Location: Issaquah, Washington Years Active: 1972 – Active The Cougar Mountain Zoo isn’t your average animal park. Tucked away in Washington’s forests, it’s all about rare, endangered creatures. Think tigers, lemurs, weird birds – the kind of animals disappearing from the wild. This place exists to save them. They don’t just show animals – Cougar…
Location: Seattle, Washington Years Active: 1962 – Active Love science? You’ll dig the Pacific Science Center, a Seattle staple since 1962. Forget boring museums – this place is all about getting hands-on. Explore space in the planetarium, experiment with crazy contraptions, and feel the rumble of a dinosaur walking by. Geek out all you want…
Location: Eatonville, Washington Years Active: 1975 – Active Northwest Trek Wildlife Park isn’t your average zoo. This massive park near Eatonville, Washington, ditches cages for huge, natural spaces. It’s been open since 1975, but it’s anything but old school. Forget shuffling past bored animals – here, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the wild. The…
Location: Seattle, Washington Years Active: 2000 – Active Seattle’s got something weird and wonderful – the Museum of Pop Culture, aka MoPOP. This place is wild. Think music, sci-fi, video games – a total pop culture explosion! It opened back in 2000, right by the Space Needle. MoPOP isn’t your standard museum. They’ve got this…
Location: Federal Way, Washington Years Active: 1977 – Active Okay, here’s the real deal on Enchanted Village & Wild Waves Water Park. It’s a classic amusement park, the kind you probably went to as a kid. Think roller coasters, a log flume, that sort of thing. If you live around Federal Way, it’s perfect for…
Location: Puyallup, Washington Years Active: 1900 – Active The Washington State Fair ain’t your grandma’s quilting circle. It’s a sprawling, sometimes chaotic explosion in Puyallup (locals know how to pronounce that!). This century-old tradition is pure Pacific Northwest, with a mix of down-home agriculture and straight-up urban energy. September’s the time to go. Rides, animals,…
Location: Tacoma, Washington Years Active: 1905 – Active Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a Tacoma classic. It’s pretty old – opened way back in 1905! You’ll find it in that huge Point Defiance Park. This isn’t some generic zoo. They focus on Pacific Northwest critters on land and in the sea. The Asian Forest…
Location: Seattle, Washington Years Active: 1977 – Active Okay, the Seattle Aquarium isn’t just about cuddly critters. It’s a deep dive (pun intended) into the wild world of the Pacific Northwest coast. Think less glossy brochure, more behind-the-scenes reality. You’ll see the usual suspects: sea otters frolicking, a giant octopus looking way too smart for…
Location: Seattle, Washington Years Active: 1899 – Active Woodland Park Zoo ain’t no petting zoo. These are wild animals, and the zoo takes their care seriously. You’ll see them roam wide-open spaces, climb, play, and even hunt (if you’re lucky!). This is the real deal, a glimpse into the raw beauty of the animal kingdom….
Location: Federal Way, Washington Years Active: 1977 – Active Wild Waves Enchanted Village – it’s been around forever, and it shows. But hey, if you’re into a bit of retro charm mixed with watery fun, this is your spot. Think faded colors, slightly creaky rides, and that unmistakable chlorine smell. Don’t expect gourmet eats here….