I want to go but no one here ( in tiny town) is interested. area code 309

seeing wonderful stuff w/o sharing the experience , well just don't make it for me.

Am figuring a day to drive down , a day there and a day back.
driving. dutch treat,
unless you are a 25 y.0. gal, cheerleader that can help drive.

I know , I know that the Shedd , in Chicago is a lot closer , but no one here talks it up like they do the Georgia.

If we have to go to the Shedd , I'd go there first, maybe it would make me appreciate the Georgia more.

Are you going to spend the whole trip playing with your new phone or will you carry on a normal conversation?

Bendable, I am not in your area, but would like to try to meet if you get here.

Prior to going to the aquarium here, Denver was my favorite. Georgia's in my opinion is better. Make it a point to see the feeding of the whale shark.

Another option that could likely be on your agenda is the aquarium in Chattanooga.

I think each one I have been to has a unique strength.

Here's to hoping you find a travel partner.

I grew up in the Chicago area and visited the Shedd Aquarium many times. I have not been in quite a number of years. It is very large and has a number of impressive displays. The New Orleans Aquarium is not nearly as large, but I have enjoyed it more because it is more modern and has more intereactive displays. There is even a large display of the Gulf Of Mexico with the fish normally found around an oil rig. We are building a brand new Aquarium here to replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. It is supposed to open in April of this year. Here is a link:
https://www.msaquarium.org/news

^^^ The Aquarium of the Americas (New Orleans aquarium) doesn’t hold a candle to the Georgia Aquarium. Sorry.

I’ve been to both and, as I recall, the Shedd was better. Of course, if you visit the Georgia Aquarium you can afterwards walk to the Coke Museum and taste the different coke products from around the world.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tejas421,

While visiting a friend in Georgia number of years back we went to the aquarium. It did not disappoint, great aquarium, you’ve got to make the time to go.

Hoping you a great trip when you get it lined out. My wife and I did a Valentines Day sleepover years back there and to this day one of the most memorable experiences we ever had. If we still lived right outside Atlanta we would continue to go as often as we can. I also recommend Aquarium in Chattanooga, not a stretch to make it part of an itinerary traveling down and back if you have the extra time and well worth it.

If I lived in Chicago I'd be glad to make the trip with you. I think I'd enjoy your company. However, I'm not near Chicago or Georgia so I'll have to pass.

In recent years I have seen the aquaria in Boston, MA and Monterey, CA. Both very nice.

flashguy

its funny, my wife and I both favor the Chattanoga over Atl due to the walking flow. Chattanoga spirals downard through the ecosystem while Atlanta goes from a large open space to several chokepoints to access different areas. If you go to ATL try and go during the week and early so you avoid school trips.... I do admit Atl has a much grander scale and different types of wildlife.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Are you going to spend the whole trip playing with your new phone or will you carry on a normal conversation?

doubtful,
I used 21.8 GB of data the first four days I had it,
trying to figure stuff out and such,
my brother told me that thats all he uses each month.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Are you going to spend the whole trip playing with your new phone or will you carry on a normal conversation?

doubtful,
I used 21.8 GB of data the first four days I had it,
trying to figure stuff out and such,
my brother told me that thats all he uses each month.

There is a data setting that will limit downloads to WIFI unless you have unlimited. data.

thanks

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
If I lived in Chicago I'd be glad to make the trip with you. I think I'd enjoy your company. However, I'm not near Chicago or Georgia so I'll have to pass.

In recent years I have seen the aquaria in Boston, MA and Monterey, CA. Both very nice.

flashguy

Having been to Shedd, the Georgia Aquarium, and Boston, I have to say that the Monteray Bay Aquarium is fantastic (and I should say that I am also a member and over that supporter of the MBA).

The Georgia Aquarium has whale sharks, yes. But after that its, IMO, just a water park designed to separate money from tourists. The MBA has gifts shops, yes, but all its exhibits are included, including movies, and has lots of side shows for free. And the various exhibits are wonderful and educational, education being its primary goal.

And honestly, Boston's and the Shedd are great aquaiums too, both I believe, better than Georgia's. I think an aquarium should have fantastic displays, excellent education, great opportunities to experience things one doesn't get to see routinely, be easy to walk around in, be fun, and not be exploitative of the animals. Georgia only succeeds the other three in the first catagory, admittedly by a lot. The whale sharks are worth the admission. BUT, just that. And everything else about Georgia is about getting you to pay more, something that I did not get the impression of for the other three. And me, personally, does not like the exploitation of animals in shows (something the Shedd does too (but I can't remember if Boston does)) and this the MBA does NOT do.

Just my $.02. Go to Shedd and enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
I have to say that the Monteray Bay Aquarium is fantastic

I have to agree.

Shedd is great as well, although it's been 5+ years since I have last been there, but we used to go 2-3 times a year throughout my childhood (Uncle lived in Chi-town), along with the other Museums but mostly Sci & Industry and occasionally the Art Museum. After going to the Shedd we would watch the planes around before the Mayor bulldozed Meigs field.

Back in the day when we would ride the "El" all day, do a couple of museums, maybe hit China Town and Uno/Duos Pizza downtown.

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
I have to say that the Monteray Bay Aquarium is fantastic

I agree as well. The oldest daughter lived in Monterey for two years and we went to the aquarium a couple of times. Very nice. And a great history lesson on the sardine business there.

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:

It seems you had a bad experience. But comparing the GA aquarium to a water park is absurd.
Sometimes the aquarium has extra exhibits that you pay for individually but the entirety of the aquariums normal displays are included in the ticket price, which on a quick check is less that the MBA price by the way. Yes they have a gift shop, but so does pretty much every museum and aquarium I’ve been too. And yes they have a overpriced food court but again that mirrors my experience with most aquariums and museums.

I can easily see someone preferring any of the listed aquariums over GA but it’s far from what you seem to be selling it as. I can only assume you had a bad experience and suggest you give it another try.

Some ofo you might enjoy my photos of aquaria.
Monteray Bay: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157697245303922/

Boston: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157627408961253/

flashguy

Wife and I did the Shedd a few years back, and it was fantastic. Really cool exhibits, and it's larger than you'd think looking at it from the outside. We'd like to go back and take all of our kids, but we are waiting for some kind of discount to come up because it's painfully expensive for the six of us.

Honestly the only negative thing I have to say about the experience was that we had to drive/park in Chicago to get there, and even that was better than it usually is. Give it a shot...I think you'll enjoy it.

Figuring such a visit will get you all hankering for seafood, I provide this suggestion as a public service!