Dallas is home to two fantastic aquariums that both offer a fabulous immersive experience for visitors of all ages. If you’re eager to plan your next date night, family day, or solo outing to the aquariums in Dallas, take a look below on our overview of these immersive venues.
The Dallas World Aquarium
Opened in 1992 inside a repurposed warehouse at 1801 N Griffin St., the Dallas World Aquarium is an expansive, state-of-the-art facility that offers a fabulous array of experiences, ecosystems, and exhibits.
Exhibits
Orinoco Rainforest
The Orinoco Rainforest exhibit offers a dynamic, multi-level journey through the lush ecosystems of South America, immersing visitors in the sights and sounds of a vibrant jungle.
Along winding paths and elevated walkways is an array of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, birds, and the rare Antillean manatee. Towering greenery, cascading waterfalls, and authentic rainforest soundscapes create an immersive jungle experience.
Mundo Maya
The Mundo Maya exhibit transports visitors deep into the natural landscapes of Mexico and Central America, highlighting the region’s marine and land-based wildlife. From dense jungles to coastal reefs, the exhibit brings the ancient Mayan world to life.
One of its most captivating features is a massive 400,000-gallon walk-through tunnel tank, where guests can get an up-close view of sharks, stingrays, and other aquatic life gliding overhead. Alongside these marine wonders, the exhibit also showcases reptiles, exotic birds, and mammals.
Cloud Forest Trek
Debuted in 2020, the Cloud Forest Trek is one of the Dallas World Aquarium’s most immersive and visually stunning exhibits. Designed to replicate the terrain of Colombia’s mountainous rainforests, the experience invites guests to explore exotic plants and rare wildlife.
A standout feature is the towering 25-foot LED screen that surrounds visitors with dynamic visuals of the rainforest canopy, creating the sensation of walking beneath drifting clouds and swaying treetops.
Aquarium
The aquarium exhibits at the Dallas World Aquarium offer guests a deep dive into the underwater ecosystems of regions like Japan, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.
Each exhibit is carefully designed to reflect the unique habitats of its featured species, from vibrant coral reefs to deep ocean trenches. Visitors can observe an extraordinary variety of sea creatures—colorful reef fish, jellyfish, sea anemones, eels, and more.
Food and Drink
eighteen~O~one Restaurant
Situated on the first floor of the Aquarium, the restaurant serves international gourmet cuisine, with special menu items inspired by the global reef locations highlighted in the Reef Room exhibits.
Café Maya
The restaurant is found on the third floor of the Mundo Maya exhibit, offers classic Tex-Mex dishes in a cozy setting with warm walnut and oak décor, and provides a bird’s-eye view of the Shark Tunnel, flamingos, ocelots, and other exotic displays within Mundo Maya.
The Jungle Café
Perched high in the canopy on the third floor of the Orinoco: Secrets of the River exhibit, the Jungle Café provides a convenient spot for families to recharge. With a menu featuring deli sandwiches, fresh salads, pizzas, and light bites.
📍1801 N Griffin St.
The Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park
Located in the heart of historic Fair Park, the Children’s Aquarium is thoughtfully tailored for young visitors, featuring hands-on exhibits and engaging educational experiences.
Exhibits
Freshwater Zone
A showcase of freshwater ecosystems and species including blind cavefish, caiman lizards, red-bellied piranhas and Australian rainbowfish.
Shore Zone
Includes a display of seahorses, batfish, rhinoceros iguanas, and other species in coastal habitats.
Near Shore Zone
Features species inhabitating near shorelines including clownfish, Moral eels, and porcupine fish.
Offshore Zone
Features Indo-Pacific Reef species in deep sea environments including zebra sharks and Queensland groupers.
Intertidal Zone
Features interactive touch tanks with sea creatures including chocolate-chip sea stars.
Stingray Bay
Provides a hands-on learning experience where guests can interact with, touch, and feed cownose rays.
Experiences
Archer Fish Feeding
Archer Fish display wherein visitors can feed the fish.
Doctor Fish
Display populated with Southeast Asia native species, red garra fish.
Fish Draw
Virtual ocean habitat and interactive digital experience where kids can color and name a fish for themselves.
Giant Pacific Octopus
Display of the largest species of octopus.
Swell Sharks and Bonnethead Sharks
Exhibit and display of Bonnethead and Swell Sharks.
Weedy Sea Dragons
Display of the fascinating leaf-like sea creatures that allow them to hide among kelp.
Food and Drink
The Children’s Aquarium in Fair Park does not offer on-site dining options.
📍1462 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210