Last week for Spring Break I had the pleasure of taking off for a day of fun at Florida's Gulfarium in Fort Walton Florida which is about an hour and a half east of where I live in Pensacola. I have not been to the Gulfarium in YEARS, so I was excited to get to take the girls out for the day, and was excited to get to meet my uncle there as well.
The weather was perfect – just overcast enough that you did not have to wear your sunglasses – which is good because almost the entire Gulfarium is outside. The main tank was under construction which at first was a bummer, but there were so many OTHER exhibits and shows, we really did not even miss seeing the main tank.
We began with a dolphin show – which I think I could probably watch all day every day and never get tired of. The dolphins of course were perfect and the trainers were funny as well. The Toddler was SO excited – she absolutely could not take her eyes of “Zack” – this 600+ pound beauty.
We then headed over to see the Penguins have lunch. It was amazing to me how tame these little guys were. This one – Holly I believe was her name – stood posing for us all to take as many pictures as we wanted. The Tween of course wanted to take her home.
The Gulfarium has many other live exhibits, including a bird exhibit, alligators, turtles, stingrays, sea urchins, harbor seals, and sea otters, but my absolute favorite part is the “Living Sea” exhibit – a 42,000 gallon mixed reef aquarium sporting just about every exotic fish you can imagine. I think I could just spend hours staring into this thing. I mean, who wouldnt want to watch this: (ignore my children screaming “Mom, Mom, Mom – look at this!!!”)
They even have a cute little place to for a photo opp: (although I was wishing for a step stool!)
The Gulfarium also has a place to sit and eat right in the middle of the exhibits, which is nice to not “miss” anything while getting a quick bite. We wrapped up the day watching the Sea Lion show which was hysterical. I became my Tween for a moment, wishing I could take one of THEM home!
All in all it was a wonderful day,and one the girls and I will remember for a long time. I am sure we will make going to the Gulfarium and spending the day with my Uncle a more common day trip! 🙂
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