AndiThe Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States! It holds 10 million gallons of fresh and saltwater! You’ll find all kinds of fish, otters, penguins, sharks, alligators, stingrays, sea lions, dolphins and beluga whales. Plus, it’s the only aquarium in North America that holds manta rays and whale sharks! It’s a MUST DO while visiting Atlanta! Here are the top 5 things to not miss at the Georgia Aquarium.
Ocean Voyager in the Georgia Aquarium
The Ocean Voyager is the centerpiece of the Georgia Aquarium, so it’s an absolute must do! This exhibit holds over 6 million gallons of water! It features an awesome underwater tunnel so that your right in the middle of the action.
The tank was built to hold the whale shark which is the largest fish in the world! The average length of a whale shark is between 18-32 feet.
But there’s so much more to see besides the whale shark! There are also several types of sharks, sting rays, manta rays, tons of fish and sea turtles.
Cold Water Quest
This exhibit houses beluga whales and African penguins, so it’s definitely one of things not to miss at the Georgia Aquarium! As the name states, it houses the sea life from the coldest and iciest waters. You will encounter seals, puffins, birds and more.
Beluga whales are my favorite so I was ecstatic to view this area! They have a huge viewing window to watch the beluga whales swim around. Watching them swim was so fascinating!
And of course the African penguin exhibit is fun too! You can watch them in and out of the water. Penguins are so interesting to watch as they interact with each other.
Dolphin Coast
The Georgia Aquarium’s most popular show features their bottlenose dolphins. The presentation includes a live training demonstration that shows how the dolphins are rewarded for doing tricks.
The dolphin show is perfect for all ages and has several shows daily. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to get a good seat for the show. There is a splash zone so beware!
Sharks: Predators of the Deep
This is one of the largest shark exhibits in the world! It holds over 1 million gallons of water and is home to hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, silky sharks and more.
It features a huge floor to ceiling gallery window for incredible underwater views.
Sea Lion Presentation
This is another fun show at the Georgia Aquarium. The California sea lions and their trainers demonstrate how they work with each other during training sessions. They look so friendly and sociable!
Tips for Visiting The Georgia Aquarium:
- If possible visit on a weekday for less crowds.
- Also visit early in the morning for the least amount of crowds.
- Dedicate at least 3 hours to visit the aquarium.
- Buy tickets online before visiting.
- Check their website for current hours and scheduled events.
- Show up to the shows at least 30 minutes early. If on a busy day, 45 minutes early.
Other Attractions Near the Georgia Aquarium:
- World of Coca-Cola
- National Center for Civil & Human Rights
- CNN Studio Tour
[…] After breakfast, head to the Georgia Aquarium. This is the largest aquarium in the United States! There’s a lot to see and do, so plan on spending two to three hours here. Book your tickets online ahead of time. For tips on visiting and what not to miss at the aquarium, check out this blog post. […]