I will be in Atlanta next month for 1 day. Which tour would you recommend and why? CNN or Coca Cola. Thanks.

I can't offer any recommendations, since I haven't visited either, but thought this bit of trivia would be interesting to you.
The space that CNN now occupies was originally opened as an indoor amusement park! I have forgotten the actual name, but it was The Wonderful World of Sid & Marty Kroft, the creators of H.R. Puffinstuff. there were rides and other attractions, but it never brought in the crowds they expected, and it closed down shortly after opening. The park featured the world's longest Escalator (at least at the time it was built); not sure if it is still there.

I've done both and enjoyed CNN much more. We stayed after to be part of the audience for Talk Back Live--forgotten the topic now, but the process was interesting to watch and participate in!

I've actually done both. I guess it really depends on your interests. The Coca-Cola tour is pretty interesting, goes through the history of coke, has an exhibit on their famous tv commercials, etc. At the end, you get to sample coke products from around the world. Some people call it one big advertisement for coke (which it is), but that's okay.

The CNN tour is also interesting in a more informative way. There is a whole timeline of CNN coming to the fore of 24 hour news, a timeline of big events in history (during that period), you get to view their studios and see how they write/prepare the copy. If you arrive at the right time, you can usually participate in one of their live talk shows (I forget what it's called) at the end.

And, yes, Anthony, the world's longest escalator is still there!

I've also done both and agree with Lisa's summaries. They're both interesting, so I would suggest seeing both if you have time. If you do decide to go on the CNN tour, make sure to make reservations.

If I had to choose between the two, i would go to CNN.
The coca Cola tour was O.K. but not GREAT.plus you have to pay to get in and of course to exit you must go through the gift shop!!! I guess I thought since I had been a paying customer of Coke for years and years admision should be free!!!!

Have done both; I liked the CNN tour, since it gave a glimpse of television production. It's not too long, and is an especially good thing during the summer when you need a break from the heat when walking around Centennial Park. Since you'll be here in Dec., you'll get to see the Holiday in Lights set up in Centennial Park, complete with a skating rink. Check out www.centennialpark.com. The World of Coca-Cola has some interesting items- the collection of memoribilia is impressive. However, by the time you've seen it all, and view the video at the end, you almost feel like you've got to sing the Coke theme! However, both of these are good selections. Enjoy your visit.

Coke has one redeeming feature - tasting their foreign drinks, although hard to enjoy with everyone tearing around in a freebie feeding frenzy.

If you have traveled to places like Brazil, Italy, Australia, India, etc you may have been struck how coke or other "pop" companies offer heavenly tasting alternatives to the boring sugar water marketed in the US. Often include healthy natural ingrediants like lemon pulp, guarana squeezings, etc. Try them and ask how you can get some affordable local source (actually sometimes these are imported, but don't seem to survive the long boat trip with taste intact).

I think if you ask most people why they liked the Coca Cola tour, they would tell you just what jt has--the tasting at the very end of it. I remember touring and thinking "enough already", but then really enjoyed trying the flavors from around the world--some almost vile, and laughing that they could appeal to anyone--at the end of the tour. To be frank, much of the rest of the tour was only marginally interesting.

CNN was far better IMHO, right from the start with the longest escalator I'd ever seen in my life (I know an escalator sounds a rather odd thing to get excited about, but this one was truly incredible in length, plus we caught a glimpse of Larry King in an office as we ascended), then held my interest throughout, finishing with some of our tour doing "tryouts" for an anchor slot. Fun, start to finish.

I agree with the majority. CNN is more interesting but you can do both with a six or seven block walk. When I did CNN tour they let us "audition" for the weather report. You had to stand in front of a blue empty back drop and point using the TV moniter. CNN is closer to all the athletic venues and you might enjoy those. In Dec you can walk next door to the WCC and see "Festival of Trees". Many, many fully decorated Christmas trees.

`ve done both and would not recommend either....find something more interesting to do