Atlanta – Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is said to be the world’s largest aquarium, and houses more than 100,000 animals. It also has a large ballroom and offers other facilities such as restaurants and kitchens. It was opened to the public just four years ago.
Origins of the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium opened its doors to the public only relatively recently, on November 23, 2005. This was a mere 4 years after Bernard Marcus decided he wanted to give the state this gift, as a way of fostering both economic and educational growth. It was not an easy (or fast) endeavor, since the brains behind it – along with his wife – visited over 50 aquariums, spanning 13 countries to get a real idea of how he wanted to build this exquisite beauty. It wasn’t just time that the Marcus’s invested in the aquarium; they put more than 90% of the money towards this venture, acquiescing the rest from established corporations including the famous Coca-Cola as well as BellSouth.
What the Georgia Aquarium Offers Today
It is located on Pemberton Place and has been termed the “world’s largest aquarium,” utilizing over 8.1 million US gallons of water. It is home to over 100,000 animals, spanning 500 different species. Probably its most striking features are the whale sharks, beluga whales and manta rays. But for anyone who is interested in water animals, the Georgia Aquarium is a must see. And for those who like drama and larger than life, it simply cannot be missed or matched. If large is what you are after, you will not be disappointed. The Georgia Aquarium comprises a staggering 16,400 square feet of ballroom space, gift stores, a theater, a restaurant and 2 food service kitchens.
Visitor Information to the Georgia Aquarium
While this sure makes a great day out, come prepared, especially if you are arriving in a group. It costs $26 for each adult and $19.50 for children (there is a senior citizen discount) but remember that you can probably spend a large chunk of your day here. So while it may seem on the expensive side, for what you can do, it is fairly reasonable. And when you are forking out the cash, just remember what kind of costs must go into maintaining such a large and well kept aquarium. Clearly the price hasn’t put visitors off since less than 5 months after it opened its doors, the museum welcomed its millionth guest. By the middle of this year, that figure had escalated to 10 million. So if you want to visit a very popular, sophisticated and exquisite aquarium, look no further than the Georgia Aquarium; it is unlikely to disappoint.
And finally, two useful links for your trip:
The Georgia Aquarium - The official website of the Aquarium
Atlanta Hotels – The leading hotel booking site for Atlanta