ATLANTA -- Interested in seeing the world's largest aquarium? All you have to do is hop in your car and drive to Atlanta. It's a great escape from the summer heat and a fun vacation for any age.

The aquarium in downtown Atlanta offers many attractions. The facility houses three whale sharks (the only aquarium to house them in the United States), four beluga whales, many types of fish and touch tanks as well as a walk-through viewing tube in the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

The Ocean Voyager is the largest tank in the building and holds 6.3 million gallons of water. The live coral reef exhibit is the largest in the U.S., according to the Georgia Aquarium Web site.

The Rogers family of Lexington recently took an overnight trip to the famous aquarium, which, according to its Web site, has only been open for about two years. It took two and a half years to build.

Dave Rogers found the size of the tanks and fish impressive.

"Wow! It's so immense. It's hard to grasp the total space involved," he said."My only advice would be to get tickets in advance. If you wait until you get there, you might not be able to get in."

His wife, Lee-Anne, said she thought the aquarium was delightful as well.

"I especially liked sitting and looking at the huge tank with all the beautiful fish," she said.

Marguerite Caldwell, Rogers' mother, said the Georgia Aquarium "was the most beautiful thing I have been to. The stingrays were fantastic. Everybody should see it. It's absolutely marvelous."

John Rogers, 21, said he particularly liked the whale sharks.

"They were incredible," he said. "In the tunnel, you can see all the fish swimming over you. It was neat."

For those who think the trip is too much to do in one day, there are many hotels in and around Atlanta to extend your stay.

If you're driving from Orangeburg to Atlanta, the aquarium is fairly simple to find. Just take Interstate 20 in Columbia towards Augusta to I-85 North. From there, take Exit 248-C and turn left. You will be able to see the building and the parking garage. The parking garage is connected to the building, and it costs $10 to park. You can pay for parking inside the aquarium at the information desk.

Total driving time is between three-and-a-half and four hours from Orangeburg. Within three blocks of the aquarium, you can also visit the World of Coca-Cola (Museum), The Children's Museum and Centennial Olympic Park. To cut costs, you can enjoy a picnic lunch from home in Centennial Olympic Park between visits to the different attractions.

Not comfortable driving in Atlanta? It's easy to take the MARTA Train from the outskirts of the city to downtown. Leave your car in a secure parking garage while you visit the aquarium. MARTA fare per person is only $1.75. For more information, call 404-848-5000 or visit www.itsmarta.com.

Keep in mind that there are long lines at many of these places, but if you buy your tickets before you get there, you will be able to get in faster.

Summer hours at the Georgia Aquarium are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., which will provide plenty of time to look through the seven exhibits and give kids a chance to play on the indoor playground.

Admission ranges from $18 to $24. For more information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org or call 404-581-4444.

T&D Correspondent Ashley Wheeler can be reached by e-mail at wheelera2@winthrop.edu. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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