For an aquatic experience like no other, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-see attraction during your next visit to the Peach State. Located in Atlanta, this massive complex features over 100,000 animals living in 10 million gallons of water. With so much to see, you might get overwhelmed, so use these tips to guide your experience.
Have a Schedule
Because the aquarium is so massive, most visitors spend about three to four hours exploring everything it has to offer. Therefore, make sure you account for enough time to see everything you’d like. While you can explore the exhibits at your own leisure, certain events only happen at preset times throughout the day. For example, the Behind the Sea Tour, which gives you a closer look at the inner workings of the aquarium, happens every half hour between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and every hour between 4 and 7 p.m.
Otherwise, the Georgia Aquarium is open every day of the year, so you should have no problem finding a day that fits your schedule. The busiest times to visit are on weekends, so consider stopping by on a weekday if you can. Operating hours are typically 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, but always check the calendar beforehand to make sure there are no altered hours.
Book an Animal Encounter
Sure, looking at sea creatures through glass is nice, but what if you could get an even closer look? You can when you book a special animal encounter. Currently, the aquarium lets you get up close and personal with six separate animals: dolphins, penguins, sea otters, belugas, seals, and sea lions.
All the encounters have separate pricing that depends on whether or not you are a zoo member. Additionally, all children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for their protection.
Become a Member
Pricing for tickets to visit the Georgia Aquarium varies depending on the time of day you go, but expect to pay between $26.95 to $32.95 for adult admission. If you’d like to save money on this price tag, consider becoming a member of the museum. For just $79.95 a year, you’ll get unlimited zoo visits in addition to hefty discounts on encounters and other events.
Want to bring along your children? Yearly membership for each child is just $60.95, compared to $26.95-$30.95 per visit, or you can snag a family membership for just $279.95, which covers two adults and two children.
Pay for Parking Online
Unfortunately, the Georgia Aquarium does charge for parking in their 1,600-space lot. However, rather than scraping together the cash once you arrive, you can prepay for parking and skip the hassle. Instead of waiting in the long payment line, you’ll be able to drive right in and get going.
Lovers of sea life won’t be satisfied with their trip to the Atlanta area unless they make a pilgrimage to the Georgia Aquarium. By using the above tips to plan your visit, you’ll have a great time that you won’t soon forget.
Image by Josh Hallett is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
Connect with us
