Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Press Release

ATLANTA—A trip to Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum is the perfect summer destination—whether you are looking for family-friendly fun or a weekend getaway for two—and there are plenty of exciting things to see and do, from live reptiles to the one-of-a-kind Martinis & IMAX®.

LIZARDS & SNAKES: ALIVE!
Gather up the family and slither into Fernbank’s special exhibition gallery where Lizards & Snakes: Alive! is on view through August 12. Featuring more than 60 live lizards and snakes from five continents, the exhibit showcases animals and their remarkable adaptations, including projectile tongues, deadly venom, amazing camouflage, and sometimes surprising modes of locomotion. Representing 26 species found in Australia, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Sudan and the United States, the specimens range from a four-inch Tropical Girdled Lizard to a 14-foot Burmese Python and are shown in custom habitats complete with ponds, tree limbs, rock ledges and live plants.

Visitors can learn more about these amazing creatures with a stop by Education Alley, located within the exhibition, where an assortment of puzzles, games, books and other activities help children explore further the world of reptiles. And they won’t want to miss special animal encounters at the “Squamate Stage.” Each Saturday and Sunday, at select times, a Fernbank educator will be on hand with a live reptile, which may include a bearded dragon, corn snake or a blue tongue skink.

Fernbank Museum’s Creature Comforts Hotel Packages make it even easier to escape to Atlanta. The packages, which range from $144-$159, include accommodations for one weekend night stay through August 12, two tickets to Lizards & Snakes: Alive! and two tickets to Fernbank’s IMAX® Theatre. Visit www.fernbankmuseum.org for a list of participating hotels.

FAMILY PROGRAMS
There are also plenty of family activities at Fernbank Museum not to miss. On July 21, Fernbank Museum will host Reptile Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the Georgia Herpatological Society will be on hand with an assortment of live reptiles to answer questions about these often misunderstood creatures. Plus, every Saturday and Sunday crafts are offered during Weekend Wonders, with a different theme each month.

IMAX® THEATRE
A visit to Atlanta and Fernbank isn’t complete without a film in the IMAX® Theatre. This summer, audiences can race through the Tour de France, witness the force of a major hurricane or dive into the ocean to discover beautiful coral reefs.

Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France, showing through August 3, incorporates brain science into the stories of cyclists racing in the Tour de France and explores subjects like pain, sensory processing, focus and attention.

Hurricane on the Bayou, showing through June 29, offers a personal look at the impact Louisiana's disappearing wetlands has on hurricane protection. Audiences dive with baby alligators, dance to Cajun rock'n blues music and experience the force of a major hurricane as it rips through the city of New Orleans—all while learning the importance of protecting this unique environment.

Coral Reef Adventure, showing June 30–October 5, 2007, takes audiences on a journey to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the majestic islands of Fiji and Tahiti, and the mysterious Rangiroa atoll to experience some of the world’s largest and most beautiful reefs. 

CULTURAL NIGHTLIFE
Fernbank’s Martinis & IMAX® presented by Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is a great destination for a couple’s escape or a girls’/guys’ weekend out. On Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can enjoy films in the IMAX® Theatre, live music from local musicians, chef-prepared entrees and desserts, and of course, a full cash bar featuring specialty martinis beneath the world’s largest dinosaurs. Martinis & IMAX® also features an outdoor bar and seating at the Fernbank Forest Overlook.

Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. Museum tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors and $11 for children ages 3 to 12. IMAX® tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $9 for children. CityPass booklets can be purchased for $59 for adults and $45 for children. For more information visit www.fernbankmusuem.org or call 404.929.6400 for tickets.

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