Georgia Aquarium with Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide to the Best Exhibits & Shows
Georgia Aquarium is one of the top family attractions in Atlanta — and there’s a reason 2-3 million people visit every year! It is the only aquarium outside of Asia with a whale shark, and seeing them was one of the main reasons we decided to take a weekend trip to Atlanta.
If you’re visiting the Georgia Aquarium with toddlers or preschoolers, you’ll want to decide what to see (and what to skip!) to make your visit as smooth as possible. In this guide, I’m sharing quick tips for your visit, plus ranking the best exhibits at the Georgia Aquarium based on our experience with little kids.
Quick Tips for Your Visit
- Buy tickets and parking online in advance — Choose the 9:00AM slot for a stress-free visit to the Georgia Aquarium with toddlers and to enjoy lower crowds.
- Compact strollers only (under 29″ wide and 52″ long). Staff enforce this, but the stroller line is faster since it bypasses the souvenir photo area.
- Download the Georgia Aquarium app — It stores tickets, provides a full map, includes audio tours of exhibits, and lists all family-friendly shows and events for your visit.
How Long to Spend at the Georgia Aquarium
Give yourself at least 2 hours in the Georgia Aquarium with toddlers (and closer to 3 if you want to see almost everything plus a show). We were there from about 9AM-12PM on a Saturday morning and had time to visit every exhibit and watch the Sea Lion show before lunch.
Early mornings are the best time to visit the Georgia Aquarium with kids, considering crowds and toddler energy levels!
Best Exhibits at the Georgia Aquarium with Toddlers (Ranked!)
If you’re pressed for time (or want to know the highlights with the kids!), here are the exhibits you’ll want to visit (and the ones I’d save for last) at the Georgia Aquarium.
1.) Ocean Voyager
The reason most people are drawn to the Georgia Aquarium? The whale sharks in the 6.3M+ gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit.
You’ll start your exploration of this exhibit on the side, then through a tunnel, before finally reaching the large windows into the exhibit (with stage-like seating). I highly recommend visiting this exhibit first thing in the morning, as many families linger here to enjoy the view of these gentle giants.
2.) Tropical Diver
Head next to a tropical Pacific coral reef – a favorite for toddlers who love colorful fish. Plus, the “lava” decor and eels helped made this exhibit a stand-out for our preschooler! Nemo fans will also get to “find” him among the anemones, making Tropical Diver a family favorite at the Georgia Aquarium.
3.) Cold Water Quest
From tidal pools to kelp forests to the icy waters of the arctic, Cold Water Quest gives a peek into animal life we don’t often see in the Southeast. The penguin tunnel may just be the best part of this exhibit! Kids (and kids at heart!) can crawl in plexiglass tunnels underneath the penguins and get up close and personal with these little feathered friends.
4.) Southern Company River Scout
Pirhanas! Lots of natural mood lighting! Foliage! This exhibit, while not top of mind like dolphins and sharks, had a lot of fun exploration tunnels, tree trunks, and spots to “peek” at freshwater river fish – a highlight for our littles.
5.) SHARKS! Predators of the Deep®
If you have a major shark fan, you could bump this exhibit higher on your list. That said, the SHARKS! exhibit feels fairly empty and less engaging compared to the others.
Pressed for Time? Skip these Exhibits!
If you’re short on time, here are the exhibits to skip at the Georgia Aquarium.
- Similar to the sharks, I would skip Dolphin Coast unless you have a major dolphin lover. Besides the dolphins, there is a a small bird exhibit.
- Explorers Cove, while reimagined recently with interactive fountain elements, is again fairly sparse. The touch tank here is difficult for younger kids to reach.
- With a few interactive elements, the kids area at Aquanaut Adventure feels lackluster. The ray touch tank right as you come up the stairs is a fun spot to visit, and maybe check out the albino alligators! But the exhibit overall doesn’t match the quality of the ones ranked above.
Dolphin Show vs. Sea Lion Show
Once you’ve explored the main exhibits, it’s worth planning time for one of the Georgia Aquarium shows. They’re a fun way to rest your feet, learn new things, and see the animals in action.
On the Georgia Aquarium app, you can easily reserve your seats for one (or both!) of the shows at the Georgia Aquarium. Having seen both, if you’re only able to do one, my vote is for the sea lion show — located in the Truist Sea Lion Studio!
The Saltwater Showdown is interactive, held in a smaller venue, and has a fun game-show style trivia format to teach families more about these marvelous pinnipeds. Plus, you get to vote on the final “dance” song at the end (a hit with preschoolers!).
The dolphin show at the Georgia Aquarium is in a much larger stadium, which means you’ll be further from the “action” (especially if you want to stay out of the splash zone). We’re Sea World passholders, and while it’s still a fun show, I’d say the Sea World version edges it out with storytelling, demonstrations, and music choice.
Animal Encounters: Save for Your Next Visit
If you’re visiting the Georgia Aquarium with toddlers, you’ll want to know that the animal encounters (like penguin or sea otter meet-and-greets) are designed for guests ages 7 and up.
But, if you have a budding marine biologist, keep them in mind for a future trip!
Glow Nights at the Georgia Aquarium
During the summer, the Georgia Aquarium hosts Glow Nights — an evening event that’s already confirmed for Summer 2026!
A few quick notes if you plan to attend:
It’s worth checking out for the lively atmosphere or an extra show before bedtime (we wanted to make sure everyone slept in the hotel room!).
Final Thoughts: Is the Georgia Aquarium Worth It with Toddlers?
Absolutely — a resounding yes! Our littlest (almost 3) walked and explored the aquarium all morning without getting tired. Our preschooler delighted in the details, from the interactive tunnels to spying animals she’d only read about. One of our favorite moments was sitting together on the steps, watching the whale sharks swim by.
The Georgia Aquarium truly earns its spot as one of Atlanta’s best family attractions. It’s an unforgettable experience for all ages — from curious toddlers to the child-at-heart.
