Georgia Aquarium - Atlanta, GA Review

Some aquariums are special because they represent local wild life well, like Monterey Bay and Chattanooga. Waikiki aquarium is special because it is the oldest public aquarium in the US. The National Aquarium in Baltimore, surprisingly, has dolphin show. At the Living Seas in Disney World, you can sit beside a giant wall and watch the fish while you dine in the restaurant.  Albuquerque has a smaller one. A particular favorite at several aquariums is the tunnel underneath the tank. For many this feels like a close approximation to scuba diving without getting certified or wet.

Atlanta’s new aquarium has a lot of splashy distinctions; the world’s largest at 8 million gallons. There are the whale sharks, the beluga whales, sea lions, sea otters. Animals range from the local to the wild and exotic, many are rare. You can see jelly fish and marvel at how beautiful they are without fear. The tropical coral reef display is particularly nice with interactive touch screens to help identify fish. The children’s areas are well done with imaginative play, and touch pools. They also have a behind the scenes tour.

The highlight of this aquarium is the theater where guests can watch the whale sharks in the big tank. It is accessed through a tunnel underneath the tank where rays and many different fish are visible. After the tunnel delivers you to the theater, you see an IMAX sized wall for viewing. This is the room that makes this aquarium special. The whale sharks circle in this large tank. They disappear into the distance and then come round again over and over. Being able to actually see moment like this in a semi natural manner truly feels like the closest ting to diving without strapping on a tank.

This giant among aquariums is an infant in its second year of operation. It opened late in 2005 and is still working out the growing pains. Until now, Atlanta did not have an aquarium. It has been heavily promoted and heavily attended, requiring appointments, sometimes shutting down ticket sales due to capacity level crowds. They welcomed the millionth guest 98 days after opening. Crowds have leveled some as expected, but still exceed original expectations. Many people travel and can compare this to other experiences, but many people do not. For some visitors this is completely new. In addition to the aquatic sights, it is fun to watch the amazement on the faces of children and their parents.