Flint RiverQuarium — Attraction in Albany

Long review below, so...

TL;DR - this is a VERY cool place, great for both families and inquisitive adults. Definitely visit for a unique and educational experience.

Full review:

This is a VERY cool place. I was in Albany from Texas working on a local project and had some unexpected free time. I saw signs for this location as I drove into Albany, and thought it would be something unique and neat to check out. Because of the location and the name, I expected it to be small and, honestly, underwhelming. I mean, what could you really 'exhibit' for JUST ONE river?? Most AQUARiums I have visited can fit the topic of 'River Ecosystem' into just one (typically small-ish) exhibit in their lineup, after all.

It definitely isn't huge, so expectation = reality here. The name 'Flint 'Riverquarium' pretty much sets the expectation that no other bodies of water are covered outside of the Flint River.

I was NOT prepared to be BLOWN AWAY with the overall experience. For what seems like a fairly narrow topic, the facility gives a really nice, cohesive introduction and educational immersion into the Flint river's multiple (and extremely unique and diverse, I might add!) ecosystems and habitats. The exhibits are visually attractive and well maintained, and layout allows you to meander through each exhibit without much trouble (sorry, couldn't help myself with the river pun 😅). Content is nice balance of interactive games and exhibits for younger visitors with plenty of interesting exhibits and information for curious adults. I love that many of the exhibits highlight local plants and animals that you may not see in a standard aquarium exhibit (check out that ENORMOUS snapping turtle!!). It adds a nice regional flavor/flair and keeps the exhibits fresh.

Hats off to whomever had the vision to design and build this gem. As a tourist destination, it successfully highlights something that is unique and special to Albany, GA and the surrounding region, and provides stimulating activity for all visitors. hope to return and visit again, and 10/10 would recommend to anyone planning a visit...

I'm giving 3 stars ONLY bc my 19 month old daughter LOVED it and had a great time. Overall, the facility only deserves about 1 star as it is currently. -As soon as you pay and start walking up the stairs, there's a water leak that's caused damage to the wall. It had been raining Saturday, so there was an active leak. +The images on the walls have been updated and are pretty cool. -The interactive activities do not work. The water table has always been my favorite. I was so ready to go play with it, only to find it dry and no water. The weather game does not work. The water works wall half works, but you can hardly see it due to all the build up on the glass. It's also all nasty looking inside from scum/mold looking stuff. -There's only 1 sea horse. Only 1 shark egg. Not much to see there. -Only 1 tank has a stool for small children to stand on. Why not make it easier for smaller children to see in ALL tanks? My daughter literally kept trying to pull herself up on the ledge of tanks because she likes to be independent. LET THE LITTLE KIDS SEE THE FISH. That would be a relatively inexpensive upgrade. +We went later in the day and it wasn't busy, so we were able to take our time and not bother or be bothered by anyone else. -It was still full price admission for 2 adults ($19) for a broke down aquarium visit. +The only reason it was worth it was my...

lacks in-depth info cards on the fish and reptiles but is more affordable then other aquariums. sometimes you can catch an Aquarist but other wise you have to schedule ahead for a tour. Other wise Saturdays or Sundays seem to be the better times to visit being that's when they have divers in the Blue Hole and or animal encounters in Skywater.

The bathrooms were clean and through my many visits seem to to be kept up with though they are small and few between. there are only

baby changing tables

They used to have problems with the ceiling and walls pealing but since then has been repaired and repainted so everything is nicer to look at and even better when holding a party there. As of typing this they are still reconstructing the alligators exabit :( and replacing the carpet in Skywater.

If your in town its worth a visit and will only take a hour to walk through and then after that there is a history museum and zoo all within twenty minuets of each other.

P.S replace the dirty sand table (river table) with a ray or cat shark touch tank, please...