Where to Stay: Best Hotels Near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta

Looking for hotels near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta? Because the aquarium sits in the heart of downtown Atlanta, you have plenty of options within easy walking distance, from family‑friendly hotels to upscale stays with skyline views.

This guide focuses specifically on places to stay near the Georgia Aquarium and what you should know about the area if you live in metro Atlanta, are planning a staycation, or are visiting from out of town.

Quick Overview: Staying Near the Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium address:
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

The aquarium is part of the Centennial Park / Downtown Atlanta district, surrounded by major attractions like:

• World of Coca‑Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• College Football Hall of Fame
• State Farm Arena
• CNN Center

Staying nearby usually means:

• You can walk to the aquarium in 5–10 minutes.
• You’re close to MARTA rail stations (mainly Peachtree Center and GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN).
• You’ll have easy access to restaurants, parking garages, and rideshare pickup spots.

Hotels Within a Short Walk of the Aquarium

Below is a simple snapshot of what to expect from hotels within roughly a 0.5-mile walk of the Georgia Aquarium. Distances are approximate and meant to help with planning; always verify details directly with the hotel when booking.

Below are the main clusters of hotels you’ll encounter around the aquarium and what they tend to offer.

Centennial Olympic Park–Area Hotels

These are among the closest hotels to the Georgia Aquarium, often just across or around Centennial Olympic Park. They work especially well if your main plan is walking between attractions with kids or without a car.

What to Expect in This Area

• Shortest walks to the aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and the park.
• Mix of mid‑range to upscale hotels.
• Lots of tourist‑oriented restaurants and casual dining nearby.
• Streets can be busy during peak travel seasons and big downtown events.

Typical Amenities Around Here

Hotels in this zone frequently offer:

• On-site or valet parking (often with daily fees).
• Breakfast options (on-site café/restaurant or grab‑and‑go).
• Fitness centers and sometimes small pools.
• Rooms with park or skyline views, depending on building height and orientation.

If your priority is maximum convenience to the aquarium, this is the area to target first.

Downtown Atlanta Core (Peachtree Street & Surrounding Blocks)

Head a little deeper into downtown Atlanta, especially around Peachtree Street, and you’ll find more hotels within a 10–15 minute walk of the aquarium.

Why Stay in the Downtown Core?

• Better if you want to mix sightseeing with business travel.
• Walking distance to Peachtree Center for food courts and shops.
• Close access to MARTA rail (Peachtree Center Station):
  • Easy connection from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  • No car required if you plan to stay mostly in downtown and Midtown.

What This Area Feels Like

• More of a traditional downtown environment: office towers, hotels, and transit.
• Busier on weekday mornings and evenings, quieter on some weekends.
• Good base if you plan to:
  • Walk or ride MARTA to Midtown (Piedmont Park, museums).
  • Take rideshare to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Eastside BeltLine, or other neighborhoods.

This area suits visitors who want to be near the aquarium but not only focused on it.

Hotels Near GWCC, State Farm Arena & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

If you’re in town for a concert, game, or convention at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), State Farm Arena, or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and you still want quick aquarium access, look at hotels around that complex.

Advantages of This Cluster

• Walkable to both the aquarium and major venues, usually within 10–15 minutes.
• Ideal for people combining:
  • A game or show at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
  • Daytime sightseeing at the aquarium and nearby attractions.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Streets can be very crowded during big events.
• Parking prices can be higher and fill up fast on event days.
• Rideshare wait times can be longer right after stadium events; consider a slightly longer walk to a quieter pickup spot.

If your visit is event‑driven but you also want to walk to the aquarium, this zone balances both priorities.

How to Choose the Right Hotel Near the Aquarium

When comparing hotels near the Georgia Aquarium, it helps to start by clarifying your top priorities.

1. Walking Distance vs. Price

• Closest hotels (around Centennial Olympic Park) usually:
  • Offer the shortest walk with the highest convenience.
  • May have higher nightly rates, especially during busy seasons.
• Hotels a bit farther in the downtown core:
  • Often cost slightly less.
  • Add just a few more minutes to your walk or a short rideshare ride.

If you’re traveling with young kids or older adults, you may decide that being as close as possible is worth a little extra cost.

2. Parking & Transportation

For Atlanta-area residents doing a downtown staycation, or visitors driving in:

• Expect daily parking fees at most downtown hotels.
• Options usually include:
  • Valet parking at the hotel entrance.
  • Self‑parking in a nearby garage or lot (sometimes attached, sometimes a short walk).
• If you’d rather skip driving downtown:
  • You can take MARTA from the airport or suburbs and walk from Peachtree Center or the GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN station.
  • Many visitors use rideshare between hotels and other neighborhoods (Midtown, Buckhead, Westside).

3. Family‑Friendly Considerations

If you’re bringing kids to the Georgia Aquarium:

• Look for:
  • Rooms or suites with extra space or sofa beds.
  • Mini‑fridge and microwave, if you prefer to keep snacks or simple meals handy.
  • Indoor pool, especially useful for burning off energy at the end of the day.
• Ask hotels about:
  • Crib or rollaway bed availability.
  • Early check‑in or luggage storage if you arrive before your room is ready.

Being able to walk back to the hotel for a rest in the middle of the day can make a big difference with younger children.

4. Business Travel Needs

If you’re blending an aquarium visit with work in downtown Atlanta:

• Downtown hotels typically offer:
  • Reliable Wi‑Fi and in‑room desks or workspaces.
  • Business centers or lobby work areas.
  • Meeting rooms and conference services at some properties.
• Staying closer to Peachtree Street, the government buildings, or corporate offices may be more efficient if work is your main focus and the aquarium is a side trip.

Getting Between Your Hotel and the Georgia Aquarium

Even if you’re staying “near” the aquarium, the exact route matters. Here’s how most people get back and forth:

Walking

Most nearby hotels are within a comfortable walking range, especially those around:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• Peachtree Street downtown
• State Farm Arena / GWCC area

Tips:

• Use Baker Street NW and Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW as reference points; they’re key streets around the aquarium.
• Downtown sidewalks are generally well‑lit and busy, especially on days with events and during tourist seasons.
• Check your hotel’s front desk or concierge for the most direct walking route.

MARTA

If your hotel is closer to a MARTA station:

• Main nearby stations:
  • GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Station (Blue/Green Lines)
  • Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Lines)
• From Peachtree Center:
  • It’s usually about a 10–15 minute walk to the aquarium, mostly downhill heading toward Centennial Olympic Park.

MARTA can be especially helpful if you’re:

• Coming straight from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Staying in Midtown or Buckhead but visiting the aquarium for the day.

Rideshare & Taxis

• Rideshare services are widely used in this area.
• Hotels often have designated pickup/drop‑off points.
• During peak times (large conventions, games, or concerts), it can be faster to:
  • Walk a block or two away from the busiest corners before requesting a ride.

Planning Your Aquarium Day Around Your Hotel

When to Go

From an Atlanta standpoint, aquarium traffic tends to be heaviest:

• On weekends, especially Saturdays.
• During school breaks and holidays.
• On rainy days, when more people choose indoor activities.

If your hotel is nearby, you can:

• Visit early in the morning right after opening.
• Take a midday break at your hotel.
• Return later for any special programs or to see favorite exhibits again.

Combining the Aquarium With Other Attractions

Staying close by makes it easy to combine the aquarium with:

• World of Coca‑Cola (next door)
• Centennial Olympic Park (picnics, playground, walking paths)
• College Football Hall of Fame
• SkyView Atlanta (the large Ferris wheel across from the park)
• Events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

If you’re staying one night:

• Many travelers:
  • Check in, drop bags.
  • Visit the aquarium in the afternoon.
  • Walk to dinner downtown.
  • Explore another attraction the next morning before heading out.

Neighborhood Alternatives: Not Right Next Door, But Still Convenient

If you don’t need to stay immediately next to the Georgia Aquarium, but still want easy access, consider these nearby parts of Atlanta:

Midtown Atlanta

• Easy MARTA ride or short drive to the aquarium.
• More walkable for dining, nightlife, and cultural institutions like:
  • High Museum of Art
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden (via Piedmont Park)
• Good compromise if you want aquarium access plus a broader Atlanta experience.

Buckhead

• Farther from the aquarium (usually a 15–25 minute drive, depending on traffic).
• Known for shopping and higher‑end hotels.
• Good if your trip is longer and you’ll be exploring several parts of the city, with the aquarium as just one of several outings.

Airport Area (Hartsfield‑Jackson)

• Most convenient if:
  • You’re flying in late or out early.
  • You want a short stay near the airport and don’t mind commuting into downtown for the aquarium.
• Typically a 25–35 minute MARTA ride from the airport to downtown (travel times can vary).

These alternatives can sometimes offer lower nightly rates or different amenities but require planning more time to reach the aquarium.

Practical Tips for Booking a Hotel Near the Aquarium

Here are a few final Atlanta-specific pointers when narrowing down your choices:

• Check event calendars
  Major events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or GWCC can impact:

  • Hotel room availability.
  • Nightly rates.
  • Parking costs and congestion.

• Confirm walking routes and accessibility
  If anyone in your group has mobility needs, ask the hotel about:

  • Step‑free routes to the aquarium.
  • Availability of accessible rooms, roll‑in showers, or ADA‑compliant features.

• Consider noise and street activity
  Being close to Centennial Olympic Park or event venues means:

  • A livelier atmosphere, especially during festivals or games.
  • Some guests prefer higher floors or rooms facing away from major streets.

• Ask about late check‑out or luggage storage
  This can be useful if:

  • You’re visiting the aquarium before an evening flight.
  • You’re arriving early and want to drop bags and head straight to the exhibits.

By focusing your search on Centennial Olympic Park, downtown Atlanta, and the GWCC/State Farm Arena area, you’ll have many hotels that put you within a short walk or quick ride of the Georgia Aquarium, while still giving you access to the broader attractions, transit options, and neighborhoods that define Atlanta.