The Georgia Aquarium opened on November 23, 2005, in downtown Atlanta
The Georgia Aquarium is located at 225 Baker Street in Atlanta's Inner Harbor district. It opened to the public on November 23, 2005, after about three years of construction. The building took that long to complete because of its size and the specialized systems needed to hold millions of gallons of water and support thousands of animals.
The aquarium was built on the site of a former warehouse that had been part of Atlanta's industrial waterfront. The location was chosen because it sits near other attractions and is accessible by public transit. The Inner Harbor area has since become a major tourist destination, and the aquarium is one of the reasons why.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Aquarium opened on November 23, 2005, making it about 20 years old as of 2025.
- It was built in downtown Atlanta's Inner Harbor district on the site of a former warehouse.
- The construction took roughly three years because of the building's massive size and complex water systems.
- When it opened, it was the largest aquarium in the world by water volume, a record it held for several years.
Who built the Georgia Aquarium and why
The Georgia Aquarium was funded and built by the Georgia Aquarium Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The project was made possible largely through a donation from Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot, who gave $250 million to the project. This was one of the largest charitable gifts ever made to a cultural institution at the time.
The goal was to create a world-class aquarium that would serve as both a tourist attraction and a center for marine research and education. The designers wanted to build something that would draw visitors from across the country and put Atlanta on the map as a destination for families and tourists interested in marine life.
The size and scale of the building
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest buildings in the world by volume. The main structure covers about 10 acres and holds approximately 10 million gallons of water across all its tanks and exhibits. To put that in perspective, that is roughly equivalent to 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water.
The building itself is 550,000 square feet, which is about the size of nine football fields. The largest tank in the aquarium, called the Ocean Voyager, holds 6.3 million gallons of water and is home to whale sharks and manta rays. The sheer amount of water and the systems needed to keep it clean and at the right temperature are why construction took so long.
What the aquarium looked like when it first opened
When the Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005, it featured four main galleries: Tropical Diver, Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest, Beluga Whale and Dolphin Exploration, and Ocean Voyager. Each gallery was designed to showcase different marine environments and the animals that live in them. The exhibits were built using the latest technology available at the time for displaying and caring for aquatic animals.
The aquarium also included a 4D theater, a café, and a gift shop. The design emphasized education, with interactive displays and information stations throughout the building. Staff members were trained to answer questions and teach visitors about marine conservation and the importance of protecting ocean habitats.
Records the Georgia Aquarium held
When the Georgia Aquarium opened, it was the largest aquarium in the world by water volume. It held that record until 2008, when the Dubai Aquarium opened with a slightly larger tank. However, the Georgia Aquarium remains one of the largest and most visited aquariums in the United States.
The aquarium also set records for the number of animals on display and the diversity of species. It was one of the first aquariums in the country to successfully breed certain species in captivity and to conduct advanced research on marine animal behavior and health.
How the aquarium has changed since 2005
Since opening in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium has added new exhibits and updated existing ones. In 2010, the Tropical Diver gallery was renovated and expanded. Over the years, the aquarium has also invested in new technology for animal care and visitor experience, including improved filtration systems and digital displays.
The aquarium continues to operate as both a public attraction and a research facility. It works with other institutions to study marine animals and to develop better methods for caring for them in captivity. The building itself has required ongoing maintenance and upgrades to keep its systems running smoothly.
Visiting the Georgia Aquarium today
The Georgia Aquarium is open year-round and is one of Atlanta's most popular tourist destinations. It is located at 225 Baker Street in the Inner Harbor district, which is walkable from downtown hotels and restaurants. The aquarium is accessible by car, public transit, and on foot from nearby attractions.
The building houses thousands of animals representing hundreds of species from around the world. Visitors can see whale sharks, beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and many other marine animals. The exhibits are designed for all ages, from young children to adults interested in marine science and conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see everything at the Georgia Aquarium?
Most visitors spend between three and five hours at the aquarium, depending on how much time they spend at each exhibit and whether they watch the 4D theater show. Some people move through more quickly, while others prefer to read all the information and watch the animals for longer periods.
Is the Georgia Aquarium still the largest in the world?
No, it is no longer the largest by water volume. The Dubai Aquarium surpassed it in 2008. However, the Georgia Aquarium remains one of the largest and most visited aquariums in the United States and continues to be a major attraction in Atlanta.
What animals can you see at the Georgia Aquarium?
The aquarium houses whale sharks, beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, jellyfish, and thousands of fish representing hundreds of species. The specific animals on display may change over time as the aquarium updates its exhibits and participates in breeding and research programs.
Can you touch animals at the Georgia Aquarium?
Some exhibits allow visitors to touch certain animals, such as stingrays and sea stars, under staff supervision. Most of the larger animals, like whale sharks and dolphins, are viewed from behind glass or from a distance to protect both the animals and the visitors.