Zoo and Aquarium Information

ZOOS & AQUARIUMS

Whatcom County

Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department

Located at: 3424 Meridian St., 360-676-6985. For more information, please visit: www.cob.org/parks.

Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department

Located at: 3370 Mount Baker Highway, 360-733-2900 or 360-592-5161. For more information, please visit: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/index.jsp

Lake Terrell Wildlife Area

Located at: Interstate 5, exit 262, go west to Mountain View Road, continue about 6.5 miles to Lake Terrell Road and turn right. Popular fishing location. Day license for fishing is $9. Ferndale, WA. For more information, please visit: http://whatcom.kulshan.com/Washington/Whatcom+County/Ferndale/Outdoors/Lake+Terrell+Wildlife+Area.htm

Sehome Hill Arboretum - Western Washington University

Located in the heart of the City of Bellingham, WA. A 180-acre natural forest habitat. Hours: 6 a.m. to sunset. For more information, please visit: http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~sha/

Seattle Area

Browns Point Lightkeeper’s Cottage

Located at: 201 Tulalip St. N.E., Tacoma. Visit the 1903 cottage and household items museum, operated by the Points Northeast Historical Society. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays; free.

Mud Mountain Dam

Located at: 30525 S.E. Mud Mountain Road, Enumclaw. Hiking trails, group shelters on reservation basis, covered picnic shelters, playground equipment, and wading pool. Free.

Northwest Trek

Located at: 11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville. Explore and learn about wildlife in natural habitat, new Trailside Encounters, learn about a variety of animals up-close, presentations, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. daily; various special events planned throughout the year, go to Web site or call for upcoming events. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Sept. 3; $5-$13.50; 360-832-6117, www.nwtrek.org.

Point Defiance Park

Located at: 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. Open year-round, features trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, beach, gardens, Boathouse Marina, Camp 6 Logging Museum, Fort Nisqually Historic Site and the zoo and aquarium. Free; 253-305-1000, www.metroparkstacoma.org.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Located at: 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. Nationally accredited zoo and aquarium with animal encounters, live stage animal education, elephants, tigers, whales, walruses and much more. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; $8-$10; 253-591-5337, www.pdza.org.

Seattle Aquarium

Located at: Pier 59, Waterfront Park, Seattle. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; $5.25-$15.85; 206-386-4300, www.seattleaquarium.org.

Seattle Bug Safari

Located at: 1501 Western Ave., Suite 304, Seattle. Insect zoo featuring more than 40 species of live insects, arachnids, millipedes and centipedes from all over the world. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 15; $6-$8; 206-285-BUGS, seattlebugsafari.com.

Tacoma Nature Center

Located at: 1919 S. Tyler St., Tacoma. Advance registration required for all programs; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays; free; 253-591-6439; metroparkstacoma.org.

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

Located at: 16 S. G St., Tacoma. Victorian glass conservatory, home to more than 350 tropical and subtropical plants; live acoustic music, 1-2:30 p.m. second Sundays, donations accepted. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; free; 253-591-5330, www.metroparkstacoma.org.