We are wrapping up spring break here in Georgia this weekend. On Thursday we made a 2 hour trek into Atlanta for some spring break fun at Georgia Aquarium. Many thanks to the Georgia Aquarium for sponsoring this wonderful day! Mom and I have visited the aquarium before, but this was the first time my nieces Maddie and Becca were there. Maddie’s friend Caroline went with us. Those two girls are inseparable, and it reminds me of the close bond I shared with my best friend in grade school.
Our day at the Georgia Aquarium was so much fun and started off with a behind the scenes tour. I encourage you to sign up for a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium, if you ever have the chance. It was so neat to get a view from above the massive tanks. This is where the marine biologists do their work and where the animals get fed.
This is where they create the waves and heat the water above the Tropical Diver aquarium. It’s a massive setup.
We got an up close look at the beautiful beluga whales.
Did you now that starfish came in such a vibrant variety of colors?
It was very exciting to get a sneak peek into the Penguin Nursery. They were adorable!
After our behind the scenes tour, we went to the AT&T Dolphin Tales show. It’s something you don’t want to miss when you visit the Georgia Aquarium. It’s like no other dolphin show I have seen. For safety reason, you can’t take pictures during the show. I snapped this pic of a few of the dolphins, just before we went in for the show.
After the show, we explored the various exhibits which included: Tropical Diver, Georgia Explorer, Ocean Voyager, River Scout, and Coldwater Quest.
Tropical Diver features one of the largest living reef exhibits of any aquarium in the world. Living corals and thousands of colorful reef fish can be seen in a recreation of a tropical Pacific coral reef. It was beautiful.
Ocean Voyager might just be my favorite part of the aquarium. It offers a unique experience, as you glide through an acrylic tunnel or stand in front of the gigantic acrylic viewing window. Its a neat feeling to be enveloped into the deep blue ocean. Don’t be startled if you see a gigantic whale shark or mantas swimming right above your head.
Georgia Explorer provides a fun interactive experience where guests can touch pools full of horseshoe crabs, sea stars, rays and shrimp. Explore the state’s rivers and coast meeting wildlife like the loggerhead sea turtle and the fish of Gray’s Reef. The girls had a blast petting the rays.
While exploring River Scout we discovered a wide diversity of animals found in the rivers of Africa, South America, Asia and in Georgia.
The Coldwater Quest exhibit is quite spectacular! You can see the coldest oceans of the world and see creatures like the Australian weedy sea dragon, beluga whales, giant Pacific octopus and Japanese spider crabs. Also, learn about how understanding these areas can help us better manage the world’s major fisheries.
The girls had fun taking pictures of each other with giant squid hair.
We spent a lot of time watching the adorable penguins.
For a limited time you can see the Monsters exhibit at Georgia Aquarium. Get a glimpse of creatures of the sea, from the inside out. It’s pretty neat!
The Georgia Aquarium is such a great way for families to spend a day in Atlanta. I am glad we got to experience how memorable, educational and fun a day together at Georgia Aquarium can be! On your next visit to the aquarium, be sure to check out the AT&T Dolphin Tales show and Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wonder Show. To get your kids excited about their visit to the aquarium, be sure to visit the Georgia Aquarium web site and print some free coloring sheets, word search and crossword puzzles. The girls really enjoyed doing the puzzles in the car, on our way to the aquarium.
What did you family do for spring break? Have you been to the Georgia Aquarium?
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We are going to Atlanta in September. I’ll have to fit this in. I love going to Aauariums.
It has been so long since I last visited an aquarium. My kids are with my inlaws in California for much of spring break this week and got to go to Sea World on Monday. I’m pretty darn jealous!
I love going to aquariums . Been to the one in Maryland Inner Harbor many times. The tunnel in the pictures you have shown -now thats one thing I dont know if I could do -claustrophobic . Great pictures – thanks so much
I have never been there before, but what a wonderful experience!
That whale shark is amazing. My daughter would LOVE this.
This aquarium looks like a lot of fun! The only one I have been to is The Seattle Aquarium. It was really fun and interesting, but this one is definitely bigger.
I haven’t been to Georgia but I have been to them in Oregon. I love the pictures and what you saw. It is amazing what you see there. Thanks for sharing.