Austin Aquarium

This was surprisingly well tailored to the kids. The whole place is playing Disney songs everywhere you go. They have a nice gift shop. Petting sea life was fascinating even for me. We fed otters, pet turtles, pet stingray... It was a really great time for the kids. You have to pay extra to feed the animals, which was fine but we weren't prepared for the additional 30 dollars for 10 tokens to feed. We paid for it anyways, but it wasn't very much and some animals cost more than 1 token, like the octopus cost 3 tokens and sitting down with monkeys was like 6 tokens per person... So if you're wanting to experience everything, be prepared to cough up about 50 extra per child. With that being said, my kids, who are toddlers were completely fine with just a few feedings (15 dollars a piece) and a gift from the gift shop. In total with tickets, tokens and gifts, we spent 120. I would go again.

I have had several experiences here, and each and every encounter has been nothing shy of incredible thanks to Ryan! My high rating is, hands-down, all due to this passionate and extremely competent keeper. This smaller aquarium is probably not quite like others you've experienced, as it offers chances for high-levels of interaction. What makes an interaction fulfilling for me is how much I can come from it with newfound knowledge of the animals, but even more significantly- confidence that the animals are in caring, knowledgeable hands. To which I feel that Ryan has gone above and beyond in both categories. From the beginning to the end, Ryan handles each encounter as a chance for him to create a rare, tailor-made relationship/experience between the animal and the attendee. He transcends giving basic facts and instead answers/offers information in a way that allows the attendee to understand and respect the animal's unique adaptations, environment, and ways of survival. This reigned true for all the animals I was shown by Ryan. Above all, he shows respect and a concern for safety in regards to both parties by adhering to and standing strong by the set regulations in a manner that is far from shrewish and does not take away from the experience at all. You never feel like you are in a rush or that Ryan is in it purely for the compensation. But rather, he cares deeply that the attendees gets as much out of the experience as is possible in the present conditions/what is in his hands. Every aquarium, zoo, or similar place of facility in which animals are exhibited should, at the least, hold strongly a mission of public education. To not display animals just as "entertainment", but as a means to preserve and inform its viewers of species that make our universe as diverse and habitable as it is. You can tell Ryan holds that ideal to heart and he would be an asset to any facility by providing a voice and platform for the animals.

Ryan made our experience amazing at the aquarium today! He and Will gave use one on one attention with the animals and explained all the quirks, personalities and facts about every species. We had a surprising and excellent experience! I was refreshed by well trained, yet fun behavior of all the animals. Our special favorites were Bonnie and Clyde. Thank you for making today memorable for my wife and I.

Oh. My. Gosh!!! What a GREAT day we had at the Austin Aquarium! So much fun... we fed alligators, stingrays, and koi fish; pet iguanas, starfish, tortoises and sharks; held a macaw, a cockatoo and a toucan too!!! PLUS we got to pet AND hold three different species of LEMURS!!! I’ve been to a lot of aquariums in my life, in CA, FL, LA, KS, TN, MO, OK and TX and this one truly tops them all. I have never seen this many awesome activities tin one place (not even Sea World or Busch Gardens....SO, SO, SO Fun!!! Well worth the money...even penny spent! They also have special discounts for First Responders, Military, Students and Senior. And last, but not least, the staff was super friendly! Wish we had one of these aquariums in Dallas-Ft Worth. We will definitely go back again when down in Austin.

This place was so much fun! Today, Mariann at the front desk saved us good money with the annual passes, we got our party of 6 all in, my son lives here in Texas and even though we are from Michigan, she still made it work for all of us with the Black Friday special. We got free admissions to visit the San Antonio Aquarium and the new Houston location next time we come back to Texas. This was a great deal for us, so we will be planning to visit all locations. Mariann was courteous and sweet. My kids had a great time. The place was packed! We didn’t see social distancing at all but we heard announcements often. Masks were required. Tokens are a little pricey but worth it. Devin made us feel pleased and Maricela by the snack area made it happen for us to finally have encounters. We loved the Disney music, and our kids went crazy excited when Ryan came around with the alligator. They have lemurs, a sloth, toucans, and so much more! Great experience!