Atlanta 2-Day Trip! CityPASS Review + Food & Stay Log

For this quick layover, I didn’t want to plan too much, so I went with CityPASS — and the perks were clear: • Attractions are close together • Downtown is walkable + short rides • No need to rent a car at all 🚗❌ Stayed at the Hyatt — lobby and elevators had a retro-futuristic, almost cyberpunk vibe Looking up from below felt a bit intense, but the location was perfect: within a 10-minute walk to several key spots ✅ Georgia Aquarium One of the largest aquariums in the US, with tons of exhibits. My favorite was the shark zone — so many species! 🔹 Must-see: whale sharks — the largest fish in the world, and this is one of the only places in North America where you can see them long-term . Also adorable belugas! Great for families. ⚠️ Heads up: It gets packed. Check showtimes early if you want to see dolphin/sealion performances. World of Coca‑Cola I had no idea Coca‑Cola was born in Atlanta! The museum walks you through its journey from a 19th‑century medicinal drink to a global icon. The highlight? The tasting room — you can sample Coke flavors from around the world. Honest take: the “Chinese hawthorn” flavor tasted nothing like hawthorn — more like plain soda 😅 I personalized a Coke bottle with a zodiac message — a fun souvenir. National Center for Civil and Human Rights A newer museum focusing on the Black civil rights movement in the American South. Powerful and educational — highly recommended if you’re interested in U.S. history and social justice. MLK National Historical Park Hearing Dr. King’s speeches inside the church, with the actual surroundings, makes history feel vividly real. Centennial Olympic Park Now a large public green space with the Olympic rings — quick photo spot. College Football Hall of Fame As a Husky fan, this was like coming home 🏈 The wall of giant helmets is jaw-dropping. They cover everything: rivalries, fight songs, marching bands, traditions — plus stats from legends (seeing the numbers in person hits different). Food picks: 1️⃣ Xiang Yu Ordered the “Stinky & Brave” (fermented tofu + pork) and chicken gizzard — both were flavorful and authentic, not watered-down. 2️⃣ Food Terminal A Malaysian spot — their curry and Hainanese chicken were solid, with clear spice layers. #Atlanta #CityPASS #TravelGuide #Aquarium #CollegeFootball #Museum #FoodieTravel #WeekendTrip #Georgia #ExploreAtlanta