Exploring the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to an Underwater Landmark

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is one of the city’s signature attractions and a major reason many people plan a visit to downtown. Whether you live in the metro area, you’re planning a weekend trip to Atlanta, or you’re bringing kids into the city for a special day, understanding how the aquarium works locally can save you time, money, and stress.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to making the most of your visit.

Where the Georgia Aquarium Is and How to Get There

The Georgia Aquarium is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta at:

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

It sits in the Pemberton Place area, right next to the World of Coca-Cola and across from Centennial Olympic Park, which makes it easy to bundle into a full downtown day.

Getting There by Car

Driving is common for Atlanta-area residents and visitors staying in the suburbs.

• From Midtown/Buckhead:
  Take I-75/85 south into downtown and follow signs toward the CNN Center/World Congress Center/Aquarium exits.
• From the Airport/Southside:
  Take I-75/85 north and exit into downtown, following signs toward Centennial Olympic Park.

Parking is typically available in the official Georgia Aquarium parking deck off Luckie Street NW. Many visitors use this deck because it connects easily to the main entrance area.

Tips for Atlanta drivers:

• Downtown streets can be congested around rush hour and during events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• Allow extra time if your visit overlaps with major games, concerts, or conventions.
• If you’re coming from the northern suburbs (Alpharetta, Marietta, Sandy Springs), plan around morning and afternoon rush hours on the Downtown Connector.

Taking MARTA to the Aquarium

If you prefer not to deal with parking, MARTA is a straightforward option.

• Take either the Red/Gold line or Blue/Green line to Five Points Station, then transfer to the Westbound line and exit at:
  • GWCC/CNN Center station (walk through Centennial Olympic Park to the aquarium), or
  • Peachtree Center station (a slightly longer walk through downtown streets).

Many locals find MARTA more predictable than driving during large downtown events.

What Makes the Georgia Aquarium Special

Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium is widely known for its size and variety of marine life, but for someone planning a visit, what really matters is what you can see and do once you’re inside.

Major Galleries and Exhibits

While exhibit names can occasionally change, the aquarium typically features several large galleries organized by habitat or theme. Common highlights include:

• Ocean Voyager
  Famous for its huge viewing window and overhead tunnel, this exhibit often features whale sharks, manta rays, and large schools of fish in a massive open-ocean environment.

• Cold Water / Cold Ocean Habitats
  Often home to animals like beluga whales, sea otters, and other cold-water species.

• Tropical Reef or Coral Ecosystems
  Bright, colorful displays of reef fish, rays, and corals that are especially popular with kids.

• River and Freshwater Habitats
  Exhibits that represent river systems, often including local and regional species as well as international river wildlife.

• Dolphin Gallery
  An area focused on dolphins, often connected to a larger dolphin presentation.

Many Atlanta families and school groups focus on these main galleries, moving at a relaxed pace and spending extra time at the large viewing windows where kids can sit and watch.

Shows, Animal Encounters, and Add-On Experiences

Beyond viewing galleries, the Georgia Aquarium typically offers scheduled shows and optional paid experiences.

Common Show Experiences

Most visits include opportunities to see:

• Dolphin presentation – A scheduled, theater-style show featuring dolphin behaviors and educational content.
• Sea lion presentation – Another show that usually mixes entertainment with information about conservation and animal care.

These shows operate at set times during the day. Atlanta locals planning shorter visits often:

• Check the schedule ahead of time.
• Choose one main show to attend so they’re not rushing between performances.
• Arrive early for better seating, especially on weekends and holidays.

Animal Encounters and Behind-the-Scenes Options

The aquarium has been known to offer optional encounters (for additional fees) that may include:

• Up-close experiences with animals like penguins, sea otters, or dolphins.
• Behind-the-scenes tours that give a look at how the aquarium operates, feeds animals, and maintains tanks.

If you’re local to Atlanta and want a more in-depth experience, these add-ons can be a way to turn a regular visit into a special event, but they generally require advance reservations and have age or clothing requirements.

Tickets, Memberships, and When to Buy

Because the Georgia Aquarium is one of Atlanta’s busiest attractions, understanding ticket options helps you plan your budget and timing.

Basic Ticket Considerations

In most cases, tickets are date- and time-specific entry passes. Visitors often notice:

• Peak pricing on weekends, holidays, and local school breaks.
• Lower prices or smaller crowds on weekday mornings or late afternoons, especially when schools are in session.

Common tips from frequent Atlanta visitors:

• Buy tickets in advance to secure your preferred entry time, especially during spring break, summer, or holiday weekends.
• If you’re planning to visit multiple downtown attractions (like the World of Coca-Cola or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights), look into combined pass options that sometimes include the aquarium.

Memberships for Atlanta-Area Residents

If you live in the Atlanta area and plan to visit more than once within a year, a membership can be cost-effective. Memberships typically:

• Offer unlimited general admission for a year (within posted rules).
• May include discounts on parking, food, and gift shop purchases.
• Can be appealing to families who like to visit for a few hours at a time rather than trying to “do it all” in one day.

Many local families use the aquarium membership like a museum membership—shorter, more frequent visits on weekday afternoons or slow weekends.

Best Times to Visit for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

The Georgia Aquarium’s experience can feel very different depending on when you go.

Time-of-Day Considerations

• Morning (right at opening):
  Often one of the least crowded times, especially on weekdays. Good for young kids who are most alert earlier in the day.
• Midday:
  Typically the busiest, especially on weekends and when Atlanta Public Schools or nearby districts (Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton) are out.
• Late afternoon/early evening:
  Can be more relaxed once large school groups and tour buses depart.

Day-of-Week and Seasonal Crowds

You’re likely to experience:

• Heavier crowds on:
  • Saturdays and Sundays
  • Long weekends and major holidays
  • Spring break weeks, summer vacation, and winter break
• Lighter traffic on:
  • Weekday mornings during the school year
  • Non-holiday Tuesdays–Thursdays

Locals often try to avoid peak out-of-town visitor times, especially during major conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center or big events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Georgia Aquarium with Kids: What Atlanta Families Should Know

If you’re taking kids from anywhere in the Atlanta metro (or visiting with children), a bit of planning can make the day smoother.

Family-Friendly Features

Commonly appreciated features include:

• Stroller-friendly pathways and elevators
• Family restrooms and baby-changing areas
• Interactive touch-pool areas (subject to availability and rules)
• Large viewing windows where children can sit on the floor and watch animals for extended periods

Because downtown outings can be tiring for young children, many parents from surrounding counties plan:

• A morning visit followed by lunch and then heading home, or
• A half-day downtown that pairs the aquarium with a shorter additional activity (like walking through Centennial Olympic Park or visiting one nearby attraction).

Helpful Tips for Families

• 🕒 Plan breaks: Identify quiet corners or seating areas in each gallery where kids can rest.
• 🧃 Snacks and meals: Check current rules on outside food and drink and plan whether you’ll eat on-site or walk to nearby restaurants in downtown or Centennial Olympic Park area.
• 👟 Comfortable footwear: You’ll walk and stand a lot—this matters especially for younger kids and older relatives.

Accessibility and Visitor Support

The Georgia Aquarium is known for providing accommodations for visitors with disabilities and mobility needs.

Common features (always verify current details before you go) include:

• Wheelchair accessibility throughout major areas and exhibits
• Elevators for moving between floors
• Availability of wheelchair rentals or guidance for bringing your own mobility devices
• Support for visitors with sensory sensitivities, including information about louder or more crowded spaces and tips for quieter visitation times

Visitors from across Metro Atlanta often contact the aquarium’s main line or check online resources before a visit to understand:

• Which entrances and parking areas are best for limited mobility
• Which shows involve louder sounds, bright lights, or crowds
• Where to find guest services once inside the building

Food, Parking, and Nearby Atlanta Attractions

Because the Georgia Aquarium sits in a dense cluster of downtown sites, it’s easy to turn your visit into a full downtown Atlanta experience.

Food and Dining Options

You typically have three main options:

1. On-site dining:
   The aquarium usually offers an on-site café or dining area with standard quick-service food and drinks.

2. Nearby restaurants in Centennial Olympic Park area:
   Within walking distance, there are multiple casual and sit-down options, as well as eateries in nearby hotels and along Marietta St NW and Luckie St NW.

3. Short drive to other intown neighborhoods:
   If you want more variety, it’s a quick ride-share or drive to:

   • Midtown (Peachtree St, 10th/14th St areas)
   • West Midtown
   • The Old Fourth Ward and Poncey-Highland (via North Avenue and Ponce de Leon)

Parking and Getting Around

Most visitors use:

• The Georgia Aquarium parking deck as the primary option
• Additional nearby decks and surface lots around Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame

If you plan to walk to other attractions, consider:

• The terrain is mostly manageable, but you’ll be going up and down some slight hills.
• Weather in Atlanta can be hot and humid in the summer and unpredictable in the winter, so plan for rain or heat as needed.

Useful At-a-Glance Summary for Planning Your Visit

Practical Next Steps for Someone in Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area and considering a visit to the Georgia Aquarium:

1. Check your calendar for less crowded days and times, especially if you’re bringing kids or anyone who prefers calmer environments.
2. Decide whether membership makes sense if you expect more than one visit in the next year.
3. Plan your transportation—compare parking downtown with taking MARTA, especially during big events.
4. Map out your day downtown, especially if you want to add another nearby attraction or a walk through Centennial Olympic Park.
5. Call the aquarium or review current guidelines for show times, accessibility accommodations, and any special exhibits or temporary events.

Approached with a bit of planning, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta can be a highlight of your time downtown—whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local making it a yearly tradition.