PARKING

Finding a place to park should not be a problem for visitors who choose not to take MARTA or use the aquarium's parking deck.

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• Georgia Aquarium page

Nearly 3,000 parking spaces are available in surface lots and decks within safe walking distance of the attraction. The lots generally are located between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Spring Street.

Prices are likely to depend on demand. Rates typically are $5 to $10 a day, but can shoot to $20 when there's a concert or other attraction that draws a big crowd.

About 5,500 additional spaces are available on the campus of the Georgia World Congress Center. They are open to the public, except when there's a ticketed event at the Georgia Dome, at prices of $6 a day in a surface lot and $8 a day in the two parking decks, according to Dan Graveline, executive director of the convention center.

The parking deck at the Georgia Aquarium provides about 1,600 spaces at rates of $8 for four hours, according to its Web page.

Visitors can expect few security issues as they walk around downtown beyond those likely to be encountered in any urban area. Downtown boosters have been working since the aquarium was announced to improve the way-finding system and make downtown a more pleasant and secure place to walk.

Specifically, Central Atlanta Progress, a downtown business group, has assigned additional ambassadors — the pith-helmeted team of guides who have instant access to police — to the main corridors to the aquarium from MARTA's Peachtree Center station and the station that serves the Georgia Dome and nearby destinations.

TAKE MARTA

Take the east-west (blue) rail line to the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station. From the platform, follow signs to exit the station toward Philips Arena.

Or take the north-south (orange) line to the Peachtree Center station. From the platform, follow signs toward Harris Street (north end of the station); on the next level above the platform, follow signs to AmericasMart (west side of the station). Use this escalator or elevator to reach Peachtree Street, then turn right onto Andrew Young International Boulevard.

From either line, then follow the walking route on the big downtown map on the opposite page.