Georgia

My first trip to the Georgia State Capitol was a lesson in making sure you prepare ahead of time when visiting state capitols.

The Georgia State Capitol building is located in downtown Atlanta close to the I-85 Downtown Connector. There is a lot going on there, so knowing what you are going to do ahead of time is not a bad idea.

I used the 254 Capitol Avenue SW parking lot, which is easy access and within walking distance of the capitol. Learn more about the Georgia State Capitol and plan your visit.

I drove through Atlanta during the 2021 road trip swing through the U.S. Southwest hoping to make a quick visit. This was early in my quest to visit all state capitols, so simply being there was the lower bar I met at the time.

Having already visited several state capitols, I was used to a certain amount of accessibility. Most capitols, even when closed, have surrounding grounds that remain accessible outside of business hours.

This is not true for the Georgia State Capitol. In 2020, the state installed an 8-foot tall iron fence around the capitol building, turning it into a fortress. Because nothing says “welcoming democracy” like a prison yard vibe. I found this profoundly sad. This was reportedly in response to civil unrest in Atlanta protesting the extrajudicial deaths of black people* around that time. After walking around a bit to see if there was any open gate to the grounds, I gave up and went on to Alabama.

In August 2022, I stayed in Atlanta and worked in my company’s new office for a couple of days. I took a day off, which gave me an opportunity to see the city and try again to visit the capitol.

I got in this time but did not get pictures of the Georgia General Assembly chambers (the Assembly consists of the Senate and House of Representatives). The capitol is also home to the Georgia Governor.

The Georgia State Capitol grounds do have memorials honoring men with secessionist or racist views rooted in the Confederacy. Remembering the Civil War and Confederacy is vital to us understanding our past, however unpleasant, and not repeating it. But honoring the ideas the Confederacy fought for is not acceptable to me and I will not honor them here.   

In contrast, the Georgia State Capitol also has memorials former President Jimmy Carter and former governor Ellis Arnall. Though his presidency was not fondly remembered, Carter used it as a stepping stone to an impactful life of service. Arnall helped lead efforts to abolish the poll tax and was a proponent of civil rights.

*I am keeping this vague intentionally because this is a travel website, and these deaths are covered extensively elsewhere. I believe firmly that all people deserve to live in peace and prosperity in a country that adheres to rule of law, due process, and basic human rights applied equally for everyone regardless of race, gender, identity, or ability. Annie All Around is an inclusive site. If you need a reminder, please refer to Rules of the Road.

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