Seattle Aquarium is is the ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance, hosting over 27 million visitors since its opening in 1977. Conservation of the Puget Sound marine environment is reflected in Seattle aquarium exhibits, events, programs, and research activities.
The aquarium is a centerpiece of the City’s revitalized waterfront. Key features include an impressive 120,000-gallon exhibit and animals organized in several major exhibits that include coral reefs, shore birds, marine mammals, sea otters, sea turtles, harbor seals, and many more.
Through a long-term operating agreement with the City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, daily operations are managed by the nonprofit Seattle Aquarium Society—a model used by most leading zoos and aquariums across the country.
Sea otter – DepositPhotos.com
Visiting Seattle Aquarium
The aquarium includes both indoor and outdoor spaces. Dress for the weather or bring layers to maintain your comfort as you explore.
Location: Pier 59 on the central Seattle waterfront. Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
Parking: Pike Place Market Garage offers two free hours of parking with Aquarium voucher. Enter garage from 1531 Western Ave or 1901 Western Ave. Follow signs to the waterfront elevator and stairs. Metered parking is available along Alaskan Way and for up to four-hours.
Hours: Open daily, 9:30AM–6PM including all holidays except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Café closes at 4PM.
Regular admission: Adult $33.95.
Free and discount admission to Seattle Aquarium
- FREE admission with a Seattle Public Library Museum Pass (spl.org) or King County Library Museum Pass (kcls.org).
- FREE admission for museum members, plus other benefits. Pays for itself in three to four museum visits.
- DISCOUNT admission on selected days with advance online purchase tickets.
- DISCOUNT admission for WA residents.
- DISCOUNT admission for other select groups (such as Tribal Members. Military, Gold Card/Ageless Seattle, Disabled/Attendants, foster families, WA EBT/WIC recipients, and Groups).
- DISCOUNT admission with CityPASS Seattle ticket package.
Website: Seattle Aquarium
Selected events & programs at Seattle Aquarium
Beach Naturalist program. During summer low tides, the Beach Naturalist program takes place at beaches around the Puget Sound region, led by volunteer local residents who want to help protect our waterways. Beach naturalists can help you explore gently to keep animals and their homes safe. Check our list of Free guided low tide beach walks in summer – Greater Seattle on the Cheap
2024 Ocean Pavilion at Seattle Aquarium
The brand-new Ocean Pavilion is scheduled to open in 2024. Adjacent and just to the east of the current Seattle Aquarium, the Pavilion will create new public space and increase accessibility between Pike Place Market and the waterfront by connecting to Seattle’s new Overlook Walk.
The Pavilion’s public plaza will provide a view into its largest habitat, so anyone who passes through the park can witness a reef ecosystem without purchasing a ticket. The plaza will feature public art created by and honoring the Coast Salish people on whose traditional and contemporary territories the Aquarium resides.
Inside the Ocean Pavilion, you can explore the biodiversity of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle, featuring sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrasses and nearly 30 species of coral. You can also explore the depths and wonder of our ocean virtually, through state-of-the-art immersive digital storytelling.
More info: Ocean Pavilion | Seattle Aquarium
Sea anemone and clown fish at Seattle marine aquarium – DepositPhotos.com
But wait, there’s more!
- Find more tours & attractions in the Puget Sound region.
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.
Our calendar of free and cheap things to do
Listed below are all free and affordable events on our calendar for the next 30 days.
Carole Cancler says
Hi Alex, thanks for your question. We don’t have anything to do with the aquarium directly. You need to go to this page: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/page.aspx?pid=1037 and find a Community Ticket partner who might have a ticket for you. Or, Christmas is coming up, and perhaps someone in your family would consider tickets as a gift (if you can find a way to drop a hint). Good luck. I hope you and your family make it to the aquarium soon.
alex carter says
Hello there I’m trying to find coupons so that my husband and I can take our daughter to the aqarium. We live in grant count though and can’t really afford it because the trip over the mountains is so coastly. And I am a part time stay at home mom and my husband diesnt make more then minimum wage. Is there anything that is available to us?! My address is Po box 424 coulee city wa 99115
Thank you.