When planning your next visit to tour our Georgia attractions, don’t miss the Georgia Aquariums newest exhibit, AT & T Dolphin Tales.  The AT & T Dolphin exhibit holds slightly less than 2 million gallons of man-made salt water for the dolphins to frolic in.  The Georgia Aquarium now has a total of 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium in the world. The new gallery lobby has a 25 foot- long underwater viewing area. You may find the Dolphin trainers in this area answering questions from the public.  The interactive displays allow you to have a better understanding of dolphins and the conservation efforts being made. The Georgia Aquarium has partnered with The Dolphin Conservation Center at Marineland to create the Georgia Aquarium Dolphin Conservation in Marineland Florida.  The focus is to do research and rescue, rehabilitation and release of dolphins back into the wild in Northeast Florida.

 Lastly, the Dolphin Tales Theater is a state of art enclosed theater with seating for 1,800 visitors.  The Aquarium spent two years planning the Broadway-style musical.  The best of the best animal trainers were hired to work with the dolphins and showcase their athletic ability as well as their attachments to humans. The show will WOW you. 

After spending the morning with the dolphins, head over to the World of Coke or the Georgia Zoo for the afternoon.  Then it is back to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast to relax on the veranda overlooking the gardens.

Georgia Aquarium:  Predator or Prey will educate you on Shark facts and fiction that has evolved over many decades.  There are full scale shark models, cast from real specimens.  View shark teeth, jaws and fossils dating back 350 million years.  Also, you will have the opportunity to see a real frozen 700 lb. Bluefin Tuna and its natural predator, an adult Mako shark, also frozen.  Hear stories of shark encounters told by survivors and shark experts.  Learn about the Great White Shark satellite tagging program and other conservation efforts.

Most of all, you will leave the Georgia Aquarium with a better understanding of the sharks role in our oceans and the worlds ecosystems.  

Before you return to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast, be sure to visit The World of Coke and CNN Center which are just a stroll away from the Georgia Aquarium.

Lush greenspace at the New World of Coke

If you are an Atlanta native, there is only one soft drink, Coca Cola or Coke.  I have several Southern Recipes that include Coke as an ingredient, such as cakes, barbecue sauces and even salads.   On your next visit to our Atlanta bed and breakfast, be sure and make time to tour one of our Atlanta attractions, The New World of Coke.

The New World of Coke is located near Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium on Pemberton Place.  Pemberton Place was named for the pharmacists who invented Coca Cola, John S. Pemberton.  I find it amazing that the history of Coke began in a pharmacy in 1886.

The New World of Coke sits on five acreas of lush green space with serrene water gardens.  The water gardens show the relationship of water to the planet and Coke.  The World of Coke building has a gold rating by the U.S. Green Building Counsel and is LEED Certified.  During construction ninety percent of the construction waste was salvaged, reused or recycled.  The building uses 40% less water and is 30% more energy efficient.

As you enter the lobby, you will be mesmerized by the encased thirty foot Coke bottle. A dramatic water wall with portraits of people from all over the globe highlights the reach of  Coca Cola. There is also a collection of over sized Coca Cola “folk art” bottles from different countries.  Each bottle was hand-crafted with symbols and material relative to the country it represents. 

The Coca Cola Loft features a treasure chest of over 1,000 artifacts.  A few of my favorite are the 1931 original Norman Rockwell “Barefoot Boy” used in the Coca Cola Calendar and the 2007 NCAA Final Four Basketball Backboard. As you move thru the exhibit the Portrait Wall Gallery showcases larger than life portraits from around the world.  This interactive exhibit with an audio wand allows you to listen to their life stories and how Coke’s community programs have made a difference.

Next we move to the Milestone of Refreshment Gallery.  You will see an original 1880 marble and onyx soda fountain, a 1939 delivery truck from Argentina and the first prototype “Contour” bottle manufactured by Root Glass Company and served on the 1985 space shuttle mission.

A favorite of our guest is the Bottleworks, in this gallery you will experience a real bottling line and see Coke being made.  The Pop Culture Gallerys’ newest exhibit is “For the Love of Coke”.  This one of a kind exhibit looks at how celebrities and everyday people from around the world have interrupted the brand thru art.  You will see artwork from Andy Warhol, Howard Finster and Haddon Sundblom. 

Take a few moments to relax  and experience the Perfect Pauses Theater where you will take a trip down memory lane experiencing the magic of Coke’s advertising.  The Secret Formula Theater lets you be the detective and search for the secret Coke formula.

Coke saved the best for last,  the Taste It Gallery.  You will experience a contemporary lounge with tasting stations serving 60 beverages including teas, water and new beverages.  Be sure not to miss the Coca Cola Freestyle soda fountain where you can sample over 106 various Coke products from across the globe. Don’t forget to let us know which one is your favorite!

Two additional behind the scene tours are also available. The Morning Express Tour is every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. You will have the opportunity to meet Robin Meade and go on the set of Headline News Morning Show. You must e-mail your name, address and birthdate for each member of your party before you arrive for security.

Inside the Conversation Tour is Monday at 4:10 p.m. This is CNN’s Newest Tour with Rick Sanchez. You will learn Ricks list and have the opportunity to watch from inside the studio. This tour is not suited for children under the age of 12.

The CNN Store is the perfect place to find that special holiday gift. Our nephew, Chris loves his new Superman Tee Shirt!

It is off to picnic at Olympic Park and watch the water show. Hopefully we can squeeze in a quick tour of the World of Coke before we head back to our Atlanta bed and breakfast.

Blue Angelfish at the Georgia Aquarium

One of the most visited Georgia attractions is the Georgia Aquarium. It is located next to the World of Coke, Patriots Museum and Centennial Park.

It has been a busy first half of 2010 at the Georgia Aquarium. They have added two rare Albino Reptiles, welcomed back the Beluga Whales, rescued five Loggerhead Sea Turtles and added four Harbor Seals. The Georgia Aquarium has 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water and is home to tens of thousands of animals representing 450 species. It is divided into 5 galleries for your viewing.

The Cold Water Quest features fish and marine mammals from Oregon to Japan and from South Australia to South Africa. A few of the animals you will discover are the African Penguins, Giant Pacific Octopus and the beloved Beluga Whales. Maris is a 15 year female and weighs over 900 pounds. Beethoven is an 18 year old male and weighs in at over 1740 pounds. There are only 36 Beluga Whales in captivity in six facilities across North America.

My favorite gallery is the Georgia Explorer showcasing our Georgia Coast. This gallery is very interactive with touch pools full of Horseshoe Crabs, Sea Stars, Stingrays and Shrimp. There is also a large exhibit of Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Five Loggerhead Sea Turtles were rescued off the coast from the cold snap the Southeast experienced this year. Loggerhead Sea Turtles weigh over 300 pounds and are on the Endangered Species List.

Two Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, known as the Gentle Giants of the sea reside in the Ocean Voyager Gallery. It has over six million gallons of saltwater and even an underwater tunnel in which to view. Nandi and Tulluhah, the two manta rays are the only ones in a United States Aquarium.

In April the River Scout Gallery added two rare Albino America Alligators. There are fewer than 50 living in the United States today. There coloring is due to a rare genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, a skin pigment. Their eyes appear pink or red.

The Georgia Aquarium saved the best gallery for last, the Tropical Diver. A tropical coral reef of rainbow colors with seahorses, glassy sweepers and garden eels gliding in and out of the coral. Also, there are three exhibits of jellyfish that will mesmerize you. This is the largest reef exhibit at any aquarium in the world.

In addition to the five galleries there is a 4 D theatre that combines digital projection, High Definition 3 D film and unique special effects that allow you to experience the mysteries of the underwater world.

The Georgia Aquarium has several behind the Scenes Tours that allow you to experience the Aquarium from behind closed doors and learn the secrets of the aquarium.

When you are making your reservations at our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast be sure and inquire about the Atlanta City Pass. It has all the must do attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke and the Georgia Zoo at a discounted price.