How Long Do You Need to Visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta?

If you’re planning a trip to the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta, the first question most families ask is: “How long does Atlanta Aquarium take?”

For most visitors, a typical visit takes about 3–4 hours. However, the real answer depends on your pace, your kids’ ages, and whether you book any extra experiences like animal encounters or shows.

Below is a practical breakdown tailored to Atlanta locals, nearby residents, and visitors trying to plan their day around the aquarium.

Quick Answer: Time Needed at the Georgia Aquarium

Here’s a simple overview for planning:

Most Atlanta families and visitors should plan on at least 3 hours so you’re not rushing, especially if you have kids who like to stop and watch the animals.

Where the Georgia Aquarium Is and How That Affects Your Timing

The Georgia Aquarium is located at:

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 581-4000

It sits in the downtown entertainment district, near the World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

This location matters for timing because:

• Traffic in Atlanta (especially on weekdays around rush hour and on game days near State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium) can add time to your trip.
• Parking and walking in from the main deck can take 10–20 minutes, especially on busy weekends.
• If you’re combining the aquarium with other downtown attractions, you’ll want to be realistic: the aquarium alone can fill a morning or afternoon.

How Long Each Major Area of the Aquarium Takes

The Georgia Aquarium is laid out in multiple major galleries. If you walk at a normal pace and stop for a few minutes at most exhibits, here’s a rough breakdown of how long each area might take:

1. Ocean Voyager (Shark & Whale Shark Tunnel)

• Approximate time: 30–45 minutes
• This is the famous tunnel and huge viewing window with whale sharks, rays, and large schools of fish.
• Families usually stay longer here, especially if kids get fascinated by the big viewing window.

2. Cold Water / Ocean Life Exhibits

• Approximate time: 20–30 minutes
• Often includes animals like beluga whales and other cold-water species.
• Good area for quieter viewing and photo moments.

3. Tropical and Reef Galleries

• Approximate time: 30–40 minutes
• Bright, colorful fish and coral setups that tend to hold kids’ attention.
• Plan more time if your kids like to move slowly from tank to tank.

4. River or Freshwater Galleries

• Approximate time: 20–30 minutes
• Features species you might not see in smaller aquariums.
• Many Atlanta families use this area as a slower “breather” between the bigger, high-energy sections.

5. Dolphin Coast & Sea Lion Galleries

• Approximate time (outside of shows): 20–30 minutes
• Time depends on whether you’re catching a scheduled show (more on that below).

Time for Shows, Presentations, and Extras

If you want to get the most out of the Georgia Aquarium, you’ll probably want to include at least one show or special experience. These affect how long your visit takes.

Dolphin or Sea Lion Shows

• Show length: Usually around 20–30 minutes
• Extra time: 15–30 minutes for seating, entry, and exit
• Total time impact: 45–60 minutes per show

If you’re bringing kids, these are often a highlight of the visit, so build at least one show into your schedule if possible.

Animal Encounters and Behind-the-Scenes Experiences

Some visits may include:

• Animal encounters (such as dolphins, penguins, etc.)
• Behind-the-scenes tours

These add 30–90 minutes depending on the experience. If you book one of these, your visit is more likely to reach the 5–6 hour range.

How Long Does the Georgia Aquarium Take With Kids?

With Toddlers and Preschoolers

• Plan for: 2.5–3.5 hours
• Expect:
  • More frequent bathroom and snack breaks
  • Shorter attention spans at each exhibit
  • Possible need for stroller time or quick exits from dark show theaters

Many Atlanta parents prefer to:

• Go mid-morning for about three hours
• See the most important galleries first (such as Ocean Voyager)
• Decide on a show based on how kids are holding up

With School-Aged Kids

• Plan for: 3–4 hours
• Kids in this age range often like:
  • Reading signs
  • Watching feeding times or short presentations
  • Spending longer in the shark tunnel or dolphin areas

If you live in metro Atlanta and know you’ll come back, you may not need to “do it all” in one day. Many locals focus on two or three sections per visit.

With Teens

• Plan for: 2.5–4 hours
• Teens may move more quickly through some galleries, but:
  • Get drawn in by large, dramatic exhibits
  • Enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences if offered
  • Spend more time in photo spots and interactive displays

Timing Tips for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

Best Time of Day to Visit

While crowd patterns can vary:

• Weekday mornings (especially outside of school breaks) are often calmer.
• Weekend midday can be the busiest and may stretch a 3-hour visit into closer to 4 hours due to lines and traffic inside.
• During school holidays and major events downtown, give yourself extra buffer time.

Pairing the Aquarium With Other Atlanta Attractions

If you’re planning a full downtown day:

• Morning at the Georgia Aquarium (3–4 hours)
• Lunch nearby (CNN Center area, Centennial Olympic Park area, or in the aquarium itself)
• Afternoon at World of Coca-Cola or Centennial Olympic Park

Trying to do too many attractions plus the aquarium in one day can feel rushed, especially if you have younger children.

How Long Does It Take Including Parking and Entry?

Time at the aquarium isn’t just time in front of the exhibits. In Atlanta, you’ll want to factor in:

• Driving and traffic:

  • From Midtown: often 10–20 minutes, but rush hour can double that.
  • From Buckhead: 20–30 minutes in normal conditions, longer at peak times.
  • From suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, or Sandy Springs: 25–45+ minutes depending on traffic.

• Parking and walking in:

  • Finding a spot, paying for parking, and walking to the entrance can take 10–20 minutes.

• Security and ticket scanning:

  • On slower days: 5–10 minutes.
  • On peak days: 15–30 minutes or more.

If you’re trying to time your visit around a specific show time or another appointment in Atlanta (such as a dinner reservation or a game), it’s wise to add at least 45–60 minutes of buffer around your aquarium visit.

Sample Schedules Based on Different Needs

Here are some realistic Atlanta-focused sample schedules to help you decide how long to plan:

1. Atlanta Local With Young Kids (Weekend Morning)

• 9:30 am: Park in the aquarium deck
• 9:45–10:00 am: Security, ticket scan, stroller adjustment
• 10:00–11:15 am: Visit main galleries (focus on Ocean Voyager and one other)
• 11:15–11:45 am: Snack break and bathrooms
• 11:45 am–12:30 pm: One more gallery, gift shop stop if desired
• 12:30 pm: Head out for lunch downtown or back home for naps

Total time: About 3 hours on site

2. Visitor Staying Downtown, No Kids

• 10:00 am–1:30 pm: Aquarium visit
  • All galleries
  • Dolphin or sea lion show
  • Time for photos and a quick bite
• 1:30 pm onward: Walk to nearby attractions or lunch in Centennial Olympic Park area

Total time: About 3.5 hours in the aquarium

3. Full-Day “Do It All” Experience

• Morning: Main exhibits, Ocean Voyager, one or two galleries
• Midday: Lunch break
• Afternoon: Dolphin or sea lion show, additional galleries, maybe an animal encounter

Total time: 5–6+ hours, depending on add-ons

How Long Is Enough for First-Time Visitors?

If you’ve never been to the Georgia Aquarium and want a satisfying experience without feeling rushed, aim for:

• Minimum: 3 hours
• Ideal for most families: 4 hours
• If you love aquariums or want extras: 5+ hours

Atlanta locals sometimes pop in for shorter visits (1.5–2 hours) if they have memberships, focusing on just one or two favorite areas.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Visitors

Here are a few final time-related tips that matter specifically in Atlanta:

• ⏰ Watch downtown event schedules. Big concerts, Hawks or Falcons games, and conventions near the aquarium can slow down traffic, parking, and entry times.
• 🧒 Plan breaks with kids. The aquarium is stimulating and can be tiring; short rest stops can actually help you stay longer and enjoy more.
• 🚙 Build in extra time if using rideshare. Pick-up and drop-off near Baker St NW can be congested, especially at closing times or right after shows let out.
• 📅 If you’re local, consider shorter, repeat visits. Many Atlanta families prefer multiple 2–3 hour trips instead of one long day.

Bottom line for Atlanta:
Most people should expect the Georgia Aquarium to take about 3–4 hours, not counting travel time. If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want to see all the main exhibits without rushing—and maybe catch a show—plan half a day. If you’re booking special experiences or exploring at a very relaxed pace, set aside closer to a full day.