Seattle Aquarium: A Window to Marine Life
Explore Puget Sound & the Coral Triangle: Discover marine life, conservation efforts, & underwater wonders at Seattle's premier aquarium.
Located on Seattle's vibrant waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium offers an immersive journey into the marine world, from the local Puget Sound to the Coral Triangle. With diverse exhibits and a strong focus on conservation, it's an engaging experience for all ages.
A brief summary to Seattle Aquarium
- 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59, Seattle, Seattle Waterfront, WA, 98101, US
- +1206-386-4300
- Visit website
- Monday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Tuesday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Wednesday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Thursday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Friday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Saturday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Sunday 9:30 am-6 pm
Local tips
- Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long lines, especially during peak season [24].
- Check the daily schedule for diver shows, feeding times, and other special activities [17, 20].
- Visit the touch pools to get hands-on with marine life, but remember to be gentle [4, 5].
- Take advantage of the free waterfront shuttle to reach the aquarium from other downtown attractions [7].
- Dress in layers, as the aquarium has both indoor and outdoor spaces [3].
Getting There
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Walking
From Pike Place Market, walk south on Alaskan Way, following the waterfront. The Aquarium is a short walk, approximately 5-10 minutes, and is located on Pier 59 [7]. Look for the main entrance near the Great Wheel. This route offers scenic views of Elliott Bay.
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Public Transport
Several bus routes serve the Seattle Aquarium. From downtown Seattle, take a Metro bus to 3rd Ave & Pike St, which is a short walk to the waterfront and Pier 59 [9, 15]. Use the King County Metro Trip Planner for specific routes and schedules [3, 7]. A single adult fare is typically $2.75 - $3.25 [9].
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Taxi/Ride-share
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to reach the Seattle Aquarium. From downtown Seattle, a short ride to 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59 typically costs between $5 and $15, depending on traffic and demand [9, 18]. Be sure to confirm the fare before you start your trip.
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Driving
If driving, approach the Seattle Aquarium via Alaskan Way [3]. Limited street parking is available. Several parking garages are nearby, including the Pike Place Market Garage and the Platinum Parking Hillclimb Garage [3, 7]. Expect to pay $6-$8 per hour, with daily rates ranging from $25-$40 [22, 25, 27]. Booking parking in advance through SpotHero is recommended [3, 10, 23, 24].
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