College Football Hall of Fame opens to the public

ATLANTA, Ga. — A new destination and tourist attraction in downtown Atlanta is now welcoming its first guests.

The College Football Hall of Fame opened to the public Saturday morning.

The hall sits next to the Georgia World Congress Center and CNN Center, in what used to be a parking lot on Marietta Street.

Tickets are about $20 dollars for adults, and cheaper for kids and students.

Of the first 600 fans through the doors, there were fans from Chicago, California and Alabama.

The city said it is just another attraction and crown jewel to making downtown a destination.

One football fan from Evanston, Illinois, changed his family's vacation once he heard the hall was opening Saturday morning.

"We had plans in Kentucky today, cancelled everything, stayed here overnight and made sure we were in line this morning to get in here," he said.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said that is exactly what he hopes happens when people visit the city.

The College Football Hall of Fame joins the nearby Georgia Aquarium, world of Coca Cola, and new National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

"That they have amazing attractions to keep them in the city for just a little bit longer," Reed said.

The College Football Hall of Fame is a college football fan's fantasy, giving them an up close look at trophies, a chance to kick a field goal, even taking them to the ESPN college game day set.

It includes interactive screens where people can learn about different hall of fame inductee classes, among other exhibits and hands-on activities.

WSBTV