Discover Washington's premier collection of zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers featuring over 10,000 animals from around the world. From the renowned Woodland Park Zoo with 800+ animals to the unique drive-through Olympic Game Farm, Washington offers exceptional wildlife experiences for all ages across the Puget Sound region and beyond.
Zoos & Wildlife Parks
Animals on Display
Species Represented
Major Aquariums
Washington's premier zoological institutions offer world-class animal exhibits, conservation programs, and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.
Location: 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Size: 92 acres | Animals: 800+ representing 240 species
Hours: Daily 9:30am-6pm (May-Sep) | 9:30am-4pm (Oct-Apr)
Admission: $12-35 (varies by demand) | Parking: $8-12
Featured Exhibits:
Visit Duration: 2-4 hours recommended
Location: 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Size: 29 acres | Animals: 9,000+ specimens representing 367 species
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm | Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Founded: 1905 (Zoo) | 1935 (Aquarium) | Combined 1963
Featured Exhibits:
Special Events: Zoolights annual holiday display (Nov-Jan) with 800,000+ lights
Location: 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville, WA
Size: 723 acres (435-acre free-roam area)
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm | Sat-Sun 9:30am-5pm (seasonal)
Admission: Adults $25 | Seniors $23 | Youth (5-12) $17 | Tots (3-4) $13
Signature Experience:
Animals to See:
Location: 1423 Ward Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
Size: 84 acres drive-through safari
Hours: Daily 9am-4pm (Sep-Nov) | 9am-3pm (Nov-Feb) | Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas
Admission: Pay per carload at gate (no reservations) | Payment: Cash or card
Unique Experience:
Animals: Yaks, bison, brown bears, llamas, elk, deer, and more
History: Worked exclusively for Walt Disney Studios for 28 years
Explore Washington's exceptional marine facilities showcasing Pacific Northwest aquatic life and tropical species from around the world.
Location: 1483 Alaskan Way (Pier 59), Seattle, WA 98101
Hours: Daily 9:30am-6pm (last entry 5pm) | Open 365 days/year
Admission: $20.95-30.95 (varies by date) | Kids 3 & under FREE
Parking: Pike Place Market Garage - 2 hours free with aquarium voucher
Three-Building Campus:
Featured Animals:
Visit Duration: 2-3 hours recommended for full experience
Location: 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407 (within Point Defiance Zoo)
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm | Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Admission: Included with zoo admission
Aquarium Exhibits:
Note: Only combined zoo & aquarium facility in the Pacific Northwest
Location: Redondo Beach (Highline College facility)
Hours: Sat 10am-2pm (year-round) | Sun 12pm-4pm (Jul-Aug)
Size: 15+ tanks, 3,000 gallons, 250+ native Puget Sound species
Focus: Marine biology education and local species conservation
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Hours: Fri-Sat 11am-4pm
Admission: FREE ($2 suggested donation)
Features: Local marine life, interactive touch pool exhibits
Location: Spokane, WA
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-7pm | Fri-Sat 11am-8pm | Sun 11am-6pm
Admission: $16-19
Interactive Experiences: Touch and feed stingrays, birds, reptiles. See sharks, octopus, seahorses, jellyfish
Visit specialized wildlife centers dedicated to conservation, rescue, and education featuring native and exotic animals.
Location: 3111 Offutt Lake Rd SE, Tenino, WA 98589
Size: 82-acre refuge | Animals: 55+ wolves, wolfdogs, coyotes
Hours: Sat 9am-4pm | Sun 9am-4pm (by reservation only)
Admission: Adults $25 | Students/Seniors/Military $20 | Children (12 & under) $10
Tours & Experience:
Accreditation: Only wolf sanctuary with global accreditation (GFAS 2015, ASA 2014)
Founded: 1982 by Steve and Linda Kuntz
Location: 17020 N Newport Hwy, Mead, WA 99021 (near Spokane)
Hours: Thu-Sun, 10am-4pm (seasonal variations)
Admission: Timed entry blocks: 10am-12pm | 12pm-2pm | 2pm-4pm (last entry 3:30pm)
About:
Animals:
Special Experience: "Big Cat Adventure" - hand feed lions or tigers with zookeeper assistance
Location: 19525 SE 54th St, Issaquah, WA 98027
Size: 11 acres on Cougar Mountain's north slope
Hours: Wed-Sun 9:30am-5pm (closed Mon-Tue)
Admission: Adults (13+) $13.50 | Seniors (62+) $12.50 | Children (2-12) $9.50 | Under 2 FREE
Focus: Endangered species conservation and education
Ten Special "Worlds":
Founded: 1972 by Peter and Marcie Rittler
Special: Intimate experience, close animal viewing, daily lectures and presentations
Parking: FREE
Location: Shelton, WA
Admission: Adults/12+ $30 | Children (3-11) $25 | Under 2 FREE
Special Tours: Behind-the-scenes tours $125/person (ages 12+)
Focus: Cat-specific sanctuary with tiger residents
Location: Rainier, WA
Admission: Adults/13+ $30 | Children (2-12) $10 | Under 2 FREE
Animals: 100+ rescued animals - horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, alpacas, pigs, goats, sheep
Booking: Tours scheduled through Airbnb Experiences platform
Type: All-volunteer staff rescue sanctuary
Location: Roy, WA
Size: 2.5-acre farm animal sanctuary
Animals: Dozens of rescued farm animals
Tours: Available by appointment
Location: 1501 Western Ave, Suite 304, Seattle, WA 98101
Focus: Live bug zoo and educational center
Experience: Exotic insects from around the world, educational tours available
Perfect For: Kids, educational groups, insect enthusiasts
Location: 18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370
Type: 501(c)(3) non-profit marine education center
Focus: Educational programs for children and schools
Features: Local Puget Sound marine life exhibits
Location: Seattle, WA
Features: Science exhibits with live animals, tropical butterfly house, planetarium
Perfect For: Families combining science and nature education
Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA
Focus: Marine mammal education, orca whale research and conservation
Features: Exhibits on Pacific Northwest whales, educational programs
Location: 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Mission: Conservation of clouded leopards through research, education, and habitat protection
Focus: Field research support and global awareness initiatives
Location: Monroe, WA
Features: 15+ kid-friendly reptile exhibits
Perfect For: Curious minds and reptile enthusiasts
Wheelchair Accessible Facilities:
Discounts for Persons with Disabilities:
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is Washington's largest zoo by animal count and visitor numbers, featuring 800+ animals representing 240 species across 92 acres. The zoo draws over one million visitors annually and offers world-class exhibits including African Savanna, Tropical Asia, and the award-winning Banyan Wilds tiger habitat.
For total land area, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is the largest at 723 acres with a 435-acre free-roaming area where bison, elk, moose, and other native animals roam naturally.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. One admission ticket grants access to both facilities, featuring 9,000+ specimens representing 367 species.
The zoo section includes Asian Forest Sanctuary (Sumatran tigers, elephants), Rocky Shores (seals, walruses, otters), and Arctic Tundra (polar bears, Arctic foxes). The aquarium features South Pacific and Pacific Seas exhibits with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and interactive touch tanks. The zoo was founded in 1905, with the aquarium added in 1935 and officially combined in 1963.
Yes! SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo offers FREE admission (with $2 suggested donation) on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-4pm. This educational marine center features local Puget Sound species and interactive touch pools.
MaST Center Aquarium in Redondo Beach offers free Discovery Days on Saturdays 10am-2pm year-round, featuring 15+ tanks with 250+ native Puget Sound marine species across 3,000 gallons of exhibits.
Additionally, several national wildlife refuges like Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR and Turnbull NWR offer free wildlife viewing opportunities with native animals in natural habitats.
For families with young children ages 2-6, the top choices are:
All three facilities offer stroller-friendly paths, family restrooms, and age-appropriate educational experiences that keep young children engaged without overwhelming them.
Reservations Required:
Reservations Recommended (but not required):
Walk-ins Welcome: Olympic Game Farm, Northwest Trek, Point Defiance Zoo, Cougar Mountain Zoo, and most other facilities operate first-come, first-served.
Washington offers several one-of-a-kind wildlife experiences you won't find elsewhere:
Full-Day Experiences (4-6 hours):
Half-Day Experiences (2-3 hours):
Short Visits (1-2 hours):
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Membership Programs:
Other Savings:
Last updated on November 27, 2025