Georgia Aquarium in Downtown Atlanta
From Joy Johnston,
Your Guide to Atlanta, GA.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Give your opinion about the Georgia Aquarium opening in Atlanta.
The Georgia Aquarium is the most anticipated tourist attraction to come to Atlanta in many years. Set to debut on November 23, 2005, just in time for the holiday season, the Georgia Aquarium hopes to become Atlanta's premier tourist attraction.
The Georgia Aquarium is a generous gift to the city, made possible by the $200 million that Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus set aside for the aquarium project. Atlantans may be more familiar with the other Home Depot co-founder, Arthur Blank, and the positive contribution he has made since taking ownership of the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. Now Marcus is ready to bring his vision of a world-class tourist attraction and educational facility as a thank-you gift for all of the citizens of Atlanta and the state of Georgia that have supported Home Depot throughout the years.
The Georgia Aquarium, a dynamic, ship-shaped building, will feature over 55,000 aquatic animals from over 500 different species. These diverse creatures of the sea will swim through five million gallons of water. The Georgia Aquarium will be divided into five main viewing areas, called galleries:
Georgia Explorer: One of the Georgia Aquarium's more interactive galleries, with a children's play area and plenty of touch tanks filled with sea life native to Georgia's coast. Visitors will also learn more about Georgia's official marine mammal, the Northern right whale.
River Scout: One of the most creatively designed galleries, visitors here will be treated to a river that runs overhead, making them feel as if they are part of the environment with the plethora of freshwater fish that are part of the gallery. Species from around the world are represented in this gallery.
Cold Water Quest: It's mammal madness time in this gallery, where the prized exhibit will be beluga whales, rarely seen in an intimate aquarium setting.
Ocean Voyager: Visitors looking for the big boys (and girls) at the Georgia Aquarium will not want to miss this gallery, where whale sharks will be housed, along with a variety of marine life that is unmatched in the United States.
Tropical Diver: A relaxing, soothing gallery, filled with brightly colored reef fishes and tropical coral reefs.
The Learning Loop is another exciting area of the Georgia Aquarium. It provides a completely separate level just for school group visits that will allow for a better educational experience. The Georgia Aquarium is the first to offer this design.
Of course, the Georgia Aquarium is not just an adventure for the kids, it can make for a romantic date or unique honeymoon destination as well.
Ticket prices for the Georgia Aquarium are as follows: Adult annual passes are $59.50, Child annual passes are $43.25, and Senior annual passes are $48.75. General admission tickets are $22.75 for adults, $17 for children, and $19.50 for senior citizens. Group rates are $20.50 for adults, $15.50 for children, and $17.50 for seniors. Note that the Georgia Aquarium defines children as people ages 3-12, and senior citizens as people 55 and older.
Those patrons that purchase annual passes will be among the first public citizens to see the city's latest and most exciting tourist attraction in years. The Georgia Aquarium will open its doors to annual pass holders on November 21, 2005, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The next day will also be specially reserved for annual ticket holders. Over the actual Thanksgiving holiday, the Georgia Aquarium will be open for 12 hours a day, mainly accommodating those that purchased tickets in advance, though a smaller percentage of tickets will be available for purchase for a same-day visit. Note that for Thanksgiving weekend and perhaps beyond depending upon demand, ticketholders will be required to specify a time that they want to visit, to facilitate the ticket lines.
For more information about Downtown Atlanta tourist attractions, refer to this Guest Feature that discusses how to enjoy Downtown Atlanta with the family.
While the Georgia Aquarium hopes to be the best of the bunch, there are other noteworthy aquariums to explore. Read more about The Florida Aquarium and check out some great photos from this impressive facility as well.
From Joy Johnston,
Your Guide to Atlanta, GA.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Give your opinion about the Georgia Aquarium opening in Atlanta.
The Georgia Aquarium is the most anticipated tourist attraction to come to Atlanta in many years. Set to debut on November 23, 2005, just in time for the holiday season, the Georgia Aquarium hopes to become Atlanta's premier tourist attraction.
The Georgia Aquarium is a generous gift to the city, made possible by the $200 million that Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus set aside for the aquarium project. Atlantans may be more familiar with the other Home Depot co-founder, Arthur Blank, and the positive contribution he has made since taking ownership of the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. Now Marcus is ready to bring his vision of a world-class tourist attraction and educational facility as a thank-you gift for all of the citizens of Atlanta and the state of Georgia that have supported Home Depot throughout the years.
The Georgia Aquarium, a dynamic, ship-shaped building, will feature over 55,000 aquatic animals from over 500 different species. These diverse creatures of the sea will swim through five million gallons of water. The Georgia Aquarium will be divided into five main viewing areas, called galleries:
Georgia Explorer: One of the Georgia Aquarium's more interactive galleries, with a children's play area and plenty of touch tanks filled with sea life native to Georgia's coast. Visitors will also learn more about Georgia's official marine mammal, the Northern right whale.
River Scout: One of the most creatively designed galleries, visitors here will be treated to a river that runs overhead, making them feel as if they are part of the environment with the plethora of freshwater fish that are part of the gallery. Species from around the world are represented in this gallery.
Cold Water Quest: It's mammal madness time in this gallery, where the prized exhibit will be beluga whales, rarely seen in an intimate aquarium setting.
Ocean Voyager: Visitors looking for the big boys (and girls) at the Georgia Aquarium will not want to miss this gallery, where whale sharks will be housed, along with a variety of marine life that is unmatched in the United States.
Tropical Diver: A relaxing, soothing gallery, filled with brightly colored reef fishes and tropical coral reefs.
The Learning Loop is another exciting area of the Georgia Aquarium. It provides a completely separate level just for school group visits that will allow for a better educational experience. The Georgia Aquarium is the first to offer this design.
Of course, the Georgia Aquarium is not just an adventure for the kids, it can make for a romantic date or unique honeymoon destination as well.
Ticket prices for the Georgia Aquarium are as follows: Adult annual passes are $59.50, Child annual passes are $43.25, and Senior annual passes are $48.75. General admission tickets are $22.75 for adults, $17 for children, and $19.50 for senior citizens. Group rates are $20.50 for adults, $15.50 for children, and $17.50 for seniors. Note that the Georgia Aquarium defines children as people ages 3-12, and senior citizens as people 55 and older.
Those patrons that purchase annual passes will be among the first public citizens to see the city's latest and most exciting tourist attraction in years. The Georgia Aquarium will open its doors to annual pass holders on November 21, 2005, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The next day will also be specially reserved for annual ticket holders. Over the actual Thanksgiving holiday, the Georgia Aquarium will be open for 12 hours a day, mainly accommodating those that purchased tickets in advance, though a smaller percentage of tickets will be available for purchase for a same-day visit. Note that for Thanksgiving weekend and perhaps beyond depending upon demand, ticketholders will be required to specify a time that they want to visit, to facilitate the ticket lines.
For more information about Downtown Atlanta tourist attractions, refer to this Guest Feature that discusses how to enjoy Downtown Atlanta with the family.
While the Georgia Aquarium hopes to be the best of the bunch, there are other noteworthy aquariums to explore. Read more about The Florida Aquarium and check out some great photos from this impressive facility as well.
