![]() ![]() The Atlanta Georgia Aquarium is adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and the new World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta and sits on 9.5 acres of land, which was donated by the Coca-Cola Company. Although the Georgia Aquarium is a 580,000 square-foot facility, from groundbreaking to the opening, the construction process took only 27 months. The Atlanta Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest aquarium with more than eight million gallons of water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium. The exterior of the building was designed to look like a giant ship breaking through a wave. As guests enter the huge atrium inside the building, they are led into the facility by a "wall of fish". They then have the choice of entering five galleries. Each gallery is easily identified by an icon and signage at the entrance: Georgia Explorer has a lighthouse; River Scout displays a cascading waterfall; Cold Water Quest has an ice-covered cliff; Ocean Voyager offers a window into the huge habitat; and Tropical Diver has two video screens displaying the perspective of a fish on a reef. After traveling through one gallery, guests return to the main atrium before entering the next gallery. There are 60 exhibits at the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium with 12,000 square feet of viewing windows. The acrylic used in the windows weighs a total of 328 tons. The largest exhibit holds 6.3 million gallons of water and measures 284' long x 126' wide x 30' deep at its largest points. It was specially designed to house whale sharks alongside tens of thousands of other animals that typically live along a coral reef and out to the open ocean. Georgia Aquarium boasts a 100-foot long tunnel and the largest aquarium window in the western hemisphere with views into the whale shark habitat. The second largest habitat, 800,000 gallons, was specially designed to simulate the natural habitat of beluga whales. The Five Galleries: The five distinct galleries within the Georgia Aquarium depict five different habitats, ranging from arctic to tropical. Unlike most aquariums, the Georgia Aquarium does not follow a linear layout, instead allowing guests to decide their own path and the order in which they visit each gallery. Ocean Voyager – Journey with Giants, built by The Home Depot, is the largest single habitat in Cold Water Quest – The Chilly Unknown, presented by Georgia-Pacific Corporation, features Tropical Diver – The Coral Kingdom, presented by AirTran Airways, creatively displays River Scout – Freshwater Mysteries, presented by Southern Company, gives guests an Georgia Explorer – Discover Our Coast, presented by SunTrust Bank, is a highly interactive The Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health The 4D Theater Georgia Aquarium | The Memories![]() We were here to enjoy ourselves for our anniversary and also my birthday. This was much more than what I expected! Everything was so clean and I especially liked how people before us left things behind to be used by the next family. This was the first time I have ever... We were here to enjoy ourselves for our anniversary and also my birthday. This was much more than what I expected! Everything was so clean and I especially liked how people before us left things behind to be used by the next family. This was the first time I have ever stayed in a cabin, but won't be the last! The view was magnificent and the people are so friendly. That driveway is NO Joke, but its all good. The McMillians are sold on this place!!! We will be back! Maurice & Tangie McMillian ![]() What a great cabin! Ann Marie and I have spent three of the most relaxing days here at Riverview Lodge. We have basked in the quiet and serenity of this cabin and enjoyed the company of our best friends... each other. In this journal, we read about Alex proposing marriage to... What a great cabin! Ann Marie and I have spent three of the most relaxing days here at Riverview Lodge. We have basked in the quiet and serenity of this cabin and enjoyed the company of our best friends... each other. In this journal, we read about Alex proposing marriage to Allisa on the balcony with their best friends present. We've read about the Jackson, Wilson, Branch and Robinson families sharing Christmases here. On the table is a basket of wine corks from other guests and friends. They contain messages from those who have been here at Riverview Lodge before us... and moments from the life of Gary and Lissa Knight... the owners. I suggest that you, the travelers that follow in our wake, use this time to move closer to friends, family and God. Make a few memories to take on the quest, which is the rest of your life. Ann Marie and I made a fire by the gazebo, which sits along the banks of the Toccoa River, and shared several hours of conversation and hot tea. Thank you to those who proceeded our visit and were kind enough to leave a message in this journal... and choose to do the same. Ann Marie and I will be visiting again and looking for your messages. |