ATLANTA (January 26, 2024) – Georgia Aquarium, renowned as the largest aquarium in the United States and a premier attraction in Atlanta, is set to captivate visitors with a new hands-on experience opening this summer. The new Explorers Cove promises an interactive experience that combines expansive touch pools and immersive technology that will give guests an opportunity to be up close with some animals like never before.
Opening this summer, the all-new experience will feature two interactive touch pools where guests can respectfully engage with sharks, rays, guitarfish, and sturgeon. Then, young explorers can take a journey through a marsh environment and experience the wetland ecosystem up close. In addition, guests can create their own species by drawing a digital animal and watch as it swims and interacts on a giant video wall with other newly created animals.
Also debuting this summer will be a new dolphin presentation promising a spectacular and awe-inspiring experience for audiences of all ages. Destination: Dolphin will explore the vast world of the bottlenose dolphin and the pivotal role it plays in understanding the health of our planet’s shared ecosystem. The 1,800-person theater will come alive with upbeat music, lighting, and effects – and a very immersive experience for those who dare to sit in the soak zone.
“As we dive into the new year, we are thrilled to unveil several new experiences to elevate everyone’s visit,” said Georgia Aquarium’s chief marketing and experience officer, Dan Dipiazzo. “Georgia Aquarium is always changing, and if you haven’t been here in a while, this is definitely the year to visit.”
The Aquarium’s freshwater gallery, River Scout, is in the final stages of renovation and will debut African tigerfish. Guests can immerse themselves with other unique animals from various freshwater regions like Asian small-clawed otters, giant African puffer, piranhas, as well as a group of peculiar eel-like species called Ropefish. The rainforest meets river experience will complete its renovation in early spring.
Additionally, the Aquarium is elevating the visitor experience with the recent opening of a two-story café. The new Coastline Café includes spacious seating areas next to large windows overlooking downtown Atlanta. The café features a digital ordering system with an updated menu including grain bowls, sandwiches, pizza, desserts, and more. The Aquarium experience continues in the café with a cutting-edge projection mapping experience featuring sea creatures swimming besides guests as they dine.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of Georgia Aquarium’s best ticket deal of the year, the Resident Pass, on sale until January 31, 2024. A Resident Pass gives guests all-year access to every gallery and seasonal activities like the Sound Waves Music Series, Haunted Seas, and Holidays at Georgia Aquarium—all for the price of a single general admission ticket. The Resident Pass is now available to guests that reside outside of the state of Georgia and is perfect for residents of neighboring states like Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This deal ends soon, but the benefits extend all year.
Stay tuned to Georgia Aquarium’s social media and website for updates on all these exciting new offerings coming this summer.
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Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its engaging exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries.