Georgia Aquarium
One of the largest aquariums in the Western Hemisphere — 11 million gallons, four whale sharks, manta rays, and beluga whales in downtown Atlanta.
Distance
1 mi
Drive time
~5 min
Route
Downtown Atlanta on Pemberton Place, adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola
Best window
Year-round, fully indoor
About Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium sits on Pemberton Place in downtown Atlanta, sharing the campus with the World of Coca-Cola and the Center for Civil and Human Rights — five minutes from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a block off Centennial Olympic Park. With more than 11 million gallons of water and 100,000+ animals across seven major galleries, it's one of the largest aquariums in the Western Hemisphere and the only U.S. aquarium with whale sharks and manta rays. Ocean Voyager (the 6.3-million-gallon main tank built specifically for whale sharks) is the marquee exhibit; SharkQuest, Cold Water Quest (with beluga whales and sea otters), and the Dolphin Coast presentation round out a full half-day visit. A 12–15 passenger van slots into the on-site garage with no oversize fee.
Why it's worth the drive
- Ocean Voyager — 6.3-million-gallon tank with four whale sharks (the only ones in the U.S.) and manta rays, viewed through a 100-ft acrylic tunnel.
- Cold Water Quest — beluga whales, sea otters, and Japanese spider crabs in chilled North Pacific habitats.
- Dolphin Coast — daily presentation with a stadium-style tank for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
- SharkQuest — open-water shark gallery with sand tigers, hammerheads, and silvertips; the newest major expansion.
- Behind-the-Scenes and Swim/Dive with Whale Sharks programs (extra ticket, advance booking).
Things to do
What groups actually do at Georgia Aquarium
Ocean Voyager walk-through
Stand inside the 100-ft acrylic tunnel as whale sharks and manta rays pass overhead — the signature aquarium moment. Best in the first hour after open before the lines build.
Cold Water Quest
Beluga whales right at the glass, sea otters in the rock-pool habitat, and the Japanese spider crab gallery. Crowd-favorite section for kids.
Dolphin Coast presentation
20-minute show in a 1,800-seat tank-side theater — check show times posted at entry; arrive 15 min early for center seats.
SharkQuest gallery
Open-water habitat with sand tiger and silvertip sharks plus a touch pool for stingrays and small sharks.
Behind-the-Scenes tour
60-min staff-led walk on the top decks of the major tanks — see filtration, food prep, and animal-care operations. Separate ticket, books up.
Swim or Dive with Whale Sharks
Limited daily slots in the Ocean Voyager habitat — no certification needed for the snorkel; PADI for the dive. Premium add-on, weeks of lead time.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Georgia Aquarium
- On-site Pemberton Place garage accepts 15-passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits in standard spaces; clearance ~8'6". Pre-pay parking with your timed-entry ticket online to lock in the rate.
- Drop-off lane is on Baker St between the Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola — easy to drop a group and circle back to park.
- Buy timed-entry tickets in advance; Saturday afternoons in spring break and summer can hit capacity by 11 AM.
- Pair with World of Coca-Cola next door — the combo ticket is the standard play and saves a re-park.
The Pemberton Place garage (shared with World of Coca-Cola) accepts 15-passenger Sprinters in standard spaces.
When to go
Best time to visit
Year-round, fully indoor. Weekday mornings are the calmest. Avoid Saturday afternoons in March–April spring break and June–July when local school groups stack onto out-of-town traffic. Free Pre-K Pass days fill fast — check the Aquarium calendar.
Need a van for the trip?
Our Atlanta fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), every Midtown and Buckhead hotel, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium game-day drop-offs.
See Atlanta vansPlan your visit
Official Georgia Aquarium resources
Georgia Aquarium — tickets & hours
www.georgiaaquarium.org
Swim / Dive with Whale Sharks
www.georgiaaquarium.org
Pemberton Place parking
www.georgiaaquarium.org
Discover Atlanta — Pemberton Place district
discoveratlanta.com
More background
Georgia Aquarium FAQ
Where is the Georgia Aquarium?
Downtown Atlanta on Pemberton Place, between Baker St and Ivan Allen Jr Blvd — next to the World of Coca-Cola and a block off Centennial Olympic Park.
Can a 15-passenger van park at the Aquarium?
Yes — the Pemberton Place garage shared with the World of Coca-Cola accepts Sprinters and Ford Transits in standard spaces. Pre-pay parking online with the timed-entry ticket.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Plan 3–4 hours for the main galleries and one show. Add 90 minutes for Behind-the-Scenes, or a full half-day if you're doing Swim with Whale Sharks.
Should I combo with the World of Coca-Cola?
Yes — they share the plaza and the parking garage. The CityPASS or combo ticket saves vs paying separately and you don't have to re-park.
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