What’s a bucket list if you’re not going to check things off of it? I’ve been lucky enough to cross many things off of mine, even some of the more difficult ones. And this weekend I checked off another dream of mine- to pet a penguin. Yes, you can meet a penguin at the Georgia Aquarium. And yes, it’s well worth the price of admission.
Penguin Encounter
For $69.99 (plus the price of aquarium admission) you can attend a “Penguin Encounter” which is a 30-minute experience. You’ll get to learn about the African Penguins as well as conservation efforts. Then the best part, you get to meet and interact with a penguin. We got to meet a 5-year-old penguin named Baraci and he was as cute as could be. There were 8 participants in our group and we sat on stools around a square wooden ottoman-type box that Bacari sat on. He was there with a trainer who kept him entertained and bribed him with fish which he swallowed whole.
She told us about him in particular, answered questions, and allowed us to observe him up close. From there we were able to pet him on both his back as well as feel his wings or flippers whatever you want to call them. The feathers were much softer than I ever would have guessed. And then finally we got to take photos with our new friend. It was a wonderful experience that I will remember forever! So if that chance to meet a penguin is on your bucket list, you can accomplish that at the Georgia Aquarium.
Georgia Aquarium
The rest of the aquarium was fantastic as well featuring sharks, beluga whales, a manta ray, turtles, other rays, and countless species of fish. We spent close to 4 hours there are didn’t even take advantage of everything the aquarium has to offer. Highly recommend if you find yourself in Atlanta!
In addition to the penguin encounter, you can participate in one on one time with other animals including dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and sharks and rays.
Gallery: Penguins and The Georgia Aquarium