Dallas World Aquarium

Not to be confused with the Dallas Aquarium in Fair Park [1], the Dallas World Aquarium (1801 N. Griffin St., 214/720-2224, www.dwazoo.com [2], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, open at 9 a.m. Mar.–Aug., $20.95 adults, $16.95 seniors, $12.95 children 3–12) is an interesting combination of aquarium and zoo, with monkeys scurrying overhead and sharks lurking nearby.

Exotic plants and creatures from around the world contribute to the sense of being transported to another habitat, especially the exhibit titled “Predators” that features animals from the top of the food chain.

The aquarium’s highlight is a 22,000-gallon tunnel with a panoramic view of underwater reef life from the Continental Shelf. Ten 2,000-gallon tanks contain marine animals and plants from diverse global locales such as Southern Australia, Fiji, the Bahamas, British Columbia [3], Sri Lanka, and Japan.