Discover the eerie world of jellyfish at the Texas State Aquarium.
Whatadonation! A $1 million donation from Whataburger to the Texas State Aquarium will be used to build a 4D theater as part of an upcoming expansion. The aquarium will be doubling its capacity by adding a "Caribbean Journey" extension that will cost $50 million. The facility is expected to open by 2017. The theater will be named after Grace Dobson, a member of the Whataburger founding family. Whataburger is headquartered in San Antonio, but began as a roadside stand in Corpus Christi more than 50 years ago. The 24-year Texas State Aquarium recently ranked as the 2nd most popular aquarium in the nation in a USA Today readers' poll. USA Today included in in a list of the top 10 aquariums in the country, which readers were given a chance to vote on. “This is going to be a multi-level, highly immersive, state-of-the-art experience,” said Aquarium President & CEO Tom Schmid of the proposed Caribbean Journey. "The new wing will be significantly larger than the original Gulf of Mexico exhibit building." H-E-B donated $3 million toward the expansion in July. The new wing is expected to bring in an additional 150,000 visitors a year. Currently, about half a million people visit the aquarium annually. Built to the right side of the lobby, the four-level facility will be the largest expansion in the aquarium's 24-year history positioning the facility as a national leader in advancing conservation efforts and showcasing marine research. It will also provide entertaining and educationally enriched programs. The final project will include:
- Sharks, tropical Caribbean fishes, birds and reptiles
- Hands-on exploration and interactive exhibits
- The only 4D theater in South Texas
- New Center for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education
Already, more than half the money needed has been raised.
