Tacoma Point Defiance Zoo vs Seattle Aquarium and Seattle Zoo

[flatlander321]

I've seen the websites, but is there anything especially good or bad about the 3 places? One idea for our visit this spring is to go to the Point Defiance zoo/aquarium instead of both the Seattle zoo and Seattle aquarium.

 

This would be for 3 adults with no kids.

[Gardyloo]

If you're planning a full day in Tacoma for other reasons, then Point Defiance is okay; however I wouldn't make a special trip to Tacoma if that was your only aim. Woodland Park Zoo is terrific, and the Seattle aquarium is decent enough (though IMO not in the same league as other west coast aquariums such as Vancouver's or Monterey's.)

[mapleleaves]

I agree with gardyloo .... Woodland Park Zoo is the best option of the 3.

 

If you don't have a car, use the trip planner for the city bus route. It accepts popular destinations names, so just plug in your starting point, then Woodland Park Zoo.

 

http://www.soundtransit.org/tripplanner

 

If you have a car, a 4th option to consider is Northwest Trek. You can ride a tram thru the large areas where herd animals are, and walk trails for others.

https://www.nwtrek.org/thingstodo/

[PNW Traveler]

I've been a supporter and member of both zoos. There are differences. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is larger, thus more walking. The zoo has strived for animal habitats that are in "natural settings" with more rocks, trees and vegetation. The African savannah exhibits are very well done. The vegetation and large expanse sometimes makes it more difficult to see the animals. Popular exhibits can get crowded. There is a lot of variety in types of animals as the zoo has expansive grounds.

Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo is smaller, so less walking. The exhibits are well done with an emphasis on northwest wildlife, although other regions and continents are also represented. There are great displays for sea otters,seals and polar bears where you can view them in their natural marine habitat from above the water as well as viewing windows below the water watching them swim and interact. Daily biologist/trainer demonstrations are held in an amphitheater and feature animals who have received training and who respond to verbal and nonverbal commands. The Tacoma zoo also has an aquarium and seahorse exhibit.

If I had just a half-day I would visit the Tacoma zoo. I would also visit at least one museum in nearby downtown Tacoma. The Tacoma Art Museum has an amazing exhibit of Chihuly glass, a very good café, and superlative western art. The nearby Museum of Glass is excellent and has a fascinating "hot shop" with theatre style seating where you can watch the glass artists. The sights in Tacoma are all in the downtown area near the waterfront with good parking and easy access.

[flatlander321]

Thanks for the detailed help.

 

One person in our group is somewhat endurance limited, but not really mobility limited. That makes the Tacoma zoo/aquarium somewhat attractive due to the smaller size and doing a zoo and aquarium in one visit.

 

If the weather looks decent, then we might get the citypass and visit the other 2 options.

 

It would be so mush easier to plan if Seattle weather was predictable :D

[Eaglecw]

There’s a lot to do in Tacoma that most tourists miss.

 

 

Washington State historical museum http://www.washingtonhistory.org/

LeMay auto museum https://www.americascarmuseum.org/

Tacoma Art museum http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium http://www.pdza.org/

Chihuly museum of Glass http://museumofglass.org/

I would think that there would be too much windshield time to go to Northwest Trek

[ClassyGame]

If you have a car and the time to drive the extra distance, I would actually recommend Northwest Trek. It's a wildlife park and much different from any zoo expierence. However, it's quite a ways off the beaten path.

 

I've never been to Woodland Park Zoo, so I can't give my opinion on that one. Point Defiance Zoo is nice, and they've done a lot of improvements the past couple years. There's a lot more to do in Tacoma than people realize. There are some great restaurants on the Ruston Way waterfront, and there is the glass museum and LeMay car museum downtown.

[PNW Traveler]

The Lemay Car Museum is a world class auto museum with over five floors of amazing cars. The name is actually America's Car Museum, although locals like myself call it the Lemay museum as it was established with a significant donation of money and automobiles from the Lemay family. The museum has a good café, easy parking, and is next to Interstate 5.

[shadowmeboy]

I prefer woodland park and the Seattle Aquarium. Woodland park is very walkable and is doable in all Seattle weather. Depending on your cruise line, one could drop their bags, then go and do the aquarium and still be on board the ship at a decent time especially if leaving from pier 66.