San Antonio Aquarium — Attraction in Leon Valley

When first arriving at the aquarium, it doesn't look like anything special. As it is nearly in the middle of San Antonio, it doesn't have the "aquarium vibe" I'm used to seeing from other aquariums. Actually, unless you're looking for it, it is very easy to miss.

Entering the aquarium, it is very understated. The front desk is functional and there aren't a lot of "aquarium" decorations. Moving around the corner, you are greeted by animatronic dinosaurs. These are interesting, as I forgot just how big dinosaurs were. It is also interesting to see the size difference between the pteradon and the pteradactyl.

Throughout the aquarium, LCD screens provide the usual explanations of the exhibit or short videos. Sometimes the screens weren't working correctly, and sometimes the slides transitioned too quickly to read. Sadly, the information provided was generally limited to the scientific name, area of habitat, and a sentence or two about the animal. With video screens available, I expected more information to be present, or maybe something that was interactive.

Past the dinosaurs, you go downstairs and get to see some of the fish. There is an open octopus tank; if you're lucky, you can touch it. That's one of the cool things about this aquarium, however; nearly every creature can be touched, from fish to birds and reptiles.

Past the initial fish tanks is a large room for children, namely for field trips and night-time sleep overs. Seeing this at first, I was expecting the aquarium to be geared towards children (which it is), but was pleasantly surprised later on.

Past the "kids' room" is the rest of the aquarium, the aviary, and the reptile area. There are also a number of other children-centric areas but, since I went to the aquarium alone, I didn't bother with them.

The fish tanks were great. I always enjoy the ray tank, and because you can purchase animal food, the rays were always near the surface so you could easily touch them. Same thing with the koi tanks. Food is also available for the birds and other animals.

In addition to the fish, a number of birds (primarily macaws and members of the *keet family) are on display, as well as being in large cages where you can feed them and take pictures.

The reptile area is interesting, as it has several constrictors, turtles, lizards, etc. There are also spiders and other non-reptiles as well.

Outside is the aviary, where you can feed the birds and tortoises, take a pony ride, and ride some small amusement park rides, such as a carousel and a roller coaster. Tokens can be purchased for the rides and animal food; I don't recall the prices, but you can purchase up to 100 tokens.

Finally, as you are getting ready to leave the aquarium, and before the gift shop, is the shark area. The shark tank has a number of sharks, such as the nurse shark, that you can touch. There is also a life-size white shark for photos. Next to the white shark is a "gold diggers" trough; you can purchase bags of dirt from the gift shop and see what treasure you can find.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the aquarium. I initially expected it to be very child-oriented, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. I easily spent an hour and a half there.

I do recommend looking at Google Maps to see when the busy times are. I got there just after it opened and it was getting crowded when I left. If you purchase your tickets online, you can save $3 and you can bypass much of the line. There is a play area outside, so bringing lunch wouldn't...

First time here and we did not expect this to be as disappointing as it was. We walked in to buy admission tickets and the ammonia and stench from all the animals hits you in the face like a ton of bricks. It smelled so bad. I immediately wanted to walk out and leave but my husband insisted we still try to make a day out of it still. The smell did eventually go away or we just got used to it, not sure. The price of admission for one adult was $25. They also sold tokens for petting/feeding the animals for an additional price. We didn’t want to purchase tokens originally but the staff members really pushed for us to buy some. It was only my husband and I so we bought 5 tokens to share between us. So our total for the day was about $75, which in my opinion was absurd (and you’ll see why)! As we walked around, we got to use our tokens to feed and pet some animals, which was cool! However…. We were not expecting to come up on staff members in fairy costumes and mermaid costumes throughout, blasting the High School Musical soundtrack over the speakers and also witnessing staff members in fairy costumes karaoke singing to a range of songs while pacing the exhibits. We were not expecting an unsupervised stingray/shark touching and feeding station. We were not expecting to see and interact with low and open koi fish tanks with no staff members around to supervise guests. We were not expecting having to walk through an arcade, ball pit and a bouncy castle area to get to the rest of the exhibits. We were not expecting to see 2 domesticated cats being apart of an exhibit. We were not expecting seeing so many empty tanks or seeing exhibits that were too small to house the animals within while they waited for an exhibit upgrade. We were not expecting to see so many exhibits with no signs or information regarding the animals that were placed in there. We were not expecting having to deal with clueless and rude staff members, but sadly we did encounter a few. There were apparently shows with posted times but when we asked a staff member where the shows were located so we could watch it, one staff member said “oh. I don’t know. I didn’t know we had shows here”. And another staff member shrugged his shoulders and said he was new. No announcement or nothing to guide you to the “shows”. How disappointing! We were not expecting to walk through the whole aquarium and hardly saw any information about any of the animals within, or any information in general about marine life, mammal life, plant life, etc.. And we were definitely not expecting to get done with the whole aquarium in 1 hour from start to finish. And that was with us stopping multiple times along the way to interact with some animals.

So in our opinion… was it worth the $75 we spent to get in? No. Absolutely not. Save your money and go elsewhere. Was it fun to interact with the animals? Yes. But again, not for the amount you pay for. I wouldn’t waste your time...

San Antonio Aquarium: An Unforgettable Experience for Families & Homeschooling Parents

If you’re looking for an incredible, hands-on experience that’s both fun and educational, the San Antonio Aquarium is absolutely worth every penny! Whether you’re a parent looking for an exciting day out with your kids or a homeschooling family searching for an immersive learning opportunity, this place has something for everyone.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a world of wonder—vibrant marine life, interactive exhibits, and opportunities to get up close with some of the most fascinating creatures. Unlike many traditional aquariums where you just observe from behind glass, the San Antonio Aquarium encourages interaction. Kids can actually touch and feed stingrays, interact with exotic birds, and even get hands-on with reptiles! It’s an experience that brings learning to life in the most exciting way.

For homeschooling parents, this is an absolute goldmine. The aquarium offers countless educational opportunities—children can learn about marine ecosystems, conservation, and animal behavior all while experiencing it firsthand. Seeing a shark or an octopus up close makes lessons on marine biology so much more engaging than just reading about them in a textbook. The interactive tide pools and knowledgeable staff provide even more chances for kids to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the aquatic world.

And it’s not just about sea life! The aquarium also has an incredible selection of birds, reptiles, and even some mammals, making it a well-rounded experience that covers multiple areas of science and wildlife education. Seeing your child’s face light up as they feed a tropical bird or watch a giant turtle swim by is truly priceless.

A Few Helpful Tips Before You Go: • The aquarium does have some traditional animal smells in certain areas. If you’re pregnant or sensitive to smells, I’d recommend waiting until after pregnancy to visit so you can fully enjoy the experience. • Since many of the exhibits are interactive (especially the touch tanks), you might get a little wet! Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that are okay to get damp. • Take your time—there’s so much to see and do, and it’s worth exploring every part of the aquarium!

What really makes the San Antonio Aquarium stand out is its affordability and the amount of hands-on activities included in the visit. Unlike many attractions where you feel like you’re constantly being upcharged, here you actually get to experience so much without breaking the bank. Plus, the staff is wonderful—friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to engage with kids and answer their curious questions.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting San Antonio, this is a must-see destination for families. It’s more than just an aquarium—it’s an adventure, a classroom, and an unforgettable experience all rolled into one.

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