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Young House Love » Road Trips & Travel » Exploring The Georgia Aquarium

| By John Petersik | July 11, 2012 | 35 Comments

Exploring The Georgia Aquarium

Ack! We’ve been home from Atlanta for over two weeks and I just realized we never shared our other animal-filled adventure in ATL. This one was more of the aquatic variety…

georgia aquarium beluga whales

Yep, in addition to the zoo, the Bowers took us to the Georgia Aquarium. And it was AMAZING. I haven’t been to lots of aquariums in my day so maybe I’m just easily impressed, but there was just so much to see and so many things for the kids to do that we walked around with our mouths agape for a good three or four hours.

georgia aquarium with a toddler beluga tank

You saw a few of these photos in this Young House Love post but we’ve added a bunch of new stuff (and surely Katie will post some superior pictures soon since she’s the photog of the group). But there was certainly no shortage of bubbles, tubes, and portholes for the kids (okay, and us adults) to peer into for an up-close-and-personal look at the sea life.

georgia aquarium fish eye porthole

georgia aquarium toddler viewing fish

georgia aquarium adults in porthole viewing

georgia aquarium katie bower sherry petersik

I give Sherry lots of credit for capturing this moment with the penguin, since Clara and I were only in there for a hot second before escaping the stampede of tweens that threatened to trample us.

georgia aquarium penguin viewing

Don’t believe me? Just look at the fear in Jeremy Bower’s face as he sees the relentless wall of children creeping towards us while we wait in a long plastic tube for our turn to pop up and see the penguins. Hello claustrophobia.

georgia aquarium underwater tube

Like the Maui Ocean Center we visited back in March, there was also one of those large tubes you could walk through and be surrounded by fish (though based on this picture it appears to be “fish” in the singular). Clara was fascinated all over again. And we were infinitely grateful that this aquarium didn’t require a red eye flight.

georgia aquarium viewing through underwater tube

You guys already saw this sequence of Clara snuggling up to her main man outside the dolphin tank.

georgia aquarium toddlers at dolphin tank

But what you didn’t see was the disappointing end. Is this the face of rejection or what?

georgia aquarium toddler resting by dolphin tank

That’s okay. Will returned some affection when it came time to saddle up on this seahorse-ish thing.

georgia aquarium ride to sit on

But as cute as the kids were (and as tricked out as the aquarium was) the real show was the fish themselves. Some of the best exhibits were the simplest ones where you were just able to stand back and stare.

 

georgia aquarium giant tropical fish tank

georgia aquarium fish tank with toddler

georgia aquarium colorful tropical fish

Heck, even the jellyfish were beautiful.

georgia aquarium jellyfish up close

And Sherry thought these guys looked like Snorks.

georgia aquarium seahorses up close

Our last (and perhaps favorite) spot was giant tank with the whale sharks. We could’ve watched those giant (and beautiful) beasts forever.

georgia aquariums whale shark tank

Not Will apparently. The dim lights did him in and he was out like a light (Clara followed suit a few minutes later in the car ride home).

georgia aquarium toddlers napping in strollers

So that was the end of the visit. We’re no travel experts, but if you’re looking for something to do in Atlanta – we highly recommend the Georgia Aquarium.

georgia aquarium atlanta painted dolphin

 

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Comments

  1. Avatar for JanelleJanelle says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:16 am

    You were at the aquarium and didn’t go to World of Coca Cola?!? You can try every type of Coca Cola product from throughout the world, see commercials through the years from all over the world, and so many other cool things.

    Did you guys visit the touch-friendly spots at the aquarium? Would be fun to hear if the kids were into that.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 11, 2012 at 1:40 pm

      Oh believe me, had I not had two tired two-year-old with me I would’ve been there in a heartbeat!

      -John

  2. Avatar for Amanda J.Amanda J. says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:19 am

    The Georgia Aquarium is nice, but we like the Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg a lot better. It’s not as loud and it seems to be organized better. I guess it’s like the difference between Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World. At the first (in both occasions) be enjoy ourselves but come out feeling like we’ve been rung through the ringer. At the later (in both instances) we feel energized and ready to do something else. Middle on the list of aquariums is the Tennesee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It’s shaped like a pyramid. You ride a huge escalator up to the top and wind your way down through different wetland systems. The floor of the pyramid is water!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:28 am

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who remembers The Snorks!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Melanie @ MJMelanie @ MJ says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:29 am

    What an amazing aquarium! That picture of Jeremy looking at the kids coming in is priceless!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for AllynAllyn says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:37 am

    We’re going to Atlanta in a few weeks and I’m totally planning on us going to the aquarium! It makes me really excited. Any other Atlanta tips would be most appreciated! http://lollingabout.wordpress.com/2012/07/05/happy-belated-4th-of-july-2/

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      The World of Coca Cola looks like a fun little museum (right across from the aquarium).

      xo,
      s

  6. Avatar for Teresa @ wherelovemeetslifeTeresa @ wherelovemeetslife says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Looks like fun! It is great that Clara and Will get along so well.

    Would you be opposed to my stealing a couple of those pics to print and put on a wall? Seriously, the one with all the colored fish and the jellyfish are so neat!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Haha- go for it!

      xo,
      s

  7. Avatar for Shannon CShannon C says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Yes! Snorks! I loved the Snorks and you are so right about the sea horse things! I was just trying to explain snorks to someone yesterday and they didn’t get it. Wrong generation I guess.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for CaitlynCaitlyn says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:02 am

    FINALLY! Someone else that remembers what a Snork is.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:38 am

    That picture of the jellyfish!!!! So good!!!!! If I had a room that color, I’d want to steal it and print it! (…with proper copyright permission, of course)

    Reply
  10. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I love the GA aquarium! It opened when I was living in Atlanta and I was so excited to give my then 2 year old niece the tour. I knew she’d love the pop-up into penguins. I crawled in with her, stood up, picked her up and lifted her up – directly into the ceiling! She did the whole two seconds of silence followed by an ear splitting scream. Glad your tour was less painful!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for TriciaTricia says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Looks like a wonderful place to visit. So glad that someone else remembers who the “snorks” were!!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for SabrinaSabrina says

    July 11, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    Love the whale sharks! Snorks haha I loved those.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for Jackie K.Jackie K. says

    July 11, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Me and my babes love going to the Georgia Aquarium! We have an annual pass and find ourselves there once every 2 weeks or so.
    Did you go see the Dolphin show?? Wasn’t it the strangest, most “fabulous” dolphin show you ever did see?? haha

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 11, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      We did! It was very entertaining, though once it got to the scary part with the sea monster we were very close to having a crying toddler on our hands!

      -John

  14. Avatar for Amanda - Small Home Big StartAmanda - Small Home Big Start says

    July 11, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    I’ve never heard of this aquarium in Atlanta! Looks fantastic. I’ll have to take a detour into on my next trip down from Canada.

    If you ever make it to Sarasota County, Florida, another great aquarium is the Mote Marine Laboratory. It’s not only an aquarium, but a research facility as well, so they have lots of interesting species you don’t always see everywhere else. Lots of hands on exhibits for kids too.

    http://smallhomebigstart.blogspot.ca/2011/03/travel-journal-mote-marine-laboratory.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Sounds like so much fun!

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for AllyAlly says

    July 11, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Such awesome colourful photo’s! Initially, I was viewing them on my iPhone screen, but BLOWN UP on a normal size monitor, they’re fantastic!

    I *love* the one in the penguin tunnel…look at Clara’s expression! :)

    For some reason, all I hear is J-Boom channelling Steve Irwin (may the man rest in peace) and whispering:

    Crikey, Clara! Look at those gorgeous penguins! :)

    xox

    Reply
  16. Avatar for KolitiKoliti says

    July 11, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    Wow! What gorgeous pics! Thanks for sharing – no scuba lessons required.

    I can totally see your pic of all those gold-colored-fish as an awesome shower curtain.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Lauren@FilingJointly[email protected] says

    July 11, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Looks like so much fun!

    The jellyfish picture is amazing. This is like literally the first time I have ever not hated a jellyfish. I stepped on one when I was sixteen and in South Carolina and ever since then I’ve had this weird anger toward them.

    Like if we’re out for sushi and there is jellyfish on the menu, I always order it and am all like “I’m eating you, you stupid jellyfish! Who’s tougher now!?”

    My husband doesn’t take me out for sushi much….

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Justine B.Justine B. says

    July 11, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    That whale shark is named after my brother! Several years ago his tattoo artist “adopted” that whale. She told him that if he let her tattoo a picture of it on him, she would name it after him. So now he has a giant whale shark on his foot….and a giant whale shark with his name!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 12, 2012 at 9:30 am

      That’s awesome!

      xo,
      s

  19. Avatar for JessibeeJessibee says

    July 11, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    Snorks! Totally!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for CrystalCrystal says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    I would totally buy a print of that jellyfish picture – awesome!!!!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Christine Witt (Brush Dance)Christine Witt (Brush Dance) says

    July 12, 2012 at 2:11 am

    Love the picture of Katie and Sherry standing the porthole. And the look on Clara’s face in several of the pics – can really see her taking it all in.

    Reply
  22. Avatar for LyLy says

    July 13, 2012 at 5:08 am

    The snorks!!! Thanks for the blast from the past. The pictures are too adorable. Love the Clara and Will sequence. x

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Sandi R.Sandi R. says

    July 13, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    What lens/settings did you use for these pictures? I always struggle taking good photos in an aquarium.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 15, 2012 at 3:57 pm

      We just used our stock lens that came on our Nikon D3000 for all these pics. We like to shoot in A mode if that helps.

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for SaywardSayward says

    July 14, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    FINALLY a group of people who get Snorks references. Where have you all been all my life? Also, that jellyfish picture is TOTALLY frame worthy. Seriously. Gorgeous. I want to print it out.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      July 15, 2012 at 3:57 pm

      Aw thanks Sayward! I referenced the snorks to my younger sister in law and she gave me the blankest look. Must be too young for them! Haha. Made me feel old.

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for Penny SmithPenny Smith says

    July 16, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Oh, no-it IS a fabulous aquarium! I think possible the best in the country… I have a friend that is a curator there. They have worked hard to make it one of the best! :)

    Reply
  26. Avatar for HelenHelen says

    July 18, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    LOVE the GA Aquarium! We drove all the way down from Ontario, Canada to visit that and fell in love with the whale sharks as well. I couldn’t bring myself to touching anything in the touch tanks though. And yes, those seahorse DO look like Snorks!! Does that make us old for remembering them? Hahahaha.

    Glad you guys had a great time!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Cate OCate O'Malley says

    August 6, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    My 4-year-old is obsessed with all animals, but notable sea life. Yesterday, we visited the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT (really nice one!), and a few months ago, we did Jenkinson’s Aquarium on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ (small, but good). Next on tap is the Camden Aquarium, in Camden, NJ. She loves dolphins, and our next mission is to find a dolphin show for her…

    Reply

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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