We only live 3 hours from Atlanta, yet we never STAY in Atlanta. We’re always driving through on the way to someplace else.

Recently, John’s job took him to Atlanta for a few days, so I tagged along and worked in the hotel.

Originally, we intended to stay Sunday – Friday, but John’s training was done sooner than expected, so we left Tuesday night. I only mention that because I intended to write a LOT more about Atlanta after our trip — but I’ll stick to my top two favorite things we did in a short amount of time.

One attraction and one restaurant.

Visit Georgia Aquarium

John suggested we go, and it sounded interesting. But, I wasn’t prepared for just how awed I would be by all the sea life. Even if, like me, you’ve never ever wanted to be a Marine Biologist, I think you’ll like it here. The aquarium is massive. One of the largest aquariums in the world, in fact!

As you enter, a staff member will take your photo, with the hope you’ll buy a package at the end. We sure didn’t. Below are screenshots from the photo company’s website, with the watermark, because we didn’t pay.

If you’re curious, it costs $30 to buy the same pose with eight different backgrounds. No thanks! There are plenty of real photo opps around the aquarium.

Inside, you’ll find multiple themed exhibits. If you’re bringing kids, I recommend at least 2-3 hours to see everything. If you want to see a live show (which you’ll need to book in advance), that will add extra time. We didn’t pay for a show, so I can’t speak to that experience; however, the website lists more information here. (Under the “Animals & Exhibits” header, click on “Shows & Presentations.”)

Because it was just the two of us, John and I were able to get through the entire aquarium in an hour on a Sunday afternoon — if you’re wondering how to plan for a trip without kids.

Overall, my favorite creatures were: the whale shark, beluga whales, sea dragons, hammerhead sharks, starfish, and the jellyfish. Oh, and the bioluminescent anemone and vibrant coral reefs. The colors are incredible!

Tips for Visiting the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta

If you’re considering a visit to the aquarium, here are a few tips and considerations.

Buy Your Georgia Aquarium Tickets in Advance

Follow this tip if you want to save money.  (Prices below are accurate as of July 2023.)

You can purchase tickets on the Georgia Aquarium website for $47.99 (for same day tickets) or $42.99 (for tickets in advance). That $5 off adds up! Other options through the aquarium include an annual membership for individuals or families to save more if you plan to visit throughout the year.

But, if you want to save even MORE for just a one-time trip, I recommend using Trip.com for advanced tickets. John and I paid $39.99 per ticket vs. $42.99 through the aquarium. Frugal me will not turn down the chance to save an additional $6.

Important note: You have to select a time along with your date, whether you choose same-day or in advance. If you read the fine print, you can arrive within one hour of your scheduled time and still enter.

One final ticket note: If you plan to visit other attractions in Atlanta, it might be worth looking into a CityPASS to save additional cash. We did not do this, so all I can do is point you to the website to learn more.

Walk to the Aquarium to Avoid Parking Fees

Our hotel was about 15-20 minute walk to the aquarium, and yes, we walked. According to the aquarium’s website, parking for non-members is $20 per vehicle. Members still pay $15.

Visit the Exhibits Counter-Clockwise (or Clockwise)

When you first walk in, the massive aquarium can feel overwhelming. Where to start?!

John and I looked right and started with the first exhibit. Then we moved on to the next one. And the next one. Counter-clockwise till we hit them all. It was easy to keep track of where we’d been that way.

Resist the urge to do the most interesting-to-you exhibits first… unless you love chaos and you’re crazy like that 🙂

If you visit after reading this OR if you’ve been here and enjoyed it, drop a comment!

Eat at Poor Calvin’s in Atlanta

On to the food.

Poor Calvin’s is an Asian fusion restaurant with a 4.5 star rating on Google. We pay attention to those reviews!

It was also a short walk from our hotel, so we tried it on a whim.

Wow.

Poor Calvin’s did not disappoint!

The elevated Asian decor is a smart blend of gold and wood, moody blues, and even cherry blossoms. It’s a vibe.

Our server was incredibly personable and knew the menu top to bottom, giving excellent recommendations.

We ordered chicken and pork dumplings for an appetizer. The ginger soy dipping sauce really put them over the top!

For entrees, I am a sucker for a stir fry. Always. Veggies. Coconut rice. Tiger shrimp. The portion was large, and it was perfection.

John chose the “Duck Dynasty” — grilled duck breast, fresh vegetables, mashed potato, organic tiger shrimp, and siam sauce. He loved every bite (except the shrimp, because he doesn’t like shrimp. How?)!

If you have a horrible dairy intolerance (like me) — or a dairy allergy — you’ll find a few delicious, dairy-free options on the menu. Score!

Unfortunately, there are no dairy-free desserts, so John enjoyed the fried empanadas without me. Why did I forget to take a photo?! Two peach empanadas were coated in cinnamon, with two scoops of piña colada ice cream, whipped cream, raspberry sauce, and fresh-cut strawberries. Whew. John doesn’t even love peaches, but he was SO glad he ordered that instead of cheesecake.

Click here to see a similar, seasonal empanada on Poor Calvin’s Instagram account.

Are you a fan of Asian fusion, too?

Let me know if you’re adding Poor Calvin’s to your Atlanta list.

And feel free to add more recommendations in the comments for others who are planning trips to ATL.