Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Didn’t take long to go through, but it was kind of cool and worth the stop as we were walking through Midtown. The highlight was definitely seeing a real gold bar —and getting a bag of shredded money on the way out. Easy, free, interesting, and a good quick activity if you’re nearby.

Ever wondered where the magic money happens? The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta isn’t just a building—it’s basically the “Fort Knox” of the Southeast with a cooler lobby and less gold (but a lot more cash in motion). The place looks like it was designed to say, “Yes, we control the economy… and also have better landscaping than your apartment complex.” 🌳💵 The coolest part? The free Money Museum inside. You can see actual million-dollar displays (sadly, no “take a selfie holding it” option) and learn about how the financial system works. There’s also shredded money—literal buckets of it—which is the closest I’ve ever been to swimming in cash. The exhibits are surprisingly fun, even if you failed econ in college. Security is tight but friendly—think airport check-in but with people who actually smile. Whether you’re into finance, history, or just curious about where interest rates come from, this place is an underrated Atlanta gem. Bonus: you’ll leave feeling both smarter and slightly poorer, because you realize just how much money you don’t have. 💸

It is very interesting place. If you are a toddler you can get bored there’s not a lot of room to run around to be free. It is also cool to see the money overtime and the money running around into the electric forklift. (Review from a 8yo girl).

Really nice tour of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta today. We could tour the museum and cash Reserve where we saw the huge cow cash and how they count, package & destroy monies! You can also actually see the employees while in the count room. When we left to end the tour, the very sweet guard told us we could tell her to have allll of the bag of SHREDDED money given to the small bags. 😂😂😂 The Federal Reserve guards were so kind. We appreciated them. Thank you. They do not allow to take photography or video. It is free Monday-Friday, 9-4 pm with identification. If you carry a purse or camera you will get a free locker to have. Your car will park across so use coins or credit card.

We ended up visiting the Monetary Museum and it wasn't bad, kind of expected it to be bigger. It took about an hour to go through, that's with watching videos and reading through the exhibits. It was cool to see the area in the back that showed the packing and transport of the money, also it was cool to see a money cart that has $2.5 million in five dollar bills. In the lobby, they have souvenir bags of shredded currency that you can have. My daughter got a kick out of that.

I had no idea that there is a FREE museum inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. It's a small informative museum. All you need is a valid state ID for entrance, and you will be given a visitor's pass. Bo photography is allowed inside the museum. They also give shredded bills as a souvenir.

I took my 9 and 11 year olds to the free museum. Lockers are provided for purses/phones. A drivers license is required. The exhibits are REALLY well done. We spent about 1.5 hours learning about the US banking system, watched 2 videos, chatted with a worker there who explained more about the process and enjoyed watching the money counting and automatic money "busses" taking cash into the underground vault. It felt like a special day!

Chanced upon this en route to Margaret Mitchell house. I loved that it was free and there were cute souvenirs at the end to pick up. Educational and small enough to fit between other activities and sights in Atlanta.

This was my third Federal Reserve Bank visit. The nearest MARTA station was Midtown and the Bank was just a few minutes walk from it. You can combine the visit with the Margaret Mitchell House (think Gone With The Wind) across the street, if it's open. Security was strict due to this being a government building. Metal detector and bag scan mandatory. Government issued ID also had to be collected and checked before a temporary badge was issued. All bags had to be stored in lockers before entering the exhibit areas along with any electronic devices. No photos or videos were allowed except for what I took outside. In the main lobby with security I picked up a brochure on the Bank as well as my shredded currency souvenir bag. Don't forget to grab one! The exhibits started with the establishment, evolution and purpose of the Federal Reserve Bank. They also showed how the need for trade developed use of different forms of currency around the world from shells, gold, etc. The final exhibit was a "futuristic" interactive video on electronic payments. In the back were the windows into some of the activities that go on at the Bank. I thought the most interesting part was the currency scanning machines. If you get to visit the Dallas Federal Reserve you can see a lot more activities than here in Atlanta. There was a video room but could not get it to start so the Bank needed to do some maintenance.

They don't have a Monetary Museum of Atlanta, so onto the banks yelp page it is. My son and I had visited the Kansas City, MO Federal Reserve Bank last year. When I saw Atlanta had one too, I knew we had to make the stop while in the city. They had an area to store luggage. You also to check-in any backpacks you bring. I abided by the rule if not taking pictures, although I wish I could have taken a few shots. The interactive displays were really cool. I enjoyed being able to show my son how things have changed over the years. The one area that shows the money, check, credit, debt and ACH was pretty informative. I will say, the downfall was that some areas had technical issues and couldn't be heard clearly. The movie area wasn't working at all, which was a big of a bummer. It was a nice little visit though. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area.

My first Federal Reserve Bank, this is only one of twelve so I have some work ahead. They have an interesting monetary museum that goes through the history of money not just in the United States but throughout history. Security is a requirement - they have an xray machine for backpacks and a magnetometer, though you don't have to take off shoes or belt. Very interactive and the look through the very bulletproof glass of the money counting and the cash boxes was impressive. That was how many millions of money in that little trolley? Free samples of (shredded) money! I'll be busy for the next few weeks trying to glue it back together, mkay? Bummer - no pictures allowed. I snuck one of the F000000001A (F is the code for Atlanta) one dollar bill they had on display.

Just remember this one tip and it will help you in all your future endeavors. If you're going to enter any government building, make sure to bring a State ID, Drivers License or Passport. I thought that this was a given, but I was amazed at how many people were turned away for not bringing ID. Now on to my review... This was my first federal reserve bank visit, even though I know there's one in Chicago. It was educational and stuff and made me realize how I really know nothing about how our monetary system works. I was most impressed by seeing all the counterfeit money and the signs to tell if it was fake. I worked in retail for years and thought I had a good eye for a fake bill, but some of them were really impressive. They had a fun interactive game, where you get to be the bank manager. Not to brag, but I was an amazing bank manager and made lots of money for the bank. Overall, I think this would have been more fun had we had a tour guide leading us around. The self-guided tour was ok though and I'm glad we went. The only con was that they were out of shredded money though, so we went home without a souvenir :(

My boyfriend and I were in town for a few days and looking for something to do on our last day before flying out later in the afternoon. He saw this place and knows I love museums, and suggested we go here. It is open during the weekdays from 9-4pm and is free to the public, although you have to store all your items in a locker. No photographs allowed. Once we stored our stuff we made our way to the exhibit. There were a number of interactive things like films, different lighting on maps, feeling the weight of a gold bar, and looking at forged bills. The best part of the museum was watching the actual workers do stuff and see the machines move the money, and having the touch screens explain what each person or machine was doing. And then suddenly the museum ended! It was a bit abrupt. So, the museum is cool but on the small side. However its free, so you can't complain too much. However you CAN complain that there was NO SHREDDED MONEY! They did not give us any and I was very saddened by this.

There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks around the country. Only a few have a Monetary Museum. What is great is it is FREE!! You must go through a security check and have an official ID to get in. Also they STRICTLY FORBID photos inside, yet I see a few people posted them anyway. They have exhibits on how the economy works, the role of the Federal Reserve, Monetary Policy, payment systems, etc. There are lots of interactive exhibits. You can even lift a gold brick, value varies with the price of gold but it's sure the be the most money you have ever lifted in your life unless you have access to the crown jewels. Since I like coins, especially gold coins, I found the exhibit on the actual real US Gold coins minted here in Dahlonega, GA of great interest. Most people have no idea us gold coins were minted in Georgia. It was only for a few years in the 1850's but they are so rare I had never seen even one of them, yet they have ALL of them on display. Wow! You can also sit in a small theater and push a button and play a movie for you! Sometimes you will be the only one in there. You can also see a pallet loaded with $5 bills, all new in sheets in the lobby. Look through the windows and you can see these automated transport vehicles going around delivering loads of money to and from the storage area. You can often watch them shredding money too, but they don't do that all the time so you might not see that. You can though get free shredded money in little sacks in the lobby at the table. They have plenty of that, as they have to haul much of it to landfill. If you want something to do for a group or family without spending any money, here is one good option!

Metered street parking (costs us $4 worth of coins for 2hrs), stroller and wheel-chair friendly. When you arrive you first go through a security check. Next, head to the counter so they can check your driver's license in their system, give you a visitor's badge, and give a quick overview of the museum. Then head to the room where you lock your pocketbooks, bags, cell phones, food & drink (incl the baby's food & drink). Complimentary small and large lockers are available. Lock up and remove the key that's conventiently attached to a lanyard. A wheel chair was available for use also housed in the room with the lockers. If you need to feed your baby or give them a drink, you have to do it in the lobby outside the museum area. I have a 19month old and had to put her straw cup in the locker. It's fine to wear hats (my dad and I both wore hats and did not have to remove them). No photography allowed. It's a free self-guided tour with interactive exhibits. Interesting sites: There's a game where you role-play as the banker, business, or consumer (my 7yr old, mom, and I played it); a display showing the history of money beginning with bartering; a hard-times coin, 1/2 penny, bills of higher denominations on display; the area where they handle the bills; and the temporary redline exhibit. At the end of your visit, collect free maps, post cards, and free bags of shredded money. A really great educational experience for us all, especially my homeschooled 7yr old and mom who collects old coins!

(3.75 stars) The circumstances which made us unplanned visitors to the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank border upon comical. We were walking toward the Margaret Mitchell house, wanting nothing more than to view it from the outside. At the precise moment that our cellphone GPS's told us that we had passed the Mitchell house by a half-block, the clouds opened and rain arrived in buckets. Not being my first visit to Atlanta in the Summer, I know that such abrupt shifts in the weather were typical. What I didn't know was where to seek shelter from this torrential downpour. We ran to the Federal Reserve Bank building as fast as our footing on the wet sidewalks would allow, with no intention of venturing beyond the sanctuary of their entry foyer until the rains subsided. Once inside, however, it became apparent that the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank was an attraction in its own right. In fact, it was a good attraction-- interesting and informative. Each of us received a small plastic bag of shredded currency, and with it the stark realization that there isn't enough scotch tape in creation to bring it back to life; it does make an interesting keepsake. We would later see the currency shredding operation in action. At various displays we viewed the evolution of coinage, across the ages and around the world, saw historic and world currency, and so much more. The highlights for us, however, were the interactive simulations of monetary policy and banking and lending. It is all quite impressive, enjoyable and-- for the first time in our Atlanta vacation-- absolutely free. Seeing the sun once again pour through the windows, we said goodbye to the Fed, and continued our walk. The Margaret Mitchell house is diagonally across the street, and from the outside, nothing much to see.

This review, like most if not all the others, is for the Monetary Museum of Atlanta, not the Federal Reserve Bank. This listing title probably needs to be changed. I suspect that some of the positive reviews were written after having taken the guided tour. Maybe not. In any case, I found the museum somewhat disappointing as a walk-in visitor. First off, I have to say this about the process. It's a federal building, and a bank full of money, so you go through a metal detector and x-ray and then get signed in (ID required) to receive a visitor badge. That's all fine. But they also want you to not take photos and are so firm on that rule that they insist you lock up your cell phone in one of their lockers. OK, that's fine too, I guess. Now, you'd think they'd be used to people having to do this (cell phone quarantine), given they actually invite people to come to their museum. So is the place to lock up your cell phone clearly marked? No, it is not. I was directed to go to my left, "past the christmas tree". That's it. However, over past the tree and around the corner, are a couple of phones and three doors. Two are clearly labeled as restrooms. The third is labeled as a storage/locker. I don't know about you, but in buildings where I'm just a visitor, i tend to think they don't want me in their storage rooms. I see no signs saying something like 'Lock up your cell phones here'. Having no obvious other options, I open the storage room door actually expecting it to be locked itself. No, inside are a few small keyed lockers, along with a bunch of other crap being stored. It is, in fact, a storage room. How hard is it to put up a proper sign, or at least tell people to go into the storage room? Not a good start. The museum itself is just OK. I saw a few interesting exhibits concerning the history of money and a nice display of all the gold coins minted in Dahlonega. The rest was not too interesting to me - a lot of them trying to explain basic monetary economics and the function of the Federal Reserve Bank, both subjects requiring quite a bit more finesse in my opinion. Two exhibits kind of rankled me, one because I'm an engineer and one because I don't like propaganda. One talking display suggested that while the Federal Reserve is an independent agency, it is still accountable ... to the people it serves (meaning American citizens). OK, just how exactly is it accountable? Right, it isn't. Mind you, I'm not making any statement pro or con as to how the Fed does its job, just saying we have no say in it other than to elect the president and senators that appoint/confirm the members. Once seated, the board members pretty much do whatever the hell they want for as long as their term lasts. It would be nice if the museum did not try to convince people otherwise. The second was an exhibit meant to illustrate how much a bar of gold weighs. The bar is inside a display on a shelf that can be raised using a lever attached to the display. But unless you're cognizant of the lever arm acting on the shelf, you really don't get a sense of how much it weighs. I think they could have designed it so that you get a clear sense of the weight. Not sure how you get a bag of shredded money. None was offered to me. There was no one in the museum, in fact. Just the two federal reserve officers out front. It's free, so I can't complain too much, but I think if you're not going inside their operations on a guided tour, it's a waste of time.

I haven't been in the building yet, but promise to go one day soon. This review is about the lawn... it's the most beautiful perfect lawn in all Midtown. Thank you! And my dog says thank you too :-)

First dork reaction to Yelp page: Ahhh why is this under banks and credit unions? The only real use it should have on Yelp is for the badass money museum. The general public can't use it as a bank...unless suddenly there are banks using Yelp. Okay so anyway, I love this museum, because I am a dork. Monetary policy is my favorite aspect of economics, so I am a huge fan of the Schoolhouse Rock wannabe video on how it works. Except on my last visit, the second half was broken. Of course it's all super basic, and still doesn't particularly explain that much, although I suppose that would be too much for a museum. My second favorite thing are the robots that move the money about in the cash processing area. They are all named for presidents on Federal Reserve Notes (Sorry, I am feeling ~fancy~), but in cutsy shortened nicknames. Andy is my personal favorite. I could watch them go back and forth all day long. The history of currencies is pretty awesome too. I had no idea until today actually that Hungary had godawful inflation post-World War II. I mean, you expected inflation after a war right, but not to the point you can see a 100 QUINTILLION Pengo bill tacked up here. And you thought Zimbabwe before they suspended their currency was bad. I would also like to mention I drove the people with me crazy once by having to listen to a lady from the "future" describe every way I could possibly pay for something. I love the Federal Reserve Police, by the way. Once walking by, we saw a guy going into the bushes to do some business. Little did he know the entire place has cameras on it, and two cops were right there. When we told them, they cracked up, basically just because of the fact no matter what, dude is on camera. Anyway, they are always really friendly, and you should be friendly too because they have access to large guns. Ladies, you cannot take your purse into the museum usually (or this might be new, I've been 3 times and this is the only time I've had to do this), but they have lockers you can use. You have to go through a metal detector to get in and you have to wear a sweet visitors badge during your stay, but it's all worth it in the name of economics! And don't forget your bag of money confetti. The museum is open every weekday.

Hey guys. Ever want to have your conspiracy theories proven, disproven, then proven again in the same day? ...then the Federal Reserve Museum is the place for you! Seriously though, the Fed Res Museum is a pretty interesting and educational place. Learn about the history of money and how the Federal Reserve System works. Then go home and read George Orwell. Bonus: Robots!!! Free bags of money!!!!

Went with a group tour. This is really amazing to see. The process of getting through security is a little intimidating but the people are great. Not often if you're asked if you have a gun or knife. But the security part is quick and easy. The building is masculine and very nice. The cash rooms are pretty amazing all the currency being counted and packaged, counted and processed to send back out to banks as needed. They shred $14M a day and it's sold to be recycled into jeans and other apparel product. You can ask them all kinds of questions about security and how the currency is handled. It's worth the time!

I really liked this place for a variety of reasons. We came about 15 min before closing and had the place to ourselves. The Federal Reserve police were extremely nice and friendly, but the security measures are pretty strict, understandably. The museum isn't big (it is a bank after all)- but there are a lot of interesting things on display, and I liked the short history and lessons on the economy and federal reserve. For what it was, they did an excellent job on presentation. I especially enjoyed the free money bag (shredded money unfortunately), and the quiz/game thingy, where I spent the majority of my time trying to prove to myself I was smart and money savvy. Oh, and it's free so i definitely liked that.

There is a great free self guided tour at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta. I had a little time to kill before I had to go to the airport and after I saw a banner advertising this free tour, I decided to go inside. The staff is friendly and there is a lot of great information about how the Federal Reserve was created and how it is run.

I really enjoy the museum here. Very, very cool. See how far money has come and the different things used as currency. Also, you get to see robots handling money and such. There are interactive activities as well. AAAAhhhhh I love gazing at money. You can tour during the week during regular business hours. You only get a tour guide if you are with a group; otherwise you can just walk through on your own. You need your driver's license and leave your gun at home when you go. I was here for Evening with the Fed last night. I enjoyed appetizers (the crab dip was delicious), a salad, a meal of baked chicken with a peppercorn cheese topping, mashed potatoes, and green beans, along with my choice of white or red wine. Afterwards, a strawberry and yellow cake with coffee was served. I would like to go on my own time and really enjoy the museum at my own pace. They have some interesting art on the walls as you walk to the museum and I want to explore other areas of the building (like the vault). Oh, and don't think you're going to make any kinds of deposits or withdrawals. It's not that kind of party good people!

Education full steam ahead! Have you ever took the tour at the Federal Reserve Museum Bank? If not, you should. Last week my Homeschool group had the pleasure of visiting the museum for one of our field trips. The tours start promptly so you need to get there a little early to get situated. You can call and get information about their tour schedule. When you show up it's best to walk in hands free if you can. They do a thorough search so carrying less is best. Our tour guides name was Kim who is the director of the tour program. She was very helpful, insightful and made the whole experience fun for the kids. They all learned so much and now have a better understanding of how our money is handled at the Federal Reserve. They learned the many different ways money is exchanged. They learned and the difference between money being made and money being printed. They even learned how to identify what district money came from. They were all given a quiz that they had to take around the museum and find the answers on displays by pushing buttons, pulling levers, and using maps. It was a great experience all around. The tour lasts about an hour so it might not be the best thing for children younger than 8.

The US Federal Reserve gives away free bags of money here! Do I have your attention now? Be forewarned, I'm a banking nerd. When I was working on my MA in economics, I visited the California Science Center across the street from campus and was in hog heaven in their economics buildings. Unfortunately, that permanent exhibit is now permanently gone. I also miss that the newly designed bills no longer have the regional FRB letter. Take a look at a one dollar bill and the letter F corresponds to Atlanta. Emphasis is placed on currency circulation and check clearing. The third key function of the Federal Reserve, monetary policy, was given a smaller role. There is a window into actual Fed operations. On display are very clean retired old bills and coins. There is an exhibit that compares real notes to counterfeits. You wouldn't think there is that much interesting information about currency, but there is. Since the building has floors and floors of cash, security is stiff. Be prepared for a metal detector, having your ID recorded, and checking your belongings in a locker. They keep an assault rifle behind the information desk, so you know they're serious. Regarding my opening comment about the free money, that really is true. Unfortunately, the money has been shredded.

Fun way to spend some time downtown. The bags of shredded money are a nice souvenir, too. The museum gives you some insight on what the federal reserve does, too.

This place is amazing! On my last day in Atlanta I decided to check this place out and I was so happy I did! Not only is this place free but it is a super cool museum with a ton of interesting interactive games and exhibits. Just be prepared to have a government photo ID with you. Once you go through the metal detectors (which was quick and painless) you can check in at the front desk with your ID and you are given a visitors badge. They have free lockers (to put your belongings, like cell phones and such) which are easily accessible right near the restrooms. Also I was able to get free bags of shredded money (right next to the maps and free postcards). Love that! You can easily spend an hour here or more. I found the interactive games to be really fun especially since the topic of the Fed and the monetary policy can sometimes be such a snoozefest. Since this place is located near the MARTA its easily accessible. If you're in the Midtown area or looking for a free museum to go to escape the awful summer heat --- this would be the one!

You can probably tour the whole FRB in less than an hour, depending on how much you read & if you watch the 13 minute Video on Money. But Its right across the street from a food spot where you can park @ for $2 an/hr & its right down the street from Ponce where tourist & locals both hang out @. Anyways, @ The FRB you are able to feel the weight of a brick made of gold, you can see the workers counting bricks of paper $5 bills & $10 dollar bills. You can see different currency's, greenbacks money, $100,000 bills $ 500,000 bills that were limited in circulation! It's cool & something interesting to go & observe considering ITS FREE Admin & your life consist of this $ on the daily basis. Oh, & theres also a Futuristic Teller there that welcomes you to the year 2020 & is quite surprised she can't identify your Retina & notices your are not micro-chipped implanted. :O)

What information. I love looking at money and learning about it. Money changes and will be so diff by the time I die. It's free to walk threw and you can get a bag of money lol!

It was really fun to see and learn about how money is made in the United States. You get a history of banking and money making in the US, and walk through an interesting exhibit. It's pretty small, and has heavy security, but it's an interesting place to visit. Good to visit if you have a free hour downtown.

I'm very upset I can't see the Federal Reserve bank. I even came early to my interview with a company to see it. I have an implanted brain stimulator and there was no option for a non-wand, non-metal detector screening. Since it is not covered by my insurance I cannot take a chance. There needs to be an option like at Airports for people with disabilities.

I can't believe I had never visited this place before. I was researching free things to do in Atlanta that would be somewhat good for a date, and voila! This turned out to be one of the best free tours I've ever taken. For one thing, the grounds and the building itself is hugely impressive, a huge marble monolith that's truly a monument to money. This carries over to the inside, where you pass through a metal detector before being given (somewhat) free-reign to explore the monetary museum. You first pass through a room that goes through a brief history of money and also has several interactive displays explaining what federal reserves do. Then you pass through a room where you can look in on actual reserve workers loading thousands and thousands of dollars into a shredder. My date and I lamented on how nice of a dinner (or car) we could've bought with the stacks of tattered money we saw being destroyed over the course of a couple minutes. Anyways, the tour then leads into another interactive module, this time you get to play lender, and approve or deny loans for your bank. The tour is rounded off with a video and on your way out, you can even collect a bag of shredded singles to bring home as a memento.

A must-see if you're doing a day in downtown Atlanta. Nice tour/museum. The Federal reserve cops are nice. You get to see robots moving piles of cash. What's not to like?

This is free, right in the middle of all the action that is Peachtree and 10th and next to Margaret Mitchell House if you want to turn this into a day of sightseeing. I was in and out of here in 45 minutes due to lack of time - they do close at 4pm - but if you enjoy monetary policy, government role, banking, business, economy etc then you've arrived at the right place. Lots of info and very interactive. I found the speed processing system at the very end of the museum quite fascinating. Remember to look up at the ceiling and see the number of security cameras they've got!! This is also the only space in the museum you can somewhat peek into whats happening at the FRB and how money gets transported/counted. Definitely worth a visit. You are not allowed to take bags and phones with you inside the museum and even if you do, no photos or video at all. They do have a security check at the entrance so don't carry anything they can consider a safety hazard.