Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas (must see)

The use of "aquarium" in the name is a little misleading, as there is much more than fish and creatures of the water to be found here. Starting out on the 3rd floor, in the reproduced rainforest, you'll get to see a large number of birds, sloths, anteaters, monkeys, reptiles and amphibians; there is even a wild cat habitat that changes every few years. Though somewhat labyrinthine, the layout is quite beautiful, with winding paths and overhanging plants allowing for multiple photo opportunities. With no guiding signs to follow, your best bet is to follow the map in the provided brochure.

Going deeper down the path, the aquarium portion of the facility features ten panoramic windows into 85,000 gallons of saltwater exhibits, each designed to take you to a different aquatic locale: Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, British Columbia, the Bahamas, Fiji, Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and the Solomon Islands. An additional 22,000- gallon walk-through aquarium, recently renovated, puts visitors in the middle of reef life native to the Continental Shelf, including an unusually large number of stingrays. At some point, you will eventually come back out to be greeted by flamingos and stand above a shark tank. It's like a winding maze that leads you through all the levels of this vivarium. Enjoy the adventure!

Tip:
There might be fewer people on weekdays or off-season if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace and really get your money's worth. At other times, arrive early to get a jump on the crowds!