FAMILY
Kids can ride camels, pet stingrays, and even high-five a polar bear.
Point Defiance Zoo + Aquarium
ANIMAL ADVENTURES
Zoos, parks, and diving with sharks make Pierce County tons of fun for kids and their parents. Climb aboard the tram at Eatonville’s Northwest Trek Wildlife Park for a 50-minute animal-spotting expedition through pristine meadows, woods, and wetlands. As you tour, guides point out gangs of massive bison sunbathing on the hilltops and blacktail deer bolting in and out of the forest. For a self-guided safari, opt for the walking tour—a stroller-friendly paved path that loops through naturalistic, open-air exhibits. Encounter wolves and bears from a safe distance, or go nose to beak with owls and bald eagles. Perhaps the best seat in the house is at the park’s daily small animal demonstrations. Keepers showcase individual critters—think bats, snakes, porcupines, and ducks—and answer kids’ burning questions. Prefer more action? The park’s four Zip Wild adventure courses let kids and adults cross swinging log bridges and balance on tightropes high up in the trees. For a more international experience, Point Defiance Zoo + Aquarium brings together exotic animals from around the
globe. Swinging siamang put on a show, and Malayan tigers slink around their dens, drawing crowds of admirers. Kids can ride camels, pet stingrays, and even “high-five” a polar bear. For those 8 and older, the ultimate adrenaline rush is an underwater cage dive into the shark tank. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Aquatic adventure continues into the night with Pier Peer at Foss Waterway Seaport and Point Defiance Marina. Children can probe through seawater in search of shrimp, sea jellies, and crabs, and then observe their catch under a microscope. But the evening’s high point is the interactive live dive: A camera streams audio and video to families onshore, while a diver narrates his underwater exploration. Marine life is brought to the surface and placed in touch tanks for kids to examine. For a tamer time, head to Tacoma Nature Center. This place has 71 acres of wetland wildlife and Discovery Pond, a whimsical wilderness-themed play area complete with a slide, fort, and tiny telescopes. Hit the nature trails and footbridges for a stroll around Snake Lake. Kids should look out for western painted turtles, tree frogs, and toads. Depending on the season, there may also be an observation beehive or a colony of thatching ants on display in the educational center. While here, pick up a schedule for Family Nature Walks. These year-round, naturalistled tours are a great way explore the city’s many parks. —Jessica Winterbauer
Foss Waterway Seaport 705 Dock St, Tacoma; fosswaterwayseaport.org / Northwest Trek Wildlife Park 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville; nwtrek.org / Point Defiance Marina 5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma / Point Defiance Zoo + Aquarium 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma; pdza.org / Tacoma Nature Center 1919 S Tyler St, Tacoma
26 + TRAVEL TACOMA + PIERCE COUNTY 2014-15
FROM TOP: COURTESY POINT DEFIANCE ZOO + AQUARIUM, COURTESY NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK
Tots and teens roar into wild regional fun