Here Are 10 Historic Olympic Venues In Georgia You Can Still Visit Today
By Marisa Roman|Updated on May 22, 2024(Originally published July 21, 2021)
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
Hosting the Olympics is a huge honor, and the competition to host the games is almost Olympics-level in itself! While all of Georgia’s architecture is incredible, today we’re looking at a few venues from the most recent Olympic games in Atlanta that you can still visit today. Some remain open; others have since closed; and a few others have transformed into something new entirely. The Olympics had a massive impact on Atlanta, and it’s incredible to look at each of the buildings used to host this global event. In fact, many of these sporting venues were built from scratch, just for the purpose of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia! Let’s take a look:
1. Alexander Memorial Coliseum
Alexander Memorial Coliseum, 965 Fowler St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
The Alexander Memorial Coliseum was the Olympic spot in 1996 for the boxing tournament. It held up to 10,000 people for each event. While you can still visit the Coliseum, it has gone through over $45 million in renovations in 2010 and is now called the McCamish Pavilion. Today, it is the home of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball and Yellow Jackets women's basketball teams.
This tennis stadium was once a vibrant, thriving spot where some of the greatest in the sport gathered to play. It was also the iconic place where Andre Agassi and Lindsay Davenport won gold for America. Today, however, the courts lay in ruins, with chains up along the fences, and overgrown weeds reaching through the cracks of the clay.
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3. Georgia Tech Aquatic Center
Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center, 750 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center now goes by the name of Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center. The Aquatic Center was built specifically for the 1996 Olympics and cost $16.8 million to build. During the games, it featured competitions in swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, and water polo. Today, this building on Georgia Tech's campus offers fitness programs, competitive sports, aquatic programs, outdoor recreation, and more.
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4. Georgia World Congress Center
Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is a convention center and exhibition space in Atlanta that hosts millions of people every year. During the Olympics in 1996, it hosted handball, fencing, judo, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. Although a tornado tore through the convention center in 2008, the building was rebuilt. Today, the GCWW continues to be one of the country's premier destinations for conventions, trade shows, film production, and much more.
Centennial Olympic Stadium is a place with quite a past. In 1996, Centennial Olympic Stadium was built and it became the center staple for the entire Summer Olympics. After the Olympics, however, the stadium turned into Turner Field and became the home of the Atlanta Braves. In 2017, Turner Field was sold to Georgia State University, and today it serves as the home of the Georgia State Panthers college football team.
The Georgia Dome was constructed a few years prior to the Olympics with the purpose of hosting athletic events. However, it was a main staple during the 1996 Olympics. Half of the arena hosted the Olympic basketball competitions, while the other half hosted the artistic gymnastics events and team handball. Demolished in 2017, its successor, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was built adjacent to the south and opened on Aug. 26, 2017.
7. Clayton County International Park
Clayton County International Park, 2300 Hwy 138 SE, Jonesboro, GA 30236, USA
Within this beautiful park in Georgia, you'll find the beach volleyball courts which were built for the 1996 Olympics. You can still play on those same courts today, as well as enjoy sun, surf, and sand at the park. This hidden gem beach is really something!
Many Georgians visit Lake Lanier each year to vacation along the beautiful shores. However, most don't know that this great lake was home to the sprint canoeing and rowing events during the 1996 Summer Olympics. While you can't climb the finish tower, you can certainly photograph it from afar at this gorgeous Georgia beach!
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9. Georgia International Horse Park
Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy NE, Conyers, GA 30013, USA
Throughout the entirety of the 1996 Olympics, more than half a million people visited the Georgia International Horse Park. This scenic venue hosted events in equestrian, mountain biking, and positions of the pentathlon. Today, you can still catch a race at the Georgia International Horse Park, as well as concerts and other special events.
During the 1996 Olympics, Stone Mountain not only hosted tennis, but also archery and track cycling. While both the archery and cycling tracks are overgrown now, they have become park of the Songbird Habitat Trail, which you can still hike today. Stone Mountain as a whole is also one of the best campgrounds in the Peach State, too!
Do you remember the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia? Did you attend any of the events in person, or know anyone who did? Have you visited any or all of these Olympic venues in Atlanta? Share your memories and experiences in the comments section below – we would love to hear them!
Speaking of history, Georgia is full of it! Check out some of our favorite historical mills on your own on a road trip, explore some neat historical sites in one of our most historic small towns, or jump on board a unique guided history tour. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to learn and experience something new!
