Georgia Aquarium Lives Up to Its Reputation with Superb Exhibits and Entertaining, Informative Shows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKeGvf4VQ-Y

The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta, just across from Centennial Olympic Park and close to the Georgia World Congress Center (a convention hall), is reportedly one of the world's largest, with more than 11 million gallons of water and more than 100,000 sea creatures and animals (more than 500 species). The massive "Ocean Voyager" exhibit alone holds 6.3 million gallons, specifically designed to house whale sharks, along with a host of other large species, including some predators, and schooling fish. The site spans nearly 13 acres and has a conveniently attached parking garage. Opened in 2005, it is the largest aquarium in the United States and sixth largest in the world.

I attended the Dallas Safari Club convention in early February 2026. It staged out of the GWCC. My hotel was the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown, which was close to the convention center and on the shuttle bus route and even closer to the Georgia Aquarium. Although I didn't intentionally plan to visit the aquarium, my flight schedules left open a window for a four-hour visit on a Monday morning after the DSC convention wrapped up. So, with an extended checkout granted by the hotel, I walked a couple hundred yards and purchased my ticket (about $60 after taxes).

Now, Monday was an ideal time to visit. My hotel was jammed with families on the weekend, many of them destined to visit the aquarium. A stroll by there on a Saturday afternoon revealed that the crows was extensive. Arriving just after the 9 a.m. opening on Monday morning, though, I was happy to see that I'd be able to have a leisurely experience not hampered by a throng of visitors. I was also pleased to see how the aquarium was configured, with the exhibits arrayed around a center, interior courtyard of sorts, making them easy to find and access. A couple of cheerful young ladies assisting visitors shared their thoughts on what I shouldn't miss and told me that I would have time to see both the 20-minute sea lion show and the 30-minute bottlenose dolphin show. They helped me access an app and to obtain my show reservation. Both shows were very entertaining, and I'm glad I didn't sit anywhere down front, especially with the dolphins, which seemed to delight in flipping water high into the crowd.

Show reservations to the Dolphin and Sea Lion Presentations are only available on the day of your visit. Getting in early helps ensure you reserve a spot. Seats are limited and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, although neither theater was full when I attended. The aquarium also offers, at addition charge, various "encounters" such as an opportunity to get behind-the-scenes in the Cold Water Quest gallery and have some face-to-face interaction with beluga whales, dolphins, penguins, sea lion, sea otters and more.

The aquarium's animal care specialists escort you on the encounters, sharing how they work with these intelligent creatures, building trust and looking out for their well-being.

The Georgia Aquarium lived up to its reputation as an entertaining and informative destination. I was only at the aquarium for 3.5 hours, but it enough to tour all exhibits (the River Scout section was closed for construction). The highlights were the large Ocean Voyager exhibit, which included an underwater tunnel. The whale shark is the star here, although I really liked the guitarfish, a species that looks like a merging of fish and ray. In fact, they're sometimes called shovelnose rays. Cool critters! This exhibit also features a variety of rays, including massive manta rays. The Tropical Diver section depicts coral reef habitats. Sharks! Predators of the Deep has a large number of toothy predators.

The map below is available on the aquarium's web site: