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Explore Houston’s Downtown Aquarium: Educational Field Trips with All-Day Adventure Pass - Houston

Explore Houston’s Downtown Aquarium: Educational Field Trips with All-Day Adventure Pass

Houstoneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–4 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels, mostly walking on flat surfaces.

Overview

Discover Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, where engaging education meets thrilling aquatic exhibits. Perfect for school groups, this program combines TEKS-aligned lessons with unlimited access to marine habitats and amusement rides.

Houston, Texas

Field Trip Admission & Education Program • Tax Exempt

Minimum 10 Participants (Deposit Required)

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About This Adventure

Experience a captivating educational adventure at the Downtown Aquarium, featuring over 500 animal species! Tailored programs on topics like coral reefs and sharks engage students while aligning with TEKS standards. Enjoy unlimited access to exhibits and rides with the All Day Adventure Pass, making learning both fun and memorable!

Dive into an Ocean of Fun and Learning

Committed to education and conservation, the Downtown Aquarium is home to over 500 species of animals guaranteed to keep your students interested and engaged in learning!

Choose from a variety of program topics to enhance your experience - from coral reefs and sharks to rainforests and reptiles! All programs are TEKS-aligned and include a discounted All Day Adventure Pass, which grants unlimited access to the Aquarium Exhibit, Stingray Reef, and the amusement park (weather permitting).


Availability

  • Minimum of 10 participants.
  • Maximum of 150 participants.
  • Requires at least two weeks' notice.
  • Typically not available on Saturdays & Sundays or in the evenings. Please contact us directly to discuss availability outside regular Education Program hours.

Groups qualifying for discounted school admission rates include:

  • public, private, charter, and religious schools
  • homeschool groups
  • preschools
  • daycares
  • YMCA/YWCA
  • after-school programs
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • scout troops

Duration

Programs - 30 minutes per program Please Note: Program start times will be determined by our Education Department and will be based on classroom availability. Self Guided Tours - Varies; we recommend at least an hour and a half to tour the exhibits and ride the rides.

Check-In Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm Aquarium Exhibit & Stingray Reef: Opens at 10:00am Amusement Park: Opens at 10:30am Hours of operation are subject to change.


Rates

Education Program + All Day Adventure Pass Includes unlimited, all-day access to the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit, Stingray Reef, and all amusement rides - weather permitting. Stingray food is not included, but can be added to your reservation. Student (Ages 2 & Under): Free Student (Grades Pre-K to 12): $18.00 Teacher & Chaperone (Ages 18+): 1 Free Chaperone for Every 5 Students Additional Adult Chaperone (Ages 18+): $18.00 Bus Driver: Free with ID

PLEASE NOTE An additional 6% online booking fee will be added to the total by our online booking service. See FareHarbor's terms of service on the reservation page for more information.


Payments

  • A $100.00 deposit (plus online booking fee) is due at the time of booking.
  • After making your reservation online, you will receive a confirmation email with more details regarding your visit.
  • You must submit a SIGNED copy of a Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate to AquariumHouston@Ldry.com before the date of your field trip
  • Groups that do not submit a SIGNED Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate or NOT tax exempt in the state of Texas will have taxes added to their final bill.
  • Title 1 schools receive an additional $3.00 discount. You may be required to provide documentation of your school's Title 1 status.
  • If you must cancel your field trip, please do so via email (AquariumHouston@Ldry.com) at least 48 hours prior to your visit. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee.

Policies & Guidelines

  • Requires a deposit plus an additional online booking fee.
  • Groups must have a minimum of 10 students or you will be charged for a minimum of 10.
  • Programs with live animals are strictly limited to 5 back-to-back programs total, or 150 people (including students AND adults).
  • Our classroom's capacity is limited to 30 total participants (students and chaperones) per program. Groups with more than 30 participants will be divided into smaller classes. You will receive a detailed program schedule closer to your field trip date from our Education Department.
  • We are unable to guarantee specific animals for your program, but we will do our best to accommodate requests.
  • Students must be accompanied by an adult chaperone at all times.
  • The Downtown Aquarium reserves the right to end any program early if participants do not follow program guidelines or are not being respectful to the staff or animals.
  • Students may bring bag lunches and use outdoor picnic areas. Picnic areas cannot be reserved. There is no storage for coolers or bag lunches.
  • If you are interested in dining with us during your visit, please contact us to set up a restaurant reservation. Large reservations are strictly limited to 40 people (including students AND adults). Restaurant reservations are not guaranteed and are not available on Friday evenings or all day on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Free self-parking is provided only for school buses and marked vans. Buses will be asked to street park or park off-site, especially on busier days.

Adventure Tips

Book Early for Group Sizes

Reservations require at least 10 participants and a $100 deposit, so plan ahead to secure your preferred dates.

Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes

The aquarium and amusement areas span a large indoor-outdoor space—comfortable footwear enhances your visit.

Pack a Bag Lunch

Outdoor picnic areas are available but can’t be reserved; bring a lunch to enjoy between programs and rides.

Check Weather for Rides

Amusement rides are weather permitting; confirm conditions on your visit day for full experience.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Southern stingray
  • Atlantic nurse shark

History

The Downtown Aquarium opened in its current Houston location in 2003, revitalizing a historic city warehouse into a cutting-edge marine education center.

Conservation

The aquarium actively promotes marine conservation through education programs and by supporting local sustainability initiatives, emphasizing responsible ocean stewardship.

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Adventure Hotspots in Houston

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Essential for navigating exhibits and outdoor amusement areas with ease.

Reusable Water Bottle

Essential

Stay hydrated throughout the day while exploring the aquarium and outdoor spaces.

Sun Hat or Cap

Useful for protection during outdoor activities and while waiting outside.

summer specific

Light Jacket

Aquarium interior temperatures can be cool; a jacket keeps you comfortable.

fall specific