We finally made it to the Dallas World Aquarium, and let me tell you—it’s not your average aquarium. Sure, there are fish, but there’s also a full-blown rainforest tucked inside. Think misty air, vines overhead, waterfalls, and a surprising number of animals giving you the side-eye as you wander past.

The flamingos were our welcome committee. Bright pink, loud, and showing off like it was their personal runway.

Then things got serious—croc serious. One sprawled lazily on a rock like he owned the place, while another was practically invisible in a pool of dark water.

I was more impressed with its camouflage than any “Don’t feed the crocs” sign.

Next up, a pair of spectacled owls staring like we owed them money. Across the way, a tarantula the size of a dinner plate crept around its enclosure (I was fine admiring from a safe distance).

A massive catfish swam by, looking like it had survived three lifetimes and a couple of bar fights. And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get weirder, a tiny monkey swung down and stopped to give us a once-over, as if deciding whether we were interesting enough to bother with.

The Amazon exhibit is where the reality check hit. It’s stunning, but also a reminder that the rainforest is basically nature’s version of “Are you sure you want to be here?” Crocs, snakes, giant bugs, birds with beaks that look like weapons—and even the frogs are dangerous. Cute? Yes. Potentially poisonous? Also yes. After that, I decided to cross “backpacking through the Amazon” off my bucket list. Teddy Roosevelt barely made it out alive—what chance do I have?

That’s the beauty of the Dallas World Aquarium, though. You get to experience the thrill and awe of the wild without actually risking your life. Families were wandering through, kids pointing at monkeys and crocs, parents trying to keep their cool. Everyone gets to feel like an explorer for a day.

And because no good adventure is complete without food, we stopped at Jeng Chi in Richardson on the way home. Dumplings were calling our name, and Jeng Chi always delivers. Soup dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, steamed dumplings—you name it. The only “problem” is that the menu is so huge you need a group of six just to do it justice. Still one of our favorite places, though.

So, if you’re looking for a day trip idea: start with the rainforest (minus the actual danger) and end with dumplings (minus the guilt, because hey, you walked a lot). Not a bad way to spend a Saturday in Dallas.