The 100 foot “undersea” acrylic tunnel featured in the Ocean Voyager exhibit.
A Pacific coral reef in one of the worlds largest living tropical reef exhibits.
The expansive Georgia Aquarium is worth a visit – with or without kids.
We visited (without children), and were able to take advantage of the one-hour behind-the-scenes “Sea Keeper Tour” for ages 10+. We saw the veterinary areas, labs, filtration system, coral reef mechanism, and the top of the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit the Whale Sharks call home. A 20-minute “Quick Dip Tour” is available for families with kids 5+ and also gets you to the top of the Whale Shark exhibit. You can also arrange to swim or dive with the Whale Sharks.
The Aquarium covers everything from cold water environments, featuring Beluga Whales and a shy giant Pacific octopus, to the river habitats of Africa, South America and Asia. Local coastal and river settings are not ignored and there are plenty of hands-on, interactive activities for kids of all ages.
The four Whale Sharks were amazing and I could’ve watched them as well as their companion sharks, mantas and thousands of fish for hours!
You can easily spend a day. Be sure to avoid lines and get your tickets on-line in advance. Many local hotels have overnight/Aquarium packages and, if you stay downtown, you can walk through Centennial Park to the Aquarium. If you drive in, parking at the Aquarium is $10, or $9 if purchased on-line.
Tip: Be sure to book any behind-the-scenes tour and your time for the “Dolphin Tales” show in advance. Popular times book up quickly. If you get tickets through a hotel you may need your ticket numbers because you will need to book these times directly with the Aquarium. I say “may” because after being told I had to have the ticket numbers, once I got them, no one ever asked for them . . . .
Surface view of a Whale Shark from the vantage point of a behind-the-scenes tour.
One of the four Whale Sharks at the Georgia Aquarium.
Pacific Sea Nettles, each with their lacy oral arms and 24 stinging tentacles.
Tale fluke of a beautiful Beluga Whale in the Cold Water Quest exhibit.
Enjoying some bluegrass and gospel music by Tennessee group Rambling Rose, at Carolina Barbeque in Newland. Best smoked chicken, fried chicken fingers and pecan cobbler anywhere!
Kayaking on the scenic New River with RiverGirl Fishing Co.
My favorite way to see the New River is with RiverGirl Fishing Co. Owner Kelly and her team will make sure you find the right activity – for a big group or just one. She has single and double kayaks and canoes as well as tubing adventures. Trips can last from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Kelly McCoy is a fisheries biologist who has an incredible amount of information to share. She also teaches fly fishing and offers guided fishing trips. I remember when she bought the concession and the first thing she did was upgrade the equipment – something she has conscientiously continued to do every year.
Tubing can be very calm – but slow – and it is probably too slow for some kids who prefer faster action. Younger children are fine. I also prefer the single kayaks and think they are much easier than the doubles, particularly if the water is low and you need to scoot over the rocks (less weight is better). The kayaks are comfortable and very easy on the back due to the little seats in each; there is plenty of leg room. And really, any kayak is more comfortable than a canoe.
The New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in the U.S., and has been designated an NC State Scenic River and part of the U.S. National Wild and Scenic River System.
Get on the River and feel like you are in another world, it’s a really nice way to relax and experience another side of life in the High Country. While on the river, we’ve seen otter, deer, ducks, birds, and, oh yeah, cows!
RiverGirl is located in Todd, about 10 miles from Boone on Hwy 194, across from the historic Todd General Store. They open every year in April for the summer season. This year you can even join a special 1.5 hour “Wined Down Wednesdays” kayak trip at 5:30, complete with guide and wine! Give them a call for trips, classes or summer passes: 336.877.3099 or toll-free at 877.NCFISHIN (877.623.4744)
Tranquility.
The regal Fairmont Empress Hotel.
A perfect afternoon high tea at the lovely Fairmont Empress Hotel was a fitting conclusion to our Alaska cruise, in our final port of Victoria, BC, Canada. I booked the tea directly with the hotel. They offer extended evening hours in the summer months to accommodate the cruising visitors, many of whom don’t arrive until late in the day (as we did). Shuttle buses and taxis are readily available at the port and we grabbed a shuttle into downtown. for those who don’t mind walking it would be a beautiful and easy walk of 20 – 30 minutes. We walked around a bit and visited a few shops. Victoria was as beautiful as I remembered, but unfortunately on this visit we encountered quite a few older, aggressive beggars in the area.
Our leisurely stroll led us to the Empress, through their colorful manicured gardens and into the historic tea room. The service was exceptional, the hot tea served in silver teapots, and the savories delicious. The experience lived up to its reputation and we enjoyed every morsel. Afterwards, we checked out a bit of the street theater held regularly along the harbor (across the street from the hotel), and then grabbed a cab back to our ship. We set sail for our return to Seattle at one minute before midnight.
Lights on at night at the Parliament complex, Victoria.
