As the birthplace of a drink known the world over, Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola museum and optional tour will give visitors and insider’s look at this famous drink. Including everything from a view of the vault that holds the “secret formula” to a 4D movie experience, the offerings at this quintessential Atlanta site are both delicious and entertaining.
The World of Coca-Cola History
Though the beverage known as “coke” to most of the world has its roots in the 19th century, the museum and tour featuring it are only as old as 1991. The original location of the World of Coca-Cola was in the heart of downtown Atlanta at Underground Atlanta on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It displayed a hearty collection of memorabilia from this iconic brand as a means to showcase its century-long history.
Money Saving Tip! The The World of Coca-Cola is included on the Atlanta CityPass. If you are sightseeing in Atlanta, you can save a lot of money with the card.
The original facility included over 1,000 Coca-Cola artifacts which were displayed in a chronological order, as well as several interactive exhibits and historical videos. However, in the early 2000s, the Coca-Cola Company was ready for a larger, more modern facility. To do so, they acquired more than 20 acres in the Olympic Park area of Atlanta’s downtown and began the plans and construction of their new facility as part of the downtown revitalization project of the early 21st century. Coca-Cola took steps to both develop that land for to a new, purpose-built facility as well as spread its wealth through the donation of 2.5 of those acres to the city of Atlanta for the construction of the Center for Civil and Human Rights.
The new World of Coca-Cola opened its doors on 24 May 2007 and added another 200 or so pieces of historical memorabilia. Located right next door to the Georgia Aquarium, which had opened just two years earlier, the facility became an anchor for the new, thriving downtown area. The World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place, as it is formally titled, includes two floors of exhibit halls, tasting stations, an interactive bottling facility, 4D Movie Theater, live presentations, and more.
The new facility was also honored with a prestigious Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for its effort to reduce waste, improve energy consumption, and maintain the sustainability of its building and facilities. This includes decisions that were made in the building process itself as well as The World of Coca-Cola’s continued efforts to reduce and reuse waste through energy and water efficiency and the use of compostable cups in all of its tasting rooms.
World of Coca-Cola: The Main Attraction
A visit to the World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place is an excellent addition to any downtown Atlanta adventure. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas days with extended hours of operation during the busy summer months, the facility generally takes 2-3 hours to tour.
Visitors can purchase general admission tickets for adults (13-64), seniors (65+), and youth (3-12); toddlers and infants under 3 are free with adult admission. In addition, tickets are available for VIP guided tours which provides guests with expedited entry, a dedicated tour guide, an audio headset to hear the guide more clearly, and a Coca-Cola keepsake. VIP guided tours are 2 hours in length and allow for private viewing of the galleries after they are over.
The facility offers a number of special events and exhibits which rotate throughout the year. There are also additional discounts available for members of the armed services and participants in the My Coke Rewards program. Field trips are offered through the facility as well as groups rates for parties of 25 or more. The facility has an adjacent paid parking lot as well as gift shop and offers food and beverages at its Pemberton Café.
Why The World of Coca-Cola is a Muse-See
The connection between the city of Atlanta and the Coca-Cola brand name is about as synonymous as Los Angeles and movie stars. As the first, last, and only home of this iconic American export, visitors to Atlanta will be interested in the history and future of Coke and will find that the time spend at the World of Coca-Cola will open up new avenues of discovery and a new appreciation for the world’s most recognizable beverage.