Downtown Aquarium

Reviews

• JH

  Joseph Harris

  2 days ago
  1.0
  We arrived to the aquarium around 3pm on a weekday not many people were there. Staff was extremely nice and helped us get in. The problem stems from the actual aquarium itself. Some of the attractions were just plastic and fake. Almost all of the exhibits were extremely small leaving the fish swimming in circles not really having room to do anything. The building leading to the restaurant smelt awful. It had the stingray touching area downstairs which is cool and all ,but either it’s not being properly up-kept or there is no ventilation. We left the aquarium feeling sad for the animals there.
• AB

  AB Barber

  3 days ago
  2.0
  This aquarium is basically a restaurant with fish tanks and tigers. Nothing was too impressive here. The tigers here definitely need bigger enclosures. The train ride was the highlight for our toddler but no drinks are allowed on, which is odd since it's right by the food concessions. Our toddler also enjoyed the splash pad but you can play here without purchasing any tickets. There was way too many people inside so it was hard to enjoy any of the exhibits and the ferris wheel wasn't working the day we went. I definitely would not recommend coming here. The Moody Gardens Aquarium has a lot more to look at and is worth making the drive for.
• RR

  Rose

  Apr 20, 2026
  5.0
  Recently celebrated my kids’ birthdays at the Downtown Houston Aquarium, and it turned out to be such a fun and unforgettable experience! There was so much to explore inside, and my kids were completely captivated by all the sea life and exhibits. The restaurant was definitely one of the coolest parts of the visit. Dining inside the aquarium felt like stepping into an underwater world—huge tanks surrounded us, filled with colorful fish and marine life gliding by while we ate. The lighting and atmosphere were calm and immersive, making it a really unique and memorable dining experience for both kids and adults. Watching the fish swim past our table kept the kids entertained the entire time. After eating, we headed outside to check out the rides, and those were a big hit too! The rides added even more excitement to the day and gave the kids a chance to burn off some energy while having a blast. Overall, it was the perfect place for a birthday celebration—great food, amazing
• CD

  Chele Del

  Apr 18, 2026
  2.0
  Very disappointed with this experience. The aquarium is very small. Not very many exhibits. The restaurant was freezing! We were sat against a back corner where the a/c was blowing down the wall. We asked to be moved since there were several open tables and were told no that the a/c is the same all over the restaurant. Not true!! We had a very small baby and 3 small children with us so I made the executive decision to just move ourselves to a warmer spot. The waitress was not very happy but oh well 🤷‍♀️! The food was priced well for the quality and portions but keep in mind it is a more expensive restaurant than most family dining experiences. Fair but unexpected. All in all we will not be visiting this aquarium again. Hopefully there are others in the area that offer more of a family experience with more to entertain us.
• AW

  Angela Willis

  Apr 10, 2026
  2.0
  Loved coming to the Aquarium with my kids and grandkids, but I was a little disappointed. The ticket prices were high, but we planned for it. Then when we got inside I was dying of a heat stroke, despite the fact it is overcast outside? We went outside to find relief. We wanted to buy souvenir coins for the kids, but the machine didn't work. My 4 year old grandson wanted most importantly to see a shark, so imagine our surprise when we NEVER SAW A SHARK. When we asked, we found put at that time that it COST EXTRA to go in and see a shark? By this time, we were exhausted from the heat and tired from an upset grandson who ONLY wanted to see a shark. I have been to alit of other Aquarium's and NEVER has one place charged to see a shark. Absolutely ridiculous. Other Aquarium's have many of them swimming over our heads, but NOPE NOT HERE. This was a waste of money and we should have went to The Zoo. BTW, salt water fish are supposed to be very colorful, so not sure why all the fish weren't very vibrant? We needed water for our baby grandson and guess what? $4.95 for 1 bottle of water? Absolutely ridiculous... For anyone looking to go here, be sure to note that seeing a shark cost extra, rides cost EXTRA, Train ride cost EXTRA and if you want the pictures they take when you first walk in, you are looking at $50.

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