What an amazing experience. From booking with the events team to the extra care from the team the day of, this was a birthday experience my daughter won't soon forget. Thank you to everyone that made the day just a bit extra special! Cam(eron) was exceptional and friendly when checking in for our events. Nakisa did a great job answering our questions during the behind the scenes tour. Noelle and team made the Sea lion encounter more fun. Sophie and Julia made the penguin encounter the highlight for us all. I am terrible with names, but the kind lady who handled our Beluga encounter was also spectacular. I can not praise the staff enough. Thank you!!! You guys made the experience a real standout memory and you all have my gratitude! We can't wait until the next visit! read more

The Georgia Aquarium is amazing. If you are going to be in Atlanta for a few days, I recommend purchasing the Atlanta City Pass. This will allow you to choose 5 attractions out of 6 to visit. Buying the pass in advance online will give you the best value! The Georgia Aquarium is stunning. The layout allows for crowds to disperse and spread out through the venue. There are fantastic shows to see involving dolphins and sea lions. When you purchase your tickets or the City Pass, you are able to make reservations for free on the day of your visit for tickets to these shows. You do not have to have tickets to attend the shows, but the people with tickets are the ones who are seated first. The aquarium has a beautiful variety of aquatic creatures to visit. The large tanks are captivating...gazing on the beluga whales and huge manta rays is stunning. Every exhibit, big or small, is designed to draw in the visitor to the underwater world! read more

See all

Had not been here in several years, so my husband and I went to celebrate his birthday. We knew there would be lots of children (even on a Tuesday), but I just kept reminding myself that it was great to see kids getting excited about nature. It was a mostly good experience, but our appreciation of the amazing animals was really compromised by several things: 1. The aggressive marketing for Margaritaville (the dolphin show sponsor). Throughout our experience, we were approached by people representing this company - often sort of disguised as aquarium guides. By the time we got to the dolphin show, we had just had too much... then when we walked out of the theater, we really wanted to go over and see the spoonbills, but we were MOBBED by Margaritaville people. We literally ran away from them, almost screaming. After paying over $50 for a ticket, we really did not appreciate this at all. 2. The OUTRAGEOUS prices for on-site food. You order on a kiosk in a cafeteria setting. We were hungry, but we just could not bring ourselves to spend that kind of money on mediocre food and drinks. 3. My criticism of the aquarium after its grand opening still stands: there is just not enough information about the animals in the tanks. In many cases there's just one sign identifying one species, or screens showing slides of some of the species. And there are often docents hanging around who can answer questions. But I always really want to know more about ALL the species in a given tank, and I've never been sure why that information is not more readily available. Aside from things like this, it's a great place to see beautiful animals. read more

enjoyed the whole experience, but our last contact with an aquarium employee cheapened & ruined it while my husband & i were talking in the lobby, an aquarium employee approached us offering a chance of "winning" a prize, as long as we provided the address on our driver license (which he repeated) (i would have said no thanks, but my husband is the nice one & decided to play along) the employee continued to waste our time by having us walk over to the lectern after the employee further pretended that we were possibly "winning" a prize, he informed us we didn't win (insert shocked emotion here) unsure who the aquarium sales your address to, but looking forward to even more junk mail (very responsible of a place trying to conserve the planet...) so, go & enjoy the aquatic life, but run for the exit AKA the gift shop as fast as you can! read more

See all

The Georgia aquarium is regaled as one of the best in the country, and for good reason. There's a lot of animals here, but I'd say the walkthrough experience is about an hour. I think it's a bit expensive (close to $70) for this reason. The areas are kept up pretty well. Early Friday evenings are rather busy, and there were a lot of school field trips there for the time of day. I'd recommend going off peak hours. If not, traversing the different corridors can be challenging. read more

See all

I love coming here! Great displays, fun shows and friendly staff. Make sure to book your dolphin show, sea lion show tickets from so you can better plan. The shows are included in the price of the ticket, so don't pay the $5 online. You can also sign up for the show on-site, but tickets go fast. Another tip: if you don't get tickets, there's a stand by line near the entrance that usually allows up to 60 people in, after ticketed guests have sat. The seats aren't the best, but all seats are good. But a membership here, it's well worth it! read more

Georgia Aquarium - Front stage area - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Sometimes, a place is so overhyped that when you finally make it to that place, it disappoints. Luckily, this was not my experience. I've been to the Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA), the National Aquarium (Baltimore, MD), and the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.... Out of the four, this one is number 1 in my book. Super easy to navigate and well organized. Employees are so nice and helpful, and the dolphin show is so much fun. My favorite part was the beluga whale exhibit. They were so amazing to see in real life and I would go back just to see these beautiful creatures. Easy 10 out of 10! read more

See all

Yes, this is going to be a hot take. Rating a world-class aquarium with two stars is controversial but it could have been better. I sort of felt like I was gaslighting myself. This is a facility that's known throughout the country (the world?) yet the interminable amount of time I spent here felt like slow death. My biggest gripe with the aquarium was the air quality. Post-covid, large-scale facilities like this one should be HEPA'ed out the wazoo. I couldn't breathe here. Granted, it was mid-Spring in Atlanta but I had a better allergic response outside in parklands than I did in the aquarium. My nose ran despite being stuffed up. I sneezed. My ears were clogged. My eyes were itchy and red. I.was.miserable. I've been to other aquariums so I don't think I'm naturally allergic to the type of environment but for whatever reason I was highly allergic to the GA. Beyond my inability to breathe comfortably, I found the exhibits a bit... boring. I didn't go to one display that attracted my attention or wonder. Again, being mid-spring, the place was overrun with kids (year-end field trips, I assume). Watching the kids, they paid more attention to sprinting up and down the paths (it's a gigantic space) than the various tanks. And speaking of tanks, I was a bit confused with the size of a good deal of them. Seeing as this is a vaunted location with a huge footprint, I would have imagined that the animals would have more space to swim. Don't get me wrong, there were some massive tanks bu the majority looked cramped which, in turn, made me feel cramped. Does that make sense? I think my favorite part of the Aquarium was the meeting space. That might (sadly) say it all. I was hoping for better but what it was (for me) was 'meh' at best. That's to say: being an active respiratory distress for hours didn't help my impression. read more

What a beautiful facility and fabulous employees and volunteers! All were such a delight and informative. Cecil, Mikaela, Karma and Maddie G standout as top of the list. A bright future for all of them I'm sure!! read more

Georgia Aquarium - Basking in front of the coral wall! - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Our visit to the Georgia Aquarium was easily a five-star experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, everything was well organized, clean, and beautifully maintained. The exhibits are absolutely breathtaking and thoughtfully designed so you can truly appreciate the marine life up close. The variety of sea creatures is incredible -- from massive whale sharks and graceful manta rays to playful dolphins and colorful tropical fish. Every section felt immersive and educational without ever being overwhelming. The large viewing windows and tunnels make you feel like you're underwater with the animals, which was unforgettable. The staff was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and guide visitors. Even with crowds, the layout allowed everyone to move comfortably and enjoy each exhibit. The only small downside was that one of the exhibits was under construction during our visit, which was a little disappointing. However, it didn't take away from the overall experience. Overall, the Georgia Aquarium exceeded expectations. It's an amazing experience for families, couples, or anyone who loves marine life. Definitely worth the visit -- five stars all the way! read more

See all

This is my favorite aquarium I have visited so far in the United States. It was massive and definitely worth the cost of admission. I would recommend buying the city pass because it'll save you money if you're planning on visiting multiple popular attractions around Atlanta! There seemed to be endless amounts of exhibits in this huge aquarium. My favorite areas were the jellyfish, sharks, and dolphins. We must have spent hours walking around so give yourself some time if you're in a rush, come back when you have at least 2 hours to spare! read more

See all

Absolutely incredible attraction! I'm not sure I had a favorite part...everything was awesome! I did really enjoy the dolphin show at the end when we got soaking wet, lol! I stopped taking pictures after awhile because I just wanted to be present and enjoy the moment. I visited a couple of years ago, so I don't know if they have modified anything. The prices were well worth the cost. It's a tour at your pace set-up. I think I missed a few areas because the place is huge. It's definitely a must visit on a trip to Atlanta. read more

See all

Had an amazing experience at the Georgia Aquarium, the exhibits were beautiful, immersive, and absolutely worth seeing. It's truly a must-visit. That said, the food was a 2/10 and definitely not the highlight of the trip. Also, be prepared for heavy crowds. You have to know how to move with the flow of traffic and bring your patience, especially on busy days. Overall, unforgettable views and memories, just eat beforehand and plan ahead! read more

See all

One of THE best aquariums. I would not recommend going two days after Christmas though because yo the lines and yo the people. I crashed out.. Also my hubby and I and some family members got sick. So be mindful. Family friendly, nice cafeteria, incredible main gift shop. All wins. This is my second time here and I appreciate the cause. I appreciate the diverse ecosystems in the exhibits. My favorite was the hammerhead shark! A fan a fan. We will be back. Thanks for the memories!! read more

See all

Loved it! Our family of four had a wonderful time in all of the areas of the aquarium. We went back twice in the same day! The animals are a little more tired by the end but there is zero crowd about an hour before it closes. It's definitely worth going then. read more

See all

It is an amazing experience for my 16 month baby. Highly recommend to purchase the tickets online and book the shows the same day. Also if you live nearby, you can choose the same day multi entry ticket since baby needs to take a nap. read more

See all

Parking is so far away!!! The food is definitely overpriced and not good. I think I have out grown this when my daughter became a college student. It's definitely a place for the kiddies to explore... this place is overcrowded and the air needs better circulation. read more

See all

I would give this aquarium 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to five! Truly the aquarium is outstanding- likely the best I've ever been to. My beef is that there were locations in the aquarium that smelled like pee. I mean, I get that there are kids running around but ewwwww. Other than that, it was truly spectacular! Only aquarium I've ever been to that has beluga whales, and whale sharks. They also had a giant manta rays more than 6 feet across, hammerhead sharks and oh boy were the otters entertaining! A lot of these animals have been rescued from fish markets, or are unable to live in the wild for various reasons. The aquarium actually has received multiple awards for its humane treatment of animals. It was also decorated beautiful for Christmas! We had a great time. read more

Georgia Aquarium - Holiday Decorations at Georgia Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Overall This aquarium is on another level. It is the largest in the United States and often described as the largest in the Western Hemisphere, so yes, it feels massive in real life. If you like sea life even a little bit, it's a must visit. Time needed Plan for about 2 to 2.5 hours to see everything at a comfortable pace (no rushing). We didn't stop for food and that was still the right amount of time. The wow factor Ocean Voyager and the tunnel The Ocean Voyager gallery is unforgettable, with a huge tank (about 6.3 million gallons) and a long acrylic tunnel where marine life surrounds you. Seeing the whale sharks here is surreal. Georgia Aquarium is also the only aquarium in the US that houses whale sharks. Animals that stood out So many memorable exhibits, but these were standouts: * Whale sharks in Ocean Voyager * Sea otters (watching feeding time was a highlight) * Penguins * Seahorses and sea dragons * Jellyfish displays * Anemones * Poison dart frogs * Bioluminescent looking plankton and algae exhibits (mesmerizing) Interactive areas There are hands on "touch" moments (great for kids and still fun for adults), like touching rays and other fish. Ambience and experience It's vast, so expect a lot of walking. The water tunnels and large viewing windows create a super immersive vibe that sticks with you. My favorite part The sea otters. They are ridiculously entertaining, especially when they float, spin, and basically perform a tiny water ballet. Recommendation Strongly recommend. If you're visiting Atlanta, this is one of those experiences that actually lives up to the hype. read more

See all

There are fish, mammals, and crustaceans great and small. Nurse sharks drifting peacefully, and cute little penguins making their calls. I'm not spoiling anything else, except what's shown in the photos, but this is one of my favorite places, ever. It's amazing for children or adults who want to learn about the oceans without much danger. Make sure to make it a family trip, it's not a solo experience, you want to make memories as a family. read more

See all

Free Birthday Entry for my friend was such a treat (keep in mind if you want to redeem free entry you must go on your actual birthday), for me it cost $55 to enter and I think it was absolutely worth it. Initially you are greeted by the huge handsome penguin statue which of course we stopped to take pictures with. Then you are greeted by guest service who directs you through the line to a photographer who takes a few pics of your group before you get to go in and get your tickets (you won't see these pictures until the very end so don't be like me and ask lol) I loved walking in and seeing all of the different languages on the wall, I found "Aloha" which was so welcoming to me coming from Hawai'i and the wonder didn't stop there, there are so many cool and interesting displays perfect for photo ops and for a little learning moment, including this very cheerful girl named Megan who took us through a short trivia game, how fun. We even got to sit in for the sea lion show which was so adorable and to learn about all the efforts Georgia Aquarium puts into rescue; for us this was heart warming. Overall the pictures will speak for itself on this one, ENJOY, and I definitely recommend visiting this lovely location. Parking is $25 flat rate, additionally, to purchase the images from the beginning were pretty pricey at $30 for 2 prints and an extra $10 if you want a magnet so keep that in mind if you are extra like me. LOL Mahalo Nui Loa Georgia Aquarium. read more

See all

It's nice. For some reason, dolphin show was cut short when we went. They have beluga whales and whale shark which was cool. And an underwater aquarium tunnel and a chance to scuba dive in the tank. They have some cool animals, including some land ones like insects and reptile read more

Didn't get to watch any shows due to schedule timing but it was still a great visit. I think the sharks were my favorite. Glad we got a deal on tickets, check their facebook page for miscellaneous special pricing. Loved the Christmas decorations too! read more

Georgia Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

See all

I went on an ideal day! There was not a lot of traffic and the aquarium was not too crowded. Came here with another family. They have great areas to take photos, even right as you get there so make sure you're picture ready. I don't think a stroller is needed if you have a toddler. It makes things a little difficult with the escalators and stairs. Plus the kids get to see all the different sea animals, and it's nice of them to see their eyes light up! We loved to see the beluga whales and the tunnel. The sea lion and dolphin shows are a must too! read more

Georgia Aquarium - Sea lion show - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Mi visita al Georgia Aquarium fue una experiencia muy agradable en general. Desde la entrada se percibe que es un lugar bien organizado y cuidadosamente mantenido. Las instalaciones están limpias y bien diseñadas, lo que permite disfrutar del recorrido de forma cómoda. La variedad de especies es impresionante, con exhibiciones muy llamativas y peces en excelente estado, lo que demuestra el buen cuidado que reciben. Uno de los aspectos más destacados es lo visualmente impactante de los tanques y túneles, que realmente hacen que la experiencia sea inmersiva y memorable. Siguiendo lo que suele comentarse en muchas opiniones, es un lugar que vale totalmente la pena visitar, aunque puede llenarse bastante en horas pico, por lo que ir temprano o en horarios menos concurridos mejora mucho la experiencia . En resumen, un sitio bien cuidado, educativo y visualmente impresionante, ideal tanto para adultos como para familias. read more

See all

In my Vader voice, "Impressive.... most impressive". Growing up on the East Coast I had been to the National Aquarium in Baltimore many of times. I've traveled and been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Cali, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the OdySea Aquarium here in Arizona, and many others. The Georgia Aquarium is one of those places that leaves you in awe as soon as you enter. It's set up to explore and learn. They have an extensive number of animals they house. One of my favorites, the whale sharks, which I think everyone looks forward to seeing. They are the stars, massive & very graceful as they glide through the water. The Beluga whales are just as captivating, & you really stop & watch them interact. The bottlenose dolphins are playful, and the interactive shows are cool. Giant manta rays & the African penguins were also interesting to just watch. If you like marine life, this is a must-visit while in the ATL. We didn't take advantage of the food inside. The one thing that was a miss for us was the dolphin show. I could have done without. It was informative, but very basic. I was also a bit turned off by the request not to take pictures or videos, and everyone around me had their camera up, recording. That was annoying. I thought it would be policed, but it wasn't. Took away from me enjoying the experience. The show had audience members engage... a few of us said the same thing..."they probably donated to do this". I get it, but not a fan. read more

See all

All the fish you could ever want to see! I felt the entry fees were pretty high as it's almost completely non-interactive but, hey, whale shark!!! The whole place was super clean and plenty of concession options. Will do again for sure! read more

See all

This is the largest aquarium in the United States and sixth largest in the world! There were lots of cool animals and it was intuitively laid out. You could probably see the whole thing in about 2-3 hours including the dolphin show. I will say, it is pretty expensive to get in, almost $70 with taxes so keep that in mind. It was pretty crowded when we went Sunday afternoon but it still wasn't too hard to navigate. I liked that they decorated for Halloween with actors walking around and also Halloween decorations inside some of the tanks. read more

See all

The Georgia Aquarium is a must-do spot if you visit Atlanta. Known for its whale shark(s), it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. The layout makes it really easy to go through each section without missing anything. My favorites are the Cold Water Quest and the Ocean Voyager, and the new Shark area. While it is worth visiting, I was disappointed in my latest visit. It seems like they do not limit the number of people they let into the aquarium so it was extremely packed. Likely due to the huge crowds, it is now necessary to make a reservation for the dolphin and sea lion shows. I've been probably 10 times before and never had to do this. It was unfortunate because by the time we found out a reservation was needed, everything was sold out and there was no availability for the entire rest of the day. The biggest shocker to me was the cost of the tickets, though. It was $62 a person to buy them there! I remember only a couple years ago when it was $35 a person. Also, the cost of parking jumped up to $25. Seeing an almost 2x increase in price for both the ticket and for parking was shocking. I would recommend planning in advance, as I think you can get slightly cheaper tickets when buying online and planning ahead. Despite the ticket cost and huge crowds, the aquarium is incredible, and I would still recommend people visit. If possible, though, try to go during a weekday in the morning or middle of the day to avoid crowds. Or better yet, if you do not have kids, attend their after-hours events. These events typically have food and/or drinks, are 21+, and allow you to explore the entire aquarium without the crowd. read more

See all

Absolutely stunning! Well worth getting there 1st thing when it's chill. The blue whale and sharks were amazing! One of the best I have been to. read more

Georgia Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

We signed up to scuba dive at the Aquarium at 11am. We arrived at 9am when they opened so we could check it all out before we could dive. It's a pretty amazing aquarium. I always thought the Omaha aquarium was spectacular but Atlanta's beats it. Seeing a whale shark and huge manta rays was so cool! The dive was 38 minutes. The whale shark circled above us multiple times, WOW! We dove with the manta rays, eagle rays, sting rays, a Napoleon wrasse, woebegone shark, saw fish that were fighting and Goliath Grouper. It was just fantastic!! It's not cheap, but it was so worth it. A Tshirt was included in the price. The video isn't included, but was worth the cost as well. The rest of the aquarium was just great! They have so many different sea creatures. If you have the opportunity to visit, you need to! We would enjoy going again, even meaning we have to deal with Atlanta traffic, lol! If you have a question, there was always someone nearby who was happy to answer! read more

See all

We had an amazing time at the Georgia Aquarium. There is a lot to see, and the staff takes pride in the care they give the animals. We saw a dolphin show, which was really fun. And of course we spent lots of time watching the majestic whale shark. Highly recommend if you are in the Atlanta area! read more

See all

WOW what an experience!! There was one section under construction by where the alligator is but it really didn't impede our visit just seems like a new addition they will have soon! Exciting :) We found a hack in the system to avoid crowds-go later in the day, not earlier. Crazy, I know. My family of 5 was able to enter around 2-3pm on a Sunday and by the end of the day basically had the place to ourselves. There were so few people that the dolphin show became open to whoever wanted to see it without reservations or tickets so that was a super cool perk and we experienced no lines for bathrooms at all while we were there. Kids were able to get right up to the glass and into the touch tanks every time without hassle. It appears from reading reviews the timing and crowds are what makes the experience or breaks it. Go at an unpopular time, it was a beautiful gift! We had whole exhibits to ourselves! Unheard of! read more

We came here for our daughter's 4th birthday yesterday. Let me tell you the GA Aquarium offers a free ticket on your birthday. I used the digital copy of my daughter's birth certificate since I didn't want to bring the original hard copy. The whole family loved it we were there for 6 hours. Did all the shows and the staff was super friendly. read more

See all

I really enjoyed my visit. The gift shop was really nice & had a variety of items. Spent about two hours there & saw everything but the shows. The layout wasnt confusing to follow the attractions/ different areas. If you've never been it's worth the price. read more

See all

Amazing!! The Georgia Aquarium was so fun and a really immersive experience. Make sure to give yourself a few hours so you can take your time through the different sections. My favorite parts were the interactive stingray pool, the tunnel, and seeing the whale shark. Conveniently, the aquarium is also right next to Coke World and the Civil Rights Museum. read more

See all

I've been here with my friend while I traveled in ATL area. Maybe I expected so much so but a disappointing. Watched dolphins show but it's finish so quickly but amazing. Pay $5 for each person to got VIP seat. But I don't think need it. I watched dolphins show in San Diego aquarium, San Diego was better. I didn't recommend food court. It's too bad quality than price. Recommend buy ticket online when after 4pm enter ticket. read more

Georgia Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

The Georgia Aquarium has long been on our shortlist of aquariums to see, we just didn't have the opportunity to be in ATL to experience it until this year. Given our excitement and its reputation, we opted for the earliest time on a Thursday to venture in. There were a healthy amount of people in right at opening, but once everyone was in, people spread out pretty quickly. One thing we did wish we were a bit more proactive on once we arrived - check to see when the animal presentations are occurring and reserve a spot accordingly. Of course, like everyone else, we had heard of the Whale Sharks, so we opted to venture to the Ocean Voyager voyager exhibit first. The exhibit itself is, as you would expect, massive and it is amazing to see the world's largest fish swimming around in front of you. That said, I do not think the Whale Shark were our favorites in the Ocean Voyager area, it was the equally-massive Manta Ray. Its almost an other-worldly, empyreal feeling watching the Manta Ray slowly and majestically come into view and then back out again be it in the main enclosure of the tunnel/walking area. As you are making your rounds, plan to circle back to a few of the enclosures such as the Ocean Voyager as there's almost too much to see on your first walk around. We did explore all the areas and my other favorite was the Sharks! Predators of the Deep enclosure. While I've seen plenty of sharks in aquariums, I've yet to see hammerheads before and it was quite fun watching these hammerheads not only swim at all crazy angles, but turn on a dime just as you think they may hit the glass or another creature. Another area I went back to and another area I'd say is unique to the Georgia Aquarium. We were able to make it in for the Sea Lion presentation, which is in a small theatre with a splash zone. You forget how massive the Sea Lions are until you see them up close and if your little one likes Sea Lions or Seals, then this is a must because you see both. They did have plenty of concessions, although several only opened up close to lunch and the lunch/cafeteria area had pretty decent food with an efficient setup. I do think the GA Aquarium lives up to its billing and hype and compared to the two large aquariums we've been to, the ones in Monterrey and Corpus Christi, the GA aquarium probably wins due to its massive footprint. So if you love all things ocean, if you get the chance, make sure to stop in to the Georgia Aquarium to see the Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, and so much more. read more

See all

We decide to check out the aquarium since it was something to do. Apparently this is supposed to be the largest in the states I believe, either way we figured why not. Lines outside can be brutal while it's sunny not fun to stand out there in the heat for us at least the line seemed to move. Once inside u go about your own pace there's so much to see! Sharks are always fun, Dolphins too & the Beluga whales were pretty cool. This was a lot of walking but it was nice, huge tanks filled with such fun colorful fishes & all kinds of underwater creatures. Looks very crowded & it certainly can be but the place is so big u at least have some wiggle room, nice way to spend a few hours it was enjoyable. read more

See all

The Georgia Aquarium is quite a wonderful experience! There are about 5-6 exhibits highlighting different types of animals (sharks, one mainly fish one, dolphins, etc.) We went on a day it did feel particularly crowded, but still got to see everything we wanted to. One exhibit - the River one - was closed, which was disappointing. The manta rays, whale shark, and beluga whales were the highlights for my group! We were able to get in and see everything we wanted in about 2 hours (without kids! That will definitely slow you down more). Definitely worth the trip if you are an aquarium lover! read more

See all