We received complimentary tickets for our visit. All opinions are my own.
This is the first and only aquarium we have visited as a family. I had been leery about taking Charlie because any aquarium we choose to visit is about an hour from us and I didn’t want to drive, pay, and then him hate it or get bored/tired after 30 minutes of walking around.
Adventure Aquarium was amazing. This is truly an aquarium catered to children (though I loved everything about it as well). When we walked in, Charlie immediately wanted to run everywhere and see everything. After explaining to him we weren’t in a hurry and had plenty of time, he slowed down a bit so we could enjoy everything.
This week, June 15-22, is Hippo Haven week! Monday through Friday, join in on the search for the “hippo booty” in Hippo Haven Twitter Treasure Hunt for the chance to win your choice of a behind-the-scenes Hippo Experience for four or a Family Explorer Annual Pass. Follow @AdventureAqua on Twitter to find out the daily clue! Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22 Backyardigans Pablo, Tyrone and Uniqua get in on the fun with live appearances 11-3 daily in the Rotunda. You can visit Hippo Haven for Talks and Feeds every day at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 2:30.
Follow Adventure Aquarium on Facebook starting June 13 through June 22 for the chance to win cool prizes including 4-packs of Adventure Aquarium tickets and Hippo Prize Packs.
Hippo Haven, home of Button and Genny, 3,000+ pound hippo sisters, is located just off from the café. After a giant makeover, Hippo Haven reopened to the public May 29th. Adventure Aquarium is the ONLY aquarium in the world with hippos on exhibit. When you open the doors to Hippo Haven, you open the door to a whole new world. You hear music, see lights, and projections that take you on “a day in the life on an African river”. This spectacular environment was created by award-winning production company, Mousetrappe. Mousetrappe has worked its magic with Disney, Universal, Harry Potter, and many more.
This is the view from the top deck, kind of a skyline view. It was really pretty awesome.
We went through Hippo Haven for a feeding time, but we couldn’t quite hear what the speaker was saying, though we were standing close to him. The field trip crowd ran in and it was a bit overwhelming.
In the lower level, there are bench seats and an open wall of glass to sit and enjoy the hippos. Personally, I could have sat there all day.
Nowhere else will you be able to be this close to a hippo!
We stopped back in on our way out too. This time it was so quiet and peaceful, just us and another family in the huge environment.
If you’re in the area, Adventure Aquarium should definitely be on your “to do” list. And while you’re there, make sure to sit down and enjoy the hippos. They put a lot of work into creating a magical home for Button and Genny and it really shows!
Be sure to look out for the post on the rest of our day at Adventure Aquarium. There will be a giveaway!
![[Giveaway] Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game](https://theshirleyjourney.com/wp-content/plugins/related-posts-by-zemanta/static/thumbs/15.jpg)
Robin Rue says
No way! That is so cool. My boys would LOVE that.
jaimemckee says
This looks amazing! I love hippos and my son would seriously love this exhibit.
Carly says
How cool! I have never seen a hippo up close. I think my kids would love that!
Debbie Denny says
This is so fantastic. I have seen one hippo but not too close. it would be awesome.
cookiesandclogs says
Wow, I’ve never seen them like that – with the huge glass underwater. Glad you were able to see them again in a more peaceful setting.
Krystyn says
That would be so cool to see hippos up close. I’ve heard they are super mean by nature, but how could they be when they look so cute?
Janell Poulette says
Our family loves to go to aquariums. I wish this was closer to us.
Kiwi says
Aw lookie the Hippo..surprisingly I dont think the GA Aquarium has hippos!
Renee Bigner says
So jealous you have hippos at your aquarium! It’s been years since our zoo had any and my oldest used to ask for them everytime we visited.
SippyCupMom says
How cool!!! Look how close you can get! No way!
Christina Shirley says
Nope. This is the only aquarium in the world with them!
Brandy says
This sounds and looks like such a fun experience. I would love to take my kids to see this, if only it were closer. Thanks for sharing!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
That looks an enjoyable adventure. How neat that they are the only aquarium with hippos.
Elizabeth says
Those hippo’s are so cute! I’ve never even really thought of them as sea creatures or something you’d find in an aquarium before. Looks like a fun day.
Carly Anderson says
Those hippos are ADORABLE! what a fun day trip!
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
I love aquariums! You got some great photos!
kay adeola says
We love visiting aquariums! I am yet to see a hippo at one though lol.I think hippos are amazing.
redheadbabymama says
How cool! Red LOVES the aquarium, but we don’t have a hippo. Too cool!
redheadbabymama says
PS: i love your new header!
Virginia @thatbaldchick says
My kids love the hippo at our local zoo. They could stand there for hours. There isn’t a neat viewing area like you had at the Adventure Aquarium, though. That is amazing.
traceynicole says
I can’t even! Those hippos are so cute, what a cool place!
mail4rosey says
I like the pictures with the hands on the glass. How sweet. 🙂 This does look like a fun place to take the kids.
Christie says
Wow, right up close! My son loves hippos and think they’re funny!
mommamellon says
Wow that looks like a great place to visit!! Fun!
Liz Mays says
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nicer hippo exhibit than this one. What a great way to “really” see them!
Krystal says
Oh wow- looks like you got to get really close to them! I’ve never had the chance to see them so close!
melinda says
I’ve seen them before. I glad they got a makeover
busymomblog says
Wow, I’ve never seen a hippo up close! This is very cool.
Teresa McCluskey says
Hippo’s are awesome, but they are also very aggressive when people come into their area.
Amy Desrosiers says
Wow,I had ZERO idea hippos could swim!! Thanks for teaching me something new!
shellthings says
What a fun place to visit! We don’t have a hippo at our aquarium!
gogrowgo says
Oh my goodness that hippo is adorable! What a fun place.
Stacie Haight Connerty says
That is really cool. Hippos are amazing creatures; I know my kids would love the attraction.
TheNewClassy says
That hippo has the cutest face!! I had no idea they were so cute up close and personal. I just want to pat it on the head. 🙂
Cassie Tucker says
I LOVE hippos, they are so sweet and cute. I could have sat there and watched for hours probably.
April Decheine says
They are so cute!! I have never seen a Hippo up close. Your son is in awe.
ioana c. says
wow , this place looks awesome!
Christina Shirley says
we’ve never seen hippos up close! we’ll definitely have to check them out. 🙂