Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Tacoma, Washington - mid-sized zoo and aquarium along the Pacific coast

The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is over 100 years old and is home to over 350 species of animals from around the world. The zoo covers nearly 30 acres of land in the Pacific Northwest, and many of the animals at this facility are endangered or threatened, giving visitors the opportunity to see animals that are rare in the wild and, in some cases, can't be seen at other zoos. This is one of the few zoo and aquarium combos in the United States.

There are actually two aquariums at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The first, called the South Pacific Aquarium, has coral reefs and a faux-lagoon complete with brightly colored fish, eels, and other marine life. There's also a Outer Reef exhibit, which has dozens of sharks, and staff members will feed and swim with the sharks as guests watch from large viewing areas. The North Pacific Aquarium, on the other hand, has marine life native to Washington's waters. Some of the species at this location include giant octopuses, salmon, rockfish, urchins, and sea anemones. Inside the North Pacific Aquarium, guests will also find their Marine Discovery Center, where families can learn about the Puget Sound and other marine habitats.

Outside of the aquariums, guests can visit the Rocky Shores exhibit, which is home to the park's beluga whales, sea otters, puffins, walruses, and seals. Along with the Rocky Shores exhibit, the Arctic Tundra exhibit is a popular part of the zoo outside of the aquariums. This area has polar bears, artic fox, muskox and reindeer, and mirrors the coast of Point Hope, Alaska.

Another popular exhibit is the Asian Forest Sanctuary, which is five acres and features Sumatran tigers. Other animals in this exhibit include Asian elephants, Asian otters, crested porcupines, white-cheeked gibbons, and Malayan tapirs. Nearby, other exhibits have animals such as red wolves, penguins, ravens, barn owls, meerkats, lemurs, Goliath bird-eating spiders, emerald tree boas, ornate horned frogs, African emperor scorpions, hissing cockroaches, tortoises, Burmese pythons, and Eurasian eagle owls.

The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has a number of interactive exhibits, which can be enjoyed by both adults and children. One such exhibit is called Budgie Buddies, featuring small Australian birds called budgerigars. These birds will eat seeds right out of guests' hands, and there are more than 100 individual birds in the exhibit. There are also animal encounters scheduled every day, as well as opportunities to talk to zookeepers about the animals.

The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has programs for school groups as well as other organizations, and can hold parties and other events. Admission ranges from $7 to $13 per person, with special rates for Pierce County residents, members of the military, and groups of 15 of more visitors. The zoo has wheelchairs, strollers, umbrellas, lockers, and electric scooters for rent for small fees, and they have online ticket purchase options for guests who don't want to wait in line at the zoo. The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is open during the summer from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily, with shorter hours during the rest of the year. Guests can call 253-591-5337 for more information.