When it’s gray and drizzly outside, brighten your day with a visit to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! With so many indoor and covered spaces to explore, it’s the perfect place to stay dry, warm up, and see incredible animals.
Warm Up in Our Aquariums
Step inside the Pacific Seas Aquarium, where it’s always warm and full of wonder. Watch green sea turtles glide gracefully through the water, spot nurse sharks nestled together, and be mesmerized by the vivid colors of tropical fish and jellyfish.
Get hands-on at the Tidal Touch Zone, where you can feel the texture of sea stars, the spikiness of sea urchins, and even the gentle “hug” of an anemone on your fingertip.
Then, take a mini vacation to the tropics inside the Tropical Reef Aquarium. The balmy air and colorful reef fish will make you forget the rain outside! Marvel at sharks, a charismatic potato grouper, and gently touch tropical sea stars, urchins, and cleaner shrimp in the Tropical Shallows.
Plus, when you leave you can tell your friends you’ve visited the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest!
Play and Explore at Kids’ Zone
Rain can’t stop the fun at Kids’ Zone! Visit Contact Junction, a cozy, covered, and heated space where friendly goats are always ready for attention.
Then, head to Animal Avenue to meet fascinating creatures like fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, and meerkats, all in sheltered spaces perfect for exploring.
Little ones can climb, swing, and play in the covered playground area so they can get their wiggles out while you stay dry.
Covered Viewing Areas
Come face-to-face with a tiger or watch the lar gibbons hoot and swing between ropes in the fully indoor Dayroom in the Asian Forest Sanctuary.
Step inside the Red Wolf Woods covered viewing area and see if you can find any wolves staring back at you. Plus, get a close look at a real wolf skull, pelt, and tracking radio collar as you learn about what you can do to help Red Wolves from extinction.
See seals, sea lions, sea otters and puffins swim in the covered underwater viewing area at Rocky Shores. The sea lions love to follow you as you walk back and forth!
Staying Dry
Forgot your umbrella? You can rent one right at the front gate. When you’re ready to dry off and recharge, cozy up in the Plaza Café for lunch, a warm drink, or a sweet treat.
We look forward to seeing you soon, rain or shine!