When we planned our recent trip to Seattle, I was prepared with a list of indoor activities in case we found ourselves in the unusual circumstance of trudging through the city in the rain.
What?! It rains all the time in Seattle? Well, that would explain a few things.
Ready to dive into the Seattle Aquarium
Our first day in Seattle, we drove through the unfamiliar streets in a complete downpour. This was followed by a day of cold temperatures, wind, and rain. Cue the list I had formulated earlier.
At the top of that list was the Seattle Aquarium, and I’m so glad we gave it a try.
The Seattle Aquarium is the perfect size for an outing with young kids: big enough to keep things interesting, but manageable, since you don’t feel like you need to move-in with your sleeping bag and toiletry kit in order to see all of the exhibits.
The first thing you’ll see as you enter the aquarium is the large floor-to-ceiling “window” that houses an array of fish. We could have stayed there all day…except that the angle of the glass made me dizzy if I looked at it for too long.
A sweet little sea horse
We enjoyed the touch tanks that are home to star fish and sea urchins. We also saw an enormous octopus, played with a felt board and tried on scuba gear in a small kids’ play area, and gazed at the tiniest, sweetest sea horses.
We also saw this guy (below) who seemed to take a liking to us. He floated around near the glass staring at us for ten minutes!
Quit looking at me like that…
We love visiting aquariums when we travel, and the Seattle Aquarium is smaller than some of the ones we’ve seen in other cities. However, I felt like we got our money’s worth during the time we spent there. Don’t expect any large sharks or elaborate displays. This is a peaceful, easy-to-explore attraction.
Looking for a few tips for visiting the Seattle Aquarium with kids? Here ya go:
–Bring a jacket. Although most of the aquarium is indoors, there is a section that is exposed to the elements and can be quite chilly.
–Remember that the aquarium cosists of two buildings, so don’t forget to venture over to see the other side.
–Visit the gift shop…or not. The store has a particularly cute array of sea-themed stuffed animals, so your child will probably ask for a souvenir.
–Need help? Ask the friendly staff.
–Admission is free for kids three and under.
Have you been to the Seattle Aquarium? Have any advice for those visiting with kids? Please share in the comments section!
