Downtown Aquarium

Reviews

• DG

  Daniil Gavrilov

  Jan 4, 2026
  5.0
  My experience with this place started because I was invited RSVP from the company I work for. The wait time was none, we came in to an already packed place. My family and I enjoyed every second of it. Great restaurants service, wonderful aquarium walk-around, even tigers were present, that I wasn't even expecting. They also showed us other animals and told facts about them that I thought were interesting and stayed for almost all of them and listened. While it does get loud with so many people packed in one spot such a restaurant room, with a drink or two you either tune your hearing in or out depending on your personality, and everything gets much smoother and better for my liking. Would definitely stop by again in the future with my own family! I am genuinely hoping for it.
• JS

  Jade Sutera

  Jan 3, 2026
  4.0
  We had a super fun time here for a very reasonable price. Both the fresh water and salt water fish were fun to see, though if we were to go again I suggest going in the morning. We went around 5:30pm so that we could dine in their restaurant afterwards—But a lot of the animals weren’t as active (like the tigers). The restaurant was a fun experience. We were sat near the right side of the restaurant near the fish tanks (tight seating/chairs kept getting stuck on the carpet). We also got to see a little mermaid show!! Pretty good food selection, though it felt a little wrong to eat seafood right in front of the fish lol. Alcoholic drinks were pricey, but tasty. We also got desert, which is usually my favorite part of dining out—this was probably the worst part. We got the creme brûlée to-go, and the cream part seriously looked like and had the texture of wet cat food—super unappealing to eat. Everything else was great.
• MY

  Malatii Yemii

  Jan 3, 2026
  2.0
  It was okay. I took my family for my daughter’s bday. And I was pretty disappointed. We had saved up to do it and there were 7 of us. Entirely too many people to enjoy anything. But even then I don’t think it was worth the 30$ a person. We go to the zoo often. Like 2-3 times a month alone with the denver museum. And I honestly still enjoy it there more, even though we go so often. The coolest part was walking through the tube like spot- where the sharks and rays swim over your head. Along with the sea turtles. Or feedings the manta rays. But the whole thing is geared to squeezing every penny from you. We decided to get photos but only after being rushed and pressured. In retrospect they were not worth the 65$. I think smaller children can enjoy it more. Because the mermaids seem to be very skilled and hold their breath for a long time. Those really impressed me. But all in all. I don’t see myself going again. For the same $ we could’ve did a whole lot more. We got through the whole thing in about an hour. While stopping to take pictures and attempt to find the animals. The tigers were sleep :(. The seal was sleep :(. We went later in the day around 4 because we wanted to see the mermaid show at 630. But ended up walking through fast enough we decided to see the one in the restaurant. It gets packed fast and grown adults squeeze past the children to see (which isn’t the aquariums fault, though they could regulate it more). It is beautiful. But just seems to be poorly priced. As you get to the end there are lots of vending machines and other things. And in order to leave you have to walk through a gift shop. It was hard to find the elevator for handicapped to get down. The staff also was misinformed about when the mermaid show were. Told us there weren’t any shows. And they don’t start till January 19. Till I pulled it up on their website and the date was 1/19/24. So we had a manager come and correct them. Bottom line. If you have money to to just throw around. Go for it. Take your time. Go early. If not. The zoo has a great tropical discovery that is similar. Though you will miss the manta rays and the sharks. If you have smaller kids- the museum is a go because they have lots of kid friendly activities. And if you’re an adult just looking for fun in denver. Spend the extra dollar and go to MeowWolf.
• KK

  Kelsey

  Dec 28, 2025
  1.0
  Absolutely devastated at this establishment for their deceit / bait and switch aimed at children! This summer, my children cumulatively read for hundreds of hours in order to earn a pass to this aquarium- somewhere we have never been to due to cost- and through the Jefferson County library they were proud coupon holders for a pass in thanks to their dedication. Today, we proudly presented our coupons and were denied entry on the basis that the rest of the coupon was missing. I inspected the coupon and even pointed out the dashed line to indicate that’s where the coupon should be cut and no wording on the coupon that indicates the other part of the coupon (which included a free meal) should be present for redemption. I explained that we couldn’t afford entry out of pocket for myself and two children and that we had thrown away the rest of the library’s certificate in order to fit the passes into my wallet. I explained that we drove all this way, I have two children who worked really hard all summer for this pass, that we stood in the cold line and had to find parking. I spoke with three staff members and the last one I spoke with- the self reported manager, was totally unhelpful and non-understanding. With a blank stare she said she would not accept the coupons/passes and turned us away. No empathy whatsoever. To save the day for this single mom and her heartbroken boys, we walked over to the Children’s Museum - a much better establishment (which by the way, the CM is a part of the explorer pass where low income families can access museums etc for a reduced rate). We were still quite upset and feel as though the decision to deny the passes was unfair / unforeseen. I will be contacting the library to let them know about this heartbreaking situation and perhaps the librarians can advise joyful children and their parents that the Denver Aquarium that does Bait and Switch when these coupons/passes are attempted to be redeemed.
• LL

  L. Luc

  Dec 21, 2025
  2.0
  We visited this evening, Sunday 12-21-25. 5:00pm It is small however we enjoyed the aquarium until we got to the Pirahna exhibit. We saw many fish attacking a pirahna and taking small chunks out of it near the tail. I quickly went to the stingray exhibit and let the attendant know, she said she would radio life support. My daughter was upset and was crying because she saw the fish take a chunk out of the pirahna. We went back to see if anyone had come to net it out and they hadn't. The reason for the 2 star is : I took video of the fish being eaten alive. I then went to another staff member to let her know and I showed her the video. She said "Well there's nothing we can do about it now" I said "Don't you want to get it out so the public doesn't see that?" She said "it's a hard tank to get into". Then rolled her eyes. My daughter's take- away -an aquarium that allows fish to be eaten alive with staff members that don't care. I've worked in AZA accredited Zoos and aquariums. If a fish was injured and we were aware we would scoop it out immediately. I understand nature can take its course. However The rude remarks and the rolling of the eyes from the uncompassionate staff member put the nail in the coffin. This was our first time to the aquarium we will not be returning.

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