Austin Aquarium: Interactive Fun and Exotic Creatures

Visitors to the Austin Aquarium will find much more than marine life. They experience engagement by participating in hands-on interactions where they directly touch or feed animals. The Austin Aquarium is one of best aquariums in Texas, and it blends exciting animal entertainment with education in a unique way. 

The Austin Aquarium is home to over 35 exhibits and over 8,000 living animals. This aquarium’s interactive activities include animal encounters, aquatic displays, feeding experiences, reptile interactions, and touch tanks. It occupies an immense space at 22,000 square feet or half a square acre. 

How Long Does it Take to Walk Through Austin Aquarium?

One could spend an hour just to walk through. To get the most out of a trip to the Austin Aquarium, especially with the kids, guests could easily spend five hours to get through the aquarium. The Austin Aquarium is open for 10 hours a day and located at 13530 North Highway 183, #101, Austin, Texas. 

Aquarium Hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 10AM – 7PM
• Friday to Saturday:    10AM – 8PM
• New Year’s Day  11AM – 8PM

Is Austin Aquarium Worth It?

Over 400,000 people visit the Austin Aquarium each year. This amount of visitors represents the aquarium’s popularity as a family-friendly attraction. Its interactive animal encounters and educational experiences enrich guests of all ages. Some of the Austin Aquarium’s exhibits and activities:

• Touch Tanks: Visitors can gently touch marine creatures like anemones, bamboo sharks, starfish, and stingrays. These shallow tanks offer up-close encounters with sea life in a safe, controlled environment.
• Feeding Experiences: Guests can participate in feeding sessions for various animals. This includes feeding koi fish, lorikeets, stingrays, and land animals like sloths and tortoises. Feeding helps visitors connect with the animals while learning about their diets and behaviors.
• Animal Encounters: The aquarium offers personal interactions with animals like lemurs, iguanas, and birds. For example, visitors can enter the lemur exhibit, where these might climb onto guests, or feed colorful birds in the aviary as they perch on your hand.
• Reptile Interactions: There are opportunities to hold or pet non-venomous snakes, lizards, and other reptiles, providing a tactile experience that educates visitors on these often-misunderstood creatures.
• Aquatic Displays: and Learning: Aquarium staff presentations, interactive exhibits, and touch screens teach guests about marine ecosystems, conservation efforts, and the natural habitats of the animals they see.

Can You Bring Food to the Austin Aquarium?

No, the Austin Aquarium does not permit outside food and drinks. If a guest has specific dietary needs, they can contact the aquarium ahead of their visit to arrange special requests. The Austin Aquarium offers a snack bar with kid-friendly fare like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and pizzas, with sweets and drinks. 

What Happened at Austin Aquarium?

Several incidents and controversies over the years have challenged the Austin Aquarium. The Austin Aquarium opened its doors to the public in 2013. The Austin Aquarium established its vast space to provide a family-friendly destination for experiencing birds, mammals, marine life, and reptiles, with a focus on interactive and educational exhibits.

• Animal Welfare Concerns: There have been multiple reports and investigations into animal welfare at the Austin Aquarium. Concerns have included inadequate living conditions for some animals and issues with their care. These reports have led to calls for improved standards.
• Legal Issues: The aquarium has been involved in legal troubles related to animal care and business practices. These issues have included lawsuits and regulatory challenges concerning the treatment of animals and operational practices.
• Management Changes: The aquarium has seen changes in management and ownership over the years. These changes sometimes lead to shifts in how the facility is run and can affect both the visitor experience and animal care.
• Accidents: There have been occasional reports of accidents or incidents involving visitors or staff. These have typically been addressed by the aquarium with updated safety protocols and responses to ensure the well-being of guests and staff.