Seattle Aquarium, Seattle (must see)

A family-friendly attraction on Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium features 200 varieties of fish native to Puget Sound. There are also environments simulating the region's rocky reefs, sandy sea floor, eelgrass beds, and tide pools. A working fish ladder illustrates the salmon life cycle, and other exhibits show the paths that water travels on its way to Puget Sound.

Vividly striped lionfish, lethal electric eels, chameleon-like flatfish, octopus, dogfish, and salmon dart side by side with irresistibly entertaining seals and otters. The twice-daily oceanic tides flood Puget Sound and mix with fresh water from rainfall to nurture "an unequaled estuarine haven for plants, animals, and humans," as one of the educational captions says.

Among other things, the Aquarium includes a three-story great hall with educational kiosks and conservation exhibits, a man-made coral reef, and two large exhibit pools that include touch zones. But the main attraction here is, undoubtedly, the enormous 120,000-gallon tank filled with fish, sea anemones, and other marine life. Dive shows take place several times a day, and the divers are able to converse with visitors explaining the types of fish in the exhibit tanks in detail.

The building's location is great – right on the waterfront, with plenty of seafood restaurants and bars located close by.

Why You Should Visit:
Relatively small aquarium compared to others in the US; however, the focus is on local marine life and it is well presented. You can touch sea stars, cucumbers, coral – with luck you can see the staff feeding the stars, anemones, sharks, etc. Definitely welcoming to everyone of all ages, with lots of hands-on activities for kids and informative/friendly staff.

Tip:
Use the map provided because you could miss a section without knowing it and it would be a loss not to see the entire aquarium. Use, also, the elevators in the public parking across the street to get up the hill to Pike Place Market.