Ack! We’ve been home from Atlanta for over two weeks and I just realized we never shared our other animal-filled adventure there. This one leaned toward the aquatic side, and it deserves its own retelling.
The Bowers took us to the Georgia Aquarium, and it was simply amazing. I haven’t visited many aquariums, so maybe I’m easily impressed, but there was so much to see and so many interactive touches for kids that we wandered around with our mouths agape for three or four hours. The exhibits were varied and thoughtfully designed, making it easy for little ones to explore while adults lingered to take it all in.
There were plenty of viewing bubbles, tubes, and portholes that let you get up close to marine life. Those design choices made the entire experience feel immersive—kids pressed their faces to the glass, peering into colorful tanks, while parents enjoyed the slower, quieter displays. Though some areas were busy, the layout helped distribute visitors so you rarely felt cramped for long.
One highlight was the penguin area. Sherry managed to capture a sweet moment between Clara and a curious penguin while we slipped in and out of the viewing tunnel. It was a hectic spot—tweens and families shuffled through the same narrow plastic tubes—but the payoff was worth it. The penguins were lively and approachable, and the kids loved watching them glide and shuffle around.
We also walked through an underwater tunnel similar to the one we remember from the Maui Ocean Center. Being surrounded by fish on all sides has a magical, almost calming effect. Clara stood transfixed as schools of fish swam overhead, and we appreciated how the exhibit made it feel like you were part of their world rather than just observing it from a distance.
There were tender moments, too. You may have already seen a few photos of Clara cozied up to her favorite dolphin outside the dolphin pool; the sequence was sweet, even if it didn’t lead to an outright reunion—the look on her face afterward was unmistakably disappointed. Luckily, Will found comfort mounting a whimsical, seahorse-like ride nearby and returned the affection with some enthusiastic posing.
Beyond the kid-focused attractions, the aquarium’s real stars were the animals themselves. Some of the most memorable displays were the simplest: darkened rooms with lit tanks where you could stand back and watch the creatures move in their own time. Jellyfish, for instance, were quietly beautiful—gentle, pulsing forms drifting in illuminated tanks that felt like living sculptures.
Other tanks showcased an array of vibrant reef fish whose colors and patterns were mesmerizing. Observing them brought a welcome pause from the bustle: visitors would gather in little clusters and fall silent, eyes fixed on the steady ballet of fins and tails. Sherry even remarked that a few of the smaller, friendly fish looked like characters from a cartoon—something about their faces made her think of childhood shows.
Our favorite spot was the enormous tank that houses the whale sharks. Those massive, graceful animals inspired an immediate and sustained awe; we could have watched them for hours. The scale and quiet power of those fish made the whole visit feel significant. It was the kind of exhibit that slows time down and reminds you how impressive marine life can be.
By the end of our visit the kids were exhausted—the dim lighting around the whale shark tank lulled Will to sleep, and Clara drifted off shortly after during the car ride home. It was the perfect cap to a full day of exploration.
If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta and wondering what to do with kids or if you appreciate well-curated marine exhibits, we highly recommend a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It offers a mix of hands-on fun and contemplative displays that appeal to all ages, and it left us with plenty of great memories and photos to savor.