When the Georgia Aquarium opened its doors in November 2005, curious visitors turned out in droves to check out Atlanta’s latest attraction. Since then, more than 5 million tourists have toured the world’s largest aquarium. Yes, this is one hot destination. So what should you know before planning your visit? Check out these top tips for making the most of your trip.

Reserve Your Spot

To avoid a long wait, make an online reservation for your visit. Simply go to the Web site, www.georgiaaquarium.org, and follow the instructions to purchase your tickets. You’ll receive a confirmation email with an individual bar code. Just bring this email with you, and it will serve as your ticket. You also can purchase tickets via telephone at 404-581-4444. Season pass holders also should make reservations.

When making your reservations, it’s highly recommended that you come during the week. If you do come on a weekend or holiday, come early or later in the day. The crowds are thin during these times; otherwise, it’s really crowded. While advanced tickets are not required, please note that tickets for walk-up guests are limited. Also, during peak hours, such as weekends and holidays, wait times may exceed 30 minutes.

Be Patient

Because there are large crowds, it will take some time to make your way through the five galleries: Cold Water Quest, Georgia Explorer, Ocean Voyager, River Scout and Tropical Diver. However, you are not required to pass through the galleries in any particular order, so you always can come back to a specific gallery if it’s too crowded.

If you do come during peak times, the crowds can be so large that you cannot even get to the viewing windows. There can be a lot of jostling as people jockey for position. To avoid this frustration, again, plan around peak hours.

Likewise, allow plenty of time to see everything without being rushed. According to aquarium professionals, it takes approximately two to four hours to see everything, depending on your group’s size and interests.

When planning your visit, remember to bring a jacket. It tends to be cool, so bring an extra set of sleeves if you are cold-natured.

One last note: As the number of visitors in the aquarium increases, so, too, does the noise level. If you are sensitive to loud noise, plan your visit around peak hours, as noted above.

Satisfy Your Hunger

If you start to get hungry or want a snack, head to Café Aquaria. The aquarium’s food court offers several dining options set up in “best in class” café stations. Selections include: The Grill, featuring hamburgers and chicken quesadillas; Naples Pizza and Pasta (Italian food); Buckhead Bread, which offers soups, salads and sandwiches; and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.

For those planning to eat at the Georgia Aquarium, consider meal times carefully. It’s located in a small space; therefore, if eating at normal meal times, Café Aquaria will get congested, making it hard to navigate. Also, there is not a lot of seating (only 330 seats) around the food court, so be prepared to stand or wait for a table if eating during usual meal times.

Although it takes a little planning, a trip to the Georgia Aquarium is worth the effort. So check your calendar and start planning yours today!