At the Dallas World Aquarium, visitors are immersed into a tropical rainforest with open aviaries and a waterfall, walk through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks, watch penguins dive and swim, and view brightly colored fish, free flying birds, and rainforest frogs. Get up-close to animals from all over the world, and learn about conservation for endangered species.

Begin your unique experience at the third level in the Orinoco Rainforest canopy and hear the three-story waterfall plunge into the water below.   In this open aviary, brightly-colored rainforest birds fly freely within the lush rainforest and live on trees that are native to their habitat. Watch tamarins freely climb trees and groom each other on Monkey Island in the middle of the River exhibit. Feed blueberries to a toucan and get up-close to the three-toed sloth in its tree home. Listen for the sounds of the rainforest with howler monkeys and birds chattering throughout the exhibit.

Walk down the self-guided path to the understory (level two) of the Rainforest, and see giant otters swimming behind glass, as they playfully chase kids running back and forth. Safely view animals that would otherwise cause fright including a giant anaconda, electric eels, toothy piranhas, flying bats and a bird-eating spider. Marvel at the Seuss-like moustache of the emperor tamarins, and watch water animals such as stingrays, fish and turtles swim. View inside the caves to see brightly-colored poison dart frogs and the giant eyes of owl monkeys. Watch water birds swim and dive in the River that surrounds Monkey Island.   A shared exhibit of two-toed sloths, golden-headed lion tamarins, and tinamou birds is near Toucan Terrace.   The Orinoco crocodile is so large and still that at first you wonder if it’s real.

Descend to the Aquatic zone (level one) and experience a glass wall to view shared enclosures of manatees, large fish, sea turtles.   The polka-dot stingrays glide effortlessly through their aquatic enclosures. Travel to distant oceans to see brightly-colored fish, delicate seahorses, beautiful corals, octopus, sea stars and anemones, giant spider crabs, jellyfish and wormlike garden eels in the individual aquariums representing different geographic locations.   Worldwide locations including Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Guinea, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan are represented in each aquarium. The cuteness award on this level goes to the South African black-footed penguins that dive and swim in the outdoor exhibit. View the 22,000 gallon Continental Shelf exhibit with a tunnel exhibit that offers a panoramic view of reef life. Walk through the glass tunnel to see sharks and sawfish swim around you.

Step into the Mayan jungle ecosystem, and view the seahorses, moray eel, blue spiny and alligator lizards. Get up-close to a neotropical rattlesnake, palm viper, red-tailed boa, crocodile, beaded lizard and the red-eyed tree frog. Watch southern stingrays and eagle rays glide through the water, and sharks and sawfish swim throughout the exhibit. The upper level of the Mayan jungle reveals the temple of the jaguar with this stunning spotted mammal.   See vibrant scarlet macaws, a towering crested eagle, flying hummingbirds, and a 5 feet tall stork.  Listen to a flamboyance of bright pink flamingos communicate by honking at each other and their social interaction.

While the animals are close enough to touch, please remember these are wild animals in an environment to promote education and conservation. Be considerate of no-flash photography, don’t try make noise or tap on glass to gain their attention, do not feed or touch any animal or plant, remember that coins can kill, and be respectful of their homes.   These animals are on a strict diet therefore no outside food is allowed, as all parents know how goldfish crackers and cheerios can end up everywhere.

There are three kid-friendly restaurants at the Dallas World Aquarium with food options such as quesadillas, sandwiches, soups, salads, seafood, wraps, burgers, pizza, and desserts. There is a gift shop and book store filled with science and nature items as well as regular souvenirs.  

Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check out their Feeding and Talks schedule for educational opportunities.

Discounts: Senior (65+) and military discounts. Children 2 and under are free. DWA does not participate in any reciprocal membership programs.

Special needs:  The facility is wheelchair accessible. Consider early admission if noise levels and crowds are a concern. This is not a hands-on experience since it is plants and animals in their habitats.

Know Before You Go:
No food is allowed.
Do not touch or feed any of the animals or plants.
Go early or late to avoid lines as mid-day gets crowded.
Great for hot or rainy day since most of the exhibits are indoors.
Expect lots of walking and standing due to the size of this aquarium zoo.
Stroller and wheelchair friendly, but you will likely be holding the kid to better view animals.

Dallas World Aquarium
1801 North Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 720-2224
www.dwazoo.com