Best Exotic Animal Encounters in Atlanta
Do you have an animal lover in your family? Meeting new and exotic creatures can be exciting and unforgettable! There are a number of attractions and locations in the Atlanta area that can give an up close and personal experience with animals and nature! Here’s a quick list that highlights some of the best locations in Atlanta where you can interact directly with exotic animals! It’s an excellent way for family and friends to spend the day together and create a memory all of you will cherish!
North Georgia Wildlife Park & Safari: Cleveland, GA
Home to more than 400 animals, North Georgia Wildlife Park is great location to bring your family on an exotic animal adventure. This wildlife park and safair has one of the largest petting zoos in Georgia and is full of fun and educational experiences for all ages. Guests get the chance to pet and feed a variety of miniature and rare breed livestock, including potbelly piglets, miniature goats, sheep, donkeys and deer. Babies are born year-round. There is also a guided wildlife walk, close exotic animal encounters, and a Safari Drive Thru. From alligators to wolves, this is truly a unique exotic animal experience!
Ahoy Matey! SeaQuest Stonecrest
For families looking for an incredible, interactive, and affordable experience in Georgia, SeaQuest Stonecrest is a perfect choice! Boasting over 15,000 square feet of fun-packed adventures, SeaQuest Stonecrest is one of the few places in the Atlanta area that offers hands-on encounters where visitors get to touch, feel, and feed animals from a variety of ecosystems found throughout the world.
You’ll journey through the Amazon, Caribbean, Egyptian Desert, and Mayan Jungle as you interact with sharks, snakes, turtles, and lizards during your quest. Ever seen a kangaroo in person? Well if not, visit the wallabies at SeaQuest Stonecrest! Wallabies are the smallest in the kangaroo family and love to have visits from guests.
Exotic Animal Encounters at SeaQuest Stonecrest, Georgia:
- Asian Otter Interaction: Meet Chip, Dale and Harry! During your time to feed the otters, you’ll get an educational overview of the otter species and habitat, then participate in an informational Q&A on how you can help save the otters in the wild!
- Sloth Interaction: Hang out with Flash the Sloth while learning all about him. You get to feed, pet, and touch the sloth in this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Be sure to bring your camera for a selfie during your hand-feeding session.
- Fishy Kisses: Dip your feet into a tank of fish that will gently “kiss” your toes, removing dead skin cells in the process.
- Crested Porcupine Interaction: Have you ever wondered what a porcupine actually feels like? Look no further – Meet Quilliam the porcupine here at SeaQuest, and learn all about his unique species while hand feeding him his favorite snacks!
- Sleep With the Sharks: Invite 25 of your closest friends for this ultimate overnight experience! Learn how the Animal Whisperers open and close SeaQuest each day, get a behind-the-scenes peek at the aquarium and participate in the morning bird feeding experience.
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary: Lilburn, GA
At the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary you’ll enjoy seeing exotic wildlife such as bears, bison, servals, and even kinkajous! This animal sanctuary is now home to recovering wildlife who could not be re-homed or released back into the wild. The sanctuary is a wonderful place that highlights the health and happiness of its animal residents! It’s a great walk-through experience and you can also feed some of the animals in the Petting yard with their feed cups available for purchase.
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a non-profit research institution and scientific center. Focused on aquatic research and immense animal care, they are dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation for the world’s oceans.
With more than 11 million gallons of water, Georgia Aquarium features larger-than-life exhibits that can bring a sense of awe and wonder. Similar to Sea World, Georgia Aquarium is home to several gentle giant marine species such as dolphins, sea lions, and whales.
Special Highlights in the Aquarium
- Dolphin Presentation: Otherwise known as Dolphins in Depth, this animal activity allows you to attend a 15-minute presentation on dolphins. They’ll swim and perform tricks as trainers give insight into the dolphin’s daily routine and intellectual abilities. This presentation is included with your ticket price, but there is an additional fee of $5 for preferred seating.
- Waddle Walk: In this area, you’ll get to watch the penguins strut their stuff! Trainers lead several African penguins on a daily stroll across the Aquarium’s main Atrium, giving guests the chance to see this amazing species up close. The Waddle Walk teaches visitors about the plight of this endangered species and preservation efforts to protect these beautiful birds
- Shark Cage Dive: Don a wetsuit and venture into the deep with some of the most fearsome sharks in this animal interaction. Participants must be ages 12 and up and, while a diving certification is not required, you will be in a full mask, so it’s not recommended for those who are unfamiliar with scuba mask wearing. Ticket pricing runs at $249 per person.
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta features a variety of exotic and wild animals including panda bears, orangutans, gorillas, lions, and elephants! There are giraffe feedings daily and you can also get up close and personal with the elephants, lemurs and a warthog! The zoo has a playground, a train, and a carousel. They also offer great educational opportunities called Keeper Talks, which are free! You’ll hear from the experts about conservation and visitors can enjoy learning about animals from the African savanna all the way to giant tortoises of the Aldabra atoll. Many of these include an opportunity to watch the animals during their feeding times.
When it comes to exotic animal encounters in the Atlanta area, these are just some of our favorite picks! Atlanta and the surrounding areas have a variety of aquarium and zoo locations that will surely bring the adventure of a lifetime for your family! For the BEST animal interactions in the state check out the SeaQuest Stonecrest website. You can book your special exotic animal encounter today!
