Visiting a zoo to see and learn about exotic animals is one of a family’s best plans! But zoos aren’t the only places where you can see animals. Texas has a great variety of venues where you can enjoy a lovely day doing this activity, such as aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, farms, and more! We have created a list of the 25 best places to see animals in Texas, from exotic to native species, you will want to visit them all!
Where: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM. Last entry at 6 PM. Open 7 days a week.
Feed giraffes, see cheetahs, sea lions, bears, and more!
The Houston Zoo inspires action to save wildlife, while you get to see these amazing species up-close. One of the best places to see animals in Texas!
Where: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76110, USA
Hours: Weekday Hours (Mar. 2 – July 5): 10 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday | Weekend Hours (Mar. 2 – July 5): 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday &Sunday | July 6 – Oct. 25: 10 AM to 5 PM Daily.
Home to more than 500 animal species including 72 species of mammals, 148 species of birds, and 172 species of ectotherms, Fort Worth Zoo offers many great exhibits for the entire family to enjoy a great day!
Where: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736, USA
Hours: Regular Hours (February 1 – October 31): Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM – 5 PM | Open Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:30 AM – 6 PM | Winter Hours (November 1 – January 31): Open daily from 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Austin Zoo assists animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation, and education.
See more than 300 animals including exotic species as well as Texas natives such as goats, pigs, donkeys, and more!
Where: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
San Antonio Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals and many different amazing species!
The entire family will enjoy this special place that protects animals and educate the community.
Where: 650 South R L Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203, USA
Hours: MARCH 1 – OCTOBER 27 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
This 160-acre zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and 400 different species!
Learn about the animals, feed giraffes, enjoy birds landing, and more! Meet all the amazing species and have a fun family day.
Where: 13530 US Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750, USA
Hours: OPEN DAILY: 10 AM- 8 PM
Experience everything that the sea has to offer!
Enjoy interactive experiences, hand-feed sharks, rays, birds, and fish, and discover amazing interactive exhibits! The entire family will have so much fun. One of the best places to see animals in Texas!
Where: 3203 Farm to Market 1960 Road East, Humble, TX 77338, USA
Hours: Open 10 AM Daily.
This lovely 15-acre farm features 12 petting zoo barns, pony rides, train ride, swimming pool, and many other activities that kids will love!
Kids can have fun in the playgrounds, and the whole family can interact with amazing farm animals!
Where: 23231 County Road 48, Angleton, TX 77515, USA
Get ready to have a great and different experience!
See crocodiles and alligators swimming and sunning and enjoy feeding demonstrations. You will also have the chance to see snakes, lizards, and turtles!
Where: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266, USA
Experience an African Safari, Texas-style!
Explore 450 acres of rolling hills, oak trees, and witness the behavior of over 500 exotic, native, and endangered animals. This safari drive-through offers close animal interactions for the entire family to enjoy!
Where: 4001 E Paisano Dr, El Paso, Texas 79905, USA
Hours: Open Daily | Admission Gate 9:30 AM – 4 PM | Zoo Grounds 9:30 AM – 5 PM
El Paso Zoo sits on 35 acres of adventure and fun and is home to many exotic animals from all around the globe!
It’s a great option to take the kids as they can learn about many animals, enjoy the Foster Tree House Playground, African Star Train, and more!
Where: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Hours: Exhibits Hours of Operation: Sunday – Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM | Ride Hours of Operation: Sunday – Thursday 10 AM – 8 PM | Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM
This 6- acre entertainment and dining complex is a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland!
See over 300 species of aquatic animals, enjoy amazing exhibits, rides, and games! A family’s favorite place! One of the best places to see animals in Texas!
Where: Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin, Texas 78754, USA
Hours: Open 10 AM to 5 PM. Thursday through Sunday. Guided tours are offered Monday to Friday with advance reservations.
At Pioneer Farms, besides getting up-close with amazing animals, you will also walk into five themed historic areas, including a German Emigrant Farm, a Tonkawa Indian Encampment, a Cotton Planter’s Farm, a Texian Farm, and a rural village called Sprinkle Corner.
The entire family will experience Texas history!
Where: Dewberry Farm, Farm to Market 362, Brookshire, TX, USA
Families can enjoy pony rides, as well as an 8-acre corn maze, 50 attractions, eating spots, seasonal live entertainment, and music!
There’s something for every member of the family at Dewberry Farms!
Where: 110 N Garcia St, Port Isabel, TX, USA
Hours: Open daily – 10 AM – 3 PM | CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY
This amazing experience will allow seeing dolphins playing in their natural habitat.
You can also get to see rescue animals such as a giant tortoise, iguana, and fish! The place doesn’t have dolphins in captivity, but if you’re lucky you’ll get to see them!
Where: 2203 West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75702, USA
Hours: March 1 – Labor Day: 9 AM – 5 PM. Exhibits close at 6 | After Labor Day – February: 9 AM – 4 PM. Exhibits close at 4:30 PM
Caldwell Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals including zebras, giraffes, alligators, black bears, and more!
Explore the African Savanna, North, and South American habitats, and learn many new things!
Where: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX, USA
Hours: Open 9 AM – 5 PM daily | Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
From the rainforest exhibit where you will see exotic birds, to the aquarium part which displays marine life, you will love to visit the Dallas World Aquarium!
Discover amazing exhibits and learn about exotic animals!
Where: 1701 North 4th Street, Waco, Texas 76707, USA
Hours: Monday through Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM | Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
At this amazing place, you will see more than 1700 animals and over 300 species in their natural habitat.
This 52-acre zoo features views of native vegetation, waterfalls, a lake, and ponds. Don’t miss the chance to visit this beautiful place. One of the best places to see animals in Texas!
Where: 17552 Farm to Market Road 14, Tyler, TX 75706, USA
Hours: Open daily 10 AM- 5 PM. Last tour at 4 PM | Closed the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day Labor Day, Thanksgiving, December 24th, 25th, and 26th
This animal sanctuary is home to over 40 rescued big cats and other endangered species.
You can take a tour and learn about the species and how can you help ensure their future. Meet the majestic felines with the family!
Where: 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, Texas 78636, USA
See more than 700 animals from 80 different species.
You can feed and socialize with animals such as the American Bison, Scottish Highlanders, Zebras, and more! Enjoy an informative tour, have a close-up encounter with the babies at the petting zoo areas, and have a great family day!
Where: 500 E Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
Hours: Open every day of the year from 9 AM until 5 PM with extended summer hours.
You will get to see over 1,500 animals and explore 31 acres of tropical plants.
This zoo is dedicated to preserving nature through education, conservation, and healthy outdoor recreation.
Where: 945 County Road 118, Copperas Cove, TX, USA
Hours: March- September: Guests Admitted 9 AM- 5 PM. Guests Admitted 9 AM- 5 PM | October- February: Guests Admitted 9 AM- 4 PM. Everyone must be gone by 5 PM.
At Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive-Thru Safari visitors are able to get up-close and personal with the incredible exotic animals!
You and the family can enjoy these 350 acres of adventure and fun!
Where: 110 Memorial Drive, Victoria, TX 77901, USA
Hours: Sunday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
See over 100 species of animals both exotic and native, many of them are rescued animals that could not be returned to the wild.
Visit the Texas Zoo and spend a great family day connecting to the wild! One of the best places to see animals in Texas!
Where: 2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, TX, USA
Hours: Winter Hours: November 1 – March 7. Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM – 3:29 PM | Cafe: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Nature Store: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Children’s Animal Center: 10 AM – 4 PM | Park Closes: 5:30 PM | Spring/Summer/Fall Hours: March 8 – October 31. Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Cafe: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Nature Store: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Children’s Animal Center: 10 AM – 4 PM | Park Closes: 6:30 PM.
Take a tour with the family at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and get to meet some amazing animals.
Located on 1,800 acres, Fossil Rim is home to many animals such as kudu, cheetah, addax, rhinos, and more!
Where: 10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Families have an amazing time seeing and learning about marine animals at SeaWorld!
You will get to experience close-up encounters, enjoy thrilling rides, performances, and so much more, all in one place!
Where: 7112 Newcastle Street, Bellaire, TX 77401, USA
Hours: Discovery Rooms: Tuesday – Friday (closed Monday) Noon – 5:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday 10 AM – 5:30 PM | Nature Discovery Center Office: Tuesday – Friday (closed Monday) 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Russ Pitman Park5 AM to 9:30 PM Daily.
The family can connect with nature and explore prairie grasses, tall pecans, native understory, and wide lawns that are home to many animals.
This interactive hands-on approach to learning will awaken children’s natural curiosity!
