The Dallas World Aquarium

Our recent visit to the Dallas World Aquarium was an unforgettable experience for the whole family! I went with my husband, kids, and in-laws, and we were all impressed by the incredible diversity of animals. The exhibits feature species from all over the world, but what really stood out to me was seeing so many animals from Central America, the region where we live. It felt special to encounter familiar wildlife in such a well-curated setting. The highlight for us was definitely the manatee; it was majestic and serene, and the kids were fascinated. The staff were also fantastic! They were friendly, approachable, and incredibly patient, answering what felt like a million questions from my curious kids. Their enthusiasm really added to the experience. Parking was very convenient, right outside the aquarium for just $10 for the entire day. That made the logistics so much easier, especially with a big group.

We arrived 2 hours before they closed and it was still busy. The animals are very active and the different, unique species are very interesting. The experience is truly immersive- it is alot of walking through a "rain forest" of plant life and exhibits. The layout could be improved because on the different levels, you either turn left or right, it seemed like we did alot of back tracking to see what was on the other side. I know we missed the penguins and some other exhibits.

Not just an aquarium with lots of other animals to see. Inviting layouts with well curated environments. We could have used a bit more information on the animals we were looking at rather than having to scan a code and read on your phone. Also some of the enclosures looked a bit small for the inhabitants but all the animals looked healthy and happy.

We had a wonderful time visiting the Dallas World Aquarium in downtown Dallas. It’s a very nice and fun place for families, especially with kids. The kids absolutely loved it! There are so many beautiful fish, birds, reptiles, and even animals like sloths and monkeys, which made the experience exciting and educational at the same time. The layout feels like a mini rainforest adventure, and every section has something interesting to see. It’s a great spot to walk around, explore, and let the kids enjoy learning about sea life and wildlife up close. Overall, it’s a fun, memorable experience and a perfect place for a family day out. Highly recommend for anyone visiting downtown Dallas with children.

It's not your typical aquarium experience! As soon as you enter, you'll be on a relatively linear path that takes you through the aquarium. And it's not 100% sea animals; you have pretty much a zoo's worth of animals in various environments to see. It's impressive to say the least!

Really good for all ages, I went with my husband and my adult son, we wanted to do something laid back relaxing, The aquarium was great! We did a lot of running around and outdoor activities, we went on a Sunday afternoon so the town was pretty quiet and so was the aquarium. They had monkeys, different types of birds and sea creatures. Not a huge aquarium but worth going Takes about 1.5hr to 2hrs to do the whole aquarium. And plenty of parking across from the aquarium.

The aquarium is wonderful. Interesting varieties of amazing fish, corals, birds. The shark tank is a fun place for kids and adults seeing shark swim over your head and all around you is mesmerizing and there’s a huge sword fish too. The only thing is the aquarium needs some tender loving care the bathrooms are old and not clean. The whole place needs a face lift, it’s a little dirty and stinky around the edges. The walkway outside between the front entrance and exit is pretty but when you walk through it there’s an overwhelming smell of urine. The whole outside can use a good power wash. I went several years ago when it looked newer and smelled better. The management needs to do a better job with the place. But it’s still worth visiting there are also gorgeous tropical plants.

Unique and full of surprises. It is not the biggest aquarium you will ever see. But what you will see is amazing. They pack more awesomeness into every square foot. It feels immersive but safe. You have the different climates and geographic homes for the critters that are so well thought up and they flow from habitat to habitat well. The penguins are worth the price of admission alone. I felt like I saw it all, but if I go back I will see something new in every enclosure.

When we first got in, we were a little alarmed by some men outside the parking lot, seeming to try and fill their own. It just gave off a sketchy vibe, but I feel it is unavoidable in any major city setting. It was SO great getting to walk through The Dallas World Aquarium! I hadn't been to an aquarium in years, and I loved nearly everything about it! The walkway up to the cashier was filled with birds and different animals, like a preview of what's to come! It just built anticipation for what was inside. My boyfriend and I had a great time! I only wish the restaurants inside had a better menu-- but it's downtown, there were plenty of great food options elsewhere. I did like that you could walk around with a drink if you found the little snack cafe/counter at the top of the steps!

Dallas World Aquarium has made my trip a success! I love aquariums and this aquarium has provided me the opportunity to see my new favorite animal the Shoebill Stork. I liked the layout of the aquarium. It was different from any other aquarium I've been to before. However I was consistently lost. I didn't really pay attention to the areas I was in or the display signs. I had to ask several times which level I was on. The map didn't help me much either. I just went with the flow and followed the crowd around me. I dont feel like I missed anything or any animal. There was an aquarium feel throughout the aquarium but the majority of the aquatic animals are on the bottom level. I loved all of the plants and small terrariums throughout. You can see both a cared for and natural aspect to the growth of the plants. I wanted to try the Eighteen O one restaurant. Once we got there and was ready to sit down the restaurant was closing. It was only around 3 pm on a Saturday. We ended up not eating anything at all during our visit. I was very upset there was nothing to purchase in any of the gift shops of a Shoebill Stork. I did find that one of the decorative penny makers had a Shoebill Stork on it. Overall we throughly loved the aquarium!!! Dallas World Aquarium 1801 N Griffin St Dallas, TX 75202 (Review 38 in 2025 and 881 overall)

This Aquarium is a little misleading by its name. There were more birds than any other animal there and lots of reptiles & amphibians. I did like the layout as it felt like you were in a forest, but again, being labeled an aquarium was weird for the atmosphere. They had numerous places to shop, which I loved because I love shopping. And they have food and alcoholic drinks. My favorite part was their small gallery that was currently housing Andy Warhol prints I had never heard of or seen. All the staff was friendly, but I will probably not visit again when I go to Dallas next.

This aquarium is pretty cool. It doesn't look like much on the outside and it's quite a walk from downtown area and in a weird area but it's a totally different world inside! You start at the 3rd level and work your way down. It's really cool! They have a whole different environment inside. The waterfall and jungle feel is amazing. It's also cooler inside even though it feels like outside. It's beautiful. We saw so many animals. And the aquarium at the bottom floor with all the sea life was really cool. There was an exhibit that was hard to find, you have to go through the gift shop which was pretty weird, and had one door out. Otherwise everything was really easy to get to and cool.

I alway love visiting any aquarium. It so relaxing. This one didn't disappoint. It me about 2 hours to view every display. As the place wasn't packed, got there early. Great displays of fishes and other animals (birds, frogs, snakes). Overall it was great to finally visit this one!!

This is definitely one of the most unique aquariums that I've ever visited! Consider it more of an 'open-air aquarium zoo,' as I felt like there were more animals out of water to see here, but they have all kinds of interesting species! It is a bit on the smaller side, but if you take your time you'll probably feel like you've gotten your money's worth. It consists of a few different floors, so you'll find yourself up high and down low for different portions. I'm glad I got to visit and definitely think it's worth it!

don't let the outside deceive you... This is a jewel of a place! Six story building that brings you to another world. Very well laid out with all kinds of perfect aquarium fines...

Such a beautiful aquarium from the inside out. Even though it is a smaller aquarium than most, it is beautifully decorated and it makes you feel as if your in the actual natural habitat of the animals. They have a variety of animals, including sharks! They have several different gift shops and they now sell alcohol at their small food vendor station. My family and I arrived at the aquarium at 11 a.m. and there was no line to purchase tickets. TIP: Parking can be a bit of a hassle,so, I recommend leaving your vehicle at any Dart Public Transportation station and hopping onto any of the Red, Blue, Green, or Orange line dart trains and getting off at the West End station. From there, it is a short walk to the aquarium.

I love aquariums and this one didn't disappoint. While it didn't have as many large ocean style tanks as many of the other aquariums I've been to, it was still a great experience. Like a little oasis or getaway that makes you feel like you're outside of the city without having to leave. There are lots of restrooms spread throughout so you're never too far from one. There are also lots of restaurants and even resting areas for people with children or babies that may need a place to take a break. You can prepay for parking and you'll be able to stay in the lot until 5pm. There is not time limit to the time you can spend in the aquarium as well. Overall great experience, would go again.

What a Grand aquarium! From the very entrance to the end. Everything was very well situated and displayed and not confusing at all to navigate. Walking to the ticket station, you are able to view a few birds and animals even before purchasing the tickets which i thought was great and got you excited for the actual museum inside. They have everything from spiders, crickets, prying Mantis, fish, crocodiles, Jaguars, manatees, etc. So much more than we expected and were pleasantly surprised. The kids enjoyed it very much. They do have a parking lot adjacent to the museum which we did not use as we got dropped off so we dont know if you have to pay or not. Great experience and I definitely recommend visiting if you are visiting.

It was OK. The glass was so reflective in the daytime that it was hard to see some of the wildlife. The animal seemed to be pretty well kept for what they can be in a captive environment. It's pretty small. This is more of a indoor zoo than an aquarium for sure. I do feel that they could use a better set up for their café to make the flow easier for customers. Also create an interactive map for people as they go through the aquarium.

Exceptionally well run these days. I was here a few years ago and the place was looking rough around the edges. I have to hand it to them,they've obviously worked hard on an overall refresh. There is a magazine they give you with your ticket called a field guide. Unfortunately I didn't look at it too much until I got home. It is fantastic and tells about each and every wildlife subject you will see at the Dallas World Aquarium. This is not your mother's Zoo. Laid out from top to bottom like a tropical rainforest, walking up then down a ramp,you will experience everything from top of the canopy howler monkey and sloth,down to piranha and crocodile at the bottom. Around a corner and separate is a large aquarium series with sharks,rays,manatee,corals and more. This is truly bargain entertainment these days at $30. Go!

Wow! Dallas Will the aquarium was amazing and well worth it. There is like four different levels and you can start on the bottom and go up or start on the top and go down. They have tons of animals it's more than just an aquarium. They have monkeys, penguins, fish, sharks, stingrays, flamingos, birds, reptiles, insects, everything! It was so fun seeing all of the animals and most of them are free range so it's like walking through a giant aviary type deal. There are so much to see and this is probably one of the biggest aquariums I've visited in a long time. I was very very impressed by all the animals that you could see. It was so fun and I can't wait to go back!

There is several paid parking lots around the aquarium, typically $10. You can purchase in advance or at the entrance. There are several cool birds to check out on your way to the main entrance and ticket purchase area. It is a small winding path so if busy takes a few minutes to get to. It was super crowded on a Sunday mid morning when we went. That is my only complaint honestly it was packed for a while until we were able to get into a quieter less crowded areas. The birds, the waterfall and tanks were pretty cool. I liked the way it was designed for you to go down level by level. We saw some cool stuff, loved the sloth and the cat, the poison frogs and the turtles. If we go back, I think I would try mid week and maybe around lunch. Enjoy!

Fun and unique aquarium to visit! There was a wide range on animals to see. This experience allows you to follow a path/structure so that you can see everything they have. Though this path is pretty narrow and there can be blockages because people are stopping to see specific animals. It also is quite humid in certain places so I recommend a fan and light clothes. Overall it was a great experience seeing different kinds of animals and getting to explore their entire place.

I'm from San Diego and I think this place is better than our Zoo, also better than our aquarium! My reasoning: - land animals + fresh and saltwater aquariums - there is a path you go down and it's really easy to navigate! - since you're basically walking through a big jungle, the temp is consistent + you're inside so NO SUNSCREEN IS NEEDED! - doesn't take up the whole day - very ADA and stroller friendly :) There was a lot more diversity than I expected, and I was very impressed! My niece and nephew loved it and so did my parents + siblings :) there's a little bit of everything!

A really beautiful aquarium! Nicely laid out and for a Friday wasn't super busy. Nice easy parking lot and super walkable to other museums and restaurants

I'll start with the good. They have a great selection of animals. The facility is VERY poorly designed with narrow walkways. People with mobility issues had significant issues. Directions to different parts are sparsely marked with useful signage or directions. There seemed to be no limit on the number of people they will allow in. It's a serious hazard should any sort of emergency occur. People will have major difficulty getting out safely. First responders will face the same challenges as the patrons. Other aquariums are exhibit fat better design and safety for the patrons.

Wow wow wow wow wow wow THATS NOT EVEN ENOUGH WOWS WOWW HEHE ONE MORE WOW. I loved this aquarium, although listed as an aquarium, it had so much more! So many birds and frogs and other animals I think this place is so cute. The format of this place is so nice it takes you on a route where you can't miss anything. I see reviews calling it a waste of time but I believe that they just don't appreciate the animals long enough. If you took your time and truly observed and admired all the wonderful species here, you would not be disappointed. The shark tanks and the crocs were my favorite! It was so cool to see these animals. For the price you can't go wrong! Loved the penguins too!

I was incredibly impressed with not only the size of this facility but also the number of exhibits that were available. Sloths, Otters, Platypus, octopus, PENGUINS!! There is so much to see here. It will definitely take you a few hours to get through it. My only complaint is a lack of bathrooms. I can not speak for the mens room, but up on the second level, the ladies' room had TWO stalls. 2. In a facility where at any given time there are literally hundreds of women, having a bathroom that tiny is completely insane to me. I know there is not much they can do about it, just beware ladies. The gift shops are lovely and overpriced, but that's expected in a place like that. They had very cute souvenirs available to purchase, and we did purchase some. This is an awesome place to visit, and we would definitely return if back in the area. Highly recommend for kiddos of all ages :)

The Dallas World Aquarium is a spectacular place to visit for a special date or event with friends. It's more than just an aquarium by any means. Rather, it's more Justified to call it an immersive rainforest experience. Once you enter, you'll start from the top floor and make your way down to the lower levels. Each to your offers a highly immersive adventurous and explorative experience that will range from many of the rainforest avian species to mammals to Aquatic Life forms. Designs will include Oasis pools, waterfalls, and many more tasteful rainforest scenes. I recommend to set aside at least an hour to 2 hours to really enjoy the experience for what it's worth. There's also a variety of scenes for which to take pictures. The layout can feel a little confusing at first if it's your first time but once you've explored the first one or two levels, it will feel more intuitive as you make your way down. Directions are pretty straightforward from that point on. Staff are very friendly and easy to help you out if you happen to get lost. Enjoy your stay!!

This is a gem of Dallas! Great for kids, visitors, and people who love to see nature you most likely couldn't see even if you were at the places the some of the wildlife comes from!! I urge all to look up what is there and take your time, if you can, and slowly stroll through! I've been at least 50 times and still enjoy all parts of it! The growth over the years has been fantastic! A few of the wildlife change over the years, but always something to see! In the colder parts of the winter, some are hiding to stay warm. late spring and early fall are the best, I think. I'd tell you about what to see, but that might ruin the wow and awe! Spend the money and go!!!!

So it has been two months since our baby has been born and we just do things with her. This time was going to the aquarium, and it was very fun. Those with babies - Elevators work just fine. Go to level three first. We almost followed someone out. The walkways are just fine and there is plenty of space to maneuver. The tickets and parking is what you would expect from being downtown, but it is worth the 2-3 hours you will spend in there. Just like the reviews, there is a defined path to follow with just a few splits that make you come back to the beginning. There is a good amount of work and effort put into this place. The manetee is so fun to follow around and the under water viewing is really amazing. The sharks are probably my favorite areas to see. The main floor is pretty amazing tho.

This aquarium is kind of like a small indoor zoo with a splash of aquarium on the side. Their pricing reflects the amount of work they put into maintaining the place because it isn't cheap but admittedly it is a nice facility and I would definitely go back on a slow day. We went on labor day weekend however, and it was packed up to the brim. The line to get in was like a short Disney line and once we got in people were walking very close to one another so it felt very cramped. Parking lots were plentiful but on the pricey side and street parking was available but very few and far between. I recommend you check this place out on a weekday if possible and you'll have a great time.

This is so much more than an aquarium. This is more like going through a rainforest. You start seeing some animals on the way to the ticket booth. As you wander through you get to see so many birds and eventually get to ground level to see more aquatic creatures. Great for kids and the whole family.

If you are looking forward to visiting Dallas Bird Aquarium put this on the list. Not even sure how they can put aquarium in the building name. If you are coming from out of town or visiting the city save your money. My children are older and even they said it was a waste. The layout as much you think going in spiral from the top floor to the bottom. That you wouldn't miss anything. You most likely will and we learned you cant just loop back to the start of that section. You can however if you start from the entrance. Unless you wanna go against the flow of the crowd. If you are considering making a trip, I would say go early. The walk ways inside get a bit crowded especially if you are using a stroller.

Prices are way too expensive. Personally not as impressive as I would think it should be. I did see a couple of species that I had never seen before. Temperature not as cool as it should be. I enjoyed the aquarium section but way too crowded so they don't control the crowd.

Came here hoping to see some awesome penguins but they seem so sad. Not moving around. Seen other places where penguins are very active. This place is packed. Be prepared to push through the crowds. For the price I don't think there is enough exhibitions. Did enjoy that there are monkeys everywhere.

This is the best aquarium I've ever been to! I mean I've been to A LOT of aquarium's, but fish get boring g after a while. This aquarium is fish, monkeys, sloths, manatees, penguins, sharks, reptiles, amphibians and so many beautiful birds! It's a lovely stroll through a rainforest trail, with birds flying overhead and gorgeous plants and enclosures everywhere you look. Today was PACKED (zillions of people in Dallas to see the eclipse), but it was still very pleasant. Great staff too. Plus $10 parking for the whole day! Tip: if you park here, you can do the aquarium and then it's a short walk to the Perot museum.

The path you go on once you are in here is great. However, it is very misleading calling this an aquarium. It has some fish but it is not what you imagine when something says "aquarium". There are a variety of animals inside. You go on one path through so it is easy not to miss anything. Good to do to fill in time but not a must see.

Wow, what a very interesting place! I took my 5 year old granddaughter for a morning outing and we had a great time. Parking was ezpz and after walking in we were greeted by bird songs the likes of which I have never heard. Essentially you walk around the place going from one level to the next (yes there are elevators) providing you views from spot on to overview and in the case of the shark area from underneath. And who knew crocodiles were so big! Yikes! Heed the warning sign and don't lean over the railing! We both enjoyed all the fish, turtles, shark, and something called a saw tooth fish (about 10 feet long.) Quite interesting. Also there were bats (grand did not like that area) snakes, and other unique creatures. Time together well spent and we both learned new things!

We were here around 9 AM and it wasn't as crowded. It's really a nice place and well maintained. Our kid had a great time and so did we!

This place is HUGE and waaaaay more than an aquarium. Tons of birds, penguins, monkeys, bats, gators, frogs, etc... on the first 2 floors of wondering then you get down to the fish, sharks, manta rays, turtles, even a manatee!! Super amazing and worth the trip

It was so much fun to watch sea creatures and rainforest & jungle animals. I was so mesmerized by them. I could've sat for hours, watching them swim in the water and play on land. I wish they had more seating to watch the animals. Be prepared to stand as you go through the DWA. Public parking is $10 for the day. However, we chose to use the meter parking for $1 an hour. (We were at DWA for about three hours.)

Was a little different when you think of an aquarium. Most of the place is like walking through a tropical rainforest with a lot of birds. Took us a while to find the actual aquarium where there was actual fish and sharks. I'm not saying the place should be skipped but it isn't your typical aquarium.

Tucked away in the heart of the city, this aquarium exceeded my expectations of what an aquarium on a block could be. Building upwards, this aquarium houses more than just aquatic animals. It has fauna from different parts of the world, including flamingoes, sloths, owls, bats, and miscellaneous reptiles. The walk-through of this place keeps you interested and without looking at too much detail will take you about an hour and a half (quoted by staff). I stopped to take some photos and read some descriptions of the animals, and to take me about an hour and a half. Parking is an open lot outside for $8. Otherwise there's street parking that's pretty inexpensive. If you're in Dallas central for a few days and enjoy zoos and aquariums, I would recommend checking this place out!

Call me old fashioned but aquariums should have more fish than animals. Sad little fish tanks.

Fun time, but very very busy. Granted it was a Sunday afternoon, but very busy and not exactly well designed for lots of people so there was a lot of waiting in line. Nothing spectacular but not bad. A little overpriced to get in (in my opinion) but to be expected in downtown Dallas. Overall, I think it was okay.

Had a great time with family here this week. Fish, fowl and even tree kangaroos here. We had a snack at the restaurant on the ground floor restaurant and really enjoyed the spring rolls and Shanghai lumpia too.

Very well thought out exhibits and even a few to observe as you wait in line to get in. The flow of the place works well and it doesn't loop you around much, so it is easy to navigate. It turns out that it is more of an aviary and aquarium, but it all worked out. My favorite exhibits were the shark tank, sloths, manatee, and I think a baby leopard. It was a great experience. It was, however, very crowded. The gift shop is packed with stuffed animals. Note that you have to pay to park nearby and that navigating the area is awkward.

This is my first ever bad review on yelp because I typically only use the app to support local businesses that I enjoy. The animals are sickly and sad. Their cages are too small and unkept. I left the place feeling heartbroken for the animals. More money goes into the interior decorations to make the place rainforest themed than to the animals care. Which leads to my next point that this isn't even an aquarium. It's rainforest themed aviary with some additional animals and a couple aquatic exhibits. The rainforest theme makes no sense for an aquarium. It's grossly misleading. Finally, there is no animal education. You are lucky if you can even find a sign telling you what you're looking at. There's no zoo keepers or even signs hop to read that would help you learn about animals. The experience is a cafeteria style line to see the next sad animal. I would recommend reporting this place to animal activist groups rather than attending.

Not sure this is what I expected when I think aquarium, but it was a pleasant surprise. We did come during the week with some friends and while it was not overly busy the place is on the small side so I could see it being uncomfortable on a busy weekend or something, however during our visit it was great. I love the concept where you basically start above ground with a cool assortment of animals like birds, monkeys etc. Then you slowly start to make your way down to the ground with alligators and penguins etc then you go underground to the actual aquarium part. It's not a full zoo or full aquarium in my opinion as it doesn't have enough of either animal, but it's a cool combination of both. We spend a good 2 hours there. We looked at pretty much everything but did not spend a huge amount of time at each exhibit so it could be a couple hour to half a day stop. The price was not too bad, but parking was like $10. Overall enjoyed it and would go back.

Highly recommend this aquarium. There is prepaid parking in their lot for $10 but there was a bunch of street parking that you pay with the city app. We got there a little after it opened and just paid $2 for two hours. The aquarium is set up so you walk all the way up then back down as you pass exhibits. They have fish, sharks, turtles, jellyfish, crocodiles, spiders, lizards, birds, monkeys, a sloth and more. I recommend following the map or you will miss something! The gift shop was reasonably priced and all three of my kids were happy. There was also a cafe and restrooms and elevators on every level.

Terrible! This place is such a dump. I feel terrible for the animals. It's small, dumpy, and the entire place smells like cat pee from the lonely ocelot. There is a huge, single manatee in a small aquarium. The website shows a whale shark, but they don't have one.

Extremely overcrowded, smelt terrible, was hot and barely any fish. Was a waste of time and money. Don't waste your money.

We mostly chose to come to this aquarium because my daughter loves fish. She gets so excited everytime she sees any fish and can stare at them for a long time. The strange thing about his aquarium is that it does not have many fish. They have birds, they have a jaguar, they have penguins, but they don't have a ton of fish (at least compared to most aquariums because there are fish present). The layout is kind of cool where you start at the top and work your way down. You have employees guiding you to the correct way to travel so you know where you are going. The top is all the birds or things you see in the sky. There were a couple fish, but not many. Most were birds. Then as you go down you see monkeys who might be high on the trees and maybe 1 or 2 fish tanks. Then when you get to the bottom, you have a big lake with lots of fish but only 1 or 2 viewing points. On the bottom floor you can get an underwater view. Everything is more vertical here meaning the exhibits go up and down rather than flat. It is accessible as you don't have to walk by stairs and there is an elevator to get to the top when starting. However, everything is downhill. Once you get to the bottom you can make your way a little left and go under the shark tank and see the penguins ending with the jaguar and flamingos. The decor was very elaborate and well kept. It looks nice. It is pretty small though and too packed on a weekend. They need more space to make it comfortable or require timed entrees so not too many people can be in there at one time. The walkway was not super practical for large groups, and there were a lot of people, so you are packed like sardines and its uncomfortable. Overall, it was a pretty nice aquarium. I've seen better, but this one was unique in its own way.

If you enjoy mysterious scavenger hunts, murky waters, and the thrill of a public bathroom that may or may not be cursed, boy do I have the destination for you! The Dallas World Aquarium left me gasping--and not in the awe-of-nature kind of way. No, I literally clutched my invisible pearls when I walked into the ladies' restroom. It looked like the set of a horror film where the villain is bacteria. The exhibits, sadly, weren't much better. The water in many of the tanks was alarmingly cloudy, which made me genuinely concerned for the well-being of the animals. I've been here in years past and remembered it fondly, but something has seriously slipped. When the fish look like they're trying to find the exit too... it's a problem. To add to the mystery theme, most of the animals were unlabeled. I spent a good portion of my visit playing a game I call, "Guess That Critter!" I came hoping to see the octopus--because who doesn't love a good cephalopod?--but ended up asking multiple employees just to find it. One of them didn't even know they had an octopus. I wish I were joking. Look, I wanted to love it. I came with snacks, excitement, and a fully charged phone. But after dodging grime, confusion, and unmarked mystery birds, I left with nothing but disappointment and a strong urge to wash my hands. Forever. Won't be back. I hope the animals get the clean water and clearer signage they deserve.

The DWA is a fun place to visit... BUT, be warned that it gets very crowded after 1 pm, which isn't that bad until you get to the first floor aquarium area. It was jammed with so many people we couldn't walk around when people stopped in front of us, we just had to wait. The aquarium part was really nice, but we couldn't really enjoy it because of all the people in such a small space. It would be perfect if they limited the amount of people who can be on the first floor, just my opinion. Also, many of animals were asleep or hiding and several of the digital screens that explain the animals were broken, just like some of the other reviews noted. We went on a Sunday afternoon about 12pm, but if we ever go back it'll be when they first open.

This place is near the heart of downtown Dallas, there is ample parking across the street with reasonable rates. To get in is about $30 per person. Let's get right to the review... this place is not a true aquarium... it's a jungle style animal/reptile center. Yes you can see some fish & mammals that live under water but you'll spend most of your time walking around viewing jungle/rainforest style scenery. The map they give you can at time be confusing and doesn't seem current. (Ie the lemurs are not in the location stated on the map) Cool place, just know what to expect