Recently, our family took a trip to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA. It is known as one of the largest aquariums in the United States and holds 10 million gallons of water! Here we were able to see over 500 unique marine wildlife species across 7 different galleries. To say that it was breathtaking is an understatement! If you are looking for an educational yet marvelous family trip, this is the place to go.
Aquariums are wonderful educational places for children. They will finally get to see the animals they’ve read about in person. It will be a magical experience. During your visit, your children will have the opportunity to understand the value of marine wildlife. You can teach them how marine wildlife plays a significant role in the earth’s ecosystem. Remind them that without fish in the ocean, life as we know it would no longer be the same. Because fish are a big part of the human diet, it would cause starvation in some populations. In addition, without fish to transfer nutrients within the oceans, the ocean would not be able to function correctly, leading to disruptions in our environment, climate, and weather.
They are sure to be impressed by the diversity of the 500 plus species they can find at the aquarium, but watch them do a double take when they learn that there are 1.4 -1.6 million marine wildlife species in the world! The more exciting part is that we haven’t even discovered all of the marine biomes yet, so who knows what other creatures lay waiting for us in the ocean. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of your trip, your child declares they want to become a marine biologist and adventure the deep dark oceans.
If you visit the Georgia Aquarium make sure to be in time to catch the Sea Lion and Dolphin shows! They will have your children (and even yourself) in awe of the marine animals. Also, if you have time we definitely recommend signing up for the Georgia Aquarium’s special offers like Sleepover Under the Sea, Beluga Encounter, or Yoga by the Water.
Although some argue against the ethical reasoning behind aquariums and zoos, you can’t deny the recreational and educational experience they can offer children (and adults! alike). I agree that holding any animal in captivity can cause unnatural dependencies and abnormal behavioral changes in some animals. However, I think it is impossible to get rid of aquariums and zoos altogether. So instead, I think it is critical for zoologists and marine biologists to continue studying these wildlife species to provide them with habitats that most similarly resemble their natural environment. That is another reason I like the Georgia Aquarium. It is one of the largest aquariums in the United States and therefore provides more ample space for the fish and marine animals to freely interact with their environment.
