Atlanta Entertainment

Pullman Yards Atlanta: Ultimate First Timer’s Guide

pullman yards atlanta - ultimate guide

Pullman Yards in Atlanta is more than a historical site – there’s dining, skating and so much more. Check out this first timer’s guide!

Where is Pullman Yards located? 

The location itself is in the Atlanta neighborhood of Kirkwood and is known formally as Pratt-Pullman Yard, and it consists of more than 10 buildings that encompass 153,000 square feet.

What is the history of Atlanta’s Pullman Yards?

It was originally built in 1904 as a facility for the processing of sugar and fertilizer, during WWI. After some time, it was put to use in the development and patenting of liquid carbonated gasses, which were eventually acquired by The Coca-Cola Company while the company was still in the startup phase. In 1926, the Pullman Company made the purchase, after which they expanded the property and gave it its now-famous name.

Where does “Pullman Yards” Get its name? 

Pullman was well-known for providing luxurious train travel across the country, and the company used the location to repair passenger and cargo cars. During the time of segregation, the Pullman company was one of the most significant employers of African American men in the form of the Pullman Porters. These men established the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids, which is recognized as the first African American labor union in the United States to be recognized by the American Federation of Labor. The union was established by civil rights activist A. Phillip Randolph with the goal of enhancing the working conditions and overall treatment of African American railroad porters and maids who were employed by the Pullman Company in various locations across the country.

What movies were filmed at Pullman Yards?

Recent science fiction movies such as “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” and “Baby Driver,” which received a lot of positive feedback from critics, all used this location as a setting for some of their scenes. 

Is Pullman Yards on the National Register of Historic Places?

Despite the fact that it had been severely neglected for a number of years prior to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, it received this honor in 2009. It was given the status of a local landmark in the year 2016.

What is there to do in Pullman Yards? 

Ice Skating at Pullman Yards Atlanta

Skating – there’s a roller skating rink that turns into an ice skating rink in the winter but it is made of Glice. Glice is eco-friendly, synthetic ice. Skate outdoors even if it’s 85 degrees.

Ice skating is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is $15 for adults and $12 for kids 5 & under, including rental skates. The rink is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with last rentals one hour before closing time. On Friday and Saturdays, there is a special adult skate for those 16+ from 8 to 11 p.m. 

Stranger Things Experience in Atlanta!

Stranger Things Experience is in Atlanta for a limited time

If you’ve seen all the fun pictures from the Stranger Things experience that is at the end of the experience. We couldn’t take pictures inside the actual experience which was a series of rooms that you and your teammates (you are divided into 3 groups) and must your way out of using your “mental powers”. In the back and behind the scenes are your favorite Strange Things characters like Dustin, Max, Mike and of course Eleven. We loved that the characters were included in our experience! This is a must for any stranger things fan!!

Buy Tickets to Stranger Things Experience before it leaves Atlanta

Where is there to eat and drink at Pullman Yards in Atlanta?

There are food trucks that are often found but not guaranteed. What I loved was the Marshmallow Bar (on site truck with drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). I highly recommend getting a drink and a marshmallow to roast at the adjacent fire pit. So fun!

Roast some marshmallows – have a warm adult beverage at the Marshmallow bar!

There’s also a movie themed restaurant on site called Dailies and Sides. They have director chairs at some of the tables and they play old movies. Plus, even the name Dailies and Sides is an homage to movies, with “Dailies” meaning in relation to the film industry – the raw unedited footage shot that day and “Sides” meaning the pages of a script shot that day. Cool huh?They have incredible cocktails and ode to Coca Cola or not, we’re obsessed with their Coca-cola sauced wings!

Dailies and Sides is a movie themed restaurant in Pullman Yards Atlanta

Parking at Pullman Yards in Atlanta

Even though it is only a gravel lot, you’ll have to pay to park. When we visited it worked out to be about $7 an hour which is a bit on the pricey side, but there isn’t much parking around. So make the most out of your time at Pullman Yards

Buy Tickets to Stranger Things Experience before it leaves Atlanta

Pullman Yards in Atlanta is more than a historical site – there’s dining, skating and so much more. We hope this first timer’s guide has been helpful!

About the author

Malika Bowling

Malika is the author of several books including Culinary Atlanta: Guide to the Best Restaurants, Markets, Breweries and More! and the founder of Roamilicious. She is also a Digital Marketing and Social Media Consultant. Follow us @Roamilicious on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for the content not shared on the blog. And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter (subscribe box below) and never miss a contest, giveaway or the latest must visit restaurant!