In the central atrium of the Georgia Aquarium, you feel less like you’ve entered a museum and more like you’ve stepped into a futuristic space terminal. The floor shimmers with ocean hues, soft blue lighting sets the mood, and signs guide visitors toward exhibits like Sharks!, Dolphin Coast, and River Scout, as well as cafés and theaters. From the very first steps, the design immerses you in a vast underwater world.
The aquarium opened in 2005, instantly becoming the largest in the world — a title it held until 2012 when newer facilities in Singapore and China surpassed it. Construction cost about $290 million, funded largely by Bernard Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot, who gifted it to the city for his 75th birthday. The building spans over 50,000 square meters and holds 10 million gallons of water — that’s more than 37 million liters.
The true stars of the aquarium are the whale sharks — the only place in the United States where you can see them. To house these gentle giants, engineers built a tank the size of a football field, with advanced filtration and current systems that replicate the open ocean.
Some fascinating facts: – Building the aquarium required 61 freight trains of equipment and materials. – Its custom filtration system processes millions of gallons of water daily. – The Cold Water Quest exhibit is home to beluga whales, brought here from facilities in Canada and Russia. – Wave and current simulators inside the tanks help fish maintain natural behaviors. – Ticket revenue supports not only operations but also global conservation programs, from coral restoration to saving penguins in South Africa.
More than just an attraction, the Georgia Aquarium has become a symbol of Atlanta’s transformation — a city once built on railroads and industry, now redefining itself through culture, education, and a commitment to protecting the natural world.
Atlanta began as a modest railway stop — the end of the line that unexpectedly grew into the South’s busiest hub. The city was burned to the ground during the Civil War, yet out of the ashes rose a bold, industrious Atlanta. This is the birthplace of Coca-Cola, the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement, and home to the largest Black middle class in the United States. Few cities embody change and resilience the way Atlanta does.
At the heart of downtown lies Pemberton Place, a cultural crossroads where three icons stand side by side: the vast Georgia Aquarium, the playful World of Coca-Cola, and the moving Center for Civil and Human Rights. A short walk from the parking lot takes you past fountains and green lawns straight into this vibrant trio.
The Georgia Aquarium is breathtaking in scale — the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Its glass tunnel immerses you in the deep, as whale sharks and graceful manta rays glide overhead, surrounded by a dazzling cast of marine life. The highlight for many visitors is the dolphin presentation in the “Ocean Theater,” a show where science and spectacle merge to reveal the intelligence and energy of these remarkable animals.
The World of Coca-Cola tells another side of Atlanta’s story. From Dr. John Pemberton’s original pharmacy syrup to a brand recognized by billions, the museum traces the evolution of a cultural icon. Visitors marvel at the legendary vault said to guard the secret formula, and the experience ends in the famous tasting room — more than 100 flavors from 40 countries. From familiar Fanta and Sprite to exotic drinks that spark delight or surprise, every sip is part of a global journey that began right here in Atlanta.
