Seattle Aquarium, Washington

Mike and I love to check out the tourist attractions in the cities we're exploring, and this is all about the Aquarium in Seattle, Washington.

The Seattle Aquarium is located on Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront. It opened in 1977 and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The aquarium promotes marine conservation and educates over 800,000 visitors each year (including 50,000 students) on the impact of mankind on marine life and conducts research in these fields.

There are several exhibits in the Aquarium.

The Crashing Waves Exhibit is a 40-foot wave tank that replicates Washington shores.

Life of a Drifter includes a 12-foot high glass "donut" where visitors can be surrounded by moon jellies, a display featuring a giant Pacific octopus, and rockfish, sea stars, and plankton.

The Marine Mammals includes harbor seals, Northern fur seals, sea otters, and river otters.

The Underwater Dome is a transparent, spherical undersea room in a 400,000-US-gallon tank that includes salmon, sharks, sturgeon, and rockfish