- Hours: Open 365 days a year
- Reservations: Not required
- Cost: Entrance fee
- Location: On the waterfront
- How Long: Allow two hours, more if you have kids along
- Best Time to Visit: Any time
While the Seattle Aquarium isn't as large or impressive as some others, it's a pleasant stop, especially for children. Their collection includes a giant octopus, and their marine mammals include not just the obligatory sea otters and sea lions, but also fur seals. Each September, you can watch salmon return to spawn via their indoor salmon ladder.
Docents abound, stationed at almost every exhibit, and as do activities created just for the kids. In special exhibits, they can feel a wolf eel's teeth or shake hands with an octopus, or they can find out what real starfish and sea urchins feel like in the touching pool. One of the kids' favorites is in the underwater viewing area, where they can don fake diving gear and fins and run around pretending they're underwater.
The IMAX Theatre is located next door to the Seattle Aquarium. If you plan to go to both, buy a combo ticket to save money.
Getting to the Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium1483 Alaskan Way (Pier 59)
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 386-4300
www.seattleaquarium.org From downtown, walk down to the waterfront by going down through Pike Place Market and then down the Pike Street Hillclimb. Or take the Waterfront Streetcar (Metro Route #99) from the International District, Pioneer Square or along the Waterfront.
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