What to Know About Visiting During the World’s Biggest Sporting Event
We Are Open – Day & Night!
Open 365 days a year, hours can vary by day, so it’s a good idea to check the calendar before your visit.
Planning a visit to downtown Atlanta this summer? Make it unforgettable with a stop at Georgia Aquarium – home to awe-inspiring marine life and one-of-a-kind experiences you won’t find anywhere else. As the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, guests can come face-to-face with hundreds of unique species, including the stunning whale shark. From the breathtaking views to up-close encounters, every visit offers something extraordinary.
And this summer, there’s even more to explore! Glow Nights will transform the Aquarium into a glowing underwater adventure. Featuring vibrant performances, interactive activities, and immersive experiences inspired by the magic of the deep sea.
While traffic may be heavier during peak event times, past major sporting events have shown that getting around downtown can actually be easier than expected, as many local commuters adjust their schedules. With a little planning, your visit to the Aquarium can be a seamless and spectacular part of your Atlanta visit.
In addition to being the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, we also:
Are the only aquarium in North America where you can see a whale shark.
Hold over 11 million gallons of fresh and salt water across all our exhibits.
Are home to thousands of animals across hundreds of unique species.
Feature habitats representing different aquatic ecosystems around the world, from polar oceans to African rivers and tropical reefs.
Are home to an exhibit, Ocean Voyager, that is the length of Atlanta Stadium. 🏟️
– It also houses one of the single largest viewing windows in the world.
Give guests the opportunity to get closer than ever to their favorite aquatic animals, including beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and more.
Through immersive animal encounters, engaging daily presentations, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, visitors can experience our incredible species in entirely new and unforgettable ways.
Have welcomed more than 50 million guests since our opening in 2005, inspiring each of them to learn more about ocean conservation and marine animals.
Free with admission and running daily from May 29 through August 9, this immersive evening experience will transform the Aquarium into a glowing wonderland! Featuring glowing décor and vibrant performances like acrobats, aerialists, and live musicians, this immersive evening experience brings the ocean to life in bursts of color. The celebration continues with glow-in-the-dark face painting, interactive activities, and specialty food, drinks, and merchandise inspired by the wonders of the deep sea. Guests can join the fun with glow-in-the-dark face painting, live performances, and interactive activities inspired by the wonders of the deep sea. Just a short walk from Atlanta Stadium, Glow Nights is the perfect way to cap off a match day!
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Want to add even more to your visit? Georgia Aquarium offers a variety of experiences that take you beyond the exhibits and bring you closer to our animals:
Animal Encounters: Meet some of the Aquarium’s most beloved residents, from playful dolphins and sea lions to penguins and beluga whales, during guided, interactive experiences.
Behind the Seas Tours: Go behind the scenes and discover how the Aquarium cares for thousands of animals each day, venturing into areas guests rarely see.
Animal Presentations: Don’t miss engaging daily presentations featuring our dolphins and sea lions! Combining education, storytelling, and incredible animal behaviors.
Whether you’re looking for a deeper dive or a once-in-a-lifetime moment, these add-on experiences make your visit even more memorable.
Follow us on social media – @GeorgiaAquarium – for updates and to stay connected.
Will the Aquarium be impacted by the soccer event in Atlanta?
Georgia Aquarium will be open daily, with all major exhibits and presentations available, plus our special Glow Nights event beginning at 4 p.m. each evening. As major soccer events take place across Atlanta from June 15 through July 15, coinciding with peak summer travel, guests should plan for increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The Aquarium parking garage will be open and accessible via Luckie Street or Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, but guests should allow extra travel time due to traffic and potential road closures. Rideshare, MARTA public transit, or walking is strongly encouraged when possible. For real-time traffic updates, visit 511ga.gov.
I have tickets to the Aquarium; can I park in the parking garage during the soccer event?
Yes. Guests may park in the Aquarium’s parking garage, which features 1,600 safe, secure, and well-lit parking spaces, including accessible parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Guests should anticipate heavier traffic at certain times, which may cause delays at the garage’s entrances and exits.
Can I pre-purchase parking in the Aquarium’s parking garage to expedite my entry?
Yes. Parking can be purchased in advance on the Aquarium’s website.
Planning a visit to Georgia Aquarium while the city is buzzing with soccer fans? You’re in for an unforgettable experience, both on the pitch and under the sea. With increased activity across downtown Atlanta, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
When the world comes to Atlanta, the city transforms into a global celebration of sport, culture, and community. Whether you’re here for a match or just soaking in the energy, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your time in the city.
When the world comes to Atlanta, the city transforms into a global celebration of sport, culture, and community. Whether you’re here for a match or just soaking in the energy, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your time in the city.
What to Know About Visiting During the World’s Biggest Sporting Event
We Are Open – Day & Night!
