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Things to do in Seattle

Pacific Science Center

Hands-on science exhibits, a tropical butterfly house and planetarium shows at Seattle Center, made for curious kids.

Get a ride therePlan a Seattle trip with itTickets and tours

The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Families with kids, and anyone who wants an indoor, hands-on stop at Seattle Center.
Time to protect
Plan on two to three hours, a little more if you add a planetarium or laser show.
Cruise-day fit
Like the rest of Seattle Center, it sits between the two cruise piers but isn't at either. It's a good pre-cruise day with kids; on sailing day, keep your boarding time well ahead of any show time.
From the terminals
Pier 66 is the closer terminal, a short ride up from the waterfront; Pier 91 is farther away. From either pier, plan a ride rather than a walk with luggage.
Before a flight
Timed show tickets add fixed points to your day. Pick show times that still leave plenty of room for the drive to SEA.

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    Go in through the North Entrance near the Armory; the Denny Way entrance is closed. There's an accessible drop-off on Sue Bird Court.

  2. 02

    General admission includes the exhibits, the Tropical Butterfly House, and planetarium and daytime laser shows. The shows need free timed tickets, and they sell out, so reserve early. IMAX films aren't listed as part of general admission.

  3. 03

    Buy from the center itself, Tiqets or CityPASS: tickets from other resellers may not be honored at the door.

  4. 04

    Strollers aren't allowed in the Butterfly House, but there's stroller parking nearby. Helium balloons stay with staff at the door.

  5. 05

    The center has no parking lot of its own. Nearby paid garages, the Monorail from Westlake Center and several bus routes all get you there.

Check the official site for current hours, tickets, show times and IMAX listings before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for Pacific Science Center

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Multi-attraction pass

    Seattle CityPASS

    Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium, plus three of Chihuly Garden and Glass, MoPOP, the harbor cruise, the zoo or Pacific Science Center.

    Valid 9 days · Includes Pacific Science Center

    See the pass

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near Pacific Science Center.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the Pacific Science Center visit page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Pacific Science Center, 200 Sue Bird Court North

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: Pacific Science Center between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Pier 66 is the closer terminal, a short ride up from the waterfront; Pier 91 is farther away. From either pier, plan a ride rather than a walk with luggage.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit Pacific Science Center

    Plan on two to three hours, a little more if you add a planetarium or laser show.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    Timed show tickets add fixed points to your day. Pick show times that still leave plenty of room for the drive to SEA.

    Pacific Science Center to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep Pacific Science Center on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

Compare another stop