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Seattle Aquarium
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Downtown
1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 386-4300
1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 386-4300
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
132 reviews for Seattle Aquarium
It's no Monterey Bay, but there is still quite a bit to do. It's a great place for kids, especially during the cold dreary Winter months. My family and I use to be members when we lived closer to the Seattle Waterfront and have spent many hours at Pier 59. There is always something new to see, perhaps something that you missed on a previous visit. Our last visit yielded quite an entertaining octopus.
My little one loves the hands on exhibit, "Life On the Edge." Its one thing to look, its even better to touch and yes; smell the sea life. "The Window On Washington Waters" was also quite captivating, especially during the diver shows.
My wife and I found the cafe to be surprisingly tasty and not to pricey. One annoyance are the individuals who have come to the aquarium on dates and who are bothered by the families and children visiting the aquarium. Hello, it's an aquarium! Maybe for your next date you should try a petting zoo or perhaps a playground...
The Seattle Aquarium isn't the biggest or best aquarium ever and probably should be better given that we are a city on the water. But I like it enough that I've brought a couple out of town guests there and visit about once a year. 3 Stars for the aquarium plus an extra one for being a place that promotes learning and teaches about wildlife conservation.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
-- Petting pools. I could spend hours touching the sea creatures. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, my palms always get itchy.
-- Highly knowledgeable staff. You can tell they love their jobs and care about the animals.
-- The jellyfish arch thing. Cool and unique.
-- Fish dome room. Another place I could hang out for a long time. Really neat to see the fish all around you and overhead. This tank also has a few sharks. Small ones but sharks nonetheless.
-- Otters. The sea otters are always vastly entertaining and adorable. On my last trip the river otters were awake and they were fun to watch as well.
-- Educational materials. Try to take the time to read and not just look. I think there are daily programs and learning activities as well.
THE LOWLIGHTS:
-- Really expensive for what you get. Can't really be considered "family oriented" since any this would be a costly outing for anyone with more than one kid. The Woodland Zoo is a better deal, IMO.
-- The recent remodeling seems to be limited to the front entrance area. The new wall of fish is cool but other areas still seem sadly outdated. The further away from the entrance, the older stuff gets.
-- Heavy reliance on posters, replicas, and videos of things the aquarium doesn't actually have. Seems like the money coulda been spent on more real exhibits.
-- Some of the animal habitats are a bit sad. Relative to their size, the river otters have an entire landscape, while the seals and sea otters are stuck in smallish pools.
NEEDLESS WARNING: Don't go here if you can't stand being surrounded by swarming throngs of children.
This is a really cute aquarium, and is very child friendly- so child friendly that sometimes you feel like a giant because things are so low to the ground (petting pool & bubble fish tanks), there are even a bunch of things with face cut outs to take pictures in :o)
Aquariums should be child friendly, but I will say that I was over children everywhere after being there for 5 minutes. I guess I was in museum mode and when kids are running around you, and then smooshing their faces up against the glass where you were just looking... it just doesn't feel academic or interesting anymore.
With that being said, the bird habitat is actually kind of cool and the otter habitat is the best. You can really see how interactive and emotional they are as animals, it's really cool. We even saw two otters floating on their backs holding hands just like that viral YouTube video.
It's no Monterey Bay aquarium (which is actually insanely large), but definitely worth going to.
We took the kids to the member's movie night at the aquarium and they loved it. Hot cocoa with the fixins, popcorn, and candycanes... oh boy! Oh and the movie was pretty good too. The kids got to play and meander through the aquarium before and during the movie. We were able to see Buster the octopus wander all over her home. She's a lot more active in the evenings compared to the day when we usually see her. Thank you to the nice man at the aquarium for helping one of our kids "pet" a crab. It made her day! We're looking forward to the next movie night!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2009
In conjuction with our zoo membership, we are also members of the aquarium. Great rainy day place… Read more »
I visited the Seattle Aquarium today and had a wonderful time. As with zoos, I am reticent to feel that aquariums are perfect - i prefer that animals live in the wild - but I understand the need aquariums and zoos fill. Interestingly, I don't have as much of an issue with aquariums, except where sea mammals are concerned.
Anyway...
Comparing aquariums is weird - I'm from Santa Cruz, CA, just up the road from Monterey and down the road from San Francisco. After growing up with those aquariums, I've learned not to compare, just enjoy each one for what they are. They can't all be the world's best, right?
That said, this one was pretty great. I've been to aquariums and zoos literally all over the world, and this one is a lovely place to spend half a day.
The first thing I saw when I walked in was a huge wall tank, and there was a diver feeding the fish and talking to the crowd and to her counterpart standing outside the tank. This is a personal soft spot for me - when I was four, we used to visit the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where they had a wall tank with divers who fed the fish, and I wanted to grow up to do that for a living. So of course, I stood, transfixed, watching this woman live my childhood dream. Awesome.
I walked through and touched all kinds of fun things in the tidepools, had great conversations with several workers about various animals there, watched the amazing puffins fly through the water, saw a baby seahorse (so tiny!), watched the sea otters play - I could go on and on. It was great. A lovely morning I thoroughly enjoyed. You really can't ask for much more from an aquarium.
It's not a huge place, but it's laid out very well, it's got interesting displays, there are no bullshit displays, and I loved it. I would absolutely recommend it.
Another wonderful place to visit in Seattle. This place is definitely more enjoyable if you bring a kid with you. My wife and I must have a baby in the horizon. Every place in Seattle we visited was kid-friendly. Maybe she is trying to tell me something. Hmmmmm
There are great exhibitions of all types of underwater life, jellyfish, big squids, orcas, sea lions, birds. Great for the kids.
Having been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium just prior to coming here, this one seemed like the little, little sister version.
The highlight of this aquarium for me were the sea otters. They are sooo cute.
Anyway, I'd say this place is great for kids because of its smaller size. It's a great little tourist spot to go to too since it's right on the water.
I like the little hands-on exhibit where you can touch the starfish and such. It always surprises me that they don't feel all squishy (that's a scientific term, by the way). The tentacle-y thingamajig (another scientific term) does feel squishy. I'm surprised I even touch them because it looks kinda freaky.
If you're in Seattle, it's place to go when you're at the pier.
My guy and I both thought the Aquarium would be fun for a Saturday afternoon date ... no such luck. The biggest problem was the place was full of families with small children. It was noisy, crowded and a little awkward. The otters are pretty cool, though.
*Please note, I have only reviewed this place as a potential date spot. For a more complete review of the Seattle Aquarium, check out what the other Yelpers have said.
I love aquariums. There are always so much cool things to see. This place may be small, but it has lots to see. Love, love, love the otters. I can spend hours watching them play. The touch pools are cool.
People, please stop complaining about the price. This is a non-profit. Money goes toward conservation and educational programs. Just enjoy this place for what it is.
Oh, for Star Wars fans, you gotta get a Sea Wars t-shirt.
It's small but perfect for our two year old....the tidal pools are especially sweet for little hands to touch, the floor to ceiling fish tank with a daily diver demonstration, the sea lions (we watched them eating on our last trip), and the really sweet otters which she is truly fascinated with at this age.
Thanks to the nice benefit of the prime card which cuts down the admission price, this has turned into a bi-weekend visit for our family.
While not as terrific as the Monterey Bay Aquarium (and really, what is?), the Seattle Aquarium deserves kudos for being charming, modern, and mellow. Low lights, a casual atmosphere, and a gift shop with reasonably priced kitsch made a welcome diversion for the day.
Lots of exhibits, but nothing huge, but the seals and otters were a terrific highlight. The talks were also good, and there was certainly much to see and learn. $16 is a little high, but certainly works to see. Funny enough, I see some home reef tanks with nicer decor, but the oddities are certainly fantastic. And again, the seals are adorable!
Nice small aquarium. It was definitely worth it for the Microsoft prime discount tix. The otters were freaking adorable.
It kinda sucked that they had some tanks really low to the ground for the kids (instead of normal height with step stools). It can be really hard for taller people to get down that low. Touch pools were neat, and the puffins were great fun speeding around with grass in their beaks.
It was small enough that we went through the aquarium in about 2hrs.
Considering Seattle is a city right on the water, you may expect their aquarium to be award-winning. I've been here twice and feel like the $16 entry free is too steep. There aren't as many exhibits as I've seen in other aquariums. In fact, it's quite small and there are more "exhibits" that are posters or photos of animals than actual exhibits featuring real animals and sea life. I do love the hands-on exhibit where you can touch sea cucumbers, sea stars, anemones, etc. I also enjoyed the Puget Sound exhibit where they have a display of local animal life from around the region. The octopus is cool too even though he's shy and not easy to get a great view of at times. Overall it's a good place to take kids but I do wish there was more to see to make the ticket price worth it.
This aquarium is good but eh, I would rather spend my money elsewhere. The only thing good about it were the cute acrobatic Sea Otters of which you would have to go outside, after muddling past through the maze of the amazingly corny fish tanks inside.
The fish tanks inside were mediocre and the "giant octopus" was anything other than "giant". After seeing on youtube about a 'giant octopus" here that had supposedly eaten a few sharks, I took my mom here to see it. That mediocre sized octopus of which they had kept in a pantry sized tank couldn't even fight itself out of a wet paper bag.
The tanks were dirty as hell too, so much that you wouldn't want to go grab a bite to eat anywhere after this. I meant fish poop everywhere. It was disgusting. I wouldn't recommend this venue for adults entertainment. Kids OK but nah to shit to do for adults.
Cool hands on ponds full of starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchin, sea weed, hermit crabs, etc. The water is very cold, so watch out. The sea otters are very cute.
Didn't see the giant squid. :(
My wife and i have been to alot of aqarium's and we really enjoyed this one. The seaotters where really cool and swimming all over the place. It seemed like this was one of the bigger ones we have been to. I didnt have the really huge aquarium like some other places but it did have a decent size one. We would come back again if we are in town
Lots of really tasty lookin' fishes.
Also, the coolest looking starfish I've ever seen.
Too many children for my tastes, but what else could I expect, it is an *aquarium* =).
We used to take field trips here as school kids and it was cool, then but then again, I WAS a kid. What did I know??
Now I have a kid of my own. We decided to take him here and I think my son got more enjoyment running away from me than he did any of the actual displays.
Firstly, why the hell is it $16??!???!???! I had no idea the place was THAT small so to charge THAT much for a place this small is ridiculous in my opinion.
And we went on a weekday thinking it wouldn't be so crowded. WRONG. I barely got a chance to see anything what with having to chase after my son and trying to peer between people's armpits since SOME people want to stand in front of displays for HOURS on end as if there aren't people behind them waiting to get a turn. Grrr, that pissed me off.
Seriously, there was a dude that just stood there w/ his camera for like an hour while everyone was trying to get a better look and he was just blocking everything. Talk about rude. .....
And the wildlife wasn't as impressive as I thought it'd be. I was disappointed to say the least.
I've seen better aquariums and tanks at the Point Defiance Zoo and the place offered more animals, better prices and less crowds. At least there people weren't hogging up the tanks and displays. Seriously, how long do you need to stare at some fish? Just take your fair share and move on so the people behind you can get a look too. Sheesh! Some people are seriously so rude nowadays...
I doubt I will be coming back again. I mean this is Seattle. Seattle is a fairly large city and we are right by the water. This aquarium seems pathetic in comparison to what we can REALLY offer =/ Plus I still think the price is ridiculous........
THE GOOD:
I love the touch pools, the large tanks with all kinds of fish, finally the great variety of animals
THE BAD:
Small for the price. The flow could be better.
THE LOWDOWN:
A must for those with kids. Can be part of a great and fun day doing things touristy, since it is so close to other touristy things in Seattle, and not large enough for an all day excursion. Being a transplant from the bay area, it isn't as good as the Monterey Aquarium, but it isn't bad.
The only reason for 4-stars is because I have been spoiled by Monterey, and its kinda small.
My visit was over before I knew it, this place is small compared to the aquariums I've visited in the past, but still a lot of fun. The octopus was cool, even if I could only see one tentacle, and the touch pools with the starfish and sea cucumbers are awesome! Friendly staff, informative documentation posted, and a beautiful view of the water from the outside balcony!
This was a nice aquarium. The had various exhibits and fish, mostly I've never seen. They had an "exhibit" where patrons can touch star fish and other sea creatures. I touched the starfish and it was scary. LOL! But I did take pics of other people touching the sea creatures. But it was cool for the aquarium to give patrons the opportunity to touch them.
Anyways, its a decent size aquarium and they have various sea animals and fish. I highly, highly, highly recommend everyone to check out the sea and river otters. They are the cutest thing. You seem them swimming on their backs and one was "taking a bath" for a long time. He was cleaning his eyes, scrubbing his back, stomach etc. They were too cute. This was the only exhibit where I spent more time at. Its a great place for families with young children.
This is out of my character but because of the sea and river otters I give this place 5 stars. I also like the jelly fish aquarium. I think its called "Sea of Life" or "Jellyfish of Life". You'll know when you see it.
The otters were the best! They have both ocean and river otters and both are ADORABLE. Boy do I love otters!
Another thing you must get: the "stud puffin" shirt in the gift shop. Awesome.
Everything else was pretty decent, but not a great aquarium. They have a good mix of fish, but not anything outstanding.
ANOTHER 4.5-er!
I PET A SEA URCHIN!!!!
there is an outdoor section which connects to the actual waterfront and you can tell how much seattle values nature, cleanliness and eco-friendly life
Its a small aquarium but every single foot is filled with fun fun fun!
Some aquarium windows were totally underutilized-- k'mon... putting nemo and dori??? give me giant turtle!
great for the parent to gather up the kids to PET A SEA URCHIN
and great for the tourist who wants to PET A SEA URCHIN!
I have been here a few times, both as a babysitter when I was younger and just today, took my own kids. It is a lot smaller than other aquariums I have been to but with younger children (4ish and under) it is just enough to be able to see everything before you have a whiny, clingy child asking to go home. The octopus is cool, you sure don't see that everywhere and they have a huge room with plenty of space for all the curious kiddos to 'pet' starfish and other creatures. The staff seems very friendly and helpful and we will be returning probably quite a few times before my 3 year old gets much older.
If you have older kids I think the Science Center might be a better use of a day in Seattle.. if you don't live here, of course :)
I'm a sucker for animals, especially the under water, fishy variety.
Years ago, before I met and shacked up with Mr. Jessica H, I always said I didn't like animals very much and could never get into the sheer cuteness of baby puppies etc...
Then my dislike for animals faded as Mr. Jessica H opened up my eyes to the snuggly, interesting world of the animal kingdom and now my number one desire is to own the box set of Planet Earth. In order to rectify the absence of these DVDs in my life, I went ahead and booked another visit to the aquarium and low and behold, they had remodeled!
Now instead of going into a dark and dreary wood paneled hallway, you find yourself in a huge, high ceilinged open floor plan with a floor to ceiling screen behind which many colorful and engaging fish are doing fishy things. You can watch the aquarium employees swimming down to feed the fish and interact with them as they go about their fishy day.
It's truly marvelous.
Then you can go visit my sister from another mother- the octopus, who likes to come out and play during tea time and takes her scones ala shrimp with a side of caviar.
Be prepared to stumble over poorly supervised children while trying to get your hands on the starfish in the petting tank. And don't miss out on seeing the seals from both under water views and above water views.
Stop by the newly refurbished gift shop on the way out (since you really can't avoid the gift shop given it's placement) and marvel at the high prices for all their DVDs and books. Then buy your sweetie a stuffed souvenir of your excursion and thank your lucky stars that Barnes and Noble sells most of the books you want at half the aquarium's price.
Okay so there aren't Orka and Dolphins doing tricks here. This is your basic PNW Aquarium, no pomp and circumstance just a gorgeous and interactive setting in which to enjoy sea life.
My husband and I were married here 7yrs ago because this is one of our favorite places in Seattle. There have been some changes since then but really, I don't feel the expansion made that big of a change. I found the huge entrance and cafe a bit unneccessary but loved the addition of the touching tidal pools, Octopus and Jellyfish exibits.
However I'm very glad that not too many things did change and that they kept the Saltwater Cave exhibit and Underwater Dome intact. We were married right underneath the dome that was lined with twinkle lights and had the fish as our audience in addition to human friends and family. Sure it may seem a bit dated, but I love the cement structure and shape and how the sunlight sprinkles through as fish swim and rest atop and below your surrounding.
I also love that this Aquarium does focus on NW natives and has a Salmon Ladder, the Bird terrarium as well as Seals and Otter. Maybe I'm a sap because I'm intimately bonded with this place but I really find it to be one of the most beautiful places in this city.
Now if some parents could just please teach their kids some manners and when someone is trying to take a picture, don't feel entitled to jump in front of the view! I realize it's an exciting place for children and love that it is but c'mon this place is also for adults to enjoy.
I hadn't been to the aquarium in years, probably since 1986, and I have been wanting to go ever since I moved in 2006. I mentioned this in passing to someone special, and for my birthday "day of fun" he took me...
I was ecstatic! The place is much different from when I was a child, but still full of wonder for me. The otters were the highlight of my experience. I am a fool for otters. The Sea otters were all cute and playful and the river otters adorable as they curled up in a ball snuggled together taking a nap. I mentioned a few times about how I wanted to climb in and cuddle with them. OHCUTENESS!
The downside is that the place is full of breeders and their generally poorly behaved brood. I pondered for a few moments what it would be like with evening, adult only admittance...if only!
I just took deep breaths, and pretended the screaming monsters weren't picking up the starfish with their sugar encrusted fingers and tossing them around. Oh and by the way, did you know that the only way children seem to be able to relate to the ocean is by talking about Spongebob and Nemo? Then again I did make reference to "The Little Mermaid " while I was there...
In any event, if I could afford it I'd get a membership just to go watch the otters play. I already want to go back.
I love the Aquarium, but am not 100% sold on the new addition. It didn't add too much to the exhibits (the entry wall is impressive, but is the rest just space?) and definitely added to the price at $16 per person.
The previous redo that added the touching pools, octopus tank, and jellyfish tube are awesome! The domed aquarium room looks decidedly a bit ghetto. That really should have been updated/improved. Continue to love the otters and seals, but the upper area with all the chain fence doesn't lend to the best viewing.
Dear Aquarium,
I continue to love you but don't know when I will be back. :(
Till then,
ebe
Suggesting I visit an aquarium is the equivalent of nails scratching on a chalkboard. But because the son seems to enjoy it, I suck it up each time....kicking and screaming all the way there. Who is the real kid here? You make the call. I mean, you seen one fish, you seen 'em all, right? Nahhhhhh, not so. I am wrong every time and my son doesn't hold back to remind me---each and every time!
This aquarium offered up the usual suspects but it also had some cool things like a touching zone where you can submerge your hands in ice cold water to feel on sea anemones, urchins and starfish. Cool and slimy fun!
Other things that made it worth the entrance fee would be the sea lions and river otters. Personally, I think the way they interact is fascinating so this made it all worth the time spent. And the time went quick as I tried by best to rush things along as fast as I could. Only because there was more to do this day. Yes, that's it!
Not the best aquarium I've been to but had a great variety of exhibits. The 'touch pools' were quite a hit as the staff were there to help you know what to feel for and educate you a bit on the sea creatures that were available to touch. They had seals and some varieties of birds. There is also an exhibit that depicts the process of salmon-conception to birth. It was pretty interesting.
My favorite part about this aquarium is it's location on the pier. It's a fun place to take kids and very educational as well.
This is gonna be two reviews in one..You will get a review from my 2 year old son, and from me. Starting with daddy, I was not impressed at all. After walking around for 30 min, I said to myself where is there rest of the aquarium. It cost 16 dollars to get in..kind of steep for seeing a bunch of tropical fish in a big tank. I did enjoy the sea otters, as they were entertaining and about the only thing that kept me awake.
Now my son, thought it was pretty cool..he enjoyed the starfish, love dressing up like a scuba diver, and wanted to bring home a sea otter. The gift shop was a hit for him, of course it was overpriced.
So i was bored for the most part..but my son had a good time...so take a young one and at least watch their excitement of being at the aquarium.
Had a tough time deciding between 3-4 stars for the aquarium. I really do love going there, but the price of admission is really outrageous for such a small aquarium not offering a lot, and that is the only reason I dropped it to 3 stars. The staff is excellent; knowledgable and very friendly. The touch tanks are just plain fun too. Even at 29 I get the biggest kick out of touching all the sea anemones. The fish tanks are fun to look at, and the glass wall is impressive to look at, as is the underwater dome. If you go, make sure you go at a time when you can see the otters feeding; it's really fun to watch.
Perfectly fine aquarium. I'm not a huge aquarium fan. Love to look at gorgeous fish, but not while crowded with a bunch of other people. So that's the only reason this doesn't rank higher. That, and the fact that I live near the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and that place is one of the best.
Good place to come if you have kids. Highlights are the huge tanks of tropical fish, the dome, and the jellyfish circle. The Duck Tour talked about a scuba diver who would be in the big tank and could talk to visitors. We didn't see that. Overall, a nice diversion if you have time in your tourist schedule and if you love aquariums and/or have kids. Adults $16 and kids $10.50.
The funniest thing about the Seattle Aquarium is probably the fact that I have been here for over a year and a half...and work 2 blocks away and JUST made it over to see the Aquarium. What's even funnier? My son has been there like 13 times...
The Seattle Aquarium is gorgeous. As you first enter you see a huge wall of water will all kinds of fish and underwater creatures to set your eager eyes upon. I felt like a kid again for the 5 minutes my son allowed me to stare at this enormous fish tank....then we were off to see the waves!!
I wish my son was a little bit more patient, because I would have liked to take a little bit more time, read the info and look a the different exhibits. There is a major focus on the Puget Sound and the underwater life that surrounds us on a day to day basis... I think this is fabulous! What a better way for kids to grow up having an idea of how their actions have an effect on the water and its cohabitants?
The squid scared me...just a little. Only because I was looking for it, and then realized that it had suctioned itself to the glass above my head...nearly gave me a heart attack (in a good way.)
I loved watching the seals and the otters. The otters were getting fed when we walked through, and they were so cute.
LAST but NOT least...of course....what educational establishment would be complete without a gift shop!! The gift shop is actually pretty nice... I had a good time perusing through, and checked out some of the books, jewelry and toys...and there was a nice variety.
If you are traveling through Seattle, and have some extra time in the Downtown area...you should most definitely make the Seattle Aquarium a part of your itinerary. If you live here, then you should have gone yesterday....:-)
I expected to see a lot more in this aquarium having to be set right on the pier next to the Puget Sound. Upon entering, you'll approach a very elaborate and huge tank full of various fishes. It's a beautiful sight and awesome feeling standing next to it. It almost feels like you're swimming with the fish. My kids had an okay time. They got more excited to see and familiarize themselves with Nemo, Marlon, and Dory in a 'Finding Nemo' dedicated tank. They also got to touch some starfish, various algae-like underwater plants, urchins, etc. The coolest thing was seeing the divers feed the fish in the Atrium. For the most part, most of the fish were small: jellyfish, seahorses, various goldfish, etc. The biggest specimen were the sea otters and walruses. I just hoped we could have seen something remarkable like sharks, whales, giant octopus, etc. This place is really small, you can get through it in about an hour. Overall, it was just an okay experience, without any wow factors.
We've wanted to check out the remodeled aquarium for a long time, and finally went on a 50% discount.
Impression: as if you're leafing through a live album of marine life, compact but sweet, modern design and flow, educational for adults, great for kids. Kudos to the organization.
The remodeled space is worth a weekend half-day trip for the family, with many well thought out displays, such as the windows that are low down to the level of the first-graders, the touch tidal pools, the jellyfish arc. The staff are cheerful and knowledgeable. The talks are of quality. A lot of monitor displays well-placed, that identify the display objects, very helpful.
You wish they would have fish that you could touch? The staff did explain why they recommend against it, so go and find out for yourself :)
It does emphasize the environment of the Sound, which is cold and dark any way, so I'm not comparing it with Monteray Bay. Here at least you are experiencing it in a warm sheltered environment rather than having to trod out in the real chilly waters of the Sound.
Educational: I've gone fishing for sole around here, but still it's nice to actually see the thing camouflage itself nicely on the sea floor; and was able to identify that ugly (cute) rockfish that occasionally got hooked.
This is a small aquarium split into two parts, with the outdoor walkway being a PERFECT photo spot for tourists like myself :).
There aren't a lot of fish tanks or exhibits, but there is a large one in the entrance, a cool tunnel with jellyfish in the middle, and a dome in the second building where you are surrounded by different tanks including seals/otters/etc. The second thing you see when you walk in are pools filled with starfish which you can touch! I loved that part! We got to see so many little Patrick's, ha ha ha!
There is a little cove to walk through in the middle and a small cul-de-sac-like-nook in the back that has seahorses, fishes that light up (I've seen this on Blue Planet and was so amazed!), and a circular tank with fish that have a constant need to swim/move. The little nook in the back can get a little crowded and hard to see the fish, and you feel obligated to quickly look and move so others can get a chance as well.
The second building is for larger animals that you can see both in a tank and outside above their tanks which was very cool. While walking through the hallway, we saw the otters during feeding time and it was SO adorable! They were swimming and playing and laying on their backs while chowing down on shrimp with their cute little paws (I'm not sure that they are called that but I want to call them that!). So cute!!! We were so luck to have seen this! The seals were cute too but were having a lazy kind of day.
We got a lot of photos and were able to finish the aquarium relatively quick, so I think it was kind of overpriced for what it was because I didn't feel you could see anything here that was "special" that you couldn't see at other larger aquariums? I'm not quite sure I am sold on if this is a "must-see" for Seattle if you have better aquariums in your own city (SF Academy of Science, Monterey Bay Aquarium especially).
I have thoroughly enjoyed my aquarium membership. I appreciate how toddler-friendly this aquarium is, with some tanks, exhibits, and tidepool access at toddler level. It's definitley better when it's not super crowded, but the membership is great to have when it's crowded too - you bypass the long line!
This is one of the lamest aquariums I have been to in a long time. I guess I probably expected too much when I walked in. For some reason I thought there was going to be much more...the only thing I saw was a ton of fish and some sea otters. The puffins were pretty cool though. And why does it cost $16.00 to get in?! Holy cow I was not expecting that!
I think there are waaay better aquariums around and that the Seattle Aquarium should consider adding some more animals. Once you've seen it for the first time, you basically have no reason to return. Lower the prices and maybe I would.
The best thing about their renovations is the wall of fish you see when you walk in. Overall I think the aquarium is very small. It doesn't take long to get through everything. I think I even went back for a second loop to kill some time. How lame! The dome is another cool thing, but other than that their exhibits seemed lacking. I would never pay to come see this again (good thing there is a way to get free tickets, for this and the zoo - hahaha my secret! or you can ask me :P it's a legit way i promise, and not many people know about it). Oh! The octopus is pretty cool I guess, and the little eel that sticks its head straight up out of the sand.
