Seattle Aquarium

About

The Seattle Aquarium has been a cornerstone of the city's waterfront since 1977, sitting at Pier 59 on Elliott Bay with views of Puget Sound through its gallery windows. AZA-accredited and a member of the American Humane Society and IUCN, it focuses primarily on the marine ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest — the Salish Sea, Puget Sound, and Pacific Coast. A major expansion culminated in the opening of the Ocean Pavilion, a third building that houses large-scale exhibits on open ocean habitats and the creatures that live in them. The original Pier 59 galleries remain home to the aquarium's signature Window on Washington Waters exhibit, a 120,000-gallon tank displaying a recreated Northwest coastal reef, and the beloved sea otter habitat, where rescued southern sea otters can be observed year-round. The Seattle Aquarium places a strong emphasis on conservation action. Its pinto abalone recovery program works to breed and reintroduce the critically endangered shellfish to Puget Sound. Research partnerships focus on kelp forest monitoring, plastic pollution impacts, and sea turtle rehabilitation in collaboration with partners along the Pacific Coast. For families and learners, the aquarium offers Homeschool Opportunities programs throughout the year, Beach Naturalist encounters along the waterfront, Toddler Time for the youngest visitors, and the Cedar River Salmon Journey event each fall. The Connections Program provides community access partnerships with libraries and social service organizations to ensure affordability for underserved families.

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