Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium is a must see on any nature lovers' checklist. The aquarium offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with hundreds of the Gulf of Mexico’s inhabitants. Over 300 species are represented at the aquarium within its exhibits.

The Texas State Aquarium works as a rehabilitation facility for marine mammals and shore birds. The goal of the rehabilitation program is to rehabilitate and, if possible, return the animals back into the wild.

The Islands of Steel allow visitors to explore the thriving habitat surrounding a Gulf of Mexico oil platform. Sharks, grouper, green moray eels and numerous other types of fish swim in the aquarium's largest indoor exhibit.

Next, head to Otter Creek to watch the playful North American River Otters in action. Next to Otter Creek, visitors will find Dolphin Bay. The Texas State Aquarium currently has 3 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that splash around their 250,000-gallon saltwater tank to entertain visitors. Throughout the day Dolphin Training sessions occur at the tank. Watch the action from the main level seating area, or go below to the underwater viewing room where visitors can watch the dolphins from behind a 70-foot window.