Located in the West End Historic District of Dallas, Texas, the Dallas World Aquarium is a unique, for-profit aquarium and zoo housed inside repurposed 1924 warehouses. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1997, it plays an active role in global conservation and education through cooperative breeding programs for threatened and endangered species. When you visit, you will explore diverse habitats spanning multiple levels and regions.
Wander through Orinoco, an artificial rainforest canopy filled with aviaries, primates, understory species, manatees, and large Amazonian fish. Head to the Cloud Forest Trek exhibit—featuring a real-time day-to-night LED video display—to see the only public display of three-toed sloths in the United States alongside other Andean animals. In the Mundo Maya gallery, you will discover tropical and marine life indigenous to Mexico and Central America, including a impressive 400,000-gallon Shark Tunnel filled with sharks and stingrays.
Down on the lower levels, view main aquaria showcasing marine life from Japan, Fiji, Palau, British Columbia, and beyond, alongside a 40-foot tunnel highlighting species of the continental shelf. It offers an immersive journey through captivating ecosystems right in downtown Dallas.
What to see at Dallas World Aquarium
- Walk through the multi-level Orinoco rainforest canopy down to Amazonian fish and manatees
- See the only public display of three-toed sloths in the United States in the Cloud Forest Trek
- Experience the 400,000-gallon Shark Tunnel in the Mundo Maya exhibit
- Observe global marine life across 10 main tanks and a 40-foot continental shelf tunnel
Visiting tips
Be sure to look for the Cloud Forest Trek's LED video display, which transitions between day and night to simulate a real-time rainforest environment.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Dallas World Aquarium is easy to reach on Dallas’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Dallas Museum of Art and Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Dallas travel guide.
See the full Dallas travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.