Texas Zoo Trip - Which zoos and aquariums?

[Postal]

My son and I have been taking trips to zoos and aquariums since I pushed him around Zoo Tampa in his stroller every week. Covid cancelled our March 2020 trip days before leaving, while a medical emergency ended the 2021 trip before it started. This is his senior year so we are bumping things up a notch this year. We are planning an 11-day Texas trip for Spring Break this year followed by a 16-day trip through the Midwest after he graduates in June.

We will be driving from near Tampa and here is what I have so far:
Dallas Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
Dallas World Aquarium
San Antonio Zoo
Texas State Aquarium
Houston Zoo
Downtown Aquarium
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (and Zoo if we can squeeze it in that day)

I have exactly enough time to make those stops work, so any new stops need to replace something listed.

We really like to see rarely displayed animals, especially mammals and reptiles. Fish and insects/inverts are also high on my son's lists. Birds are probably at the bottom of our list.

So are there any places we shouldn't miss? Should we replace DWA with Caldwell or Fossil Rim? Any other suggestions. We are both amateur photographers as well if that matters.

Thank you

 

[birdsandbats]

If you are looking for rare species, DWA needs to stay on your list, even if you aren't interested in birds.

 

[groundskeeper24]

I agree with the above post. DWA may not be in the great category all around, but they've definitely got a list of species that any zoo nerd should be excited to see. It's more of an indoor zoo than an aquarium IMO.

 

[Bengal Tiger]

Welcome to ZC, I think the Audubon Aquarium is a great choice, thought the zoo is fabulous as well (must be hard to decide).

 

[Pleistohorse]

Based on the cities you’ll be visiting, I’d recommend adding Fossil Rim (south of Fort Worth) and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (just outside of San Antonio). Especially for the photo opportunities.

 

[Postal]

Welcome to ZC, I think the Audubon Aquarium is a great choice, thought the zoo is fabulous as well (must be hard to decide).

Thanks!
I enjoyed both New Orleans attractions pre-Katrina, but haven't been back since. We'll start at the aquarium per my son's preference, but should have time to squeeze at least part of the zoo on the same day.

 

[SwampDonkey]

That sounds like a great trip. I really liked DWA myself, it is a rather unique facility for the US. Personally I would not make a stop at Houston Downtown Aquarium. I went a couple of years ago and found it very underwhelming. The Houston Natural Science Museum is beside the zoo, and a really cool place. While not a zoo, if you are in Houston it is a nice stop.

If you are looking to add another aquarium in Texas I would probably do the San Antonio Aquarium. I have not been, but it seems better than Houston, which is really just a small part of a downtown amusement area. It is a small for profit aquarium akin to the Sea Life aquariums around, but it seems to review well.

 

[Aardwolf]

That sounds like a great trip. I really liked DWA myself, it is a rather unique facility for the US. Personally I would not make a stop at Houston Downtown Aquarium. I went a couple of years ago and found it very underwhelming. The Houston Natural Science Museum is beside the zoo, and a really cool place. While not a zoo, if you are in Houston it is a nice stop.

If you are looking to add another aquarium in Texas I would probably do the San Antonio Aquarium. I have not been, but it seems better than Houston, which is really just a small part of a downtown amusement area. It is a small for profit aquarium akin to the Sea Life aquariums around, but it seems to review well.

I personally would recommend skipping San Antonio Aquarium. I’m leery about supporting any of the Covino aquariums. There have just been so many complaints filed about poor animal care and inappropriate visitor contact with animals that I wouldn’t want to support them.

 

[Postal]

That sounds like a great trip. I really liked DWA myself, it is a rather unique facility for the US. Personally I would not make a stop at Houston Downtown Aquarium. I went a couple of years ago and found it very underwhelming. The Houston Natural Science Museum is beside the zoo, and a really cool place. While not a zoo, if you are in Houston it is a nice stop.

If you are looking to add another aquarium in Texas I would probably do the San Antonio Aquarium. I have not been, but it seems better than Houston, which is really just a small part of a downtown amusement area. It is a small for profit aquarium akin to the Sea Life aquariums around, but it seems to review well.

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like DWA stays based on multiple opinions. I'll dig a little deeper into the Downtown Aquarium.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I personally would recommend skipping San Antonio Aquarium. I’m leery about supporting any of the Covino aquariums. There have just been so many complaints filed about poor animal care and inappropriate visitor contact with animals that I wouldn’t want to support them.

Thanks for the information, I was not aware of that.

In light of that, maybe Natural Bridge in San Antonio or Austin Nature and Science Center if you want to hit a place in Austin. The ANSC is pretty cool, and the location right in Zilker Park in downtown Austin is nice.

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like DWA stays based on multiple opinions. I'll dig a little deeper into the Downtown Aquarium.

 

[nczoofan]

Thanks for the information, I was not aware of that.

In light of that, maybe Natural Bridge in San Antonio or Austin Nature and Science Center if you want to hit a place in Austin. The ANSC is pretty cool, and the location right in Zilker Park in downtown Austin is nice.

I would second these ideas. Having lived around Austin the Nature Center is small but in a wonderful location on the lake. If you have time a walk along the lake and maybe a visit to the endless food trucks would be a good idea

Natural Bridge is great as well. I went earlier this year and its such a beautiful site and while not having too many rare species, it definitely has a better collection that most safari parks.

As well NB can be paired with nearby Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels. Its a lot more functional of a space but has over 100 species of reptile on display, including dozens of rarely seen venomous snakes. Realistically you could do all these things in a single day if planned well.