World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta
The World of Coca-Cola is a museum in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to the history of The Coca-Cola Company. The current 20-acre complex opened on 24 May 2007, relocating from the original Underground Atlanta exhibit that had operated since 1990. It stands as one of Atlanta’s most visited cultural attractions and a landmark of American consumer and corporate heritage.
At a glance
- Type
- Brand heritage museum and visitor attraction
- Period
- Original exhibit 1990; current location opened 2007
- Style
- Contemporary museum design with immersive and interactive elements
- Location
- Pemberton Place, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Overview
The World of Coca-Cola traces the global story of the world’s most recognised beverage brand, from its invention in an Atlanta pharmacy in 1886 to its present status as a product sold in nearly every country on earth. The museum combines archival exhibits with interactive galleries, a 4D cinema experience, a tasting room featuring over 100 international Coca-Cola products, and a vault display referencing the formula’s legendary secrecy. Situated within Pemberton Place alongside the Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, it forms part of Atlanta’s cultural district near Centennial Olympic Park.
History
Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, and the city has maintained a deep identity connection with the brand ever since. The first public exhibition dedicated to Coca-Cola’s history opened in Underground Atlanta in 1990, attracting millions of visitors in its first years. Growing visitor numbers and the desire for an expanded, purpose-built attraction led to the development of the current facility in Pemberton Place, which opened in 2007 on the same site where John Pemberton’s pharmacy once stood. The name Pemberton Place acknowledges this founding heritage.
What you see
The museum’s permanent galleries present original Coca-Cola memorabilia, advertising art spanning over a century, and interactive displays on bottling and global distribution. The Taste It! sampling pavilion allows visitors to try flavours sold exclusively in markets around the world, making it a popular draw for both children and adults. A dedicated Pop Culture gallery explores the brand’s deep integration into American and global popular culture through film, music and sport, while the Coca-Cola vault display offers a theatrical presentation of the formula’s legendary status.
Cultural significance
As the birthplace of one of the most globally distributed products in history, Atlanta’s relationship with Coca-Cola is woven into the city’s identity, economy and philanthropy. The museum serves as a study in the history of American capitalism, branding and globalisation, making it as relevant to cultural historians and economists as to the millions of tourists who visit each year.
Practical information
- Address
- 121 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
- Hours
- Check official website for current opening hours
- Admission
- Ticketed entry; combination tickets available with Georgia Aquarium
- Coordinates
- 33.7631 N, 84.3933 W
Getting there
The museum is served by MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) at the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station on the Red and Gold lines, approximately a 5-minute walk away. Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Baker Street provide vehicular access; several parking garages are available in the surrounding blocks.
Sources & resources
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