Hot weather and live music are two staples of the Texan way, along with cowboy boots, snakes, and ten-gallon hats. These are what we think of when we think of Texas, and it’s as ingrained in American culture as Florida oranges. So if you’re visiting the state, should a tour of aquariums in Texas also be on your list of experiences in the Lone Star State? Which of its amazing aquariums is the best aquarium in Texas? There are sixteen aquariums in Texas. Here are seven of them that are must-sees for anyone taking a road trip through Texas. They include:
Austin AquariumDallas World AquariumMoody Gardens AquariumSan Antonio AquariumSea Center TexasSeaWorld San AntonioTexas State Aquarium
Austin Aquarium
Austin, Texas is a city known for always having live music, fantastic food, and overall weird culture. That weirdness can roll right on down to the Austin Aquarium, which ranks as a contender for the best aquarium in Texas. Texas is a huge state, and Austin is 200 miles away from the coast. The aquarium provides the opportunity to explore the ocean without trekking across the state. The Austin Aquarium is one of two places in Texas where you can come up to tame lemurs and pet them. A lot of this aquarium is based on interactive learning experiences. It also allows you, if a member, to come along with employees and watch how they prep the aquarium for the day. There are also mermaid shows where you can watch beautiful mermaids swimming in a tank to make the experience all the more magical.
Dallas World Aquarium
The top level of the Dallas World Aquarium is modeled as a complete rain forest, with animals thriving in a natural habitat. It’s the only place where you can find a three-toed sloth visible to the public in the United States. The lower level is the aquarium, and it contains all sorts of jellyfish, coral, anemones, and more to teach all about sea life. It can be so easy to feel disconnected from the ocean when you aren’t around it, so this is a great way to foster empathy.
Moody Gardens Aquarium
This aquarium is found in the Moody Gardens of Galveston, Texas, and is called the Aquarium Pyramid. It holds 1.5 million gallons of water and showcases seals, penguins, fish, jellyfish, and more. 12-stories high, the Aquarium Pyramid has more than 10,000 animals for your viewing pleasure. Each floor holds animals from different oceans and water life. This aquarium pushes conservation and education above all else. There are many who consider this amazing place to be the best aquarium in Texas!
San Antonio Aquarium
Another aquarium that is great fun for the whole family, the San Antonio Aquarium has mermaids to visit and watch swim around in their “natural” habitat. It is also possible to snorkel with stingrays and touch them as they glide past. This is the second place in Texas where you can pet a ring-tailed lemur, so soft with those big eyes. There is also an experience called “walk the plank,” where you can jump into the water holding sharks and stingrays and have the thrill of a lifetime.
Sea Center Texas
Walking into Sea Center Texas is like walking into a monastery dedicated to fish. FIberglass fixtures of fish hang from the ceiling and spread out in galleries that teach about the oceans they come from. There are touch pools with natural environments for eager fingers to explore. The aquarium holds all the fish and marine life you can find in Texas to help visitors learn firsthand. The unique layout of this aquarium makes it fully accessible and interesting, fulling immersing people in the experience.
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is part water park, part full-time marine life attraction. It is the biggest of the three parks you can find in North America and showcases some of the most impressive animals of any local aquarium to date. From penguins to dolphins to seals and killer whales, there’s nothing here that would have you lose your interest. Watch sharks in their natural habitats or see penguins conversing with one another. Beluga whales, sea lions, and sea turtles are just a few other animals open to visiting.
Texas State Aquarium
The Texas State Aquarium is located in Corpus Christi. It is the largest aquarium in the state and is on the list of the biggest in the whole country. There is a 50,000 flower garden, a huge coral reef replica that is important to maintaining much marine life’s natural habitats. Dolphin Bay holds 400,000 gallons of water to hold four bottlenosed dolphins while they play and assist in teaching children and other visitors of the Texas State Aquarium. No matter what you’re looking for, this aquarium has something new to show you, with something you never knew before around every corner. Make sure not to miss the massive shark exhibit that features a replica sunken ship while you’re there!
