Seattle Aquarium

Visitors to the Seattle Aquarium can view exhibits showing off animals like jellyfish, sea otters, octopus, puffins, seals, and an array of fish. You might plan your visit around a daily-occurring activity, such as octopus feeding, diver shows, children’s story time, and talks on various ocean science topics.

Visitors must purchase a ticket to enter, with discounts available for children, seniors, active military, and disabled visitors. A CityPASS card—a 5-attraction ticket that includes the aquarium, plus skip-the-lines entry—is also available. Or, see the aquarium along with other highlights in a short city tour.

• The Seattle Aquarium appeals to many types of travelers, including families with kids and ocean science buffs.

• The Seattle Aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and there are ASL interpreters and sighted tour guides for deaf, blind, and visually impaired groups.

• Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture your unforgettable memories here.

The Seattle Aquarium is located at 1483 Alaskan Way, on Pier 59, just below Pike Place Market. If you drive, there’s 4-hour metered parking along Alaskan Way, and numerous parking garages a short walk away. King County Metro bus 99 stops on Alaskan Way in front of the aquarium.

The best time to visit the Seattle Aquarium is weekdays and weekends after 2pm. Summers tend to be the busiest time to visit, with fewer visitors on winter weekdays.

Nearby Pike Place Market’s historic collection of shops and restaurants can help fill a day in Downtown Seattle. The ferry terminals along the waterfront, a short walk from the Seattle Aquarium, whisk passengers to Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, and West Seattle.

Booking tickets to the Seattle Aquarium in advance is a good idea. All admission to the aquarium is based on timed entry, and the most popular times sell out. Buying tickets in advance can be a money-saver, too, as the aquarium’s demand-based prices tend to rise over time.

Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours at the Seattle Aquarium. You might spend longer, however, if you’re attending a scheduled activity. These have start times spread throughout the day, with options including marine mammal feeding, sea otter feeding, harbor seal encounters, and presentations on Washington State marine habitats.

The quietest times at the Seattle Aquarium are on non-holiday weekdays and weekends after 3pm. When booking timed-entry tickets to the Seattle Aquarium online, you can see how many available slots are left for any given hour. The aquarium will likely be busy if just a handful are available.

No, you can’t bring outside food and drink into the Seattle Aquarium. Water bottles are OK, and stations for refilling them are available throughout the facility. Serving coffee, drinks, and made-to-order drinks, the Seattle Aquarium Café is open daily, and a wide range of eateries are located within walking distance.

Yes, you can bring water into the Seattle Aquarium. In fact, it’s a good idea to bring a bottle along because refill stations are located throughout the aquarium. Other outside food and drink are not allowed inside, but you can find refreshments and made-to-order meals at the Seattle Aquarium Café.

Yes, you can bring your bag or backpack to the Seattle Aquarium. If you bring one along, however, you should be prepared to carry it around during your visit. While the aquarium does have a coat check, there are no facilities for storing bags or luggage.