Fantastic Fauna
Seattle’s proximity to nature provides ample opportunity for wildlife spotting—a bald eagle at Discovery Park, an orca off Lincoln Park, or a turtle sunning at Golden Gardens.
Woodland Park Zoo
photo credit Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
The newly expanded Seattle Aquarium teems with diverse marine life, from playful sea otters to brainy octopuses, in a diverse range of habitats. Whale-watching enthusiasts should check Orca Network’s online map of viewpoints. Better still, book a half-day FRS Clipper cruise to see orcas and other whales, plus sea lions and seabirds.
Go on a night-time Owl Prowl at Seward Park Audubon Center to learn about these wise inhabitants of the park’s old growth forest. The 74-acre Union Bay Natural Area on Lake Washington is a bird-watching mecca, drawing more than 200 species. You can view hundreds of animals from around the world, from Humboldt penguins to red pandas, at Woodland Park Zoo, with its 10 different habitats.
Seattleites love dogs and cats too. Get your cute-critter fix at local dog parks, like South Lake Union’s tree-lined Denny Park, where dogs can romp in an off-leash area. Fans of felines can have a meet-and-greet at NEKO Cat Cafe and Seattle Meowtropolitan, which also offers Meowga (yoga with cats).
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