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Experience eye-to-eye shark dives in the aquarium's recently remodeled habitat. Photo: courtesy Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Where else can you dive with sharks, touch tropical creatures, groom goats, visit twin polar bears and enjoy a live animal theater show? Not only is the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest but it’s also a botanical garden and host to many unique hands-on and up-close experiences.
I recently visited the zoo to see the newest features, and am excited to share all the experiences and exhibits that families won’t want to miss!
What’s new at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium?
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s newest exhibit, Coral Reef Up-Close, opened in the Tropical Reef Aquarium in June 2025. Stop by each time you visit the zoo to witness this newly cultivated tropical reef grow before your eyes. Did you know that corals are living animals? With the careful nurturing of PDZA staff, young corals will grow as a part of a larger ecosystem of colorful reef fish, hermit crabs, snails and banded coral shrimp. This new exhibit highlights the importance of healthy reefs in our world and also invites us to learn how we can protect our critically endangered reefs.
The Tropical Reef Aquarium reopened last summer, with 95 added species. Upon entry, you’re greeted by the Tropical Shallows habitat touch tank and a sandy shoreline where you can view stingrays. At the touch tanks, my kids enjoyed the skunk cleaner shrimp’s curious approach as they tickled their fingers. Go below sea level to view some of our favorites: grouper, reef sharks, vibrant coral and puffer fish.
Spectators and participants can experience eye-to-eye shark dives in the recently remodeled Outer Reef habitat. The improved exhibit allows humans and reef sharks to interact more comfortably. This 20-minute water time experience is for up to 4 people, ages 8 and older (and costs $95–$105 per zoo member, $115–$125 per non-member, including admission). No experience with diving is necessary. My son turns 8 this fall and already has this experience on his birthday wish list!
The Arctic Tundra’s polar bear exhibit sat empty for about a year before welcoming polar bear twins, Laerke and Astra, from the Detroit Zoo in 2023. Visit during a Polar Bear Keeper Chat (1:30 p.m. daily) to learn more fun facts about these playful but fierce bears.
The Rocky Shores pools welcomed a new addition last summer. The first sea lion pup born in PDZA history made its entrance on June 6, 2024. Pepper was gradually introduced to the other seals and emerged from behind the scenes last August. You can now view her spinning and swimming alongside her mom.
More to explore at the Pacific Seas Aquarium
As if one aquarium wasn’t enough, don’t miss the wonders within the Pacific Seas Aquarium. Large spotted eagle rays steal the show in the Baja Bay warm-water habitat right when you enter. As you descend into the depths of the aquarium, the “Shimmer” light installation (just one of the many incredible art pieces at PDZA) playfully invites you to advance to the next exhibit. Several jellyfish exhibits — including one of the only two jelly globes in the country — await. The colorful lights on the swirling jellies are entrancing and the continuous water flowing over the globe offers a fun sensory experience.
Several more tanks give insight into our local waters’ habitats without having to dive into the chilly waters ourselves. The kelp forest and giant Pacific octopus are some of our favorites.
The Tidal Touch Zone is open daily for “finger urchin hugs” and gentle exploration of other low tide creatures. My kids also enjoy learning more facts and testing their knowledge on the interactive touch screens throughout this aquarium.
Get your wiggles out at the zoo
Take a play break at the Nature Play Garden (which opened in April 2022), where children of all ages can wander winding pathways amongst native plants, balance on raised planks, take refuge in a woven nest of sticks, crawl through a hollow log, hop and climb around, and build with natural components at the Builder’s Deck.
During peak bloom in the summer, the garden is home to many buzzing bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Don’t miss the tall bamboo chimes to make some noise — my kids liked to run through these as toddlers. There’s also a sensory garden full of fragrant herbs and different textured plants right at kid level.
We like to save the bigger play area, the Kids’ Zone, for last so we can get some final wiggles out before getting back on the road. This area has play structures among smaller animal exhibits that house lemurs, meerkats, reptiles and more.
Climb the rope web like a spider, pose at the giant shell and anemone photo ops, and zoom down the slides built into a hill. Moms will appreciate the turf surfacing, partial cover for shade, nearby bathrooms, benches, and private pod for breastfeeding and pumping.
If your kids are like mine, they’ll love taking a spin on the iconic carousel located near the entrance ($4 for non-members, $2 for members). While it’s currently closed for repairs, we hope it reopens soon!
Seasonal shows at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
If you visit the Point Defiance Zoo from May–September, don’t miss the brand-new “Zoo’s Got Mail” show at the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. This half-hour show is the perfect break to sit and have a snack. Kids will be captivated by Rocket, the mail-delivering dog, and surprise performances from zoo animals. Our favorites are Clark the king vulture, who swoops over the audience’s heads on command, and Wasabi the skunk, who emerges for a treat.
The Nature Play Garden is open year-round, but in May–September it is also the stage for the seasonal Bugs Alive! show. This live bug presentation debunks scary stereotypes of bugs and teaches the important roles they have in our daily lives.
Additional Point Defiance Zoo experiences
Keeper Chats, Animal Encounters, Dive Talks and the seasonal Critter Corner are all additional opportunities to learn from the zoo keepers and get a closer look at some of the resident animals. Grab a map upon your arrival at the zoo to view the schedule of presentations and Keeper Chats.
Tucked away behind the Kids’ Zone are the beloved goats that you can pet, groom and feed (with pellets available for purchase). Point Defiance Zoo now has an opportunity to get up close and personal with six sweet goats! The “Groovy Goats” experience is a 30-minute session for up to 8 people (and costs $35 per member or $55 per non-member). Go behind the scenes to see where all the goats snack and rest. Then enter a private goat yard where the littlest “kids” play! This experience is recommended for children ages 5 and older (my 3-year-old was timid but still enjoyed this experience). My children loved grooming and playing with the young goats as they explored enrichment activities like the spinning wheel.
There are other year-round opportunities for special animal encounters throughout the zoo and many are unscheduled, so be on the lookout! And not everyone comes to the zoo for the animals — plant enthusiasts come for the world-class gardens. The plants make the Point Defiance Zoo aesthetically beautiful and they also provide enrichment and snacks for the zoo animals. Learn from the PDZA horticulturist on a free botanical garden tour (10 a.m., first Sunday of every month). The Monkey Puzzle Tree is a prominent favorite of mine — see if you can spot it on your visit!
If you go to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium…Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is located at 5400 N. Pearl St. in Tacoma. Note that there is ongoing construction and the Pearl Street entrance is currently closed. Use the Mildred Street entrance instead. Hours: The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium hours change seasonally. From June 21–Sept. 1, 2025, the zoo is open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Additional information regarding holiday closures and seasonal hour changes can be found on the zoo’s website. Cost: Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online (you’ll save a few dollars if you purchase online). Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium tickets cost $25–$28 for ages 13–64; $23–$26 for seniors 65 and older; $17–$19 for youth ages 3–12; and children age 2 and younger are free. Military discounts are available at the gate. Wild Access discount tickets are available for families who participate in Washington Quest EBT and WIC nutrition programs, and foster and kinship care parents. See the PDZA website for details. Additional info: Parking is free in the zoo’s lots. Bike racks are available on the south side of the zoo entrance. Bus routes 10 and 11 stop near the zoo. Food is available for purchase at the Plaza Cafe as well as some additional seasonal offerings throughout the zoo. Outside food is allowed; no alcohol or glass containers. Refillable water stations are available throughout the zoo, seasonally. Water bottles are also available for purchase. Wheelchairs, powerchairs, strollers and umbrellas are available for rent, depending on availability. The PDZA is wheelchair accessible. More Tacoma-area attractions for families to explore: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in October 2024, and was updated by the writer on July 7, 2025, with details of the new Coral Reef Up-Close exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. All other information was fact-checked.
