This week for our young at heart adventure as we like to refer to them, we visited the Austin Aquarium.
This place definitely fits into Austin's famous tag line, "Keep AUSTIN Weird." It is in fact, of all places, located in a shopping center. Yes, you read that correctly, a shopping center at 13530 US 183 #101, next to a Salvation Army store. If that's not weird enough for you, try this on for size, I have fondly named it the liquid zoo.
But who says weird can't be fabulous? Because the Austin Aquarium is. From the moment you arrive, you are greeted by friendly staff, some of which work for fruit and nuts.
Austin Aquarium is not your typical marine life aquarium if you hadn't guessed that by now. Besides an abundance of marine life, including jellyfish, tiger fish, clownfish, sea horses, octopus, sharks, a stingray petting pool, and my favorite the koi pond, they also have huge avian, mammal and reptile exhibits.
Throughout the day the zookeepers pull different animals from exhibits and walk through the aquarium with them. They educate guests about the species, allow them to touch them and take photos with them, and on some occasions, you can hold one. Houston the boa constrictor is a fan favorite. They also stage bird shows twice a day with a cockatoo named King Louie and a couple of very smart macaws, including one named Sammy who plays basketball and makes a slam dunk almost 100% of the time.
The aviaries have a large variety of birds. You can purchase seed and go inside, have a seat on one of the benches and in no time at all, you will have dozens of new friends. Well, at least until your birdseed runs out.
The mammal exhibits are amazing. They have kinkajous, coatimundis, ringtail lemurs, sloths, black and white ruffed lemurs, and red-ruffed lemurs. These exhibits are also interactive.
If you visit the ruffed lemurs, you might even get a friendly wave from one named Rafiki.
The lemur exhibit is one of my favorite interactions. They are boisterous, joyful, curious creatures, and it's an experience you won't ever forget.
So whether you are actually young, or you are young at heart like us, the Austin Zoo is a great place to spend a day at any time of the year.
If you follow their social media accounts, they often have contests for free tickets, animal encounters and occasions even parties are included.
Useful links
https://www.austinaquarium.com