Best Zoo in Renton

"Woodland Park Zoo spanning 92 acres in size, is a National Award-winning wildlife conservation establishment and zoological garden. Across multiple categories, it has received over 65 awards, and in 2019 it recorded a whopping 1.4 million international and domestic visitors. It features over 1,000 animals of nearly 300 species from all over the world."

"This attraction is frequently ranked as one of the best things to do in Seattle with kids of all ages. Even if you are not a huge fan of the modern day zoo, this one does a great job of educating children on the importance of wildlife protection. Exhibits include many activities for small children."

"Next, stop by the Museum of Pop Culture, MoPOP (or if you have children head out to the Woodland Park Zoo) both of which are included in the CityPass. The MoPOP lets you explore some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction, and pop culture."

"I feel like I have to put this at the top of my list because not only is it one of the most popular things to do in Tacoma with kids, but they’ve done some recent updates. My son loved building his own sand creation while watching a master artist at work. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung"

"This 5 acre (2.0 ha) exhibit complex which opened on July 1, 2004[6] simulates the forests of southeast Asia with a waterfall, streams, and plants native to the region such as bamboo.[9] The complex is designed so that species are rotated to different parts of the exhibit after several days.[6] Asian Forest Sanctuary includes Sumatran tigers, Malayan tigers, northern white-cheeked gibbons, siamangs, lowland anoas, Indian crested porcupines, Asian small-clawed otters, and Asian elephants.[9] An expansion called Cats of the Canopy opened on August 27, 2011 and focuses on the clouded leopard. Viewing is provided by a wide glass window along a gravelly stream bed and into a heated den. The twenty-foot high enclosure also allows the cats to climb through the trees.[10]"

"Completed in 1982,[2] this exhibit is based on the shoreline of Cape Flattery, Washington and serves as home to harbor seals, Pacific walruses, sea otters, common murres and tufted puffins in four separate pools. In the middle of the exhibit area is a building for underwater viewing. The exhibit formerly contained beluga whales until they were taken to a zoo in Texas in 2007."

"1981 saw the opening of this exhibit area, which forms a semicircle at one end of the zoo. Muskoxen and reindeer are housed in separate meadows on the outside of the pathway’s arc, while polar bears and Arctic foxes live on the inside of the arc. The polar bears have an eleven-foot-deep pool with above- and underwater viewing.[11]"

"The habitat was rebuilt in 2009 and opened again in the summer of 2010.[13] The exhibit consists of two separate meadows with a rocky creek, hollow log, and other landscaping.[14] The conservation center is designed to look like an abandoned farm building."

"Takeout available Thursday and Friday evening, and Saturday and Sunday during brunch-ish hours at this Olive Way restaurant that claimed national attention for its revelatory khachapuri, not to mention borscht, matzo ball soup, and the stunning salad known as herring under a fur coat. Preorder food (and shots, vodka flights, and other drinks) on Tock. Capitol Hill's Dacha Diner serves several versions of khachapuri for takeout."

"Capitol Hill’s acclaimed, cozy Eastern European restaurant has a weekend daytime menu that includes its popular khachapuri (Georgian cheese bread). There’s still no dine-in service, but contactless pickup is available with online pre-orders via the website, and there are all-day breakfast items on Saturdays and Sundays, including blintzes, latkes, and challah French toast. View this post on Instagram"

"Warm yellow light and the aroma of baking dough greet guests at Dacha Diner. Formerly home to a rowdy tequileria, this wedge-shaped Capitol Hill restaurant feels serene and homey. The settle-in vibe is key, especially because many dishes are cooked or baked to order—prepare to stay for at least an hour."

"Ethan Stowell’s tribute to the delights of Roman cuisine hit the corner of 15th and Harrison so old souled and vibrant it felt essential from its first week. It’s urban cozy with medieval notes—stone walls, clerestory windows, warm wood-burning hearth—that strike a winning contrast with the mod mix of Hillsters who pop in for lunch and dinner. They’re chewing golden pizza crusts topped with things like Padrón peppers and pickled red onions; they’re spreading terrific salted housemade mozzarella and peach mostardaonto crusty toasted baguettes; they’re swooning over pastas like the smoky guanciale with chili pepper."

"Make your way to West Seattle via water taxi to the sands of Alki Beach, the spot where the city’s founders first arrived. To get to the water taxi pier, take a westbound Route 106 or 550 bus to Pioneer Square Station, then walk to the waterfront. Once in West Seattle, hop on a westbound Route 37 or 775 bus to Alki Ave."

"Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach features a long beach strip, picnic tables, a bathhouse, and an art studio. Most visitors go to enjoy the beach life, as well as the swimmers who brave the cold waters of Puget Sound. In November 1851, Alki Beach was the site of landing by settlers who were on their way to Seattle."

"For an opposite view of Seattle, head to West Seattle’s Alki Beach. It’s one of the only true sand beaches in the area, so it’s packed during the warm weather. You can see how the city looks from across Puget Sound, which is especially fun as the sun is going down."

"At the south end of the Washington Park Arboretum is a magical 3.5-acre garden laid out in the late-1950s on the supervision of the respected landscape architect Jūki Iida. Meandering paths and benches encourage you to go slow and appreciate the garden’s water, stones, lanterns, plants, fauna, bridges and buildings. This is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the United States, but also one of the most authentic, and a venue for all sorts of celebrations in the Japanese calendar, like Children’s Day (5 May) and Respect for the Aged Day (16 September)."

"Hidden within Madison Park is the beautiful Seattle Japanese Garden. For just a small fee you can walk the grounds of this vibrant garden. Visiting in spring coincides with the blooming of many of the garden’s flowers."

"The Seattle Japanese Garden is managed jointly by Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Arboretum Foundation. The garden features winding paths through sculpted landscapes evocative of traditional Japanese designs."