Our first stop today was the incredible Georgia Aquarium — though not before making a quick pit stop at Starbucks for some much-needed breakfast and coffee. The aquarium was surprisingly quiet when we arrived, which made it feel even more magical. We headed straight for the shark exhibit and, for a little while, had the massive tank almost entirely to ourselves. Watching the sharks glide through the water was completely mesmerizing — I genuinely could have sat there for hours, just watching them.
Next, we made our way over to see the beluga whales, who were just as enchanting. They looked like giant, soft marshmallows as they floated and pushed up against the glass, their playful nature captivating everyone watching.
After exploring all the exhibits —whale sharks, penguins, otters, tropical fish, stingrays, you name it they have it — it was time for the dolphin show. Thankfully, we avoided the splash zone! The show was full of jumps and playful tricks, and it’s always amazing to see how smart and synchronized the dolphins are.
From the aquarium, we made our way over to the World of Coca-Cola, another Atlanta must-see. The kids were desperate to get to the famous tasting room, but we managed to steer them through the rest of the exhibits first, including a walk through Coca-Cola’s history, a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process and a peek inside the vault where the secret formula is supposedly kept.
Finally, it was time for the tasting room. Greer had grand plans to spend five hours sampling sodas from around the world — but in the end, it was a relatively quick visit. Most of the flavors were questionable at best, and the sticky floors gave the whole place a definite “end-of-night nightclub” vibe. Still, it was a fun and memorable stop!
Afterward, we took a few photos outside by the iconic Coke sculptures before we split up. The boys made their way over to the College Football Hall of Fame, while us girls decided to enjoy a more leisurely stroll through Centennial Olympic Park. The park was originally built for the 1996 Summer Olympics and is now a peaceful escape, with fountains, sculptures, and quiet shady spots — the perfect place to slow down a bit and just soak up the atmosphere. We then found ourselves back at Starbucks for a bit of down time before meeting up with the boys.
Meanwhile, the boys were deep in sports heaven at the College Football Hall of Fame. The museum is impressively interactive, using AI technology you get a customised experience throughout the exhibits. They spent time exploring the three-story helmet wall, showcasing helmets from over 700 colleges, and tried out various interactive exhibits, like the indoor football field where you can test your skills at kicking field goals, running drills, and throwing passes. The Hall of Fame wasn’t just a walk through history — it was hands-on, energetic, and a total highlight for any football fan.
By this point, everyone’s stomachs were rumbling again, so we headed over to Ponce City Market. This place wasn’t around the last time we were in Atlanta 17 years ago — and it’s amazing to see how they’ve transformed the old Sears, Roebuck & Co. building into a vibrant marketplace filled with shops, artisan stalls, and some fantastic restaurants.
We wandered around for a while, checking out the different food options before deciding on Minero, a Mexican restaurant. The whole menu sounded tempting, especially the margaritas! Dinner was delicious, though a little food envy definitely popped up here and there when certain plates arrived. After dinner, we couldn’t resist sniffing out the gelato shop for a sweet treat, and we also grabbed some macarons to bring home for a late-night snack.
Once we got back to the house, everyone settled in — the boys tuned into the first round of the NFL Draft, while the rest of us packed up our bags and got ready for an early start tomorrow!