We paid a visit to the remarkable  Georgia Aquariam in Atlanta last week. Being a native Atlantan who now lives in NY, I must admit that I was really really, impressed.  Located in Pemberton Place, right across the way from the World of Coca-Cola , it’s one of the world’s largest aquariums.  With more than 8.5 million U.S. gallons of marine and fresh water fish, it houses more than 100,000 animals of 500 species.  It’s elaborate with moving creatures every which way you look. We saw so many creatures we’ve never seen before in their five incredible galleries – sharks, whales, manta rays, sting rays and more (some of which they were allowed to touch).  My kids spent hours going in and out of each gallery mesmerized.

The highlight of the trip for us was definitely a show called Dolphin Tales. It’s a Broadway-style show, complete with an ancient sailor named StarSpinner and a battle with a sea creature that can only be settled by dolphins leaping, twisting and spinning the audience out of captivity. The 25-minute show includes professional actors in elaborate costumes, colorful animation on a giant screen at the back of the performance tank and original music by composer Tim Williams. We saw dolphins leaping high in the air through showers spouting from each side of the theater, with others dancing fin-in-hand with their trainers or swimming at lightning speeds around the giant tank, stopping to pose on the edge or wave at the audience.  It was extraordinary.  I still can’t get over what a good voice the lead singer had, but my family was more interested in the dolphins and the stunning visual effects.  Check out the video:

A visit to the Georgia Aquarium is not cheap. An adult ticket costs $29.95, children are $24.95 with children under 2 getting in free.  The good news is that the Dolphin show is included, as well as the animated Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow theater.  But I have to say it’s really worth it; this is an incredible aquarium, and you can easily spend a day here.

When we were done, we walked across the square to The World of Coca-Cola.  Being a Georgia native, I had to show my kids the showcase of the 100-year history of coca-cola with paraphernalia, documentaries and a 4-D film.  The self-guided tour starts with a mock documentary called the “Happiness Factory,” where animated creatures who live inside the Coke machine tell how they feel about Coke. We especially enjoyed the refreshment room where it’s possible to sample various coca-colas from around the world — even my son, who has never tasted a drop of coke in his life.  When we left, we were each given an old-fashioned bottle of coke as a souvenir.   Definitely make a trip to the World of Coca-Cola on your next visit to Atlanta.  Adult tickets are $16, children are $12 and toddlers under 2 are free.

Since I just so happened to attend a conference sponsored by the team at Coca-Cola a day later, you’ll be hearing more about the company in the days to come.  But what I learned was more about the company’s missions of advocacy, human rights, sustainability and health.  I can’t wait to share what I learned.

Disclosure: I was allowed into each establishment on a complimentary basis, as I will be writing about each visit on other web sites.  I wanted to share my experiences here, too, as it was truly a great day for all of us.

Source: Examiner.com/

On our current visit to Atlanta, I am trying to take my kids to places we have yet to explore, so when I received an invitation to check out the new Geyser Towers at Stone Mountain, I was thrilled.  Born and raised in Atlanta, I am always eager to revisit places and attractions that I loved as a child, and Stone Mountain was one of them.  I have vivid memories of climbing the mountain to the summit, watching the dazzling lazer show at night, picnics with my family on park benches, heading to the park’s beach and water slides.  I was eager to visit this new attraction.

My kids really didn’t know what to expect as we entered Stone Mountain, and we were eager to hit a few of the other spots first.  It was a hot day and we wanted to wait a bit to get wet, which is what happens to any child who enters the Geysers.

With our Adventure Pass (a great deal for a family – $125 for a family of four), we first ventured to  Sky Hike (pictured above), one of the nation’s largest adventure courses, where my children put on a harness and hiked across ropes, poles and climbed higher and higher, sending me into shock mode that my kids are so brave.  This was a highlight of our day, and their view of Atlanta will never be the same again.

Then we took the Summit Skyride to the top of the mountain where I showed them a view of the city I grew up in (pictured above).  We also went to a 4-D showing of  Yogi Bear 4-D Adventure, a film my kids loved, laughed and cooled down to.

There is so much more to do, but we were ready for the Geyser Towers. My kids threw off their clothes, we had planned for their bathing suits underneath, kept their shoes on, and entered the gate to experience the Towers which are literally multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels connecting visitors to towering platforms that overlook a gushing geyser.  While climbing through the structure, sporadic eruptions and multiple offshoots of water will splash guests to keep cool, or climbers can challenge themselves to stay high and dry.

Credit: Yelp.com

Our recent visit to the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, one of the premier luxury hotels in Atlanta was truly magnificent. Honestly, there is no other way to describe it. It was such a good family travel experience for all of us.  From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty by the staff and that treatment continued throughout our entire stay.

I had stayed at the Ritz in other cities, primarily for work, and had good experiences, but this was my first time with my children. We needed a diversion, and we needed to relax.  Our visit at the Ritz was exactly what the doctor ordered.

The hotel really knows how to cater to families.  First of all, they call kids V.I.K.’s. (Very Important Kids).  Gotta love that.  They think that families don’t have to give up the pampered treatment they can offer when they decide to not drive far for a vacation. They are offering their Family Getaway package through March 31st, 2012 for as low as $279/night.

This package includes overnight deluxe accommodations, American breakfast for two adults and two children in The Café or delivered by in-room dining, guestroom movie with popcorn in addition to dive-in movie at hotel’s pool, children’s self-guided scavenger hunt at hotel, ice cream for children at hotel restaurants, and overnight valet parking (a $32 value).  If you want to splurge a bit more, get a suite for $499/night.  These packages are valid only on Friday and Saturday evenings and of course are subject to availability.   As soon as we arrived at the hotel, the staff offered my children a wrist band so they could get free ice-cream, a small stuffed animal and a scavenger hunt form.  I knew that we would drop our belongings and quickly go on the hunt.

As soon as you walk into the hotel and get a glimpse of the incredible lobby, you know you are in for a unique experience.  The entire hotel is decorated with classic paintings, antique furniture, marble floors and fresh flowers.

Credit: Yelp.com

We were given the suite and it was stunning.  We had a separate bedroom from the kids, which is always a treat when you are traveling as a family.   As expected from a Ritz Carlton, the beds are lush and the room is spacious.  The bath is made of marble, the linens are Italian, the beds are made of feather and the pillows are goose-down, there are terry robes hanging on the bathroom door, there are flat screen TVs, internet access, free newspapers in the morning and an evening turn-down.  The room is really, really comfortable and totally luxurious.

As soon as we dropped our bags, we headed on our scavenger hunt. The hunt takes you on a serious tour of the hotel, answering questions, collecting stamps and gifts along the way.  Kids count the elevators in the hotel, the flags in front of the hotel, the rooms in the hotel (we had to ask someone to answer that for us – there are over 500).  Along the way, we stopped for our ice-cream.  We stopped to watch a pianist playing skillfully and spent a few moments talking to him about how he plays from memory. We stopped for a swim in the gorgeous pool and hot tub and stayed there for hours.  At the end of the hunt, we ended up at the doorman, where we had to find out how many bell carts are in the hotel and we received our last stamp.  I can’t rave enough about the hunt.  It occupied my children for a few hours and they derived so much pleasure from the experience.

The next morning we were all exhausted from a late night so we opted to order breakfast in the room, since we had the option and  I knew it would be a big treat for the kids.  When we called down we were given a zillion options –  grits or potatoes?  pork or chicken sausage?  coffee or tea?  We really didn’t expect the amount of food that came in and everything was delicious.  And the children loved lying in bed, watching TV and eating all their favorite breakfast item…even pancakes.

This package is really ideal for a family like ours.  The price is certainly right and you can take advantage of it this holiday season.  If you’re going during the holidays, you can make an “appointment” for your kids to meet Santa.He comes to your guest room to surprise your child.  You have to call the hotel to find out when that is taking place.  In addition, they also have their traditional holiday brunches and dinners for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as their annual holiday teas.  All their events are listed here.

To book your visit, call (404) 237-2700r book here.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary visit in order to facilitate this review, but all opinions expressed are my own.