Seattle Aquarium

Address: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (Pier 59)
Phone: 206-386-4300
Website: http://www.seattleaquarium.org
Hours: 9:30am to 5pm daily - last entry at 5pm, exhibits close at 6pm
Cost: free with FLASH card; $15/adult, $10/child
Bus: yes
Parking: garage and street

What to expect: The Aquarium is fairly easy to navigate by wheelchair, especially the recently renovated areas. The newest and boldest exhibit - Window Onto Washington - offers a broad, unobstructed view. The aisle ways in the newer portions of the building are wide. The "Touch Pools" are staffed by volunteers who can bring sea animals to you if you are unable to reach into the pool and there are several areas built with plexi-glass so you can see to the bottom of the pool even if you are unable to lean over the edge. All of the tanks are at a height appropriate for someone who is viewing from a seated position. Much of the Aquarium is dimly lit and when it's crowded it can be particularly difficult to move around.

The older parts of the Aquarium pose a few challenges - narrower pathways, doors that don't open automatically, tight turns to name a few, but we found the staff to be alert and helpful with these issues. Overall, we were able to see everything without much difficulty. A few inconveniences here and there, but nothing major.

The disabled parking is not plentiful, especially in the summer. Parking under Highway 99 can be a particular challenge because the pavement is in poor condition making for a bumpy, even dangerous, ride.