Zoos, aquariums and animal farms for kids around Seattle

From penguins to bison and sea otters to reindeer, there's a surprising range of animals within an hour of Seattle, and a few good free options so it needn't be $100 in tickets every time.

For a big zoo, choose Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle (with Zoomazium indoors for rainy days) or Point Defiance in Tacoma (zoo plus aquarium, free parking); the sea otters and the new Ocean Pavilion tank at the Seattle Aquarium can hold a 2-year-old for an hour. Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah is small and done in an hour. For something special, drive to Northwest Trek in Eatonville and ride through herds of bison and elk. Free: the goats and ponies at Kelsey Creek Farm, the salmon ladder at the Ballard Locks in summer, and the Issaquah hatchery in fall.

• 5 places
• 5 stroller-friendly
• closest is 15 min away