. Definitely worth a look!

The High Museum of Art is Atlanta's premier art museum and a key player in the Southeastern U.S. art scene. 

It houses over 18,000 works, from Renaissance paintings to contemporary installations. In fact, the museum itself is an architectural landmark, with expansions by Richard Meier and Renzo Piano.

At 1,023 feet, this is the tallest building in Georgia and the Southeast U.S. It's known for its postmodern design and spire which lights up the Atlanta skyline (you really can’t miss it!).

Nope, that’s not a typo!

Originally built in 1929 as a lavish movie palace, the Fox Theatre is a blend of Islamic and Egyptian Revival architecture, with domes, minarets and opulent interiors. 

And if you ask us, it’s one of the most beautiful historic theaters in America.

If you’re an architecture fan, you’ll love this. 

Georgia Tech’s campus features a mix of cutting-edge modernist architecture and historic Southern brick buildings, giving a perfect blend of Southern Charm and contemporary design.

Not to get controversial, but Lemon pepper wings are arguably Atlanta’s most iconic dish, especially when ordered "lemon pepper wet". 

The wings gained cult status in pop culture thanks to mentions in shows like Atlanta and by the rapper Rick Ross.

From Busy Bee Café to Paschal’s, Atlanta is rich in soul food history, with restaurants that served both civil rights leaders and everyday locals. 

Staples like fried chicken, collard greens, and mac 'n' cheese are city classics (and sooo good for the soul).

If there is such a thing as too much soul food (I don’t think there is) you’ll be glad to know you can grab pretty much any other kind of cuisine in Atlanta. 

Atlanta’s Buford Highway is a 30-mile stretch packed with restaurants serving authentic cuisine from over 20 countries, including Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Chinese.

It’s a true international food corridor, so show up with your stomach empty!