Texas Zoos and Aquariums
Downtown Aquarium, Houston Texas.
Whether your visiting the Aquarium or having a meal you will never forget this is a must-see for people who love the water and its beautiful creatures. The Aquarium is the product of combining two downtown Houston landmarks Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building. The result is a one of a kind six-acre entertainment and dining complex. A 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland, with over 200 aquatic species from around the globe. Enjoy the full-service restaurant and a beautiful lounge for a memorable experience. The Downtown Aquarium has it all, aquatic and geographic exhibits, shopping and amusements all at one location.
Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Admission:
Aquarium Adventure Exhibit
Adults $15.99
Seniors (65+) $13.99
Children (under 42″) $13.99
Children (under 2)FREE
Visit their website here for admission prices and full details. downtownaquariumhouston
Houston Zoo, Houston Texas
There is something new and exciting for the people of the state as the zoo unveils the brand new enclosure built to house a family of gorillas. It is after a gap of more than a decade that this historic zoo is home to the great ape. This new enclave is nearly 2 acres in size and it has cost the zoo administration a whopping $28 million to erect it. This enclave simulates the natural living conditions of these gorillas that have been brought here from the western lowlands of central and western Africa. The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts. We have over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 1.84 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well being of our residents and guests.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Last entry 5 p.m.
We are open seven days a week.
Admission
Adults (age 12-64) $19.95
Children (age 3-11) $15.95
Seniors (age 65 up) $14.95
Children (age 2 and under) FREE
Visit their website here for full details. www.houstonzoo.org
Dallas Zoo, Dallas Texas
Founded in 1888 as the first Zoo in Texas, and still the largest.
95 developed acres. The zoo participates in national Species Survival Plans for 37 species, including gorillas, tigers, chimps, lemurs, okapis, and Bali mynahs. The zoo is home to over 2,000 animals representing 406 species.
Divided into two major areas: ZooNorth and the Wilds of Africa.
The Dallas Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Managed by the City of Dallas’ Parks and Recreation Department.
Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Closed Christmas day.
Admission
Adults (age 12-64) $8-22
Children (age 3-11) $8-24
Seniors (age 65 up) $8-18
Children (age 2 and under) FREE
Visit their website for full details www.dallaszoo.com
The Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Texas
The Aquarium is home to a varied collection of approximately 6,000 aquatic animals, including marine and freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The Aquarium also participates in a number of national and international conservation and research projects. It is a leader in the breeding of critically endangered Texas species, such as the Texas blind salamander and several desert fishes that are already extinct in nature.
The “World of Aquatic Diversity” features unusual and bizarre aquatic animals including jellyfish, poisonous stonefish, “fishing” anglerfish and “luring” batfish. If these aren’t bizarre enough for you, there’s the Seahorse Rodeo with its nine displays of seahorses and their unique relatives.
Seahorse Rodeo, which opened in September 2004, allows visitors to view one of the larger species of seahorses (pot bellies) down to the smallest (dwarf). Seahorses males are unique – they give birth to babies from their pouches and regularly spend the day entwined with their tankmates. Seahorse relatives on display include the monogamous blue stripe pipefish, paper-thin shrimpfish and jumping alligator pipefish.
A viewing window at the breeding lab for rare and endangered species provides the public a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing Aquarium conservation projects. Visitors can also see an alligator snapping turtle weighing 135 pounds, venomous lionfish, and a 5-foot-long electric eel. A 6-foot-long alligator gar and much more!
Hours:
10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving
Admission
Adult – $29.95 + tax
Child – $19.95 + tax (2 thru 12)
Child – free (under 2)
Senior – $24.95 (65+)
Visit their website here www.dwazoo.com
Fort Worth Zoo. Fort Worth Texas.
From meager beginnings, the Zoo has grown into a nationally ranked family attraction. The oldest zoo site in Texas the Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits. From these humble beginnings, the Zoo has grown into a nationally ranked facility, housing more than 350 native and exotic species.
March 4 to July 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to Sunday
July 3 to Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission
Adults (13+) $20.00
Children (3 to 12) $16.00
Toddlers (2 & younger) FREE
Seniors (65+) $16.00
Parking (per vehicle) $5.00
Visit their website here for full details www.fortworthzoo.org
San Antonio Zoo. San Antonio, Texas.
Being one of the largest zoos in the country with 3,500 animals of 750 species means there is a lot to see. The San Antonio Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the country, and our conservation programs with flamingo, white rhino, black rhino, snow leopard, whooping crane, and many more species are recognized around the globe. Enjoy your visit…use this site to plan your next Zoo trip, as an educational resource, to adopt an animal, to see what’s new at the Zoo, and so much more!
9 A.M. – 5 P.M. Daily
365 days a year
Ticket sales and the front gate closes at 5 p.m.
But guests can remain in the Zoo until 6 p.m.
Admission
Adults: $21.73
Children 3 – 11 yrs: $17.16
Children ages 2 and under: FREE
Visit their website here for full details www.sazoo.org
The Austin Aquarium, Austin Texas.
Among the 35 exhibits featured throughout Austin’s newest attraction are a wide variety of amphibians, an interactive Lorikeet Aviary, and a variety of cold water and tropical fish. In addition, Austin Aquarium features sharks, a stingray touch tank, and a rainforest with hundreds of reptiles!
Discover a whole new world as you interact with animals from all over the globe with your single-day admission. At Austin Aquarium, you have the opportunity to experience feeding a stingray or feeling a snake slither through your fingers. This is a family fun escape into the unknown that you just have to Sea To Believe. Purchase your tickets now or consider an annual pass to use any time you want for a full year.
Daily Tickets
Daily Tickets ( Monday – Thursday )
Adult $24.95
Child $19.95
Senior/Military $22.95
College Student $22.95
Weekend Tickets ( Friday – Sunday )
Adult $15.95
Child $10.95
Senior/Military $13.95
College Student $13.95
Visit their website here for full details www.austinaquarium.com
Bayou Wildlife Zoo, Alvin Texas
Take a visit to the Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, Texas, and enjoy exploring our wildlife park with an experienced guide from the comfort of a tram. We take you over 80 acres of prairie and woods as your guide delivers an exciting and interesting talk about all the animals you’re meeting.
Come and spend the day with us to get to know all the different parts of our park. In addition to the wide ranges of natural habitat where you can mingle with our animals, we also have three monkey islands and alligator ponds.
We allow guests to bring their own lunches and eat in our covered picnic area. This space can accommodate up to 300 people and features drink machines, but now cooking is allowed. Before you leave, stop by our souvenir shop to pick up something to commemorate your trip.
• Adults $25. Plus Tax
• Children (Ages 2 – 11): $15.00
Hours:
March 1, – August 1,
10:00am to 4:00pm
August 1, – February 28,
Tuesday thru Sunday
10:00am to 3:00pm
Visit their website here for full details www.bayouwildlifezoo.com