The Seattle Aquarium is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. This iconic waterfront landmark is a must-see, particularly for families with children, although it's a great place to visit for anyone who wants to get a fascinating look at the area's spectacular underwater world. With its wide array of colorful marine creatures in award-winning exhibits and touch pools, guests of all ages and tastes are sure to find something to enjoy. One of the best ways to enhance your visit is to check out the host of sea life that can be found in the Pacific Northwest at the aquarium, and then head out on an adventure to see what you can find in the Puget Sound waters or in the tide pools along the state's breathtaking, rugged coastline.
Parking and public transportation
The aquarium is easy to get to by car or public transportation, located on Pier 50 on the downtown central waterfront. Inexpensive metered parking is available right across the street below the Alaskan Way viaduct. Metro Transit offers many bus routes that will bring you within a short walk of the aquarium, including Route 99, which stops directly in front of the building.
Best and worst time to go to the Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is open every day of the year except Christmas Day at 9:30 a.m., with the last entry accepted at 5 p.m. and exhibits closing up at 6 p.m. The best time to get here is just after 2 p.m., when the crowds typically begin to thin out whether it's on the weekend or a weekday. Most visitors tend to arrive shortly after the aquarium opens, making it more difficult to get good views of the exhibits without having to bump elbows with others, particularly during the months of June, July and August.
Admission to the Seattle Aquarium
Admission to the aquarium ranges from about $15 to $22 depending on age with children three years old and under admitted free. Discounts are available for seniors, persons with disabilities and active military.
Must-Dos at Seattle Aquarium
Touching some of the fascinating creatures that live in the tide pools on the state's outer coast and the inland sea of the Puget Sound is a must. Visitors can feel the prickly spines of a sea urchin and discover the rough texture of a colorful starfish. The Underwater Dome provides the opportunity to be surrounded by fish and other creatures by heading down a short tunnel and stepping into a 360-degree tank filled with a variety of species, including sharks, sturgeon, vibrantly-colored rockfish, lingcod and more. The aquarium is also home to marine mammals, like playful sea otters and harbor seals that provide practically endless entertainment with their antics.
Other places to visit near Seattle Aquarium
With some of the city's best restaurants located just steps away from the aquarium, you might want to plan lunch or dinner around your visit to the aquarium. If you like fresh oysters, Elliott's Oyster House offers some of the freshest oysters around, while Ivar's Pier 54 Fish Bar serves up Seattle's famous bread bowl clam chowder as well as amazing fish 'n' chips. Argosy Cruises is located right next door to the aquarium, offering a variety of tours, including a narrated one-hour sightseeing tour that allows visitors to view many of Seattle's iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier from the glistening waters of Elliott Bay.
Insider tips for visitors to Seattle Aquarium
There are several indoor/outdoor open air areas of the aquarium that allow visitors to watch the seals and sea otters swim in the waters of the Puget Sound. If you're here on a nice day, walk out onto the dock and enjoy the fresh air, spectacular views and see these entertaining creatures in a less crowded environment.
Author's bio: K.C. Dermody is a travel writer living in the Seattle area with hundreds of travel articles both online and in print. She has traveled the world and is the author of 'Best Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to Ireland,' but especially loves showing off the beautiful region she resides in.
Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park, a 534-acre natural area that occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site, set atop Magnolia Bluff featuring two miles of protected tidal beaches, meadows, streams, forests, sand dunes and bluffs, as well as 12 miles of walking trails and 270 species of birds. This fabulous park is popular with locals and visitors alike, ideal for anyone of any age who enjoys the outdoors. History buffs, scenery lovers, explorers and bird watchers will especially appreciate this park.
Parking and public transportation at Discovery Park
Discovery Park hosts three main parking areas, the South Parking Lot, North Parking Lot and East Parking Lot. An alternative, as lots tend to fill quickly on the weekend, is to park on one of the neighborhood streets that lead to the park. As parking lots aren't near the beach, those who are physically unable to walk the distance, are over 62 years of age, as well as families with children younger than eight years old, are eligible for a permit for beach parking, available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center Tuesday thru Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's also easy to get here by taking the Metro Transit bus, routes 19, 24 or 33 from downtown.
Best and worst time to go to Discovery Park
If you're hoping to avoid crowds, weekends during the months of June, July and August are the worst time to go to Discovery Park. While this time of year typically brings pleasant weather, if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, visit on a week day if possible. You'll also have a good chance for sunshine and idyllic temps minus the crowds by visiting in late April through mid-May as well as mid-September through about mid-October.
Admission to Discovery Park
There are no fees to visit Discovery Park. If you're eligible for a beach parking permit, it's also free.
Must see/do at Discovery Park
This park is ideal for a picnic -– bring your lunch and enjoy the views after going for a hike. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail is suited for just about all fitness levels, an easy trek that passes through sand dunes and forests. You can also take one of the three different trails off Loop Trail to reach the beaches, Puget Sound and the lighthouse. Visiting the historic lighthouse, West Point Light, is a must too, with the grounds open to the public during regular park hours. Bird watchers may want to take one of the guided bird walks, offered at peak migration periods during the spring and fall.
Other places to visit near Discovery Park
Just a few minutes east of the park, you'll find the Ballard Locks, officially named the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, which provides a link for boats between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal. This is a great place to watch the parade of tugs, sailboats, barges, motorboats and yachts pass through, as well as to watch salmon swim through a fish ladder. If you want to pick up some fresh seafood, the Trident Seafoods retail store is just one-tenth of a mile away and offers some great deals. The Red Mill Totem House, a locals' favorite with fantastic fish n' chips as well as burgers, is also just steps away.
Insider tips to Discovery Park
Many visitor don't realize this is one of the best places near downtown Seattle for exploring tide pools. Check the tide tables and visit the rocky shores on the north beach about one to two hours before low tide, and you'll have the chance to view sea stars, moon snails, hermit crabs and more.
Author's bio: K.C. Dermody is a travel writer living in the Seattle area with hundreds of travel articles both online and in print. She has traveled the world and is the author of 'Best Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to Ireland,' but especially loves showing off the beautiful region she resides in.
Shoreline's Public Works Department, which is in charge of roads and traffic, responds to emergencies causes by significant weather events. When winter weather strikes, the City has five snowplows/sanding trucks and one grader to clear the roads. The department's duties also include engineering, capital projects, environmental services and maintaining facilities.
