Discovery (Post#36) : White Spotted Jelly (Phyllorhiza Punctata)
This jelly is said to be invasive as it disrupts ecosystems along the east and west coast of the US by eating the zooplankton that native jellies rely on. I enjoyed watching these jellies as it looks like they are in their natural habitat. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Restaurant (Post#2) : Cafe Aquaria
Because of my limited time to spend in Georgia Aquarium, all I got of memories of the Cafe Aquaria were all photos of it. I never got a chance to have a break during my visit because I wanted to see as much as I can while exploring the once largest aquarium in the world. Therefore I have no idea what they offer and how much its cost. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Visiting Georgia Aquarium and similar water parks for me is worth doing. If for other people see it as only for kids and young at heart, I do not agree on such belief. I am adult who still enjoys learning and the aquarium provides that kind of discovery.
Warning!!!
This post describes experience while visiting Georgia Aquarium last November 2015. What I saw at that time may probably different right now as the aquarium went to renovations and improvements for the past two years.
Since it was my last day in Atlanta as the next day was my return flight to my country, I felt like I have to see more as much as I can while I was still in the city. After an hour of leisure walk at Peachtree Street NE, I turned right at Baker Street towards Pemberton Place where Georgia Aquarium is located.
When I visited World of Coca-Cola, I bought Atlanta City Pass which is a bundle tickets for the most popular tourist places to see in Downtown Atlanta and that includes the aquarium, therefore I already have ticket for the Largest Aquarium in Western Hemisphere which is Georgia Aquarium.
Walking at Baker St NW towards Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium at Pemberton Place
It’s past 6:00 PM in Friday evening and I just have around two hours left before Georgia Aquarium will close that day and Friday is the only day in a week that it close late at 8PM, and because of that I was a bit lucky to still have time to sneak around the place.
Because I came two hours before it close, most of the shows inside the aquarium were over, so typically I haven’t seen any shows anymore and all I can do was see what was available for me at that time. But when I walked inside the aquarium I still felt amazed in the surroundings and overwhelm how huge it was.
I will described here the following things and marine species that I saw while wandering inside the former World’s Largest Aquarium.
Cafe Aquaria
While inside the Georgia Aquarium before I get inside of one of the gallery, the first thing to notice was the cafeteria. Cafe Aquaria is located almost at the center of the aquarium. So wherever you are, whether you are in the first or second level, the cafeteria is still visible.
River Scout
The first area that I explored inside Georgia Aquarium was River Scout which according to my brochure it is a place where I will discover the wide diversity of animals found in the rivers and lakes of Africa, South America, Asia and the state of Georgia.
Amazon Exotics
The species exhibited here are came from Amazon River – world’s second’s largest river. As per experience, I saw colourful fishes in this part of River Scout.
Blue Discus
African Cichlids
Lake Tanganyika and Lemon Cichlids
Overhead River
Longnose Gar
Trouts
Fishes of New Guinea
Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish
Southeast Asian Fishes
Harlequin Rasbora
Emerald-eye Rasbora
Archer Fish
Spotted Scat and Banded Archerfish
Banded Archer Fish
Silver Moony
Green striped hermit carb
Freshwater Turtles
River Cooter
Yellow Belly Slider
American Alligator
Piranha
Red Piranha
Red-bellied Piranha
Leaving River Scout
Dolphin Celebration (Dolphin Tales)
Just beside River Scout, there is escalator that goes to Dolphin Celebration area. Since no more shows available, I just took my chance to see the Dolphins at the lobby area where they were playing and swimming.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
I saw Dolphins couple of times in different places that I had been with, but their charm towards me are still there. I still stop for a moment just to watch them after I took some photos of them.
Cold Water Quest
The area which just next to Dolphin Tales gallery is Cold Water Quest where the focus of the exhibits are species that lives in waters with cold temperatures and found all over the world.
Beluga Whales
Sea Otters
African Penguins
Big-bellied Seahorse
Weedy Sea Dragons
Rock Fish and Sea Star
Spotted Ratfish
Giant Plumose Anemone and Japanese Spider Crab
Sea Star, Sea Urchins, and Sea Anemones
Ocean Voyager
After enjoying the animals in Cold Water Quest, I went to Ocean Voyager where the former World’s Largest Aquarium until 2012 can be found. I do honestly enjoy such kind of aquarium that allows people to virtually walked underneath of it. It is said that this is the only Aquarium in North America to house whale sharks.
Giant Guitarfish and Giant Grouper
Giant Grouper and Golden Trevally
Giant Grouper, Zebra Shark and Doctorfish
Giant Grouper and Doctorfish
Giant Grouper and Zebra Shark
Giant Guitarfish and Smallmouth Grunt
Smallmouth Grunt
Shanks and Rays
Tropical Diver
One thing that I really enjoyed here were watching some of the Jelly Fishes inside Tropical Diver gallery. Knowing that jelly fishes can sting people in the water but seeing such species on its sea like environment makes them look so beautiful. Below were some of my snapshots captured while exploring the gallery.
Tropical Diver gallery has a look of a biodiversity coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific which commonly called “rainforests of the ocean” which can allow divers to experience such similar environments.
Cuttle Fish
White Spotted Jelly
Japanese Sea Nettle
Weedy Scorpionfish and Warty Frogfish
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Clown Anemonefish
Striped Eel Catfish
Aquanaut Adventure
Before I totally left the Georgia Aquarium, I still tried to explore other areas that I probably missed and I was correct. When I walked at second level I found Aquanaut Adventure area which in my impression was designed for young at heart (or kids).
Seaside Touchpools
This area allows visitors to touch three different kinds of rays but at the time of my visit, that opportunity is not available anymore as the aquarium nears its time for closing for the day.
Other things to see inside Georgia Aquarium
Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow
Treasures of the Sea (Gift Shop and Exit)
I left Georgia Aquarium just few minutes after 8PM in the evening. Then, I walked back to my hotel via MARTA Train. And that time I hopped on the train at Peachtree Center Station, therefore, I walked a bit in Peachtree Street and took some photos in that part of Downtown before ending my last night in Atlanta.
Peachtree Center where I took MARTA train going back to my hotel near at the airport.
Notes:
1. Plan to visit Georgia Aquarium ? – Please check latest information here
2. Entrance Fee – Please check here for latest updates
Note: If you plan to visit other tourist spots in Atlanta, I suggest to get Atlanta City Pass to get discounted prices.
3. Public Transportation Ticket – Use MARTA Breese Card, here’s the official website, here’s alternative site for the card
4. Directions to Georgia Aquarium using train :
If you will ride within Red Line or Gold Line regardless which station you will come from, just remember to get-off at Peachtree Center Station.
If you will ride in any of Blue or Green Line, you are required to transfer at Five Points Station and take Red or Gold Line and get off at Peachtree Center Station.
At Peachtree Street, turn Right until you reach Baker Street NW and turn left towards Pemberton Place.
Life Of Others (Post#12) : Japanese Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Pacifica)
This type of jelly which can appear in groups called “smacks”. And it has light-colored bell with dark orange lines. It has long tentacles which can be 10 feet long and cause skin irritation. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
In The Middle Of Somewhere (Post#12) : Ocean Voyager (Georgia Aquarium)
One of the things that I really appreciated in Georgia Aquarium and similar park in other countries is the chance to walk under the water without getting wet and to appreciate the life diversity in our seas, rivers and lakes. This walk can be found inside Ocean Voyager gallery. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Colors (Post#10) : The Star, The Urchins and The Anemones of the Sea
One of the good things that Georgia Aquarium offers to its visitors is giving a chance to experience some of its species that they exhibit. One of this is a chance to touch some of the Sea Star, Sea Urchins, and Sea Anemones. I enjoyed watching people trying to touch these colourful species that we usually found under the sea water. I tried to touch Sea Stars but I was scared touching sea urchins and sea anemones. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Name Of The Place (Post#41) : Georgia Aquarium
Visiting Georgia Aquarium was one of my last-minute adventures in Atlanta as this happened during my last night in the city. Even I only spent almost two hours before it close for the day, it was a worth visit because it reminds me again how the aquatic life on earth is diverse that I wished I will be given a chance to explore in the future. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Discovery (Post#35) : Flamboyant Cuttlefish
I just learned something about this quite unique specifies. It has chromatophores, a structures on its skin that allow it to change color to camouflage itself or to warn away predators. These species are not for consumption because of its flesh with unique toxin. These photos are part of Georgia Aquarium Visit Photo Collection November 2015.
Pemberton Place is home of popular city tourist spots such as Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world until 2012, the World of Coca-Cola museum where the Coca-Cola secret formula is hidden in their vault and Center for Civil and Human Rights where you may have a chance to listen the unimaginable experience of people because of color discrimination and persecution.
First Visit
After enjoying my visit in World of Coca-Cola last November 14, 2015, I walked a bit around Pemberton Place. It is a complex where tourist can enjoy their time without going too far just to visit tourist spots. During the walk, I realized how fascinating the architectural designs of the buildings that surrounds the place. I can say that it was designed to be globally recognized as tourist district.
I had one time chance to eat inside Pemberton Cafe after my visit in World of Coca-Cola museum. Next, I had a chance to take photos outside of World of Coca-Cola. Then I saw the wonderful building of Center for Civil and Human Rights museum which I visited the next day.
Pemberton Cafe
Center for Civil and Human Rights
World of Coca-Cola
Second Visit
I returned to Pemberton Place the next day which was November 15, 2015 as I wanted to spend time inside the Center for Civil and Human Rights museum and before going inside the said museum I took additional photos of surroundings of Pemberton Place where I was able to take photos of statue of Dr. John S. Pemberton who invented Coca-Cola and additional photos of Center of Civil and Human Rights museum.
On the way to Pemberton Place
Pemberton Statue
With Georgia Aquarium
Pemberton Place Green Space
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Georgia Aquarium
Notes:
1. Plan to visit Pemberton Place ? – Please check latest information here
2. Entrance Fee – Walking in the city is totally free
3. Public Transportation Ticket – Use MARTA Breese Card, here’s the official website, here’s alternative site for the card
4. Directions to Pemberton Place using train :
If you will ride within Red Line or Gold Line regardless which station you will come from, just remember to get-off at Peachtree Center Station.
If you will ride in any of Blue or Green Line, you are required to transfer at Five Points Station and take Red or Gold Line and get off at Peachtree Center Station.
Then exit at Peachtree Street, turn Right until you reach Baker Street NW and turn left towards Pemberton Place.
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