After two years of canceled plans and waiting for the stars to finally align, we were on our way to Europe.
Since our international flight departed from Atlanta in the evening, we decided to turn travel day into part of the adventure rather than spend it waiting around the airport. We drove down the day before, spent the night in the city, and packed our departure day full of exploring. The goal was simple: keep ourselves busy, wear ourselves out, and hopefully sleep through the overnight flight across the Atlantic.
When we woke up the next morning, our corner hotel room offered sweeping views of downtown Atlanta. I had driven through the city countless times over the years, usually focused on navigating the traffic and getting to wherever I was headed next. This time was different. For the first time, Atlanta wasn’t just a stop along the way—it was the place where our family’s long-awaited international adventure would finally begin.
One Day in Atlanta
- Exploring the Georgia Aquarium
- A Visit to the World of Coca-Cola
- Visiting the National Center of Civil and Human Rights
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
- One Day in Atlanta Travel Tips
Exploring the Georgia Aquarium
Our first stop of the day was the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the United States and one of the largest in the world. With more than 11 million gallons of water and thousands of marine animals, it is easy to spend hours wandering through its exhibits.
The aquarium is divided into several themed galleries, each designed to immerse visitors in a different part of the underwater world. Massive viewing windows and walk-through tunnels make it feel as though you are stepping directly into the ocean alongside the animals.
One of our first stops was the predator exhibit, where sharks glided effortlessly through schools of smaller fish. We then made our way to see the beluga whales, whose bright white coloring makes them look almost unreal. They seemed just as interested in the visitors as we were in them, repeatedly swimming up to the glass to inspect the crowds gathered around their habitat.
Another highlight was the giant Pacific octopus. We watched as it slowly made its way across the tank, its tentacles flowing gracefully over the glass. It was fascinating to see such an intelligent creature up close, especially knowing that octopuses are known for solving puzzles and opening containers.
I had never heard of sea dragons before visiting the aquarium, but they quickly became one of my favorite discoveries of the day. These relatives of the seahorse use delicate leaf-like appendages to blend seamlessly into underwater vegetation, making them look more like floating seaweed than animals.
Our daughter’s favorite exhibit was the penguin habitat. Visitors can crawl into a clear viewing tube that places them right in the middle of the colony. The penguins seemed just as curious about us as we were about them, following our movements and investigating the strange humans who had suddenly appeared in their world.
The true showstopper of the aquarium, however, is the enormous Ocean Voyager exhibit. Standing in front of the massive viewing window feels like looking into another world. Thousands of fish move through the water alongside graceful manta rays, enormous whale sharks, and a beloved sea turtle named Tank. Watching these giants glide silently through the water was one of those moments that makes you stop talking and simply stare in awe.
The Georgia Aquarium was the perfect way to begin our day in Atlanta. It offered a chance to slow down, marvel at the incredible diversity of life beneath the waves, and share a few unforgettable moments before the adventure ahead.
A Visit to the World of Coca-Cola
Located right next to the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola celebrates the history of one of the world’s most recognizable brands.
Coca-Cola’s story began in Atlanta in 1886 when pharmacist John Pemberton created the drink and served it at a local pharmacy soda fountain. What started as a medicinal tonic has since grown into a global brand sold in more than 200 countries around the world.
As we made our way through the museum, we learned about the evolution of Coca-Cola from its early days to the present. One of the most interesting displays explored the creation of the iconic glass bottle. Designers wanted a bottle so distinctive that people could recognize it instantly—even if it was broken on the ground. More than a century later, it remains one of the most recognizable product designs ever created.
The exhibits also showcased Coca-Cola’s role in major events throughout history. Vintage advertisements, Olympic memorabilia, and decades of marketing campaigns demonstrated how closely the brand has become intertwined with popular culture.
One of my favorite displays was a wall of Christmas images featuring Santa Claus, a reminder of how much Coca-Cola helped shape the modern image of Santa that many people recognize today.
Visitors can also see some of the company’s earliest equipment, including an original soda fountain dispenser and historic delivery vehicles that helped bring Coca-Cola to customers across the country.
The highlight of the experience, however, comes at the very end.
The tasting room allows visitors to sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. Armed with a stack of tiny cups, we wandered from station to station trying flavors from different countries and comparing favorites. Some were surprisingly good, while others left us wondering how they had ever made it to market.
By the end, we had sampled far more soda than we probably needed, but it was a fun and uniquely interactive way to experience a brand that has become a global icon. Judging by the sticky floors, we clearly weren’t the only visitors who got a little carried away in the tasting room.
Visiting the National Center of Civil and Human Rights
Just a short walk from the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola is the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Opened in 2014, the museum was created to connect the lessons of the American Civil Rights Movement with ongoing human rights issues around the world.
The exhibits explore some of the most significant moments in the struggle for equality, highlighting the courage and determination of those who worked to challenge injustice. Through photographs, personal stories, historical artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors gain a deeper understanding of both the progress that has been made and the work that still remains.
One of the things I appreciated most about the museum was its ability to connect history to the present day. Rather than simply presenting events from the past, the exhibits encourage visitors to consider how those events continue to shape our communities and our world.
After spending the morning surrounded by whale sharks and tasting Coca-Cola products from around the globe, the museum offered a different kind of experience—one that was thoughtful, moving, and at times challenging. It served as a powerful reminder that many of the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were won through the sacrifices of countless individuals who believed that change was possible.
The road toward civil and human rights has never been easy, and the museum makes it clear that the story is still being written. More than anything, we left with a greater appreciation for those who fought for equality and a renewed understanding of why those conversations continue to matter today.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
We ended our day in Atlanta with a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, one of the city’s most important historic sites.
This historic district preserves many of the places connected to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., including his childhood home, the church where he preached, and the final resting place where visitors can pay their respects. Raised in Atlanta during the era of segregation, King would go on to become one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and help shape the course of American history.
Unfortunately, many of the park’s buildings were closed during our visit due to renovation projects, including the visitor center. While we were disappointed that we couldn’t fully explore the site, walking through the historic district still gave us an appreciation for the significance of this place and the story it tells.
One feature that particularly caught my attention was the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located near the visitor center. Surrounding the statue are quotations and teachings about nonviolent resistance, offering visitors a quiet place for reflection. King greatly admired Gandhi and drew inspiration from his philosophy of peaceful protest and civil disobedience.
The statue was unveiled by Nelson Mandela during a visit to Atlanta in 1998, creating a powerful connection between three leaders who each helped shape movements for justice and equality around the world.
Even with the closures, I was glad we stopped. Visiting the site served as a reminder that the struggle for civil rights was carried forward by ordinary people who believed in extraordinary change. It also gave us a reason to return.
The next time we are in Atlanta, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is at the top of my list. I would love the opportunity to tour the historic buildings, learn more about King’s life, and gain a deeper understanding of the movement that helped transform the nation.
As we left the park and headed toward the airport, it felt like a fitting final stop for our day in Atlanta—a place that encouraged reflection before we began the next chapter of our journey across the Atlantic.
One Day in Atlanta Travel Tips
- Stay near downtown.
- Purchase Georgia Aquarium tickets in advance.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Allow extra time for airport security.
- Keep your passports somewhere you’ll check five times.
By the time we finished exploring Atlanta, we had packed an incredible amount into a single day. We had watched whale sharks glide through the water at the Georgia Aquarium, sampled Coca-Cola products from around the world, reflected on the stories shared at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and visited the place where one of America’s most influential leaders began his life.
Most importantly, we had kept ourselves busy enough to forget about the long flight ahead.
As evening arrived, we made our way to the airport carrying passports, backpacks, and a healthy dose of excitement. After years of canceled plans and waiting for the right opportunity, we were finally on our way. Atlanta turned out to be more than just a stopover before our flight—it became the first chapter of a family adventure we had been dreaming about for a very long time.
The next time we would wake up, it would be in Europe.
Follow along on the rest of our European adventure- next stop: Paris:
Thank you for coming along on this day in downtown Atlanta. May the water be clear, the cola cold, and the dream strong.
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