Atlanta CityPASS®

Skip the ticket lines in Atlanta.

The Atlanta CityPASS is a simple way to see the biggest name attractions without stopping to buy separate tickets. I like that it gives you a mobile ticket for easy entry and that the 9-day validity lets you spread your visits at a comfortable pace instead of cramming. One thing to think about: you still need to choose which museums you’ll use, since you get admission to 5 attractions total.

Two standouts for me are the Georgia Aquarium lineup and the World of Coca-Cola experience. At the aquarium, you can see whale sharks and penguins, plus AT&T Splash 101, a 4-D theater with interactive seats. At the Coca-Cola site, you get the multimedia story of Coke’s 128-year-old secret formula and access to the vault holding the recipe.

The main drawback is not the attractions, it’s timing risk. Some experiences can be temporarily altered or unavailable, and the aquarium’s dolphin and sea lion presentations depend on availability with reservations required, so check your day-of plan before you commit.

Key things to know before you buy

• Up to 49% value compared with buying top sights individually, with tickets bundled into one pass.
• 9 consecutive days from first use, so you can travel slow or travel hard, your call.
• Mobile QR entry or printed tickets, which keeps lines and friction low.
• Expedited entry on peak days at Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, when the crowds surge.
• You choose 5 attractions, so decide early which two of the three “museum style” options you want.
• Some show reservations are required (aquarium presentations) and other experiences may shift.

Atlanta CityPASS at a glance: 9 days, 5 major attractions

Think of Atlanta CityPASS as a ticket bundle for people who want the highlights, with less decision fatigue. You buy once, then you visit the included sights in any order during your window. The pass is valid for 9 consecutive days starting the first day you use it, and it expires 1 year from the purchase date. That means you can start on the day you arrive, even if your first day is only half a day.

The price you’ll pay is listed as $107.68 per person. Whether that feels like a good deal depends on your mix of attractions and how hard you want to optimize time. CityPASS is built for the “hit the big stuff” plan, especially if you already know you want Georgia Aquarium plus World of Coca-Cola plus Zoo Atlanta.

Just be aware you are not getting unlimited “everything Atlanta.” The bundle includes admission to 5 attractions total from the set of major stops. So if you’re the kind of person who wants to check every single museum option, you’ll need to choose.

Mobile entry and expedited entry: saving real time, not just paper

What makes this pass practical is how you use it at the gate. You show your mobile ticket on your device, or you can print it. In most cases, this turns your visit into scan-and-go, rather than spend time locating tickets, waiting in line, or arguing with a confirmation email.

It also includes expedited entry at Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola during peak attendance periods. That can matter a lot in Atlanta, because these are big-name draws and crowds can pile up.

There’s a flip side. If your phone is slow, your app view is glitchy, or you can’t bring up the barcode at the moment you arrive, you’ll feel it. A smart move is to keep a backup method, like a printed copy or having the ticket accessible even if your internet connection is weak.

Also, the pass says some experiences at these sites may be temporarily altered or unavailable. That doesn’t mean the whole day falls apart, but it does mean you should stay flexible and be ready to shift to another gallery or showtime if something changes.

Georgia Aquarium: whale sharks, penguins, and the AT&T Splash 101 timing

Georgia Aquarium is usually the first reason people buy CityPASS, and for good reason. The big-ticket highlights include whale sharks and penguins, plus a massive 10-million-gallon aquarium that makes the exhibits feel like a whole ecosystem instead of a small collection of tanks.

You’ll also find AT&T Splash 101, a 4-D theater experience with interactive seats. That’s one of those attractions that tends to work for both adults and kids, because it’s not just watching a screen. It’s interactive, and it changes the pace of your visit.

CityPASS gives you expedited entry with anytime admission to the galleries. It also includes access to dolphin and sea lion presentations, but here’s the key detail to plan around: presentations are based on availability, and reservations are required. If you want those specific presentations, treat them like a real appointment. Pick your likely day, then line up the aquarium portion so you’re not scrambling when you arrive.

A realistic strategy is to pick one “deep visit” block at the aquarium, not try to rush through it between other stops. Even if you’re moving quickly, you’ll want time for the big exhibits plus the 4-D show.

Potential drawback: if you’re visiting with a tight schedule and you miss a reservation window, you might still have a great aquarium day, but you’ll lose one of the included presentation moments.

World of Coca-Cola: secret formula vault, 4-D film, and 100+ drink tastings

World of Coca-Cola is pure “Atlanta icon” territory. The center of gravity is Coke’s story, told through multimedia exhibits and experiences. The pass includes general admission access to the exhibits, films, and experiences, with expedited entry during peak times.

What I like most here is the variety of formats. You’re not just walking through static displays. The site focuses on the 128-year-old secret formula, including getting closer to the vault that holds the recipe. There’s also a claim of more than 1,200 rare artifacts, plus behind-the-scenes looks at the bottling process.

Then comes the part people remember, the sampling. You can enjoy more than 100 different beverages from around the world. Even if you’re not a soda superfan, the variety makes it feel like a tasting journey rather than one long drink line.

You’ll also get a 4-D movie experience. If you’ve never done a 4-D theater, it’s worth it once, because it’s a quick change of pace from walking galleries. It’s also easy to fit into your day since it has a clear start time.

One consideration: some experiences may be temporarily altered or unavailable. If your visit is in a busy season, think of your day as “mostly flexible.” If one station changes, you can still do films, exhibits, and the tasting portion.

Zoo Atlanta and the African Savanna: a family-friendly full day

Zoo Atlanta is the animal-world anchor in the CityPASS mix. The big numbers are impressive: more than 1,000 animals across the zoo. The all-new African Savanna is a major highlight, with expanded habitats for African elephants and giraffes, among other species.

This is also where you’ll find big crowd-pleasers like giant pandas and one of North America’s largest populations of great apes. Even if you’re not an animal trivia person, these are the kinds of moments that keep kids engaged and adults curious.

In a pass built for efficiency, the zoo is a smart choice because it naturally takes time. Plan on a half day to a full day depending on your group. CityPASS includes general admission, so you can move at your own speed, linger at enclosures that grab your attention, and skip what doesn’t.

Practical tip: if you’re visiting in cooler weather, build in warmth and snack breaks. The zoo is a great experience, but it can also become cranky-time fast when kids are cold and tired, and that can shorten your visit more than you’d planned.

Potential drawback: because the zoo can take longer than expected, you’ll want to protect your energy. Don’t schedule two far-apart “heavy” attractions back-to-back without at least a light buffer.

Fernbank Museum plus Civil and Human Rights plus College Football: pick your two

Here’s where you make your choices. CityPASS includes tickets for 5 attractions total, and your two additional picks come from these options:

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights

It’s a clever design because you can tailor the vibe. If you want science and dinosaurs, choose Fernbank. If you want sports culture, choose the Hall of Fame. If you want history and storytelling with more emotional weight, choose the civil rights museum.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fernbank is a strong add-on if your group loves natural history and big-format experiences. The pass includes daytime general admission plus a giant screen film, special exhibitions, daily programs, outdoor nature adventures, and free parking. You’ll also get access to what’s described as the world’s largest dinosaurs, along with cultural treasures and rare artifacts.

This one tends to pair well with the aquarium or the zoo because it balances “wildlife seeing” with “learning,” but it also works as a stand-alone day.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

If you pick this stop, plan for more time than you think. It’s described as a must-see museum experience, and it’s generally a thoughtful, story-driven visit. For younger kids, you might need to pace it and choose which sections to prioritize.

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

The College Football Hall of Fame is a fun pivot if you want something less museum-like. It’s described as more of a fan experience than a quiet exhibit walk. That makes it a good choice for families, sports fans, and people who want an energetic, interactive museum moment.

My advice: choose based on your group’s mood. If you want one “active and playful” stop, make the Hall of Fame one of your picks. If you want one “thinking and meaning” stop, make the civil rights museum one of your picks.

Where to group stops in Atlanta, so you waste less time

Atlanta’s CityPASS attractions make it pretty easy to plan clusters. The most convenient cluster is the city-center area around Centennial Park. Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola are especially easy to pair. The Civil and Human Rights site is also close in that same area, and the College Football Hall of Fame is a short walk from the group.

That means you can build a “city core day” like:

• Aquarium + Coca-Cola + one of the downtown museums

Then you can build another day for the zoo and Fernbank, since those are less walkable and usually require a ride. Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank are both excellent, but they’re not as simple to chain together on foot.

You can still do a tight schedule, but I prefer a plan that includes some breaks. You’re going to be scanning tickets, moving between venues, and switching environments. CityPASS helps you with admissions, but you still control your stamina.

If you’re using public transit, keep in mind the pass notes it’s near public transportation. In practice, this is where MARTA can help on the city-core day, especially when you want to avoid parking stress.

Price and value check: is $107.68 a win for you?

A CityPASS price is a deal only if your “must-do” list matches what’s included. Here’s the math logic I’d use before you commit.

You’re paying $107.68 per person for admission to 5 major Atlanta attractions over 9 days. The highlights say the bundle can discount top sights by up to 49 percent. That’s a big range, but the takeaway is clear: this is meant to beat buying tickets one by one.

So ask yourself this:

• Are Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola in your top priorities?
• Is Zoo Atlanta also on your list?
• Do you want to add two more from Fernbank, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Civil and Human Rights museum?

If yes, you’re in the target group. Also, the “no waiting to buy your own tickets” benefit is real value. Even when you save a small amount of money per ticket, saving time at entry plus reducing planning stress can be worth just as much.

If your priorities are very specific, CityPASS can feel less economical. For example, if you don’t care about two of the core icons, or if you’d rather spend your time on different neighborhoods, you might be better off buying only the attractions you truly want.

Small gotchas: reservations, temporary changes, and the barcode backup plan

CityPASS is designed to reduce friction, but a few real-world issues are worth knowing before you start scanning.

1) Aquarium presentation reservations

At Georgia Aquarium, dolphin and sea lion presentations are included, but the timing depends on availability, and reservations are required. If you’re traveling with kids, decide in advance what matters most. Then protect that time slot.

2) Some experiences can change

The pass notes that certain experiences may be temporarily altered or unavailable. That means you shouldn’t build your whole itinerary like it’s a single-thread machine. Instead, treat the day as a mix of galleries, films, and showtimes.

3) Keep access ready

The ticket is mobile. If your app link disappears, your barcode won’t load, or your phone battery dies, you’ll want a backup. Having printed tickets or being able to retrieve the pass quickly can save a lot of frustration.

4) Customer care is part of the system

The good news is that CityPASS support can help when ticket access issues pop up, including forwarding access when you cannot pull up your pass. I’d save the customer care contact details before you leave your hotel, so you’re not hunting for them mid-visit.

Should you book Atlanta CityPASS? My decision guide

Book Atlanta CityPASS if you want the best of Atlanta with less planning stress. It’s a great fit for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes “major sights first” travel. The aquarium plus Coca-Cola plus Zoo Atlanta combination is strong, and the mobile ticket system makes it easy to keep moving.

You should think twice if:

• You know you only want one or two of the included attractions.
• Your schedule is extremely tight and you can’t handle any temporary changes or reservation requirements.
• You don’t want to choose between Fernbank, the Civil and Human Rights museum, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

If you do book, plan smart:

• Use a city-core day for Aquarium, Coca-Cola, and the downtown museum option.
• Use a separate day for the zoo and Fernbank, with a ride planned.
• Pick one “must-do show or reservation” day so your time feels organized.

Bottom line: at $107.68, this pass tends to be a win when your itinerary matches the included icons and you value skipping ticket-buying lines. If that’s you, CityPASS is one of the easiest ways to get more Atlanta per day.

FAQ

How long is the Atlanta CityPASS valid after I start using it?

Your Atlanta CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting on the first day you use it.

Which attractions are included in the Atlanta CityPASS?

Admission is included for five attractions total, chosen from: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Can I visit the included attractions in any order?

Yes. You can visit the attractions in any order, as long as you use the ticket within the 9-day validity window.

Do I need to buy tickets on-site?

No. The CityPASS is a mobile ticket you can present on your phone, or you can print it for entry to the included attractions.

Is transportation between attractions included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, there is free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.