Come explore the only combined zoo & aquarium in the Northwest. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is large enough to offer an awesome array of animals yet small enough to let you get really close to them. You'll see seahorses and sharks, peacocks and penguins, wolves and walrus, tigers and tapirs, polar bears and primates, all in one place.
Visit the NEW Asian Forest Sanctuary, watch an animal presentation at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, experience a close animal encounter, wander through our seahorse exhibit or listen to a keeper talk.
The annual Zoolights display, featuring hand-crafted displays with thousands of lights, is open evenings in December. Special events, programs and camps are offered throughout the year. Wheelchair accessible. Gift shop, cafés, stroller, wheelchair & umbrella rentals, picnic areas, Assisted Hearing Devices and free parking for your convenience. Open at 9:30 a.m. year round, closing times vary.
Located just off I-5 in Tacoma in Point Defiance Park, 25 miles from Seattle and 30 miles from Olympia.
Come explore the only combined zoo & aquarium in the Northwest. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is large enough to offer an awesome array of animals yet small enough to let you get really close to them. You'll see seahorses and sharks, peacocks and penguins, wolves and walrus, tigers and tapirs, polar bears and primates, all in one place.