Downtown Aquarium Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Downtown Aquarium. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Houston City Tour 2.5-Hour Van Tour

• Houston City Tour and Downtown Aquarium All Rides Pass

• Houston CityPASS®

• NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour

• Houston's Official City and Mural Tour!

Full-price adult admission to the Downtown Aquarium, which includes both carnival rides and aquarium exhibits, starts at US$25.99. Adult tickets for the aquarium alone cost US$16.99. Kids get a slight discount. You can also buy single-ride passes to the Ferris wheel and other amusements. Combination tickets for the aquarium, Kemah Boardwalk, and other Houston attractions start at US$49.99.

Yes, the Downtown Aquarium is worth visiting, especially for kids. Known for amusement rides and interactive exhibits such as the Shark Voyage train, the aquarium is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in Houston. It's also located near Market Square Park, the Houston Museum District, and other highlights that you can explore on a guided sightseeing tour—a convenient way to see the best of the city with limited time.

Per one customer who booked the Houston City Tour and Downtown Aquarium All Rides Pass, "We had a perfect day, the tour guide was excellent. You must get a bite to eat at Taste afterwards. The aquarium was amazing. All rides were included in the wrist band. It served all age groups. We loved it and had a blast."

You’ll see all kinds of marine life at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. In addition to the aquatic life you’d expect to see at an aquarium, the tanks featuring Texas bayou hold turtles, alligators, and bullfrogs, and the main first-floor tank houses multiple shark species: tigers, sandbars, and blacktips.

Yes, you can feed some marine animals at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston under the supervision of aquarium staff. You can book an Animal Meet and Greet session by appointment and feed stingrays, porcupines, parrots, snakes, lizards, birds of prey, or any other small mammals. In addition to feeding these animals, you can touch and train them and take pictures.

Yes, there is parking available at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. The aquarium provides paid on-site parking in a lot directly behind the main building, with self-parking and valet service available—bring cash, as you can’t pay for parking with a credit card. Check the aquarium's website for up-to-date information on parking rates.

There are more than simple dining options inside the Downtown Aquarium in Houston—head to the second floor, and you’ll find a full-service seafood restaurant with full views of the aquarium tanks and the marine life inside them. Near the restaurant, there’s also an upscale bar called the Dive Lounge.

The time it takes to explore the Downtown Aquarium in Houston can vary depending on your pace and what you’d like to see. Plan to spend about one hour exploring the floor-to-ceiling tanks on the first floor and an additional 1–2 hours to view additional exhibits and the Games and Rides area.

Yes, there are discounts available for tickets to the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. Seniors aged 62 and over and children 42 inches tall (105 centimeters) or under get discounted admission compared to adults. Children 2 years of age and under can enter for free. Also, the All-Day Adventure Pass offers unlimited access to most of the aquarium.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Downtown Aquarium. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Houston:

• Space Center Houston

• Houston Museum of Natural Science

• Market Square Park

• Daikin Park

• JPMorgan Chase Tower

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Houston.