Georgia Aquarium

My first visit will surely be my last.

The entire place was filthy…like sticky floor filthy. The staff was collectively the most unhelpful group of people ever gathered in one place. The overall attitude went beyond unhelpful, even, and straight into hostile. People who don’t want to have a job shouldn’t take it out on the patrons who visit said unwanted place of employment.

It’s not even finished being built yet and it’s already falling to shambles.

I have been to several aquariums and I really do love this one. They claim it is the biggest in the world, however I can’t see how that is. The Riply’s in Gatlinburg TN seemed alot bigger and featured an amazing tunnel that you could go through where all the creatures were right over your head. The Atlanta aquarium did not feature this and the tanks seemed too small for some of the creatures as well. Lunch is good, wish there were a few more vegetarian choices but if you decide to eat there, try to avoid the cafateria style cafe. The food was a little bit stale despite the huge crowd. Still a great place to take the kids!

My brother bought my husband and I gift certificates to the Georgia Aquarium Christmas of 2005, when it was first open. We finally went that February, and loved it, though I don’t like a few things they do.

I love that it’s non-linear; I love the Tennessee Aquarium, too, and I’ve been there three times. BUT the main building is a very linear, follow-the-crowd, sort of layout. At the Georgia Aquarium, you enter into one big room, with a fountain, gift shops, and refreshments. From there, you can start at any one of the five areas, and then go from section to section however you like.

What’s really great is that you can go back easily to revisit any areas that are really crowded. I found that, in the last hour it was open, I could hop from exhibit to exhibit easily, with no waiting.

I love the otters (I have a thing for otters) and the belugas. I’m so glad I was able to visit before George the beluga died!

And definitely set aside some time to just sit in the Ocean Voyage room, which comes after the trip through the tunnel. It’s just beautiful!

My only complaint? The tanks really are rather small; I feel sorry for the animals living in them. The animals in Chattanooga definitely have more space and a more pleasant habitat…especially the otters.

Dimples surprised me with taking me there after us back from Christmas vocation. It was great! not that crowded, huge huge tanks of fish, it has area that you could touch the fish to feel it. It was great experience!

I wnet with my husband and daughter one time and while we were there a news crew was covering the place. My little 11 month old daughter was featured on channel 5 news. She was looking at the fish standing along the glass. Beautiful!

I went for my second trip. the dynamics of the big tank have changed a lot. the water is murkier, and the bright yellow fish are now few in number. Still, I had a good time, but where were the sea urchins?

Pet the stingrays!!!!

Simply said:

Beluga whales
Touching the coral
Touching the Sting Rays
Whale Sharks

...and the biggest aquarium in the WORLD!

We got lost on the way because my friend’s sister gave us the wrong directions. It was terrible. We got there an hour before it closed, so we had to rush around looking at the creatures. I took a generous amount of pictures though. The next time I go back, I want to be there from the time it opens ‘til the time it closes.

I went the day after Thanksgiving, and it was really crowded. But I didn’t go until a later opening (5pm), and apparently that was when it was a bit less crowded. The exhibits were pretty amazing, especailly the tank with the whale sharks. I definately didn’t like the crowd, but it was worth seeing. I reccommend going there later in the day rather than early on.