Puget Sound Estuarium — Attraction in Olympia

I had such a great time visiting the Puget Sound Estuarium with my whole family — even my 9-month-old son came along! We all got in for free with our EBT card, which made it such a wonderful and accessible outing for families.

The highlight of our visit was definitely Maddie — she was super knowledgeable and so passionate about the animals. You could ask her about literally any creature, and she’d have awesome facts and stories to share. Her excitement made the experience even more fun and memorable for all of us.

The estuarium itself is full of fascinating displays and local sea life, but it’s Maddie’s energy and knowledge that really make it shine. It’s a perfect spot for families, kids, or anyone curious about the amazing creatures of the Puget Sound.

Highly recommend visiting — and be sure to talk to Maddie if you get the...

What a special place! I've been to aquariums before, but the Estuarium teaches about all the unique things that happen where fresh water meets the sea. It's a small, community run science and education center. They have two two hundred gallon saltwater tanks with colorful sea anemones, sea stars, the feistiest crabs I've ever met, and a family of pipe fish--the local relatives of sea horses who spend their lives swimming vertically. There are lots of other activities and displays for all ages, from coloring sheets to a squid in a jar, to microscopes where you can watch live plankton.

The Estuarium is headquarters for the SSEA's many education programs that happen out at Boston Harbor (Pier Peer) and at local beaches throughout the summer. If you're in Olympia on the weekend, the Estuarium is...

A fun and educational place equally entertaining to 2 year olds to 70+ year olds.

It seems small but contains a lot inside with knowledgable volunteers on site to give personal tours and tell us about the resident animals personalities.

There's a few aquariums where you can get an up close look at some common PNW species and a back room full of hands on activities for kids, jarred specimens and drawers of shells you can inspect with magnifying glasses. Many other pictures, posters and books available to learn even more. The touch tank was away at the fair when we stopped in, probably another fun...