Odyssey, The Maritime Discovery Museum
Pier 66, 2205 Alaskan Way
206-374-4000
Daily 10-5, Admission charged
The center has four galleries with more than 40 interactive exhibits that explore Seattle's waterfront heritage. The entryway looks through glass onto the pier and the Sound.

Seattle Aquarium - Marine Park
Pier 59, Waterfront Park
(206) 386-4320
daily, in summer 10 am-7 pm, after Labor Day 10 am-5 pm
Admission charged.
The salmon ladder at the Seattle Aquarium offers a bottoms-up view Home to sea otters, harbor seals, jellyfish, nautilus, diving seabirds and 366 species of fish, the Seattle Aquarium on Pier 59 offers an up-close look at Northwest sea life. A highlight is "Sound to Mountains: A Watershed Journey," which recreates an interactive watershed and educates viewers as to the importance to salmon of functioning watersheds.

Woodland Park Zoological Gardens (Zoo)
5500 Phinney Avenue North
(206) 684-4800
Winter hours: daily 9:30 am-dusk (last admittance 4 pm).
Summer hours: daily 9:30 am-6 pm
US$9 adults, US$8.25 seniors and students, US$6.50
people with disabilities and children ages 6-17
US$4.25 for children ages 3-5.
Parking is US$3.50. Strollers and wheelchairs for rent. In Seattle's city zoo, the elephants inhabit a state-of-the-art habitat (funded by voter bonds at US$1 million per elephant). The newest exhibits are the Asian Trail of Vines and a 6-acre/2.4-hectare Northern Trails exhibit with bald eagles, bears, otters and snowy owls. There's also a penguin area

Space Needle
219 4th Avenue North
206-443-2100
The Space Needle is a 600ft (180m) rocket styled observation station and restaurant. After the 41 second zip up its elevators to the top, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360° views. The top of the 605-foot Space Needle is the best place to orient yourself to the city and its surroundings.

Observation Towers
Bank of America Tower (formerly Columbia Seafirst Tower)
701 Fifth Ave.
206-386-5151
The observation tower offers a dramatic view from the 73rd floor. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children. However, the best free view in the city may be from the 108-step climb to the top of the old water tower in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. Open daily.

Pacific Science Center
Seattle Center
200 Second Avenue North
For general information, call 206-443-2001
Laser Light Show:206-443-2850
Planetarium: 206-443-2920
IMAX Theater: 206-443-4629
The Pacific Science Center has hands-on exhibits for children, an impressive new Boeing IMAX Theater and a gift shop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and children 3-13, free for kids under 3.

Fun Forest
Seattle Center - Amusement Park
370 Thomas Street
(206) 728-1585 or 206-684-8582
(open noon to midnight daily in summer)
Fun Forest Amusement Park-Located at the Seattle Center, this modest amusement park has rides geared toward children, bumper cars and miniature golf.It isitscated on the north end of downtown, at the foot of Queen Anne Hill.