Things to do / Travel Guide
As you would expect from an area rich in wildlife, the northwest Washington and Cascades region is also rich in zoos and aquariums.
Zoo in Seattle, WA
Over 1,200 animals await you at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. Especially fun is the daytime elephant baths and the night exhibit, which features porcupines, sloths, fruit bats, and vampire bats. A neat grizzly exhibit lets you watch the big bears swim beneath the water. Kids will particularly enjoy Woodland Park Zoo's Bug World, filled to the brim with creepy crawlers from around the world—dung beetles, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, and giant African millipedes.
Aquarium in Seattle
As for animals that actually live underwater, the Seattle Aquarium lets you view the intriguing cycle of life experienced by salmon, and even watch as the fish jump up the aquarium's salmon ladder to spawn. You can even watch screens showing real-time images from beneath the aquarium pier. There are other educational presentations, tours, and boat rides that kids will love. As you can see, this is a special aquarium with many unique exhibits.
Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma
Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium showcases animals that come primarily from places like the Arctic tundra, southeast Asia, and the Andes Mountains, and underwater creatures like whales, sea otters, walruses, tufted puffins, and a huge display of killer sharks. There's also a petting zoo and a playground. An added perk for visitors is the stunning views of next-door Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.
Washington State Wildlife Safari
Go on a safari-like adventure as you're driven through Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. You'll see up to 200 North American animals representing more than 30 species roaming free. There's also a petting zoo that allows kids to get up close and personal with some of their furry friends. There are five miles of nature trails as well as many additional hands-on experiences for the kids at the Cheney Discovery Center.
Zoos and Aquariums in Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Washington and The Cascades
Zoos-Aquariums
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