The Georgia Aquarium, World's Largest At Atlanta

The Georgia Aquarium is both the vision and gift of one man, Bernie Marcus Co-founder of Home Depot. In 2003 Bernie Marcus gifted the Aquarium to the city of Atlanta, as a way to say thank you for his success with Home Depot, and as a way of giving back to the people that helped make Home Depot the Success that it is. The Aquarium employs over 200 people and promotes jobs and economic growth in the city. Because he picked up most of the cost of the Aquarium it was able to open it's doors in 2005 debt free, and since has entertained & educated over 6 million visitors.

Why it's the largest. The Atlanta Aquarium is considered the largest in the world because at 8 million gallons and over 500 species it has the most volume of water and different species in the world. The Aquarium has a large Center Atrium and five separate galleries which demonstrates the species and water ways around the world. The five galleries include the Georgia Explorer, the Tropical Diver, the Ocean Voyager, the Cold-Water Quest and the River Scout. There are 60 exhibits in total. Other elements of the Aquarium include a 1,100 4-dimensional theater, an adjacent parking lot, a restaurant & ball room, petting tanks and a gift shop.

Worth the price of admission! The element that makes this Aquarium special and world class and a must see is the Ocean Voyager exhibit better known as the Whale Shark exhibit. At 6.3 million gallons this single display tank can only be described as monstrous! Home to sea rays, large manta rays, sharks, whale sharks and various other species that give the none scuba diving layman the truest and most accurate glimpse into what the open ocean would look like. This one tank has more water than most aquariums have in their total display!

The purpose of the Aquarium is Recreation, Education and Conservation. First and foremost it is a fun and entertaining place to take your family. It is a place of imagination and wonderment and a place to build great memories with friends and loved ones.Over 25 percent of the public floor space is dedicated for Education in the forms of interactive displays and petting displays. In the area of Conservation the Aquarium is home to Cuttle fish, Atlantic tarpon, Beluga whales and Albino alligators, which all are endangered species.

Tips that will make your visit great! The Aquarium gets very crowded after lunch time so it is a good idea to plan your visit on a week day and arrive around 9:00am. Buying your tickets over the internet will save you from waiting in line to buy them. Use map quest to scout out your parking location. If however you buy your tickets at the Aquarium bring a credit card so that you can use one of the self serve kiosks on site. Eat a sizable breakfast before you arrive. Hit the main attractions first before the crowds start forming. Scout out a good near by fish restaurant ( I always want to eat fish after a visit to the Aquarium!) The crowds do subside in the evenings.

Admission prices: Adult $31.50, Children 3-5 $23.50, Seniors 65+ $26.25

This exhibit is an engineering marvel, designed to house Whale Sharks the largest fish species in the world. It boosts 185 tons of acrylic windows 2 feet thick, and  a 23 X 61 foot viewing window world's largest.The entrance tunnel is 100 feet long. The Exhibit also houses Goliath Groupers, many variety of Sting Rays and also Hammer Head Sharks.   

The Cold Water Quest Exhibit represents the Arctic regions of the world and is home to Otters, Penguins and Beluga Whales, as well as, many other species

Some of the most beautiful and colorful fish are in the tropics. From Clown fish like "Nemo" and other colorful reef fish to the seductive dance of the jelly fish to the serene sea horse this is an exhibit to capture your kid's imagination.

This Exhibit covers fresh water rivers and streams and is home to Piranha, and exotic reptiles such as the endangered Albino alligator & various snakes.

The Georgia Explorer is a very interactive exhibit that is home to Logger Head Turtles, Horse shoe crabs star fish and right whales