Things to do in Atlanta

A deep dive into Georgia Aquarium Atlanta

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The U.S. has many aquariums filled with incredible marine life. What makes them special is that most are non-profits focused on ocean conservation rather than just showcasing animals. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is one such aquarium, and has one of the best collections of sea creatures. From sharks and whales to penguins and seals, visitors can get up close with marine life through interactive exhibits and experiences.

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Georgia Aquarium - In a nutshell


Handy information

⏰ Suggested Duration:5-6 hours
☀️ Best Time to Visit:Early morning on weekdays
🎟️ Skip the line ticket: $47.90
🚇 Closest Metro:Civic Center Station

Opening Hours

Varies between 9am to 9pm
Timings differ on a daily basis. Please refer to the calendar to see the exact timings for the day of your visit.

Highlights

Sharks! Predators of the Deep
Aquanaut Adventure
Cold Water Quest
Dolphin Coast

Address

225 Baker St NW, Atlanta,
GA 30313, United States
Get There

Why visit Georgia Aquarium Atlanta?


  • Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere. It is the third largest aquarium in the world with over 10 million gallons of water and 100 habitats.
  • The aquarium consists of eight galleries and exhibits: Sharks! Predators of the Deep, Cold Water Quest, Tropical Diver, Southern Company River Scout, Dolphin Coast, Trust Pier 225, Ocean Voyager Built by The Home Depot, and Aquanaut Adventure.
  • They host a variety of marine animals such as African Penguins, American Alligators, Beluga Whales, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Common Bottlenose Dolphins, and more.
  • The Georgia Aquarium also offers Behind-the-Scene Tours of the galleries where the guests can play and interact with the sea animals. There are other experiences such as Sleepovers, Dive/Swim with Gentle Giants, etc.
  • It is the only aquarium in North America that is home to whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.

Recommended Georgia Aquarium tickets



If you're in Georgia or planning a trip, a visit to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is a must. It's the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and offers an unforgettable experience. Check out these Georgia Aquarium Tickets for all the details.

Animals to look out for


The Georgia Aquarium is huge, and its collection of marine life is one of the most impressive in the world. Here are some of the most unique and rare aquatic animals you won’t want to miss during your visit.

1Georgia Aquarium Whale Shark

A whale shark is the largest fish in the world that lives in Tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. It is generally 8-32.8 feet in size, eats zooplankton and smaller fishes.

Whale Shark - Georgia Aquarium Atlanta

2Manta Ray

Also known as the devil ray, a manta ray is a filter feeder that only consumes planktons and small fishes. Found in the Western Atlantic, Western Caribbean, and some parts of the Gulf of Mexico, this animal lives in reefs, atolls, and island groups.

Manta Ray

3Beluga Whale

These small, white whales live in cold waters of Arctic and subarctic regions. Beluga whales live in shallow and deep offshores and are in rivers too. They consume marine and freshwater fishes and zooplankton as well.

Beluga Whale

4California Sea Lion

This species of sea lions live on the coast of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It is another great sea animal that you can encounter at Georgia Aquarium. They consume squids, anchovy, rockfish, mackerel, and whiting and use honks, growls, backs, etc. to communicate.

Sea Lion

5African Penguin

Found on the coasts of Southwestern Africa, African Penguins feed on fishes and squids. They usually hunt from the shore and can swallow the food whole. You can watch these African Penguins strutting around in the Georgia Aquarium’s main Atrium.

African Penguin

6 Common Bottlenose Dolphin

A resident of the Atlantic Ocean, this dolphin species is famous for its social behavior and acrobatic stunts. They use whistles, squeaks, grunts, moans, etc. to communicate and hunt.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin

7American Alligator

American Alligators have a broad snout and a top jaw overlapping the lower jaw and teeth. They are found in Southwestern U.S. and live in swamps, marshes, or water bodies. They consume both marine and terrestrial prey.

aligator

Georgia Aquarium livestream camera


You can watch thousands of incredible sea creatures like California sea lions, beluga whales, and piranhas, along with ecosystems like the Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef, right from home. The Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager Live Cam streams the ocean exhibit in HD, giving you a sneak peek of what to expect on your visit.

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Encounters and experiences at the aquarium


1 Animal encounters

Georgia Aquarium offers several interactive programs where you can get up close with marine animals. You can take part in experiences like the Shark & Ray Interaction, Dolphin Encounter, Penguin Encounter, Sea Otter Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, Seal Encounter, Beluga Interaction, and the Sea Lions Up Close Program. These programs let you touch, feed, and even play with these amazing creatures.

animal encounters

2 Swim and dive

At Georgia Aquarium, you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming alongside whale sharks and manta rays. There are two interactive programs to choose from: Journey with Gentle Giants – Swim, and Journey with Gentle Giants – Dive. These experiences let you get up close with these incredible sea animals in a safe and controlled environment. Reservations to the swim and dive experiences need to be made separately.

aligator

3 Behind the Seas Highlights Tour

The Behind the Seas Highlight Tour takes you backstage for a closer look at the aquarium’s exhibits and marine life. It’s a great way to see how the aquarium operates and learn more about the animals from behind the scenes. This tour is not incuded in your ticket and you'll need to purchase it separately.

behind sea tours

4 Shows and presentations

Watch dolphins leap and twist through the water, showing off their intelligence and agility. Then, head to Truist Pier 225, where playful sea lions impress with daring dives and fun interactions. The shows are included with your admission ticket, but seating is limited. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance at no extra cost using the seat reservation system.

Shows and presentations

5 Georgia Aquarium Sleep Under The Sea

Sleep Under the Sea offers a unique chance to spend the night at Georgia Aquarium. You’ll sleep in front of a gallery window in your sleeping bag, surrounded by incredible marine life. The experience also includes complimentary snacks and exclusive tours of the aquarium. This is a separate booking and not included with general admission tickets, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance.

Sleepovers  Georgia aquarium

6Sips Under the Sea - Valentine's Day

Sips Under the Sea: Valentine’s Day is a special 18+ event at Georgia Aquarium, offering a unique adults-only experience. Enjoy a drink from the bar, dance to live DJ music, and explore the aquarium in a relaxed, after-hours setting. This themed cocktail party features signature drinks, great music, and access to the aquarium’s stunning galleries—making it a perfect way to spend the evening.

Sleepovers  Georgia aquarium

Image Courtesy: CNtraveler website

Georgia Aquarium timings


Georgia Aquarium is open every day of the week. It opens daily at 9am, with closing times ranging between 4pm and 9pm. Before your visit, check their official calendar for exact hours and daily show schedules.

Best time to visit

Generally, you should visit an animal exhibit when the animals are most active which is usually during feeding time. So, plan a visit then or during one of the dolphins shows that are conducted regularly here. To avoid the crowd, visit Georgia Aquarium from Monday to Thursday early morning or between lunch and dinner.

Suggested duration

There are a lot of exhibit galleries to visit, animals to view, and experiences to enjoy in Georgia Aquarium Atlanta. So, it is recommended that guests keep aside at least 5-6 hours for a visit here.

Getting there


By bus
You get a MARTA bus from Five Points MARTA Station and Civic Center MARTA Station via Route 32 to Georgia Aquarium.

By train
Georgia Aquarium is just a 10-15 minute walking distance from Civic Center or Peachtree Center Stations on the Red/Gold line or GWCC/CNN Center/Philips Arena Station on the Blue/Green line.

By car
You can also take a car or cab to reach Georgia Aquarium Atlanta. You can use this address to get the direct route from your location - 357 Luckie Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30313.

Handy tips for a smooth visit



  • The most picturesque spot in Georgia Aquarium is the Ocean Voyager exhibit. For the best photos without crowds, visit after 5pm when it gets quieter, giving you a chance to capture great photos without too many people in the background.
  • Visit in the morning or between lunch and dinner to avoid crowds. The aquarium gets busier after 12pm, so arriving early lets you explore more peacefully.
  • Plan your trip between Monday and Thursday to avoid the weekend rush.
  • The aquarium is huge, and it takes about 5-6 hours to see all the exhibits. Stay hydrated and bring snacks to keep your energy up.
  • While shows at Georgia Aquarium are free with admission, they require advance reservations due to limited seating. As soon as you arrive, make sure to book your seats for the shows on that day.
  • Join the Swim and Dive program at the Ocean Voyager Exhibit for an unforgettable experience swimming with whale sharks and manta rays.
  • Go behind the scenes to meet otters, dolphins, and penguins in special interactive programs.

Georgia Aquarium Atlanta Facts



  • Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere with over 10 million gallons of water in over 100 habitats.
  • At the opening, the aquarium was certified as having the most aquatic life in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
  • One million guests visited Georgia Aquarium in the initial 100 days of its opening in 2005 and 3.6 million guests visited in the first year. Currently, more than 18 million guests have visited this aquarium since 2005.
  • Ocean Voyager in Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquatic indoor habitat that holds 6.3 million gallons of water. It is home to thousands of species including manta rays and whale sharks.
  • Georgia Aquarium is the only aquarium in North America that houses whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.
  • Tropical Diver’s Pacific barrier reef habitat that consists of 164,000 gallons of water is one of the largest living reef exhibits in the United States.
  • AT&T Dolphin Tales at 84,000 square feet and 1.8 million gallons of water is the largest addition to Georgia Aquarium.

Georgia Aquarium Atlanta Reviews


Everything was so organized. The first floor so pretty and elegant with those Christmas trees. And the most important part is all those animals looked healthy!


Christina, Headout, January 2025

I proposed to my girlfriend at the shark exhibit. She thought it was just another visit to another attraction here in Atlanta. She is from Alaska, so this was her first time ever visiting an aquarium. Now it will forever be rememberable.

Octavais, Headout, January 2025

Restaurants in and around Georgia Aquarium


Restaurants
Coastline Café (located inside the aquarium)

Take a break and enjoy a meal at Coastline Café, located on the upper level of Georgia Aquarium. The café serves a variety of family-friendly comfort foods, including chicken tenders, burgers, pizza, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and salads. There are also vegetarian and vegan options available. For drinks, you can grab a freshly brewed coffee, wine, beer, or other bottled beverages to keep you refreshed during your visit.

Restaurants Near Georgia Aquarium
Johnny Rockets

With a retro setting, Johnny Rockets is a great restaurant near Georgia Aquarium that serves amazing food and ambience. This food outpost serves burgers, fries, and shakes – an American staple food. There are also tiny jukeboxes on the table to play with your favorite oldie.

Restaurants
Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria

Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria serves the most delicious pies and pizzas in a casual and chill setting. To make the experience more authentic for the customers, they use a coal-burning oven to prepare the pizzas and the crispy pies here.

Restaurants Near Georgia Aquarium
Hard Rock Café

This is a Rock’n’roll themed café in Atlanta that offers a killer ambience with even amazing food. You can find all the American classics here including burgers, ribs, and other mouth-watering dishes.

Restaurants Near Georgia Aquarium
Kwan’s Deli and Korean Kitchen

If you are craving some Korean food, then Kwan’s Deli and Korean Kitchen is a perfect place to check out in Atlanta. They have a casual ambience and serve American breakfast, salads, and deli sandwiches apart from Korean cuisine.

Hotels nearby


Here are some of the best rated Hotels near Georgia Aquarium Atlanta for your visit to explore the city.

Georgia Aquarium Atlanta FAQs


Georgia Aquarium Guide

Can I bring my service dog into Georgia Aquarium?

Only guide dogs for the blind, service dogs for people with disabilities, and working dogs in training are allowed inside the aquarium. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.

How big is Georgia Aquarium?

The aquarium spans more than 600,000 square feet. It holds approximately 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water across all exhibits.

Can I leave and re-enter the aquarium?

Yes, General Admission guests can exit and re-enter during their visit. To do so, you must get your ticket stamped at the Information Desk before leaving.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Outside food and drinks are not allowed, except for small snacks for children or visitors with food allergies. The aquarium has water bottle filling stations, so bringing a refillable water bottle is encouraged.

What is included with a General Admission ticket?

General Admission includes:

  • Access to all exhibits and animal galleries
  • Entry to all available shows (reservation required on the day of your visit)
  • Educational presentations

Do I need to book shows in advance?

Yes! While shows are free with admission, seats must be reserved as soon as you arrive. Seating is limited, so make reservations early to secure your spot.