Georgia Aquarium Sleepover: 15+ Important Things You Should Know Before You Go

The Georgia Aquarium Sleepover…it’s been on my bucket list for YEARS and we finally did it! Cooper and I packed our suitcase and headed to the Georgia Aquarium to spend the night. Was it awesome? Yes! Even better than I imagined!!

We hope our post will inspire you to sign up for an aquarium sleepover, give you the scoop on what to expect when you visit, and offer a few tips for your experience…breakfast, guided tours and activities…the works. Time to pack your overnight bag and head to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, for a night you won’t soon forget.

COOLEST PLACES TO STAY NEAR THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM

• Best Onsite Restaurant. The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium, and features the rotating restaurant, Polaris, as well as a seasonal outdoor pool.

• Best Skyline Views. Hilton Atlanta is about a 15 minute walk from the Georgia Aquarium. You’ll also find four onsite restaurants, including the popular Trader Vic’s. You’ll love the Atlanta skyline views from the fine dining restaurant, Nikolai’s Roof.

• Best Suites. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park is only steps away from the Georgia Aquarium. Mercedes Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the Martin Luther King Jr. historical site are also minutes away. This is an all-suites hotel, giving you and your crew plenty of room.

BEFORE YOU GET TO YOUR GEORGIA AQUARIUM SLEEPOVER

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

This might sound obvious, but let me give you a little more insight. Are you staying the night as part of a school group or a scout group? That’s awesome. But if you’re visiting as a family, call ahead to inquire about your target date.

Since it was just the two of us, we wanted a smaller, more intimate group. The first of a few sleepover dates we picked ended up being reserved by a large school group with about 100 kids. We could have kept that date and I’m sure we would have had a spectacular time, but I am very thankful we switched.

There were about 12 people in our sleepover – two other families. There is a benefit to being in a small group. We saw a few more things, were able to vote on where we wanted to sleep, and had a much more “personal” experience with our guide.

If you’re doing a family sleepover, give them a call and ask about the days put aside for JUST families, or check out the schedule here.

Read More: Georgia Aquarium: Atlanta’s Beloved Attraction Lives Up to the Hype

PACK YOUR BAGS

Please note that Georgia Aquarium recommends packing light, and I couldn’t agree more. Bring your sleeping bag and pillow, plus any special blankets. You’ll want a sweatshirt for the evening also. We stayed during summer, and it still got a little chilly at night.

Don’t forget your PJs, toothbrush and other toiletries. Also, you might want to bring a battery-powered phone charger. I’m glad we did!

SOCKS OR SLIPPERS

I wore flip flops for the day, so at night I had to either continue wearing them or go bare foot. One of the guides reminded us that thousands of people walked on that floor…so going barefoot before curling your feet into your sleeping bag might not be a great idea.

Bring some socks for your toes…for that time when you have your PJs on, but you’re not yet ready for sleep. Or maybe some slippers to slide on for that midnight trip to the restroom.

TO AIR MATTRESS OR NOT TO AIR MATTRESS?

Georgia Aquarium offers you a mat to sleep on. It’s pretty comfy, at over an inch thick. Because we were in such a small group, I was even able to stack two on top of each other (because extras were available).

For me, a blow up mattress or a cot would have been overkill. Other people who commented on our Facebook page said an air mattress was a must for them. If you sleep without an air mattress when tent camping, I think you’ll be fine.

BACKPACK BASICS

I did not bring a backpack, and I regret it. Don’t make my mistake. You’ll be carrying around a camera, water bottles, etc…and a purse (or your hands) just doesn’t cut it. In addition to the bag you use to carry your jammies, toothbrush, etc…bring a lightweight backpack.

ARRIVING FOR THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM SLEEPOVER

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET

You’re going to get access to the Aquarium at 6:45pm on the day of your sleepover. You’ll have two different guided tours (one that night and another the next morning), an evening snack and breakfast, your sleeping mat, and next-day entry to the aquarium including the 4D theatre, the sea lion show and dolphin show…plus all the other amazing things included in a ticket.

Read More: 10 Free Attractions & Activities With Your Georgia Aquarium Ticket

BAG STORAGE

When you arrive, you’ll put your sleeping bag, pillow, suitcase, etc. in a secure room near the entrance. This is where they will stay until it’s time to get ready for bed.

If you need to get back in here (like we did, for Cooper’s lunch box), then a staff member will come with you to get your things. Anything you might need should be carried with you in the backpack I mentioned earlier.

MORE ABOUT THE EVENING SNACK

The Georgia Aquarium recommends you eat dinner before your arrival, as they no longer serve dinner during their sleepover experience. They do offer an evening snack, though!

Around 9pm, you’ll get your evening snack. The evening snack here includes individual snack-sized bag of chips or popcorn and fruit snacks. Bottled water will be provided as well in case you forget your reusable cup or bottle.

They will allow you to bring your own food if someone in your group has an allergy or aversion to the meals provided. When we attended, we brought a lunchbox for my son since he wasn’t a fan of the menu. I’d recommend you bring a lunchbox-sized cooler if you need to. Refrigeration is not available, so a cooler is the way to go.

THE EVENING AGENDA

When you arrive with your signed waivers, you’ll store your things and hang out until everyone is there. Then, you’ll get a short orientation about the general rules and plan of attack.

About 8pm, you’ll meet up with your guide and tour the galleries or enjoy a behind the scenes tour until about 9ish. Remember, the aquarium closes at 9pm, so you’ll see the crowds get smaller and smaller until finally you are the only ones left in the largest aquarium around.

About 9, you’ll enjoy your evening snack, and then there’s an evening orientation that takes place around 9:30pm.

About 10ish, we picked up our things and made our way to the theater in Cold Water Quest, which is where we slept. We laid out our mats and sleeping bags, changed into PJs, brushed teeth and got ready for bed. The kids all played and enjoyed a bedtime snack until about 10:30pm, when the lights began getting dimmer and yawns developed. Night, night!

GALLERY TOURS ARE AWESOME

Did you read above? “…you’ll meet up with your guide and tour the galleries…” Maybe that sounds boring or “uneventful” especially if you, like us, have visited the aquarium dozens of times.

I assure you it is AMAZING. In fact, I think it was the highlight of the adventure for me, which is why I bring it up.

In all those times that we have visited, in all the special tours we have taken part in, this was the first time that we spent time with someone in the general gallery areas. Nicole showed us so many things that were new to me!

She told us about how the lacy jellyfish feed themselves. She pointed out the aquarium’s only puffer fish. She told us about special personality traits of the belugas and how to tell them apart. She explained why Tank the turtle hangs out near the large rock, and pointed out a crazy fish that looks like a living fossil. And that’s just the beginning.

Nothing – and I mean NOTHING – beats exploring the aquarium galleries with a treasured member of their team.

EVENING AT THE AQUARIUM

WHERE WILL YOU SLEEP?

If you are with a large group, chances are that your location is pre-determined. With a small group like we had, the grown-ups were allowed to choose (though our minions clearly had a vote). Choices include Ocean Voyager, Tropical Diver Gallery, Cold Water Quest, or Sharks! Predators of the Deep Gallery.

And even within the galleries, there are more choices. We decided to sleep in Ocean Voyager (because whale sharks are AWESOME). For awhile, it seemed the kids were leaning towards slumber under the tunnel – with the moving sidewalk turned off, of course. But in the end, we all decided that the theater area was best.

One family slept on the wide stairs, but we opted for a sleeping spot in front of the whale sharks …it was everything I imagined.

Read More: Swim With Whale Sharks Atlanta: Why Georgia Aquarium Is the Best Place To Swim With Gentle Giants

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS

What happens to the lights in the gallery? That was a big concern for everyone – especially the kids. It turns out that the lights in the Ocean Voyager gallery closely mimic the sun. They are dimmed a bit at closing, then a little more about 10:30ish, then a little more at 11pm, and then after that they go dark.

How dark? Dark enough to sleep (though I noticed some adults wore sleep masks) but still light enough to go to the bathroom without incident. Once your eyes adjust, you can still watch the fish swimming in the gallery, too.

Lights came on dimly about 6am, and by 6:30 am everything was all lighted up.

YOUR MORNING ADVENTURE

JUMP START THE PACKING

We woke about 6am, rolled up our sleeping bags and then got dressed for the day. With our small group, a guide led us through the employee entrance out to our car so that we could load our suitcase and sleeping bags (keep that backpack).

She said that with larger groups they might load everything into a school bus, or keep them in a back room.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED

Once we loaded up our things, we headed back to the cafe for breakfast. Thank goodness for coffee!

In addition to the coffee, we were offered an egg and cheese croissant served with tater tots, yogurt, fresh fruit, and juice.

Once again, if this doesn’t suit your little one, pack a breakfast. Just remember, there are no refrigeration options so pack wisely.

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE

It’s about 7:30am. The aquarium isn’t open yet, but you do begin to see the aquarium staff coming in for work. Your guide will take you on a backstage behind-the-scenes tour after breakfast. You’ll see the penguins and whale sharks being fed their breakfast, stop at the commissary to see where all the animals meals are prepared, walk on top of Tropical Diver and learn about how the aquarium is growing their own coral reef…and much more.

Your tour finishes with a stop at the stingray touch tank, and then a visit to the 4D theater, where you’ll say goodbye to your sleepover guides.

OWN YOUR OWN, BUT IT’S NOT OVER

The 4D movie ends about 10am and is the conclusion of your sleepover experience, but you don’t have to leave! Sleepovers include admission to the aquarium on this day, and you now have the entire day to explore everything the aquarium offers.

See the Sea Lion or the Dolphin show, check out the whales or the otters, hang out with the penguins…enjoy the aquarium at your leisure!

This experience goes down as one of our favorites – we loved it and hope you’ll make an effort to visit with your family for a Georgia Aquarium Sleepover!

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