SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
Located in Grapevine, a suburb of both Dallas and Fort Worth, this aquarium is the fourth United States location for this British-based chain. The 45,000 square foot attraction contains thousands of aquatic creatures, plus interactive touch pools and a panoramic ocean tunnel. It is a great way to introduce kids and teens to the wonders of marine life. Learn more here in Grapevine, Texas.
The aquarium features 280 different species of sea animals, including stingrays and turtles, polar bears, dolphins and penguins. Visitors can interact with these animals in one of the many encounters, which allow them to touch and hand-feed the animals with specially prepared food. In addition, guests can learn about pollination and see how a garden works through the SEA LIFE Pollinator Garden exhibit.
There are also a variety of exhibits that showcase exotic saltwater sea creatures from around the world, along with native freshwater creatures. The highlights include Stingray Bay, Rainforest Adventure and the Piranha Tunnel. There is also a kaleidoscope of color in the Clownfish Caves and an underwater city in the Shark Tunnel.
Each habitat has a distinct feel and is grouped by region or theme. The theming is reasonably well done considering it is a mall-based aquarium and does not feel cheap or temporary. The signage is geared for young visitors but is not so dumbed down that older children won’t be interested.
The only negatives are the cramped spaces and the dim lighting in some areas. It can be tough to navigate the aquarium on a busy day and the one-way route through the exhibits can cause frustration when trying to revisit favorites. It can also be a challenge to maneuver through the attraction with strollers and wheelchairs.
If you are a local, you can save money by purchasing an annual pass to the aquarium. This will allow you to visit the aquarium for free and to get discounted tickets for your friends and family when they visit. The aquarium is open to the public from Sunday to Friday and the annual pass is good for visits on these days.
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is part of the larger Grapevine Mills Mall complex, which includes more than 300 stores and several full service restaurants. It is an excellent place to stop for a fun family outing or to combine with a trip to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, which is next door.
SEA LIFE Grapevine is open from 10am to 7:30pm Monday through Saturday and from 11am to 5:30pm on Sunday. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can expect crowds during school breaks, summer and the holidays. It is possible to book a group or private experience at SEA LIFE Grapevine. Reservations are not required, but are recommended for groups of 20 or more. You can reserve your tickets online, by phone or in person. The aquarium is located at 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051. It is about 17 miles from downtown Dallas. There is ample free parking at the mall or nearby street locations. Learn more information about Grapevine Vintage Railroad Tours and Activities.
