Our Trip To The Georgia Aquarium & Some Things To Know Before You Visit
We did it. We officially lost our minds and lived to tell about it.
Our oldest daughter got out of school for Spring Break on a Friday and we left the next morning for a week-long road trip. We left our NC home with cities to conquer: Atlanta, Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, and Savannah. It was the four of us and two grandparents.
The fascinating aspect was that our daughters had no idea where we were going. They were forced to get in and ride. "You'll know when we get there" was the answer that shut all of their questions down.
Parenting done right.
Okay... we didn't exactly conquer the cities because of our lack of time but we had one heck of a fun experience trying. Our first stop was the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Getting there and parking was an adventure in itself. I liked that it was a downtown location because we were able to see some of the city. I hadn't visited ATL in years so it was fun to relive some of my youthful memories. The parking lot was full and has one of the lowest ceilings I've come across. Luckily, our Lincoln Navigator SUV was low enough to make it through. I think the clearance is a little over 6 feet.
What you should know:
If you have a large/tall vehicle, be sure of parking before you go (call, research). You may have to park elsewhere.
During both halves of our time in the aquarium, we saw shows that lasted roughly 30 minutes. The first was a sea lion show and the second a dolphin. Both were great but the dolphin show was amazing! We were extremely impressed.
While you're visiting, don't skip these shows!
Check your map/aquarium schedule to plan. Get to the shows early for good seats. The possibility of getting wet is high if you sit close to the front. If you don't want to get wet, sit higher up.
What you should know:
No photo taking or video recording is allowed once the shows start. If you're camera attached like me, you'll have to get creative before and after the show.
About the food...
The aquarium diner offers a variety of food choices but everything is super expensive in my opinion. Think $50 and up for a lunch that would cost $20-$30 elsewhere. Is that typical? Salads are weighed so tread lightly or be prepared to pay extra.
This was our first time dining inside of an aquarium and the only aspect of the venue that turned me off. If the dining prices were lower, it would have been a perfect experience.
What you should know:
No outside food is allowed. If you're on a tight budget, eat heartily before you go in or plan to eat afterwards. Check re-entry policies because packing a lunch is a smart option if you can exit, eat, and re-enter hassle free. We didn't look into this beforehand but learned a valuable lesson.
Aquariums are a vacation staple for our family. We're on a mission to visit as many as possible. Our daughters are true animal lovers so we hope to have more up close and personal experiences the next time.
If you can recommend another great aquarium, please do! If you are affiliated with one and would like to connect, email me at thrillermomlove@gmail.com. My family is always in the market for travel and new experiences.
Find a few more tips below to prepare you for your visit to the Georgia Aquarium. Mind you, we visited during peak season (spring break).
What You Should Know:
- There is a thorough security check at the entry. Be sure to clear out your purse/diaper bag/pockets of anything that could be confiscated or cause you to go back to your car.
-Bathrooms were clean but crowded. Take your kids BEFORE they need to go. Parents, I know you get me here.
-Have water handy. There's a lot of walking involved. It's a huge aquarium!
-Pack a sweater or light jacket. It can get cold inside.
-Bring hand sanitizer. If your kids are inquisitive like mine, they'll want firsthand encounters (aka 'touch everything'). This will suffice until you reach soap and water.
-Make sure you have sunglasses for your outside stroll. Once you leave the ambiance of the ocean, the sun will seem brighter than ever.
Watch our aquarium visit!