About Us
At Children’s Aquarium Dallas, learning doesn’t feel like learning. It feels like an adventure. Families from across Dallas-Fort Worth will discover an immersive underwater world that sparks joy and a lifelong love for exploring the world’s greatest creatures.
With a new focus on high-tech, high-touch, and hands-wet activities for today’s creative kids, we’ve built a place where education meets exploration and where guests of all ages can dive into something unforgettable.
We have over 15,000 fish under our care, and there is so much more to discover. Throughout your visit, our Guest Experience Associates will be on hand to introduce you to ambassador animals, engage with visitors, and answer your questions.
Ready to see the best family aquarium in Dallas, Texas, for yourself? Plan your visit today and discover why families keep coming back.
Read More
A Family-Friendly Aquarium Experience in Dallas
Originally opened in 1936 as part of the Texas Centennial at Fair Park, the historic Children’s Aquarium Dallas has delighted generations of families and visitors and continues to inspire families to get out of their routines and get interactive.
Reimagined by the zoOceanarium Group, the aquarium has been transformed into a modern, interactive space with a hands-on, hands-wet approach to discovering sea life. Each high-tech exhibit is designed with kids in mind and instills a love for the oceans, rivers, and lakes around the world.
New Discoveries to Find Around Every Corner
No two visits feel exactly the same here at our family aquarium in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Something new is sure to catch your eye every time, whether it’s the Mining Company water tower on our front lawn where visitors can pan for a variety of gemstones and fossils, the giant octopus right outside our doors, or the touch tank where brave explorers can get their fingers nibbled on by red garra fish!
No matter what drew you to the Children’s Aquarium Dallas in the first place, you will find something that captures your heart and soul. And so will your little ones! Here, every exhibit is built with kids in mind — lower viewing windows, engaging visuals, and interactive elements at every turn.
Designed for Short, Fun, Kid-Friendly Visits
We get it. Kids have energy. And short attention spans.
That’s why Children’s Aquarium Dallas is designed for visits that are just the right length — typically 1 to 2 hours of nonstop fun and discovery.
Kids love how easy it is to explore. Grandparents enjoy a relaxed, accessible layout. Parents appreciate the balance of fun and education.
It’s the kind of place where everyone has a great time, and no one has the chance to get bored!
Membership
General Passes
General admission tickets allow access to Children’s Aquarium Dallas’ galleries, exhibits, and interactive experiences. Separately ticketed activities, such as Children’s Aquarium Dallas’ Mining Company, are not included. Children’s Aquarium Dallas is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 4:30 p.m. Please note that tickets are non-refundable but can be used for one year after purchase.
Adult (13 and older)
Child (3-12)
Child (2 and under)
Military and Senior citizen discounts are available.
Annual Passes
Children’s Aquarium Dallas’ annual pass members may enter the attraction at any time during normal operating hours by showing their pass or reserving online. Annual pass members are also invited to enjoy special benefits such as:
• 10% discount at the gift shop
• Invitations to members-only events and activities
• Discounts on extra admission tickets
Membership - Adult
Membership - Child
What’s New at Children’s Aquarium Dallas?
Doctor Fish
Get your hands wet! This new exhibit is located in the entrance lobby. These small red garra fish will nibble on the skin cells on guests’ hands. It’s like a little manicure! The fish are native to Southeast Asia.
Weedy Sea Dragons
Some call these animals “seahorses with flair!” Look for their leaf-like appendages, designed by nature to help them hide among kelp vegetation. Related to the seahorse, these fascinating fish are found only in the waters of Southern Australia.
Fish Draw
A virtual ocean habitat has been created inside Children’s Aquarium Dallas. Kids can color and name their own fish, scan it, release it into the environment, and watch it swim.
Murals
Local artists have created colorful sea life murals around Children’s Aquarium Dallas to highlight many of the animals featured in the habitats.
Archer Fish
These little guys are at the center of Children’s Aquarium Dallas lobby. In their natural habitat, they spit water to knock their food out of the sky and into the water for a delicious meal. Here at Children’s Aquarium Dallas, guests will help feed them by holding food over the habitat. Watch for the water streams. You might get wet!
Swell Sharks
These sharks appear to glow green in the dark via their natural bioluminescence. They are called swell sharks because of their ability to grow to twice their normal size by swallowing water as a way to evade predators. They are found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Bonnethead Sharks
These fascinating sharks have joined the exhibits at Children’s Aquarium Dallas. Bonnetheads look like small hammerhead sharks. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The average bonnethead shark will grow between two and three feet in length.
Join Our Amazing Team
Join our team at Children’s Aquarium Dallas, where you’ll inspire wonder and curiosity in visitors of all ages as you help create unforgettable aquatic experiences. Be a part of a passionate community dedicated to marine education, conservation, and the care of diverse marine life.
There’s something powerful about seeing marine life up close. It sparks questions. It builds empathy. It creates connection. At Children’s Aquarium Dallas, we believe those moments matter.
That’s why our animal exhibits are designed not just to entertain, but to inspire. We introduce guests to the incredible diversity of life in our oceans, rivers, and lakes and help them understand why it’s worth protecting.
Through interactive experiences and engaging education, kids begin to see themselves as part of the story and walk away with more than memories. They’ve learned the importance of being good stewards of the earth.
Looking for something fun, educational, and unforgettable?
You’ve found it.
Children’s Aquarium Dallas is one of the top family-friendly attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Whether you’re planning a group outing, a birthday adventure, or a spontaneous day of fun, we’re ready to welcome you.
Come explore. Come learn. Come play. Visit our family aquarium today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Children’s Aquarium Dallas located?
Children’s Aquarium Dallas is part of historic Fair Park. Our address is 1462 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210.
Where do I park?
Enter Gate 6 at Fair Park, and you’ll find ample parking near Children’s Aquarium Dallas.
What is your email and telephone number?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 469-554-7340
Is Children’s Aquarium Dallas accessible?
We work to create an environment that is accessible to everyone.
- Walkways and ramps throughout the building facilitate wheelchair, walker, and stroller access.
- Restrooms are accessible to all guests and include a baby changing table.
- Children’s Aquarium Dallas is committed to obtaining designation as a Certified Sensory Inclusive facility. Our team has received training on how to recognize sensory issues and provide assistance as needed.
- Service animals, including working dogs in training with an accredited organization, are always permitted inside Children’s Aquarium Dallas.
- Strollers are welcome at Children’s Aquarium Dallas, though you may have a more enjoyable experience without them on weekends and holidays when we experience capacity crowds. Please speak to a team member at Children’s Aquarium Dallas’s front gate if you would like us to store your stroller for you during your visit. Please note: Children’s Aquarium Dallas does not have strollers available for loan.
Children’s Aquarium Dallas is continually looking for ways to ensure that all guests have an unforgettable experience, regardless of ability. If you have any questions or a specific accommodation request not addressed above, please contact us at [email protected] or 469-554-7340.
*Stroller access may be limited during the State Fair of Texas.
Is Children’s Aquarium Dallas only for kids?
Everyone is a kid at heart! Children’s Aquarium Dallas is for visitors of all ages. Children and their family members will all delight in watching the animals, enjoying interactive, hands-on experiences, and talking with our team members.
What makes Children’s Aquarium Dallas different from other aquariums?
We focus on hands-on, interactive experiences designed specifically for families and young children. Our exhibits are built at kid-friendly heights, and our approach blends education with fun in a way that feels natural and engaging.
What can kids do at Children’s Aquarium Dallas?
So much! Kids can explore touch tanks, feed stingrays, and enjoy up-close animal encounters (including shark encounters). We also offer weekly kid-friendly activities and weekend events.
Outside the aquarium, families can enjoy on-site attractions like dragon-themed pedal boats (currently operating) and a brand-new sea-themed carousel (coming soon).
What kinds of animals can you see at Children’s Aquarium Dallas?
Guests can see a wide variety of aquatic life, including colorful fish, stingrays, eels, and other fascinating marine and freshwater species from around the world.
How long does it take to visit Children’s Aquarium Dallas?
Most visits last between 1 and 2 hours, making it the perfect outing for families with young children.
Is Children’s Aquarium Dallas hands-on?
Yes! Hands-on learning is a core part of the experience, with touch tanks and interactive exhibits throughout the aquarium.
What makes Children’s Aquarium Dallas a family-friendly attraction in Dallas?
It’s accessible, engaging, and designed for all ages. With interactive exhibits, manageable visit times, a free parking lot, and an indoor environment, it’s an easy choice for families.
Does Children’s Aquarium Dallas have special events for kids?
Yes! We host regular kid-friendly activities and weekend events that add even more excitement to your visit.
