Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington

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Zoo Hours

Daytime: Open 9 am-3:30 pm Thursday-Monday
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Zoolights: Open 4:30-10 pm Nightly Nov 25-Jan 2

New at the Zoo

New Walruses Arrive

Meet Balzak (bell’-zik) and Lakina (la-kee’-na)

Zoolights Returns

Zoolights is open Nov. 25 through Jan. 2.

Bjorn's Brave Battle

Bullets and blindness: Björn’s bravery and battle to survive

Wildlife Champions

Students celebrate nature.

The Zoo is now home to eight new Damaraland mole rats.

Arctic fox Sven makes his debut!

Suki’s secrets to a long life.

Zoo provides home to orphaned oppossum joeys.

Examining Clara

Sea otter Clara gets an exam.

Clara, the newest southern sea otter made her debut.

National Zookeeper Week takes place July 17-23 this year.

Red Wolf Pups Born

Five critically endangered American red wolf pups born at off-site facility

Clyde the Lizard

Meet our new rescued lizard.

A First Visit For Many Local Students.

Birth marks major milestone for zoos and aquariums worldwide

Training Superstars

Our Wild Wonders animals are training for our new show.

Tracking Hammerheads

Tracking Hammerhead sharks in Hawaii.

The newest superstar at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater.

Sister Zoo Vets

Veterinary teams with a long tradition of helping each other.

Thank You Volunteers

We appreciate you!

Suki's Last Tooth

Suki the Asian elephant has lost her final tooth.

Sensory-Inclusive

Certified for the fourth consecutive. year

Sea Turtle Check-Up

Azul, Bruno and Sunny get comprehensive exams.

Meet the new chicks at the Budgie Buddies Aviary, May 7.

Reptile Blood Draws

The snakes get a check-up.

Talkin' About Bruno

We (do) talk about Bruno. Learn more about the green sea turtle.

Year of the Tiger

It's the Year of the Tiger. Which tiger do you resemble most?

Examining an Axolotl

Alduin, an axolotl, recently had a wellness exam.

The zoo is now home to a four-month-old clouded leopard cub

Beyond the Bell

Students visit the zoo and aquarium with new after-school program.

Explore The Zoo

Daily Presentations

Plan your visit

Zoolights Nov 25, 2022-Jan 2, 2023

Premier Experiences

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Find Animal Habitats

Pacific Seas Aquarium

Asian Forest Sanctuary

Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater

South Pacific Aquarium - Temporarily Closed

Budgie Buddies- Closed For The Season

See All Habitats

Plan Your Day

Hours & tickets

Online tickets, hours and what to expect.

Learn More

Plan your day

Meet our animals, chat with keepers and plan your experience.

Zoo Experience

Directions & parking

We are located in Tacoma, Washington. Find directions and entry.

Get Directions

PDZA Map

Download Zoo map

We Care for Animals

Conservation is a passion that drives us to protect threatened species and their habitats, from the jungles of Borneo to our own animals here at the Zoo. Take action - join us.

Learn More

Watch Our Zoo

Connect With Us

Tag your photos & videos with #pdza and share your experience.

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