What to know before visiting the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere
Don’t worry, we have your back. The Aquarium compiled a list of ‘tips and tricks’ every guest should know before planning their visit, to ensure its smooth sailing straight to the fun! Here is everything you need to know:
When is the best time to plan a visit?
Know before you go! As one of the world’s largest aquariums, Georgia Aquarium attracts guests from across the globe. It may come as no surprise that the summer and holiday seasons are the busiest times of year.
We highly recommend planning your visit around the morning or evening hours.
Where do I park?
Georgia Aquarium has one main attached parking garage located at 357 Luckie Street NW. This seven-level deck includes general parking in addition to spots dedicated to electric vehicle charging and disability parking. There are elevators on every level to ensure easy access to the main entrance. We also encourage guests to use alternate modes of transportation on busy days, like MARTA (there is a train stop at the Georgia World Congress Center/CNN Center within walking distance of the Aquarium), or rideshare.
Purchase your parking for the garage in advance and save time!
Where do I purchase tickets?
Purchasing tickets is easy – simply visit the Aquarium website or download the mobile app to browse ticket options and experiences. Purchase tickets in advance to skip the lines and save money – by purchasing Advance Tickets, guests receive a discount on their purchase. By downloading the mobile app, guests can access all Georgia Aquarium reservations, maps and information.
Don’t forget to make seat reservations for the Dolphin and Sea Lion Presentations ahead of time, as seats fill up quickly.
Skip the feeding frenzy!
The Aquarium’s Coastline Café offers a delicious variety of dining options for guests and their families. The café is open daily, 30 minutes after the Aquarium opens.
Skip the line and order ahead - our new system makes it easy to place and pick up your order at Coastline Café.
Where is the best place for a picture?
While the entire Aquarium serves as a unique background for any selfie, there are a few extra special photo spots! Here are some locations to keep in mind for your next visit:
- The Ocean Voyager gallery is known for its breathtaking viewing window and domed tunnel that surrounds guests with aquatic life from above. But some may not realize there is a bubble window, located just past the tunnel, that is the perfect size to sit in. With a stunning view into Ocean Voyager as the backdrop, this spot is not one to miss.
- While the Sharks! Predators of the Deep gallery is designed to draw in guests with its dimly lit ambiance and powerful backdrop music, that turns the fear of sharks into fascination – it doesn’t offer that picture perfect “golden hour lighting”. The best lighting in this gallery can be found at the large dome window at the end of the exhibit – once fear is transformed into fascination, and light is shed on these misunderstood creatures of the deep.
- As guests enter the Aquarium, they may be racing to get inside to see a whale shark or sea otter. But don’t rush to pass through the turnstiles or you might miss one of the most colorful photo ops in the entire building – the jelly wall. This exhibit displays countless jellies in a rainbow-colored array of lights. Since these jellies are translucent, they reflect the colors being light from above, giving the effect of rainbow-colored jellies – and serving as a one-of-a-kind photo spot.
- Speaking of color – the coral wall in the Tropical Diver gallery competes for most vibrant exhibit. Filled with brightly colored coral and fish, it is one of the most popular places for photos.
- Lastly, while inside the Aquarium there are countless opportunities for the perfect new profile picture – outside the entrance is the largest standing penguin statute in the state of Georgia – you can’t miss it!
Don’t skip the tour.
There is so much to see and learn at Georgia Aquarium, but there is even more magic to discover behind the scenes. You don’t want to skip the Behind the Seas Tour! Take a backstage look at the most popular exhibit, while learning what it takes to care for the animals who call Georgia Aquarium home. A Behind the Seas Tour can be purchased in advance on our website or at the Animal Interaction Desk located on our second level!
Plan your visit on our website.
For frequently answered questions, animal information, and additional Aquarium resources, please visit our website.
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