Texas State Aquarium Promo Codes & Coupons May 2026

A day at the Texas State Aquarium can get expensive fast if you aren't careful with the logistical details. Standard hours run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. To beat the heavy crowds, aiming for a weekday arrival right at 10:00 AM is usually your best bet. The outdoor H-E-B Splash Park opens slightly later at 11:00 AM, but keep in mind it operates on weekends only during transitional seasons and shuts down fully for winter. Pack swimsuits and towels in a backpack so you don't have to hike back to the car.

Parking will cost $7 per vehicle at the lots near the facility. If you drive an electric car, there is a single free Level 2 EV charging spot with a J1772 adapter located in the lot next to the USS Lexington exhibit. It delivers about 7 kW of power. Just keep a quarter handy in your console, as you might need it to feed the municipal exit gate when leaving that specific section of the lot.

One thing to keep in mind is the strict food policy. The staff will check bags at the gate, and they don't allow outside food, drinks, or coolers inside the building. To avoid paying premium prices at the on-site grills and cafes, pack a cooler and leave it in your vehicle. The good news is that admission tickets allow all-day re-entry. When the kids get hungry, just walk to the information desk, get your hand stamped, and head to the front lawn for a picnic. It saves a bundle, though you should know the grass area doesn't have any shade or benches.

If you need wheels for the little ones, you are welcome to bring your own stroller. If you prefer to rent, single strollers cost $6 and doubles are $8 on a first-come, first-served basis. Manual wheelchairs are available at a $0 fee tier, meaning they are free if you grab one early.

Buying tickets right at the walk-up window is an easy way to blow your budget, costing $49.95 for adults and $36.95 for kids ages 3 to 12. Purchasing advance online tickets naturally saves about $3 to $5 per pass. Kids 2 and under don't cost a dime. If you plan to visit twice in a year, standard annual memberships start at $89 and pay for themselves quickly, especially since they throw in free parking and 10% off food.

Before checking out on the official site, look at your affiliate options. Entering the online promo code TxsBridge123$ drops adult tickets to $41.95, children's tickets to $31.95, and military passes to $39.95. If you use Members 1st Credit Union, logging in through their partner link with the password Members123$ bypasses the code box to apply direct savings.

Honestly, military families get a solid deal. Active duty and veterans get $5 off regular admission at the gate with a valid ID. You can also use ID.me on the site to verify your service online and get a unique checkout code. While there isn't a permanent standalone student discount, the aquarium runs promotional student pricing around holidays like Christmas. For AAA members, don't look for a discount at the window; you have to buy your passes ahead of time through the AAA discount page.

If you live locally or hold a zoo membership elsewhere, check these rules:

• Members of participating AZA facilities get 50% off admission for up to 2 tickets, but you must buy on-site with your physical card and ID.
• Lone Star Days run from October 1 through February 28, offering $3 tickets for local cardholders from counties like Nueces or Aransas. You can buy up to 4 tickets at the booth with a matching state ID, though holidays like President's Day are blacked out.
• A Party of Two membership costs $320 and lets you leave the second slot open for rotating guests. You can also use a subscription plan that breaks the cost into 11 monthly payments.