Georgia Aquarium

We always enjoy visiting the GA Aquarium and visit several times through out the year. Luckily I caught the sale earlier this year which allows you to visit the Aquarium for the entire year for the price of 1 ticket.

Our favorite exhibit is the sharks and we also enjoy the dolphin show.

We just finished our first visit to the Georgia Aquarium. We used it to break out 13 hr trip from the gulf cost of FL back to VA. I was a little uncertain I wanted to take the time out to spend the time and money to do it it was so worth it.

In many ways this aquarium is like others, particularly the National Aquarium on Baltimore, but it's also so much more.

This aquarium is massive in size and scope. The main concourse is a wide open space with a huge wall of beautiful ocean scape projections. This is the main hub to find food, shopping, restrooms, and all the exhibits. From here you can easily see the entrance to all your options. Focusing on both fresh and salt water creatures, predator and prey, mammals, fish, reptiles, even some insects, this aquarium really works to give the careful goer information on the creatures, their habitats, their endangered status, and conservation and research efforts. Most folks plow through looking strictly at the mesmerizing tanks and enclosures, understandably. However, one should turn their backs to the tanks and do some reading as well. There are textbooks worth of information all around in easy to read and understand language.

For me, the massive whale sharks were worth every penny we paid to be there on a very busy Saturday evening. The only two on display in North American defiantly made an impression. And when pair in the same frame with a massive 14ft manta ray, you really feel like you've strapped on the scuba gear and dove back a few millennia to a long lost ocean.

I dinged them a star for 2 things. First, we had an elderly person with us who uses a rollator. She just cannot do as much walking as the rest of the party. Even though they have made concessions for those with mobility needs, I noticed two things. 1- Even though we had handicapped parking, it was still a long haul to the entrance. We had to wait for an elevator to take us down to the walkway, and then it was a long walk to the entrance.
2- We reserved seats for the dolphin show (fun!), but to get there we had to take an elevator up to the theater level, and then walk another incredibly long distance to then take another elevator up to get to the handicap seating.
Oh, and 3 -the gift shop doesn't believe in clear pricing. Most items are not priced and they have a few signs here and there with prices, but the descriptors are unclear and not everything has a sign. So, beware the $72 sweatshirt or $15 keychain.

Overall a great place that deserves a visit.

Beautiful place. Buy tickets ahead of time or check Groupon. It is a little cheaper that way. It was very busy on a Sunday but still well worth ticket price. Wonderful helpful staff all over the aquarium!. If you travel with a wheelchair they make sure each guest is accommodated and has a special place up front to see each tank. While you walk throughout the employees introduce each part of the aquarium and what lives in each section.

Its centerpiece is a 6.3 million US gallons (24,000 m3) whale shark exhibit. This exhibit is designed to feature the life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and showcases the Aquarium's whale sharks and manta rays as well as a 100 ft (30 m) underwater acrylic tunnel and one of the world's largest viewing windows. It was incredible. The Georgia Aquarium remains the largest aquarium in the United States and the fourth largest in the world.

They even have a tiger shark! Our favorite part was the dolphin show. You are required to reserve a spot for the dolphin and sea lion show before you visit after you buy your tickets online. Food is expensive. They do not check bags but do allow snacks and drinks inside just no straws. (That was a shock to us! Really convenient) Cafe was quick but expensive. Parking was easy and close by. Can't wait to plan another trip back!.

I can't believe that I haven't shared a review for Georgia Aquarium yet. Better late than never!

Spoiler alert: If you've never been, it's worthy of a trip.

The largest aquarium in the United States and in the top 5 largest in the world, what an honor to be able to visit whenever we'd like! I've visited over a half dozen times, being a lover of the aquarium and a Pisces needed to be amongst the water, and it never gets old. Located downtown next to some other iconic ATL (tourist) spots, the Aquarium is a place that's always jumping. Luckily they offer ample parking spots in their garage knowing that they welcome in thousands on a daily basis.

Tickets can add up, but always totally worth it in my opinion. For the price of 2.5 visits, you can even opt in for a membership that affords free visits for a year and discounts on parking/food. If you're a Georgia resident, you can even go for free on your birthday!

Upon entry to the aquarium you're stopped at the front for a quick picture in front of their backdrop, getting you prepped for the fun (and all the things you can spend on lol). When you walk in, wow. This place is huge. With a nice, spacious center merging all of the exhibits and corners you can venture into, I always have to stop in the middle for a moment so I can figure out which turn to take first. Although it's always packed in there, you can still feel like you have space to hear your thoughts as you flow among the fish.

I also love that there are food/drink carts all over! The food options aren't on a Michelin level, but a nice lunch for families (including alcohol for stressed parents lol).

There are so many awesome exhibits and visuals to take in. Watching the sharks and putting my hand in the water to touch the starfish are my favorite parts. I wish they'd have more interactive options that were open to all, but experiences cost, I get it! There are some great experiences open for booking on their website and I feel like I have to indulge on an upcoming visit after hearing great things. There are so many tanks to stare at for hours and the lessons/facts that are shared on the walls always teach me something new.

All in all, if you haven't visited the Georgia Aquarium, what are you waiting for?!

This was my absolute favorite attraction when visiting Atlanta for Christmas. Me and my family walked from our hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Downtown, was not far whatsoever. We bought our tickets online, and had difficulty with our last ticket at the scanner for getting in- Staff was very understanding and caused us no trouble letting us through. Was able to carry my drink inside, and was kindly asked to throw my straw away. As busy as they were on Christmas eve, it didn't feel too crowded even though it very much was. Well maintained spacious museum! Each exhibit was fascinating to see & clean!

Would love to visit again.

The Georgia Aquarium is impressive in its size and layout. There is such a large variety of sea creatures and animals on display, and my 6-year old and 8-year old daughters had a lot of fun during our trip. Their favorite part was the dolphin and sea lion shows - both of which were very entertaining and fun to watch - I would highly recommend either or both if you have time for it on your trip. It's best to reserve a spot for those shows online the day of your visit.

I enjoyed the large tank with the whale shark. I also appreciated that there were staff with microphones at certain strategic points around the aquarium providing education about the animals and the aquarium. Overall, it is a really nice aquarium and is suitable for people of almost all ages - kids as young as 3+ will probably enjoy seeing the animals, but there is plenty of stuff for adults to marvel at as well.

The only thing that made our visit unpleasant was that there were probably hundreds of kids on their field trips (it felt like maybe even over a thousand) when we went (on a Monday), which made the morning feel very chaotic and crowded. By the afternoon, things calmed down significantly, which made for a much better experience. I understand field trips are a big part of the Aquarium's income and mission / purpose, so I'm not anti-field trips. I just wish there was some way the Aquarium could have better crowd control during the times when they are expecting a lot of field trips.

Also, the food at Clearwater Cafe is what you would expect - overpriced and underwhelming. But if you're planning to stay there all day and you don't plan ahead and pack a lunch, it's all there is available. There is the option to leave the aquarium and return on the same day, too.

Parking was $20 flat rate for the day, and the parking deck is conveniently walking distance to the aquarium.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Georgia Aquarium if you are visiting Atlanta.

Tale of good and bad.
Animals amazing
Resembled the animals natural environment.
Animals well taken care of.
Exhibits clean.
Price fair with City Pass. Easy to get in. No one seemed to be checking bags
Plenty of employees and they were friendly and helpful.

Bad
No crowd control. Couldn't stop and read anything for getting run over.
Food awful, limited, and way overprized. Put something to snack on in your pocket.

Giving a 3 star because of excessive crowds

I just can't get enough of it!

That's exactly how I would describe my experience visiting the Georgia Aquarium. I was mesmerized and enthralled by the breathtaking and jaw-dropping sight of diverse marine life, especially the sharks.

The Georgia Aquarium is a massive aquatic wonderland that both kids and adults will surely enjoy. When you purchase the general admission ticket, it includes access to all galleries as well as the dolphin and sea lion presentations. However, presentation availability is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are timed entry, which helps to limit the influx of visitors for a nice and enjoyable visit. So, don't miss your chosen time or you might not be allowed to enter.

They also have a replica jaw of the believed-to-be-extinct Megalodon. I have watched 'The Meg' movies so I was thrilled by it.

I was captivated watching the dolphin and sea lion shows. These highly intelligent and social marine mammals stole my heart every time they performed tricks.

We explored most if not all galleries and experiences--The River Scout, Dolphin Coast, Coldwater Quest, Beluga Whales, Alaskan Rocky Reef, Haunted Seas, Ocean Voyager, Sharks, and Aquanaut Adventure.

The Ocean Voyager exhibit is home to a massive 6.3 million-gallon tank with gentle giants like whale sharks and graceful manta rays gliding by. It was so majestic to be immersed and to have a close encounter with these creatures. The ocean world is truly a beauty.

They also offer more hands-on encounters like touching stingrays, sea stars, or even diving with whale sharks.

It was truly an unforgettable aquatic experience, as I learned to appreciate more about these creatures that I don't get to see every day.

Really enjoyed our time here! Dolphin show is free and was super cute for all ages. Lots of animals to watch and enjoy. Removing a star because we went on a weekend, and even though we had timed entry, there were so many people that I felt overwhelmed at times. Some areas are way too small to have that many visitors at once.

Loved, loved, loved this place! I had a blast and could spend the whole day here! Must see and highly recommend over the Coca Cola museum!

Family friendly and amazing aquatic life to see!