It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest and Seattle are home to unique opportunities to connect to nature and have an unparalleled animal experience. Whether you’re looking for an adventure on the water with wildlife like whales and birds or a casual stroll through habitats featuring animals who call the Puget Sound home, here are our favorite local opportunities for animal encounters.
FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tours
For those who’ve added whale watching to their bucket list, an adventure on an FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour is the perfect excursion for you. Experience the ONLY half-day Seattle whale-watching tour that departs directly from Seattle at Pier 69. Enjoy a 3-5 hour (depending on sighting locations) adventure to the Salish Sea aboard the San Juan Clipper fast ferry as an expert naturalist helps you spot whales and other wildlife. Plan your trip online and book early for the best availability and pricing.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is the perfect place to start a day of animal and aquatic-themed fun. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that caring for and conserving the Puget Sound marine life and habitat is core to the Aquarium’s mission. On Pier 59, discover the Life on the Edge touch habitats, where you can get up close and personal with the many fascinating creatures that dwell in the tide pools of Washington state’s outer coast and inland sea. You can also get a snapshot of what lies beneath the surface of the Puget Sound in front of the 120-thousand gallon Windows on Washington Waters habitat. When you reach Pier 60, you’ll experience the Underwater Dome, a one-of-a-kind undersea dome with a 360 degree view into a 400-thousand gallon habitat filled with hundreds of Puget Sound fish! Walk outside and you’ll see mesmerizing marine mammals like sea otters and harbor seals, as well as coastal birds. Be sure to check out the schedule of daily activities like feedings and expert presentations for additional opportunities to learn more and explore!
The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion expansion opens on August 29, 2024! You’ll be able to discover the wonders of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle – a region in the Indo-Pacific so rich in biodiversity that it’s been called “the Amazon of the ocean!” You can be among the first to experience this one-of-a-kind, world-class, immersive experience with the largest tropical reef habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Get your tickets and plan your visit today.
Pacific Science Center
Pacific Science Center offers several interactive animal experiences for visitors exploring the wonder of science. One of the must-see exhibits is the Tropical Butterfly House. Step into the warm, humid, climate-controlled room (just as the butterflies love it!), and you’ll be surrounded by tropical plants and hundreds of butterflies, some quickly spotted, others more camouflaged. It’s a unique experience you won’t forget.
PacSci’s Salt Water Tide Pool also introduces guests to regional native marine animals, from sea stars to sea urchins and more. The water in the tank is the same temperature as Puget Sound – a chilly 12-degree Celsius!
PacSci has been educating and entertaining visitors for over 60 years since it opened as part of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Committed to educating generations of visitors about the scientific process, PacSci offers hands-on and interactive exhibits that spark curiosity. There is so much to do, see, and learn, so get your tickets and visit today!
San Juan Safaris
Some of the Pacific Northwest’s most famous residents are the wild Orcas that call the surrounding waters home! What better way to connect with nature than joining San Juan Safaris for a boat tour of the San Juan Islands in search of whales and other wildlife like the ever popular sea lion?! You’ll enjoy the stunning scenery and learn about the unique surrounding ecosystem from the experienced captain and marine naturalists on board as you cruise in search of orcas, sea lions, seals, native birds, and more! Choose from several boat tour options or even book a kayaking tour with San Juan Safaris. Get more info about the excursions, read helpful FAQs, and build your tour today!
Washington State Fair Events Center
The Washington State Fair Events Center hosts many entertaining animal experiences throughout the year. Enjoy events like the electrifying Puyallup Rodeo, Spring Fair, and the Washington State Fair with livestock exhibits and 4-H events or animal competitions like dog shows. There is something for everyone, so check out the events calendar and plan your visit.
Woodland Park Zoo
Over 800 animals and 250 species call Woodland Park Zoo home: African lions, zebras, orangutans, warty pigs, Malayan tigers, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, and so many more, including some of the world’s most critically endangered. When you explore the animal exhibits, you’ll notice different zones based on their habitats, from humid tropical rainforests and coastal deserts to temperate rainforests like those of the Pacific Northwest.
Visiting this award-winning zoo is the perfect way to spend the day in Seattle; everyone loves to take a trip there! Buy tickets online in advance to save time and money.
People of all ages find animal experiences enjoyable and memorable. They are an opportunity to learn about animals and how conservation efforts can help protect animals and their habitats for future generations.
