Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies We next headed over to the new exhibit, Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies. Much like the Bodies exhibit in Atlantic Station, this exhibit focuses on plasticine bodies of marine life, displayed on large pedestals or behind glass. From small fish, invertebrates, rays, sharks and even a whale shark, my daughter and I thought this exhibit was fantastic! More than 18 full bodies of sea creatures are on display along with over 150 individual organs or other smaller creatures, making this an exhibit you can really spend a lot of time in. We did just that! We were fascinated by what we learned reading about each of the sea creatures on the descriptive placards by each display. Most impressive to me was the pregnant shark with her pups or the insides of a flounder, while my daughter said the specimens of the whale shark and the exploded grouper were her favorites. Guests start the exhibit on the ocean’s ‘surface’ and slowly work down to creatures found in the very depths of the ocean, until we ‘resurface’ at the end.
Behind-The-Scenes, Sea Keeper Tour Friendly intern Kendall led our Sea Keeper behind-the-scenes tour group high above the Ocean Voyager tank where the whale sharks swam below, to where Beluga Whales and sea lions were being fed in an off-exhibit area, and then down below where the filtration systems and commissary crew prepares the food and the veterinary team cares for all the inhabitants. It’s one thing to see Aquarium life as a visitor, looking through the glass with hundreds of other people, but it is something else entirely to really see how people ‘man the ship’ of the Georgia Aquarium! From the tons of salt needed for the tanks, to the large elevator lifts used to put the whale sharks into their exhibit, to the areas where the veterinary team treat and even breed different fish and animals, this tour showed us what’s involved in the day-to-day operations of this amazing facility. For
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If You Go Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street, Atlanta. 404-581-4000; georgiaaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/events-and-programs n General Admission: Adults $29.95-$34.95; ages 3-12, $23.95$28.95; ages 2 and younger, free n Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies: Free with admission n Penguin Encounter: $54.95 (available for ages 7 and older). Other Animal Encounters Include Dolphin and Sea Otter: prices vary. n Sea Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour: $48
staff members, no job is too big or too small; our guide, explained how it takes thousands of staff and volunteers to keep the Georgia Aquarium in top shape. We enjoyed hearing from staff members about their jobs and their passion for the work they do. Several different tours are available, check each for group sizes, prices and age requirements before booking.
Family Fun Guide
November 2013 Atlanta Parent 57