The Downtown Aquarium In Texas Has Officially Been Named One Of The Best In The Country
Texas has many different aquariums where you can embark on an undersea adventure, but one rises above all the others. According to Always Pets, the Downtown Aquarium in Houston is among the best aquariums in the nation. We can’t help but agree – with 500,000 gallons of exhibits, rides, and games galore, and a restaurant that features a massive fish tank, this aquarium is tons of fun for the whole family.
The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi also earned a spot on the list.
Perhaps the most iconic aquarium in Texas, Houston's Downtown Aquarium boasts 500,000 gallons of fascinating underwater exhibits, plus rides, games, and dining and shopping opportunities to keep the fun going all day long.
Several 180-degree aquatic tunnels afford visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vast world that exists beneath the surface of the ocean. Prepare to be mesmerized as colorful fish and other exotic, seldom-seen species swim past all around you.
You can even get up close and personal with live stingrays at Stingray Reef!
One-of-a-kind touch tanks let you interact with the normally elusive, deep-water dwelling creatures, feeling their silky smooth skin and feeding them out of the palm of your hand.
Six fun-filled rides each showcase a different aspect of the aquarium, with the Shark Voyage being the crowd favorite.
You'll climb aboard the C.P. Huntington train and ride straight through the center of a 200,000-gallon shark tank, watching the ocean's fiercest predators stalk the water just inches above your head.
Outside, you'll find even more fun and games, with a 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel, aquatic-themed carousel, and many more amusement park rides and other attractions for all ages.
Kid or kid at heart, you're never too old to ride on the back of a dolphin or endure an exhilarating, 65-foot vertical drop with awe-inspiring views of the Houston skyline.
Before you leave, don't forget to stop by the Aquarium Restaurant for a delicious meal.
The dining room features a floor-to-ceiling, 150,000-gallon aquarium that over 100 species of marine life call home, and every table has a front-row seat. As for the menu, it's largely seafood-inspired, but also includes steak and chicken entrees, salads, pasta dishes, decadent desserts, and so much more.
Have you ever been to the Downtown Aquarium in Houston? If so, what’s your favorite exhibit? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below, then check out our previous article to learn more about the Shark Voyage.
Address: Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.