Can You Bring Food Into the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta?

If you are planning a visit to Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta, it is smart to think ahead about meals and snacks—especially if you are coming with kids, a big group, or anyone with dietary restrictions. A common question locals and visitors ask is: “Can you bring food into the Atlanta aquarium?”

The short answer: In most cases, outside food and drinks are not allowed inside Georgia Aquarium, with a few important exceptions. Below is exactly how it works, plus practical tips for eating and drinking before, during, and after your visit in Atlanta.

Georgia Aquarium’s General Food Policy

Georgia Aquarium’s guest rules are similar to many major attractions and museums in Atlanta:

• Outside food and beverages are generally not permitted
• Glass containers and alcohol from outside are not allowed
• Large coolers, picnic setups, and catered food are not allowed inside

This policy is mainly in place for:

• Animal safety (no foreign items in exhibits, tanks, or habitats)
• Cleanliness (controlling spills, trash, and pests)
• Guest flow (keeping public spaces open and comfortable)

If you show up at the entrance carrying bags of fast food or a large cooler, you will likely be asked to leave those items in your vehicle or dispose of them before entering.

Important Exceptions: When You Can Bring Food

Even though the default answer is “no outside food,” there are a few notable exceptions that matter for Atlanta families and visitors.

1. Baby and Infant Food

You are typically allowed to bring baby formula, breast milk, and small amounts of baby food for infants.

Commonly allowed items include:

• Formula bottles or breast milk
• Small jars or pouches of baby food
• Baby snacks such as puffs or small crackers

Tips:

• Use clear, labeled containers when possible
• Pack items in a small, soft-sided bag or diaper bag
• Be prepared to mention that the items are for an infant if asked during bag check

2. Medically Necessary Food or Beverages

Guests with medical needs or specific dietary requirements may be allowed to bring food that is necessary for their health, such as:

• Food or snacks needed for diabetes, blood sugar management, or other conditions
• Items required for severe food allergies, where on-site food might not be safe
• Specialized nutrition products recommended by a healthcare professional

To make this smoother:

• Keep your food items separate from general snacks
• Bring them in reasonable, personal-use quantities
• If possible, carry documentation (such as a doctor’s note or allergy card), especially if your needs are not obvious

While staff do not provide medical evaluations, they often use discretion to support guests who clearly have health-related needs.

Drinks: What You Can and Cannot Bring

For most visitors:

• Outside beverages are not allowed, especially:
  • Sodas
  • Coffee from outside shops
  • Alcohol
  • Large drink containers or coolers

However, rules can be more flexible for:

• Sealed water bottles – At some venues and events, a factory-sealed water bottle is accepted, but you should not count on it automatically.
• Refillable water bottles – Policies can vary. If refillable bottles are allowed, they are usually fine as long as they are empty at security and refilled at water fountains inside.

Because policies can be updated, it is smart to:

• Check current guidelines on Georgia Aquarium’s official guest info line or website before your visit
• Bring an empty reusable bottle that you can fill if permitted once inside

Where to Eat Inside Georgia Aquarium

If you cannot bring your own food, you still have options on-site. Georgia Aquarium offers dining and snack choices within the building, convenient for families spending several hours there.

Typical on-site options include:

• Main café / food court–style dining
• Grab-and-go snacks, such as packaged chips, treats, and beverages
• Coffee and dessert items, depending on the season and setup

Expect:

• Quick-service style meals (burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, etc.)
• Family-friendly options with kid-familiar foods
• Indoor seating, which is helpful during Atlanta’s summer heat or on rainy days

Prices are often higher than a fast-casual restaurant in the city, so budget-minded locals may want to plan around that.

Planning Your Meals Around an Aquarium Visit

Since you generally cannot bring food into Georgia Aquarium, planning where and when to eat—as an Atlantan or a visitor—can make your day much smoother.

Before You Go In

Many people prefer to eat a larger meal before entering, then rely on snacks or a smaller bite later. Nearby areas with plenty of food choices include:

• Centennial Olympic Park area – Walkable restaurants and fast-casual spots around the park
• Luckie Street NW and Marietta Street NW – Several eateries within a short walk
• CNN Center area (when open and active) – Often has a cluster of quick dining options

If you are driving from elsewhere in metro Atlanta, you might:

• Eat near home (for example, in Decatur, Buckhead, or Sandy Springs) and then drive downtown
• Stop at a quick-service restaurant off the interstate before parking at the aquarium garages

After Your Visit

If you plan your schedule so you leave the aquarium around lunch or dinner, you will have easy access to:

• Restaurants near State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Casual spots along Baker Street NW, Luckie Street NW, and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW
• Additional options in Midtown Atlanta, just a short drive or MARTA ride away

This can be especially helpful if you:

• Want more variety than you will find inside
• Need gluten-free, vegan, or allergy-conscious full meals
• Are trying to save on food costs by choosing off-site dining

Can You Leave to Eat and Come Back?

Re-entry policies can depend on your ticket type, membership, and the day’s crowd level. Some attractions in Atlanta are flexible with same-day re-entry; others are much stricter.

Because these details can change:

• Do not assume you can easily leave with your whole group for lunch and come back later
• If re-entry is important for your plan (for example, you parked once and want to avoid paying for new parking):
  • Ask about same-day re-entry at the ticket counter or guest services when you arrive
  • Keep your ticket, wristband, or proof of purchase easily accessible

Planning to eat before or after your aquarium time is usually more reliable than banking on mid-visit exit and re-entry.

Helpful Summary: Georgia Aquarium Food & Drink Rules

Below is a simple overview based on common policies and guest experiences in Atlanta:

Tips for Atlanta Families and Groups

If you are organizing a school trip, church group, or family reunion to Georgia Aquarium, food planning is especially important.

✅ Coordinate with group leaders
Decide before arrival:

• Will you eat downtown before your entry time?
• Are you planning to use the aquarium’s café?
• Do you have anyone with serious food allergies or medical needs that require an exception?

✅ Think about Atlanta traffic and timing
If you are driving in from suburbs like Marietta, Lawrenceville, or Fayetteville, build in extra time so you are not stuck choosing between parking late or skipping a meal.

✅ Use nearby green spaces for picnics
Because you cannot bring food inside, some groups choose to picnic outside in the area (when weather cooperates) and then head into the aquarium afterward. Centennial Olympic Park and nearby plazas can be options, subject to park rules and events.

How to Double-Check Current Rules

Policies can change over time, so if you need a definitive, up-to-date answer right before your visit, use official channels. For Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta:

• Look up their Guest Services or Information section for current rules
• Call the main information number listed on their official website and ask specifically:
  • “What is your current policy on outside food and beverages?”
  • “Can I bring medically necessary food?”
  • “Are baby bottles and baby snacks allowed?”

This is especially helpful if:

• You are coming from far outside the Atlanta area
• You have complex dietary needs
• You are bringing a large group and need clear rules to share with everyone

In Atlanta, enjoying Georgia Aquarium is much easier when you plan meals around the visit rather than expecting to bring full food and drinks inside. Count on using the on-site dining options, make exceptions only for infants and medical needs, and use the surrounding downtown Atlanta restaurants and parks to round out your day.