CNN NewsStand — Attraction in College Park

The CNN Center in Atlanta, once a bustling hub of global news, has undergone significant changes in recent years. While it no longer serves as CNN’s headquarters, its legacy and architectural features continue to attract visitors.

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🏢 Overview

Established in 1987, the CNN Center was the nerve center for CNN’s operations until 2024. Located adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, the building was notable for its massive atrium, diverse food court, and the iconic CNN Studio Tour. In 2024, the facility was rebranded as “The Center” following CNN’s relocation to its original Techwood campus in Midtown Atlanta . 

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🎥 CNN Studio Tour (Now Closed)

The CNN Studio Tour offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of broadcast journalism. Highlights included: • A ride on the world’s longest freestanding escalator, stretching 196 feet and ascending eight stories. • Demonstrations of Chroma key technology and teleprompters. • Observations of live broadcasts from a glass-walled viewing gallery.   

However, the tour received mixed reviews. Some visitors appreciated the insights into news production, while others felt the experience was underwhelming and outdated . The tour was permanently closed in March 2020 .   

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🍽️ Dining and Amenities

The Center’s atrium houses a variety of dining options, including Chick-fil-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Starbucks. Its proximity to attractions like State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium makes it a convenient spot for meals before or after events . 

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🏗️ Recent Developments

After CNN’s departure, CP Group acquired the building in 2021 and initiated renovations to modernize the space . Notably, the iconic escalator was removed in February 2025 as part of these renovations. 

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📝 Final Thoughts

While the CNN Center no longer functions as a media headquarters, its historical significance and central location in downtown Atlanta continue to make it a point of interest. Visitors can still explore the building’s public spaces and enjoy its dining options, all while reflecting on its rich history in...

I had to travel to ATL for my husbands funeral and unfortunately passed by this newstand to get food and water before getting on the plane with my underage daughter. I have never been treated like I was treated at the CNN Newstand in ATL Airport. This lady on the photo above was extremely rude and condescending. She was helping someone go to another register, I thought she was leaving, and I said I just wanted to pay for the stuff I had on the counter already. She side eyed me and said, "I'll get to help you when I finish with him that he got here first." The tone and side eye roll made me uncomfortable, and it was unnecessary. The interaction didn't get better after that. She was on the phone on speaker with her man talking about us. My sister says "wow I didn't know Atlanta treated ppl like this." She then said, "Oh no, you have to go to another store" in the middle of ringing up the stuff, plus the whole interaction was disrespectful on her behalf. The fact that she was rude and condescending and then thought we were disrespecting her! Was mind-blowing! We informed her that people in New York would never treat people from Atlanta like this. Especially knowing someone came for a funeral. But that was the only store in the area where our flight was, plus they were already boarding!! Im sry but that store stand doesn't need workers like that!!! She shouldn't be in customer service at all. She needs to be in a stock room piling wood, not dealing with people at ALL. She has no people skills or any sign of compassion, intelligence, or understanding. She was absolutely just rude. She just didn't care to treat us and disrespect us that way in front of a little girl who just lost her father and came for literally one day to say her final goodbye is so sad. Airports hold so many stories on why ppl are traveling and the workers should have better communication and ppl skills. Sadly, not everyone is fit for that position. You'll lose lots of business with someone with that attitude in life. She's the disappointment of that...

I think the persons name that DID NOT help me is Tanisha or something like that. She is rude and lazy. I was ready to check out but she refused to check me out and said I had to go to the self serve check out. So I stood in that line for 12 min only to find out that the self check out doesn't accept cash which is how I planned on paying. There was another person who was "working" and said I need to go to the cashier to check out since I have cash. I went back to the original lazy rude person who refused to help me and asked her why she made me go stand in line for 12 min for nothing? I asked her if I could check out at the register and she said no. That's why I went to self checkout. She could have checked me out but she was lazy or racist. I told her I stood in the other line for nothing since it doesnt accept cash. Even though she could have checked me out she chose not to. I said I have cash. Why did you send me to the wrong line. She said its because I didn't tell her I had cash?? How was I supposed to know I had to inform her of my payment method. I just asked of I could check out. She was rude, unprofessional, unapologetic began smirking and mumbling something to the other employee. I told her I was going to file a complaint and she just laughed....