An aquarium on the Seattle waterfront, certified sensory-inclusive with KultureCity, with free sensory bags (noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools) and weighted lap pads to borrow with an ID, a Sensory Story and a Sensory Guide Map, and an Ocean Pavilion that is usually quieter than Piers 59 and 60.
Sensory supports. Sensory bags, weighted lap pads, quieter Ocean Pavilion.
Hours
Open 365 days a year, including holidays: 9:30 am to 6 pm, last entry 5 pm. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve: 9:30 am to 4 pm, last entry 3 pm. Christmas Day: 11:30 am to 6 pm, last entry 5 pm. New Year's Eve (December 31 2026): the Ocean Pavilion closes at 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm). Other early closures are posted on the aquarium's hours page, and hours are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
“Sensory bags (containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise-cancelling headphones and other resources) and weighted lap pads are available for checkout at no cost by leaving an ID at our Guest Services desk in Pier 59 or Ocean Pavilion.” seattleaquarium.org
“Please be aware that noise levels can vary by date, time and other factors. The Ocean Pavilion is usually quieter than Piers 59 and 60.” seattleaquarium.org (Sensory Guide Map)
“I do not have to touch animals. I do not have to see everything. I belong here exactly as I am.”
“I do not have to touch animals if I do not want to. I can ask for an animal to be brought to me seperately. I can watch from farther away.”
The aquarium calls itself sensory-inclusive, not sensory-friendly: its staff get continuous training and it lends tools every day, but the everyday sounds, lights and crowds stay. The Diving Santa early opening on the card below is set up for a quieter visit.
Sensory bags and weighted lap pads are lent at both Guest Services desks (Pier 59 and the Ocean Pavilion) at no cost when you leave an ID, and they are sanitized after each use.
The Sensory Story lists what your kid may hear, see, smell and feel in each space, and says it is okay to stim, wear headphones or sunglasses, sit on the floor, skip habitats, and leave and come back. The Sensory Guide Map marks loud spaces, ocean smells and open water, and the Mobility Guide Map marks seating and narrow paths.
Staff wear blue shirts. Lines are often longer in summer, between 10 am and 3 pm and during school breaks, and school groups may move quickly and talk loudly; you can wait a moment, move to another area or come back later.
Life on the Edge (touch pools) (may feel crowded, busy, wet and loud, with people gathered close around the pools)not stated
Underwater Dome (can feel echoey, enclosed and crowded; people react loudly when animals swim overhead)not stated
Marine mammals (sea otters, river otters, harbor seals, fur seals) (guests often get very excited; laughing, splashing, animal talks; outdoor viewing can be windy, bright and cold in winter)not stated
Crashing Waves (moving water and splashing sounds; sometimes water spray may reach guests)not stated
Window on Washington Waters (can feel crowded; there may sometimes be diver talks or puppet shows nearby with extra sounds and crowds)not stated
Quieter, in the aquarium's words
The Ocean Pavilionquiet zone
Ring of Life (moon jellies)quiet zone
Giant Pacific octopusquiet zone
Tickets are timed and cover Pier 59, Pier 60 and the Ocean Pavilion. All tickets cost less bought at least one day ahead; youth 4 to 12 get reduced pricing, and kids 3 and under are free. Walk-up tickets are limited and are for the next available entry time; on busy days you may wait up to 30 minutes outside. Tickets are valid for the date and entry time on them; if you arrive more than 15 minutes late, speak with an aquarium team member. Once inside, you can stay until closing.
Discounts, only at the aquarium's admission gates for the next available time slot: $2 off for persons with disabilities, seniors 65 and over, tribal members, First Nations and Indigenous people, and active, retired and veteran U.S. military. Aides required by and with a person with a disability get in free, with no reservation needed. Gold and FLASH cardholders get 75% off full-price tickets (one per transaction). Washington residents with EBT, WIC or ProviderOne: $5 tickets, children 3 and younger free, up to four per household, with verification and photo ID. Foster and kinship families: free tickets for up to two adults and six children, with verification and matching photo ID. Both groups can also get a $50 family membership. Free tickets may also come through the Seattle Public Library and King County Library museum pass program, or the Connections program (through community partners); Seattle CityPASS bundles admission at a discount.
Tickets are non-refundable. You can exchange for another date by calling (206) 386-4300 or at the admission gate (pay the difference if the new time costs more), keep the ticket value for up to 365 days past your date, or apply it to a membership.
Parking: the closest wheelchair-accessible spaces are at the Platinum Parking Hillclimb Garage, across the street at 1422 Alaskan Way; the Pike Place Market garage also has accessible spaces and elevator access. A valid City of Seattle disabled parking placard or plate parks free in any public parking space. The accessible drop-off is the loading zone in front of the aquarium on the west (southbound) side of Alaskan Way; it is not for parking. Bike racks are along Waterfront Park.
Food: you can bring outside food and drinks, and the aquarium suggests eating on the back deck of Pier 59, weather permitting. No eating at Window on Washington Waters, Birds & Shores, the harbor seal habitat or anywhere in the Ocean Pavilion, and you can eat inside the café only with food bought there. The café (Pier 59, second floor) is open 10 am to 4 pm; Barney's Snack Shack near the Underwater Dome is open Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Water bottle filling stations are throughout. Outside alcohol is not allowed.
Strollers are welcome, but there are no stroller rentals or secure stroller storage. You can check one small item or a coat at Pier 59 Guest Services as space allows (no food or luggage).
Wheelchairs are free at Guest Services in Pier 59 or the Ocean Pavilion, first-come, first-served. Guest Services takes an ID and phone number, and a credit card is required that is charged $600 if the wheelchair isn't returned. There are elevators and no escalators, and some paths near the aquarium have steep hills or stairs.
Service animals (dogs or miniature horses) are welcome on a non-retractable leash. Pets and emotional support or companion animals are not allowed inside, but you can leave and come back to spend time with them.
Weather: most habitats are indoors, but the harbor seal habitat is outdoors with no cover (there is an indoor viewing window), and the walk-up line is outside. Dress in layers.
Please don't use flash photos or phone flashlights near the habitats. Lost and found is at Guest Services, (206) 386-4363. Private lactation spaces: a Mamava pod in Pier 59 (by app reservation or with staff help) and a nursing space next to the first-floor restroom in the Ocean Pavilion (ask Guest Services).
