Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Fantastic experience: Took my 12 year old niece to the point defiance zoo today and we loved it. So much fun to do on a beautiful day like today. We've never been to a zoo before so this was a first experience. We have the bug and want to go again. We didn't plan to spend enough time as you need when you go to the zoo, but we will next time. Definitely recommend this place.

Fantastic experience: Great Zoo and aquarium that is not overwhelming or overpriced. Nice variety of animals with fantastic landscaping throughout the zoo. Plenty of parking for a weekend!

Positive experience: So many closed or uninhabited enclosures. Aquariums were okay but sea Lion, otter exhibits were dirty and murky. So few animals to actually see. We were they the whole zoo within an hour or so due to lack of things to see. The plants and gardens were great but for a zoo it lacks something for sure. Was not worth the price

Fantastic experience: If you buy Tickets you have a year to use them. This is a very big zoo with 2 aquariums. I'd recommend at least 3 hours minimum. They have a lot of zoo keepers talks throughout the day all over the park. The main one was so cute!

Fantastic experience: It was fast to get in, and the ladies at the front were super friendly and informative. It wasn't super busy, so the kids were able to spend time touching the animals without feeling rushed.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful experience at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! We got to see a variety of fascinating animals and marine life, including tiger, polar bear, penguins, jellyfish, otters, red wolves, and more. They also offer an animal show, which we unfortunately missed—so if you’re planning a visit, be sure to check the show schedule in advance to make the most of your trip.

Fantastic experience: 10/10. For the price point you get a zoo and aquarium experience. Not super busy and has a great play area for kids. I suggest going to the aquarium area first and finishing the day at the kids play area to get all the excess energy out. Buying tickets in advance saves a few $$ and makes entry a lot faster.

Positive experience: We had an overall good time! I was a bit irritated with the information about the polar bears, though. The female was doing repeated behaviors and the zoo keeper was trying to make it sound like she was “coming of age”. This is not normal behavior for bears, and is often associated with stress or a warning. I would assume it was stress and boredom. Much like a horse that is cribbing or weaving. It had a pretty small area and no toys really.

Negative experience: Okay. Animals seem very neglected, and the polar bear wants to be back where it came from. It shows the sign of stress. Let the animals be free. The penguin had no water to swim in. The gibbon looks very lonely. These animals look like they are suffocating. Another thing is when I was at the Artic Eats. TERRIBLE. ORDER WAS BACK UP. THERE WER2 3 PEOPLE WORKING. But, the other lady was just standing there. Other guy keep taking orders.. The other guy seems like he's about to go Crazy making all the food. IF IT WAS ME, IF YOUR BACK ORDER , STOP TAKING NEW ORDERS AND PICK UP THE CURRENT ORDERS TILL ALL YOUR ORDERS IS PICK UP. WE WAITED OVER ONE HOUR FOR FOOD AND DRINKS WTH. ML

Fantastic experience: Nice place to see marine animals fishes also you will get good view of down town and great wheel with water front

Fantastic experience: Fun, engaging day! Baby taper with mama was so cute! You can see pretty much everything in about 3-4 hours. Well maintained grounds. Always cool to see the animals live.

Positive experience: Nice Zoo with an open air feel. Good to go in good weather. I wish we could use our tickets for two days rather than trying to take in all in - in one day

Fantastic experience: This is an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium and it is very clear that it is!! We did the shark dive and it was so amazing!! The three wonderful people who ran this experience were excellent! Annalise did a great job prepping us, Elizabeth did a great job helping us gear up, and Jackie was in the water with us making sure we were ok the whole time! Definitely a life changing experience and one that I will take everyone who comes to visit me!

Positive experience: It was fun for kids. The aquarium is updated and has a lot of different fish. Some areas had no animals. A few areas looked like they could have been better for the animals. The polar bear looks miserable. It's kind of sad seeing animals in small enclosures.

Positive experience: It didn't have very many animals unfortunately but there were a lot of cool stuff in the aquarium areas, but it seem like there was just so much walking and not very many animals!

Positive experience: I loved the wide variety of animals to look at all of them were active and visible. I really recommend their animal shows and the touch aquariums also the food from there was okay but a little pricey. The zoo even had a little play place for the kids just in case if they got bored. All of the animals were active and cute most were easy to spot within their enclosures. So I really recommend this place to bring you family and make some good memories.

Fantastic experience: Great staff, always great to see all the new things happening there. Lots of fun.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been coming to PDZA for about 15 years and our last visit was by far my favorite. All of the staff we encountered were enthusiastic and engaging about their area of expertise. Both of my kids loved the touch areas in the aquarium. Also, I liked their new show Zoo Got Mail. It was so cute! My kids, age 6 and 8, cannot wait to come back. If you’re going on the weekend, I definitely recommend getting there early because parking fills up fast, especially when the weather is nice.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous Zoo and Aquarium experience. Very good accessibility, including rental of power chairs and unpowered wheelchairs.

Fantastic experience: Amazing of course! Found out about Owens Beach and the Stem School on this visit.

Fantastic experience: We've had a grandparents pass here for the last three years. Our grandchildren love coming here, ages 5, 8 and 11. Newest is almost 9 months. The kids in their 30's also enjoy it. We especially like the extra experiences you can purchase. We've gifted 2 grandchildren and one of our kids a shark dive from the eye to eye shark dive. They all loved it! Kids need to be 8 years and older. They need to be accompanied by an adult in which a ticket must be purchased as well and adult must dive as well.

Fantastic experience: Lovely zoo! It is a small zoo, but they had a lot of animals to enjoy. You're not going to find some of the bigger more popular animals (elephants, giraffe, hippos, rhinos, etc), but they do have some cool animals! The keeper talks for informative and the stage show was very cute and well done. The enclosures were spacious and the animals appeared healthy. Several enrichment items were in each enclosure. We will definitely go back next time we are in the Seattle area!

Negative experience: Horrible zoo what a waste of a day waste of time waste of money soooooo boring almost nothing to see, so it only took 2 hours to see this worthless zoo!!! I have been to free zoos in Chicago and Wisconsin, that were way way better than this zoo it's the left all the way we drove 10 miles 2 and half hours from our house... Don't go!!!!!! Ughhhh

Fantastic experience: Had a great morning at the zoo with my family! Definitely recommend getting there right at opening. Smaller crowds, less wait, and the parking lot isn't overfilled yet. The kids loved the animal show, and we had a nice picnic afterward =) We spent a good 5 hours there and headed home before the hottest part of the day. We love Point Defiance Zoo!

Fantastic experience: I had a blast with my Girlfriend! We spent a good couple hours exploring, and the touch and feel Tide pools were awesome!!

Fantastic experience: Amazing zoo. Hands down the best looking zoo I've been to. Gorgeous landscaping, awesome vegetation everywhere, Mount Rainier as the backdrop, great looking exhibits, beautiful aquariums. The staff and volunteers were super friendly, helpful, and seemed like they really loved being there. We spent a large portion of our day watching animal demos and listening to keeper talks. It was a fantastic way to spend a day.

Positive experience: Had a great time at the zoo last Friday. The grounds are kept up and the views of Mt. Rainier from the park are stunning. The entrance price is affordable and I enjoyed the free parking. I would say that the zoo could find ways to improve and work on reopening their closed exhibits.

Positive experience: I remember this place being bigger as a kid. It was ok. Most of the animals were hard to see or were not there. Best part was the dancing polar bear.

Positive experience: Wasn't bad but it was a rather hot day when we went. Scenery is nice

Positive experience: Growing up here, going to the Point Defiance Zoo is something I always look forward too. However, our trip today was pretty sad. We left feeling... ripped off and wondering.... what the heck happened to this wonderful zoo?! No more elephants? Camel rides? Porcupines? Petting zoo? It felt like a bunch of enclosures were not only empty, but over grown eye sores, neglected to let weeds take back over. And then, of course you don't expect to see every single animal.... but we didn't see hardly anything today! Do better Point Defiance, I miss the wonderful full zoo from my childhood.

Fantastic experience: Had a great experience, they had ton of animals out and the show was soo much fun!! Bit pricey but isn’t everything nowadays.

Positive experience: Loved the layout- but be prepared to walk up/down hills!

Fantastic experience: Great zoo, visited on a very busy memorial day, the zoos infrastructure had no problem handling the very large crowd. It was definitely worth the drive from Seattle, something I realized after is it's possible to take the ferry to vashon Island drive through, and then take the ferry right to point defiance. Definitely wouldn't be cheaper and probably not faster but a more scenic route I'll take next time.

Fantastic experience: Bought our tickets in advance. Only issue was there scanner wouldn't scan the codes so we still needed to go to a window. We got there early got good parking. Did the park and gift shop in 2 hours with 3 kiddos. It was fun but I do wish they had some more animals. They have this little garden play area which was great for a break for our little one with special needs.

Fantastic experience: Decided to take the kids to point defiance zoo on a busy weekend, was not an issue despite being very busy! The layout and exhibits are great for passing through and getting the next attraction. The stage was a very cool experience and I’m sure they have a variety of enrichments they do. As fast as zoos go PDZ is great they really take the animals into consideration and treat them well

Positive experience: We came to see the baby tapir and she did not disappoint. The zoo is a bit small given the price is not much different than Woodland Park in Seattle. It made the few empty exhibits really stand out.

Negative experience: I’d heard good things about the zoo and aquarium and was excited to take my small family on a trip out to visit. We won’t be back. The animal enclosures for many of the animals are too small. There’s very little enrichment/mentally stimulating things for many of the animals such as the gibbon monkeys and the seals. Considering how much it costs to get in and how appallingly overpriced the gift shop is, you’d think they’d be putting more money into the car both physical and mental of their animals. My husband was very upset after seeing some of the animals and was adamant that we’re never returning and I agreed. These animals aren’t stupid mindless drones. They’re intelligent. And some of them just sit in their enclosure with nothing to do besides wait for their next meal. Give them some fun toys and activities, rotate toys to keep things fresh, do SOMETHING for them. We left feeling depressed for the animals and angry at the ripoff prices.

Fantastic experience: Great experience, not too large so you'll have more than enough time to visit each exhibit. They have a section where you and the little ones can feed and pet goats along with a medium sized playground area for the kids to play. It also has a very nice gift shop and Cafe. My wife and son had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it.

Positive experience: Always a fun time at the zoo and aquarium. I did have my dogs and went to frequently check on them as well as gave them water I was not gone more than 30 min each time and was told by the zoo attendant that many people thought the dogs needed help and that is with frequent checking. I would normally have left my dogs home but was travelling further south that weekend and could not leave them behind. The police tried to harass me about it too.

Fantastic experience: Another Great Zoo in Seattle a lot of animals to see my favorite was Polar Bears and The aquarium amazing!

Fantastic experience: We took our grandson on a Monday morning. Didn’t feel too crowded even with several field trips there. This was the first time we had been there since our children were young and we were pleasantly surprised at how nice and updated the zoo felt. The aquariums were amazing. Beautifully done and well staffed with people to explain the animals and fish.

Positive experience: This zoo is cute, but it’s not the best zoo. Views are lovely and if you catch the gardens and the right season, the plants are mesmerizing, but otherwise it’s pretty basic. There’s not a lot of food options and I don’t remember seeing the gift shop but the selection of animals is pretty basic. I have to also mention that I’m just not a zoo person, but I have been to the San Diego zoo, which I believe is one of the best ones in the nation and this one doesn’t compare to that. We did have the perfect day here with our niece and a big group of kids and they absolutely loved it Which kind of made it magical for us. I guess it’s all about the company that’s with you while you enjoy the zoo.

Fantastic experience: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is such a gem! It’s clean, well-organized, and perfect for a day out with the family. The animal habitats are thoughtfully designed, and the aquarium is both relaxing and educational. Staff are friendly and happy to answer questions, and there’s always something new to see or learn. A great spot to explore, especially with kids—if you live in the area, I would highly recommend getting a zoo membership.

Fantastic experience: Great zoo and aquarium. Almost all of the animals were visible. Well maintained grounds and paths with lots of shade. Friendly staff. Nice gift shop. Lots of great animals and exhibits.

Fantastic experience: Went there on a field trip with my kids ECAP class. We didn't get to see the whole zoo due to time and there were multiple schools doing field trips that day. We all had fun though!

Fantastic experience: Went on a Saturday in May and got great weather. Not hot but not cold. The staff there is amazing and you can tell they really care about the animals. The grounds are very clean and have beautiful plants and flowers all over. The annual pass allows my kiddo and I to enjoy the Zoo and NW Trek all year round. Highly recommended for a fun day out, not just for kids!

Fantastic experience: The aquariums are so mesmerizing. All the staff is so helpful, and really engage with the kids. It's a great learning experience. Membership prices are great, and they pay for themselves in just 4 visits a year. Plus free parking.

Negative experience: "High Standards of animal care" Listed on their website yet have a polar bear stuck in the smallest and saddest enclosure that lacks water and anything resembling its natural habitat. This zoo misleads the public. This polar bear deserves better nobody should support or visit this zoo. Close down your zoo if you can't properly provide care for your prisoners of animals.

Fantastic experience: Great sized zoo, diverse species and we saw all the animals (none hiding) which is rare for zoos. Great free shows too! The combination of zoo and aquariums is fantastic too.

Fantastic experience: The Point Defiance Zoo is so well-curated and just beautiful. I really appreciate that this zoo is AZA accredited and that many of the animals are moved to different exhibits on a regular basis so that they don’t feel so confined. Some highlights of our recent trip were the Sumatran tiger, walrus, and puffins.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time on a sunny Sunday! The staff was friendly, helpful, and very patient with all of my kids. The exhibits were fantastic, and the animals were up and active, which made the experience even better. There was quite a bit of walking, so if you have little ones, I definitely recommend bringing a stroller. Parking was a bit hectic, but the good news is that you can find parking throughout the area.

Positive experience: It's nice and clean there, but barely any animals there. We saw a tiger and that's pretty much it. The aquarium has some sharks, some fish, many different jelly fish, it's hard for us to breathe inside and it's smelly. We enjoyed it as a park. So it might not be worth it if people have to pay full price.

Fantastic experience: Good to visit. The most interesting animals I saw is muskox, it’s cool to see. A lot fish in Aquarium.

Positive experience: We do love the zoo, annual membership even. Sadly, the food options are just not that good. There is really only kind of 1 place for food with any where to sit and that means it is often full. The food options are extremely limited. They replaced a family favorite swirl ice cream with a not good food truck. The Parking is laughable. There is never enough and the spots are barely big enough for a mini. The animals and exhibits are cool. The store is fun. The overall experience is just kinda lackluster though.

Fantastic experience: We had such a wonderful time at the zoo today! We were a group of five adults and five children. We started with a shark dive for my husband and two of our grandkids - so fun! And that's where we met Tess ❤️ She is so knowledgeable and friendly! She taught us so much about sharks. We went on to have several other amazing encounters - Tigers, wolves, puffins, arctic foxes, and more! Then we ran into Tess again at the polar bear exhibit where she taught us more (and the bears put on quite a show) Thank you, Tess! From Finn, Wren, Hazel, Gus, Ember and their parents, grandparents, and auntie!

Fantastic experience: I've been going to this zoo since I was a child. Sad to see some of the long time animals gone from old age, but definitely fun seeing new life there to start memories for younger people. We got to see 3 keeper talks and the animals definitely were out and about today.

Positive experience: Medium-sized Zoo, some exhibits are interchangeable, and there are signs telling about what could be in the exhibits. A playground for children with a slide and family restroom. One giftshop at the entrance. Discounts available for EBT holders with matching DL name, senior and military discounts as well. Tickets bought in advance have small discount.

Fantastic experience: Great for kids. We went with our grandkids. They had a great time lots to look at. Aquarium was very cool with areas to touch different sea creatures.

Fantastic experience: I came to do the underwater shark dive. Staff was friendly and informative. I never felt unsafe. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Park is great too. It’s clean and laid out nice. Wonderful views all around.

Positive experience: Really enjoyed Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. This was my first time back since I was a teenager, many many years ago. I loved the different sea creatures and seeing animals I can't see at Woodland Park Zoo. The number of hills was a little difficult with someone in our party having a disability but we managed.

Fantastic experience: My son loves sharks. We visited a few years ago and saw that they did shark dives. So this year for a early 16th Birthday present we got my son a ticket to the shark dive. He was so surprised. It was a great experience for him. The employees were very kind and explained everything very well. Along with the price of the experience you get a video too. It was a nice surprise. Definitely would recommend for the shark enthusiasts or even for someone who enjoys the ocean. My son said it was the best day of his life.

Fantastic experience: Great zoo, I think the clouded leopard is my favorite. Even as an adult, I learn something new every time. I visit whenever I'm in town. Got a rare photo of the zoos resident Wobbegong(carpet shark)!

Negative experience: We were not impressed with this zoo. The parking was ridiculous even though we arrived shortly after they opened. We had to park over a 1/2 mile away and walk with two small children on roads that did not have sidewalks. People were parking in non parking areas which added to it being dangerous for walking as some vehicles weren’t all the way off the road. It was extremely dangerous. The aquarium tanks were not very clean and some of the animal habitats were also not very clean.

Positive experience: This zoo is a great day trip even if the weather isn't ideal. There are lots of covered viewpoints and indoor activities. The staff is very friendly and more than willing to answer any questions you have. They are especially good with inquisitive children. My son loved talking to the staff member in scuba gear swimming with the fish in the aquarium. Arriving before 10:30am usually guarantees easy parking, and ordering tickets ahead of time will allow you to enter a separate queue. You can bring your own food in and sit in a covered picnic area or order from their indoor restaurant.

Positive experience: it was pretty fun, easily accessible but everything is pretty expensive

Fantastic experience: If you live in Western WA, consider getting a membership. There's so much to do and see at PDZA. We love watching sharks at the two aquariums. The wild wonder show at the amphitheatre is also must-see. All volunteers and staff are helpful, knowledgeable, and inclusive.

Fantastic experience: came all the way down here via public transit from seattle! so worth it! thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals but mostly the aquariums which is what we came here for. the sharks are so cool, seattle aquarium only got some with their newest expansion. beautiful area to walk around nearby as well, with a close ferry terminal to vashon.

Fantastic experience: I love this zoo! I always get to see a lot of animals and the grounds and views are amazing. The last time I went, all of the animals were asleep. It was nice to see them so relaxed

Fantastic experience: This is the first time at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. It was such a great experience. Our family and kids loved it as well. Such a great variety of animals. We will definitely be coming back! Staff was very friendly and helpful!

Negative experience: A polar bear is clearly showing signs of distress and zoochosis. For those looking to visit the zoo, this is NOT normal behavior! Polar bears shouldn’t even be in Washington. If I can be outside in a t shirt, a polar bear shouldn’t be in the same climate. Don’t support zoos, animals should be free in their natural environments, not forced into a life of a cage.

Fantastic experience: Fun and relaxing place to bring the family, or go on a simple date. It is a lot of fun that they have two different aquariums that you can explore, which allows you to see land and water creatures multiple times over.

Fantastic experience: We live fairly close so my family often visits Point Defiance and the zoo. Both are great. We have biked around Point Defiance, hiked around it, hiked in the woods, everything. Parking at the zoo is great and let's face it, it's a zoo. We all love it.

Fantastic experience: Being our local zoo, we love being able to take the trip on a weekday with the kids to the zoo! It is great being able to run out some energy, look at some animals, and learn something new. I just wish the zoo was more stroller friendly(less hills) but there really isn’t anything you can do about that with how old the zoo is. We love the toddler play area, the aquariums, and the tigers!

Positive experience: The aquariums were great. This zoo felt smaller than I remember. We were in and out in 90 minutes.

Fantastic experience: The value of memberships is outrageously good especially if you get the Deluxe Household Combo. My family felt the price was more than fair, considering the perks that come with it. Zoolights, Zoo, aquarium. You’ll never run out of things to do here. Not to mention the surrounding area is so beautiful and accessible. The park itself is well maintained and planned out, so it flows so well. There is a mobile mother’s room in the kiddo play area and ADA considerations throughout the park. Plenty of stroller parking throughout every step of the way.

Fantastic experience: It was a rainy day today, which made the zoo aquarium relatively empty. This was excellent as we bought our umbrellas and had an excellent time with our kids inside and outside throughout the exhibit. It’s amazing that they have both a zoo and an aquarium. Staff is very accommodative and patient with our little ones. We look forward to returning in the summer and possibly even in the winter again.

Positive experience: It is such a great place to make memories with your family, young and old. The animals were surprisingly out when I went, and it's always great to check out the aquarium. It's cheaper to get passes if you plan on going more than 1 time in the year. My toddler wasn't too happy with seeing the Tiger, but she managed to get through it.

Negative experience: Really pretty views but I do not know why no one is talking about how horrible some of the spaces are. I visited this zoo a long time ago and it seemed better. They remodeled and added the 2 aquariums but I feel like they cut down a lot of the enclosures. The walrus and polar bear have a sad life in a little pool, this big cat cub ( it may have been a leopard) was on display separated from its mother, the tiger paced back in forth in distress while another one was locked up in a display the size of a closet, a monkey was screaming by a vent wanting out. Just made me super sad more than anything poor animals

Fantastic experience: Wonderful trip with the family. Buy tickets online in advance for a discount and faster entry.

Fantastic experience: I had such a wonderful time with my nine month old daughter. She loves aquariums, so it was neat to be able to see two small ones in the course of the same day. The marine mammals exhibit was great because you get a couple great vantage points. The only thing I didn’t like was that the polar bear enclosure seemed quite small. I’m used to a polar bear enclosure that’s quite a bit larger than this, so I’m comparing it to a more modern installation.We loved the puffins as well. You can see them from underwater or at water level, and I was able to get some really great videos. This is an excellent value and a must do. Next time I’m in this area we will go again.

Fantastic experience: Probably our favorite zoo. Clean enclosures and a plethora of animals and fish to see.

Fantastic experience: I've been taking my kids to PDZA for many years and they love it every time. It's nice to see the animals will get to go to different areas in the zoo so they aren't cooped up in the same exhibit all the time. Watching them eat and play is fun and sometimes you get to experience some education while the zookeepers talk about each animal and you can ask questions. This year we went valentines weekend and they had heart decorations all over. Wonderful for nature lovers.

Fantastic experience: Over 770 thousand visits to the Zoo each year. With my super grandparent membership I’m one of them. In 1890 the Park built the first exhibit, the bear pit. Tacoma established the Zoo in 1905. And the citizens of Tacoma keep improving the zoo and aquarium each year.

Fantastic experience: I absolutely love visiting this zoo and aquarium! Every time I come here, I'm amazed by the variety of animals and the beautifully designed exhibits. The zoo's habitats are so well-maintained, and you can tell the animals are well taken care of. The aquarium is equally impressive, with so many fascinating sea creatures to admire. It's always such a relaxing and educational experience, and I appreciate how much they focus on conservation and educating visitors. It's a perfect spot for a fun and meaningful day out! Highly recommend

Fantastic experience: Such an amazing zoo. The environment throughout was very lush and natural. Very accessible for wheelchairs & strollers, great for all ages. Lots of staff/volunteers stationed around the zoo to answer any questions you may have. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: This zoo and aquarium is incredible! It has a large selection of animals, and they are all well cared for. Each one lives in a natural, large habitat. I've grown up going here, and I have zero complaints. This zoo is great for any age, and it is well worth a visit.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful, kid friendly experience with tons of room to let the kids run and burn themselves out. The hot chocolate was FANTASTIC, and made the cold much easier to endure!

Fantastic experience: Our family had the best time at the zoo's night time light show! It was a magical experience for both adults and children. The kids were mesmerized by the glowing animals, and we all enjoyed the festive atmosphere. We will definitely be back next year!

Fantastic experience: The lights were spectacular! It is difficult to visit everyone at home during this time of year. Our daughter and spouse invited us to Point Defiance right after Christmas! It was my first visit and the experience was wonderful. It was a perfect grand finale to a great holiday! I highly recommend visiting Zoolights. I will definitely return!

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic place! We got there right as they opened on a very rainy and cold day, with few other guests about, we felt like we were on a private tour. The staff were eager to tell us more about all of the animals and we loved how conservation minded everyone was.

Fantastic experience: ZooLights was the Best ever, sooo many lights and supporting our wonderful zoo and aquarium is a great experience for the whole family!! We will return each year for ZooLights and all year for Zoo and Aquarium. We love it!!

Fantastic experience: This is a really cool zoo and aquarium! I don't see several of their animals in zoos that often (the Musk Ox was a first!) and the exhibit design is really natural. You can see the whole thing in a few hours and it's well worth the visit. I'd go over and over again if I lived close.

Fantastic experience: Had a great time! With 4 kids we were there for about 3 hours. Make sure to bring cash for the penny coin smashers or you'll end up paying $4 for one. The bigger aquarium was the best in my opinion. The kids loved to be able to touch some of the animals. Ages 3 and under do not need a ticket. Large wagon stroller worked out for most of the areas we went in. Bring snacks and eat elsewhere. Get coffee and hot cocoa off site. Do not go in the gift shop if your not willing to spend $50+ on each kid.

Fantastic experience: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is absolutely amazing! The variety of animals and marine life is truly impressive, and you can tell they are well cared for. The staff is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work, which adds so much to the experience. The exhibits are well-maintained and thoughtfully designed, making it a perfect spot for all ages to explore and learn. Whether you're watching the majestic tigers, getting up close with the sharks, or marveling at the playful otters, there's something to enjoy around every corner. It's a perfect mix of zoo and aquarium in a stunning setting. Highly recommend visiting – it's an unforgettable experience!

Fantastic experience: Zoo lights this year was amazing. It was cold, but dry the night we made the rounds. The zoo this year has over a million lights on display! Every corner of space has flowers, bees, water streams with fish or flowers shaped out of lights.

Fantastic experience: Went for zoo lights. It amazes me the number of lights and the man power to set them up. I enjoyed the company more, though. i have a great family

Negative experience: Zoo Lights Right? WRONG. This should make Q13 Fox News. The lights were great. And then I spent 50 dollars for my wife and 3 kids to get hot cocoa and stood in a line with people touching you in front and back, just to get clear hot cocoa? The cocoa was literally dollar store flavor and it was grey or clear because there wasn't enough powder in the serve yourself football game container they sell for 10 a cup with no refills. They robbed us. Me and my wife had to wait FORTY MINUTES for our coffees that I watched them through the window NOT use almond milk but I wasn't about to say anything and wait another 40 minutes. People were storming off mad and cursing in front of my kids, my kids were upset mommy hadn't come out after 40 minutes and their nasty hot water was long long long gone, ya get some hot beverages and walk around zoo lights was a JOKE. I want my money back and free tickets to the zoo because I'll never be back to zoo lights. There is no fixing that unless your all ready to fire all the managers. Absolutely ridiculous I'm calling the health department. How disgusting of a business.

Fantastic experience: Went for zoo lights night. Lights were amazing and the event didn't feel crowded. No wait and staggered entry. Recommend buying tickets ahead of time and plan accordingly as event is outside

Fantastic experience: Point Defiance Zoo is a must-visit destination just an hour's smooth drive from Seattle. I loved seeing the Sumatran tiger, mesmerizing jellyfish, and the adorable Arctic fox! It’s perfect for a family outing and takes about half a day to explore and enjoy all the exhibits.

Fantastic experience: So Cool! I loved the variety of animals. My favorite part has to be the sharks or penguins. Not the biggest zoo/aquarium but the coll animals make up for it