Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium at 225 Baker St NW in Downtown Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, housing more than 11 million gallons of water and tens of thousands of animals representing hundreds of species. The centerpiece exhibit is the Ocean Voyager gallery, home to four whale sharks — the only ones on public display in the Western Hemisphere — alongside manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and a diverse reef ecosystem viewable through an acrylic tunnel and a 6.3-million-gallon tank with a 23-foot-by-61-foot viewing window, one of the largest in the world.

Beyond Ocean Voyager, the aquarium spans five distinct gallery zones. Cold Water Quest showcases beluga whales, sea otters, and African penguins in a chilled habitat. Tropical Diver immerses visitors in Indo-Pacific coral reef ecosystems. River Scout presents freshwater species including giant river otters and alligator gar from rivers across multiple continents. AT&T Dolphin Tales hosts Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in an arena-style venue with live behavior demonstrations. A 4D theater and interactive touch pools round out the experience.

Plan three to four hours for a comfortable visit covering all five galleries, the dolphin show, and time at the touch pools. The morning opening offers the best ambient lighting in Ocean Voyager, where refracted blue light through the massive acrylic panels creates striking visual conditions. Weekend afternoons draw the largest crowds, particularly during school holidays; queues for Ocean Voyager can develop by late morning. Timed-entry tickets purchased in advance from the aquarium's official website substantially reduce wait times at the main entrance. Photography is permitted throughout all galleries and the Ocean Voyager viewing panel rewards wide-angle photography. MARTA Red and Gold lines stop at Peachtree Center Station, a five-minute walk north to Baker Street, making the aquarium easily accessible without a car from anywhere on the MARTA network.