Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park

The Got Weekend take

Why go

Children's Aquarium Dallas sits inside Fair Park and has been delighting families since it opened as part of the 1936 Texas Centennial. Reimagined by the zoOceanarium Group, it now takes a hands-on, hands-wet approach: touch tanks where red garra fish nibble your fingers, a shark habitat, saltwater and freshwater galleries, and a Mining Company water tower out front where kids can pan for gemstones and fossils. Exhibits are built for kids, with lower viewing windows and interactive elements throughout, and the layout is designed for visits of about 1 to 2 hours. It's open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults 13+, $9.95 for children 3-12, and free for kids 2 and under, with military and senior discounts available. Tickets are non-refundable but good for a year after purchase. Separately ticketed activities like the Mining Company aren't included in general admission.

• Touch tanks where kids can feel stingrays and get nibbled by red garra fish
• Gemstone and fossil panning at the Mining Company water tower
• Historic 1936 Fair Park building reimagined with kid-height viewing windows
• Sized for short visits — about 1 to 2 hours of fun

Families with young kids and grandparents who'll appreciate the relaxed, accessible layout.

Make it your kind of weekend

• family outing
• rainy-day option

A few visit notes

Last admission is 4:30 p.m. Tickets are non-refundable but usable for one year after purchase. The Mining Company panning activity is ticketed separately from general admission.