The Seattle Aquarium is located at the heart of Seattle’s revitalized central waterfront.
When you come downtown for your Aquarium visit, you also have easy access to world-famous Pike Place market, Waterfront Park, a marine-themed public playground, urban beaches and so much more. With three buildings and thousands of animals, the Aquarium takes a few hours to see. That leaves you and your group plenty of time to explore what else the waterfront has to offer.
Explore some of your options below!
Fun at your fingertips
Pike Place Market
No visit to downtown Seattle is complete without a trip to Pike Place Market! Beloved by locals and out-of-towners alike, this is a great place to meet friendly shopkeepers, discover talented artisans, taste delicious food and enjoy local culture.
Pier 58 Playground
Kids will adore the marine-themed playground on Pier 58—located just above the beautiful waters of Elliott Bay and right next to the Aquarium—and visitors of all ages can meet up with friends or simply enjoy a rest.
Pier 62
The liveliest place on the waterfront, Pier 62 hosts community programming, cultural events, fitness classes, performances, food trucks and more. The pier’s floating dock also brings Puget Sound to your fingertips—literally.
A taste of the ocean
Come by Old Stove Brewing—located in Pike Place Market—to try One Ocean Pale Ale, a beer made in collaboration with the Seattle Aquarium. This Northwest pale ale features a tropical twist and is perfect for sipping while enjoying gorgeous views of Elliott Bay. And a portion of every purchase goes toward supporting the Aquarium’s work. A win-win!
Also available on tap at Old Stove’s locations in Ballard and North Queen Anne, and in stores near you.
Soak in nature
Waterfront Park
With access to playgrounds, piers, bike lanes, native plantings, public bathrooms and more, this public park stretches from Olympic Sculpture Park to Lumen Field. Exploring it is the perfect way to see the central waterfront—and maybe even seals, orcas and other marine life in Elliott Bay.
Overlook Walk
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the waterfront at Overlook Walk. Located partially on the Ocean Pavilion’s rooftop, this public park provides unmatched views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic mountains.
Beaches
Ocean enthusiasts can walk along the waterfront to some of Seattle’s urban beaches. From the Aquarium, head north for about 1 mile to reach Pocket Beach or head south for half a mile to reach Pioneer Square Habitat Beach.
Getting here
No matter where you’re coming from, your day on the waterfront can be made much easier with a little planning. From parking discounts to free public transit options, we’re here to help. Visit the Aquarium’s Directions & Transit page for information on how to get here and get your fun-filled day started!
Bringing little ones?
Kids 3 years old and younger enter the Aquarium for free. There’s lots for them (and you) to do inside and outside our campus. Check out this web story for a toddler’s perfect day at the Aquarium.
Waterfront itineraries
Not sure where to start? We partnered with some well-known locals to put together itineraries for a guaranteed fun day on the waterfront. From foodies to families to marine science lovers, there’s an itinerary for everyone.
And if you need help deciding which day on the waterfront is most your style, take our quick quiz to find out!
How J. Kenji López-Alt makes it a day at the Seattle waterfront
The chef, author and Seattle Aquarium member recently partnered with the Aquarium to map a food-centric day at the Seattle waterfront. Kenji’s itinerary includes several[...]
Accessibility on the waterfront
Just outside the Ocean Pavilion’s entrance is an elevator that grants you direct pedestrian access to the Overlook Walk and Pike Place Market. The Pike Place Market Garage also includes a public elevator between the market and Alaskan Way, near the Aquarium.
There is a paved pedestrian path along the central waterfront that stretches from Pier 70 in the north (which extends into Elliott Bay Trail) to Seattle Ferry Terminal in the south. This path also has many benches and other areas to sit and rest.
Gender-neutral and ADA-accessible public restrooms are located on Pier 62 and near Pier 58. Additional public restrooms are available at Pike Place Market, Washington State Ferry Terminal and Pier 57.
Find more information online about accessibility at the Aquarium and along the waterfront.
