World Aquarium, Dallas

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When entertaining guests from out of town, Sarah and I get the opportunity to do a lot of touristy things in the Dallas area. When Sarah's friend was coming in town from Lubbock with a 2 year old, we took the opportunity to go see the Dallas World Aquarium for the first time.

The DWA has over 85,000 gallons of saltwater for aquatic life, with tunnels, reef level views, and also above water natural habitat areas for all kinds of saltwater, freshwater, and amphibian exhibits. There are also plenty of above water exhibits including a flamingo pen, penguin pools, and monkey enclosures. In addition there is a jaguar exhibit and since it is enclosed, there are plenty of birds flying throughout the enclosed aviary.

A D M I S S I O N
EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2007
Adults - $16.95 - Children (3-12 Years) - $9.95
Seniors (60 & Older) - $13.95
Children (2 & Under) - No Charge
(Prices Do Not Include Tax)
All Major Credit Cards Accepted

There are 2 aquarium's your hear most about in Dallas, one is just the Dallas Aquarium in Fair Park which is so not worth the visit, and the other is the Dallas World Aquarium which is much more than an "aquarium." They do have a beautiful exhibit of fish from many different regions of the world, but they also have crocodile's, piranha's, sloths, penguins, different types of monkey's, loads of intriguing birds, a black panther among many other things.

The aquarium is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2007

Adults - $16.95 - Children (3-12 Years) - $9.95
Seniors (60 & Older) - $13.95
Children (2 & Under) - No Charge
(Prices Do Not Include Tax)
All Major Credit Cards Accepted

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We had lots of company when we decided to take our grandson to visit the Dallas World Aquarium over Easter vacation.

A circuitous path winds through a lush tropical setting featuring exotic birds, alligators, flamingo's, otter and monkeys (pic #2).

A shimmery waterfall cascades to the pond below, holding assorted turtles and fish (pic #3).

A special area defining the penguin habitat attracted a multitude of visitors--they were so cute (pic #4)!

An immense glass tank holding rays and several shark species was undercut by a tunnel affording one an amazing view of these infamous creatures as they swim overhead. How else can you examine them this closely (pic # 5)!

In the 'Mayan forest', a sleek black jaguar paces along the window of its compound. Although it was a thrill to see this beautiful animal, I felt bad it was contained in such a small area and not in a more natural setting.

Judging from the long line that snaked around the building to the entrance, this attraction was a popular one! I wouldn't compare it to Baltimore's fantastic National Aquarium, but it's a nice one with more to see than just fish.

For hours and admission cost, see website below.

This treasure is located downtown Dallas and includes a multi-storied rainforest that you can walk thru to see brightly colored birds chatter overhead and spider monkeys climb right down the vines to you. There are also octopus, sharks, glow-in-the-dark jellyfish, fish, turtles, stingrays swim overhead.

There is sea life from around the world : Bahamian Acropora corals, giant Tridacana clams, bonnet-head sharks and sting rays.

Tropical rain forest toucans, monkeys, jaguars (not the cars) see parking lot, snakes and cascading waterfalls.

There are two aquariums in Dallas: one in Fair Park and one in the downtown area. Of the two, the one in Fair Park is better, but the downtown aquarium has just renovated...I haven't been to the renovated one yet...it might be better. Coming to Dallas to go to an aquarium is kind of like going to Antarctica to learn about the desert.
Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park: http://www.dallas-zoo.org/aq/aq.asp?page=aq
Dallas World Aquarium: http://www.dwazoo.com/

I found this aquarium a little hard to find on Griffin, however it is down in the Westend District – a block back. The aquarium features marine life from all around the world in more than 85,000 gallons of saltwater. There is a 22,000-gallon tunnel which you can walk through to really feel part of the reef life. Some of the marine life comes from Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Bahamas, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. Tthere is also a new rain forest exhibit featuring newly born howler monkeys and other land creatures

There is a lot more to see than fish in this aquarium! Surrounded by trees, it is set up as if you are traveling through a rainforest. Some animals you will see on your journey are exotic birds, monkeys, spiders, and even vampire bats. There are also wonderful aquatic exhibits with manatees, otters, jellyfish and many other wonders of the ocean. Although it is a little pricey, and certainly not the BEST I have seen, it is worth it if you love to visit aquariums as much as I do. They also have a restaurant and cafe, although I have never eaten there. They have different hours, so you should call ahead or visit the website if you plan to eat there.

HOURS:
10:00am - 5:00pm (7 days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas)

PRICES:
Adults: $10.95
Child (3-12): $6.00
Child (2 and under): Free
Seniors (60 and older): $8.00

As a local, if I can recommend one activity to do while in Dallas it is to visit the Dallas World Aquarium. Having been to aquariums all over the US, this is my favorite.

They not only have a traditional aquarium with fish in tanks divided by locations, countries, & islands around the world, they have an area with South African pengiuns, but also a rainforest. You start at the top of the rainforest and wind your way through the monkeys, down to the sloths & birds, over to the otters, snakes, down to the crocodiles, pirahnas, and then you are below the fish looking up through the glass at manatees, fish, ducks, turtles, etc.

They have a new exhibit, Mundo Maya, featuring what it feels like in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. You see hummingbirds, a jaguar, flamingos, and sharks. Then you wind your way down and find yourself walking underneath the shark tank. They have two terrific restaurants on site.

The reason this place is so great is that they make it feel as though you are in a rainforest and in Mexico. You aren't looking at animals behind glass. Rather you are out there with them.

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This is not just an aquarium. It is also a zoo, complete with Tamarins, Snakes, and a Panther; along with many other things. It is a nice place to go for a few hours, so if you have time, it's a must. Be sure you walk carefully through some of the areas...the high humidity in the tropical section can cause the walkways to become rather slippery.

Believe it or not, this tropical forest and aquarium is located at the heart of downtown. Within a typical downtown building is a landscape from Latin American rain forest and under water world from Asia and the Pacific.

As you enter, you will begin your journey from the top of the rain forest gradually descending and eventually ending up at the bottom of water. You can experience the different spheres of rain forest and its natural inhabitants.

The admission is $10.95 for adult.