Aquarium Exploration Day Seattle Feb 2025

Join Queer Scouts Seattle at the Seattle Aquarium for a day of aquatic exploration! Meet the Queer Scouts outside Pier 59 to join our group. We have two Scouts who will be informally sharing all their aquatic and marine knowledge with us as we make our way through the Aquarium. Depending on the number of Scouts attending this event, we may split into two groups as we explore both the indoor and outdoor areas in Pier 59, Pier 60, and Ocean Pavilion. We will be be exploring the Aquarium together as a group until 11am, but you are welcome to continue enjoying the Aquarium individually after that time. 

ATTENTION: You MUST arrive on time because will be entering the Aquarium via Pier 59 as a single group. If you are not on time, then you will not be able to enter free with the Queer Scouts group! If you are late, you will still be allowed to re-join our group, but you will have to pay for your own Aquarium ticket. 

Please note: Queer Scouts is a substance-free group. Please do not drink alcohol, smoke, or otherwise partake during this event.

CANCELLATIONS:

If you are unable to come, please cancel your ticket or email lauren@queerscouting.com. You may cancel your own ticket and receive a refund up to one hour before the event. We will keep all transaction fees and any remaining funds you paid will be returned to the original payment method. There is no shame for a last minute cancellation, but we sometimes have waitlists and cancelling tickets allows us to free up spots for others.

ACCESSIBILITY TRANSPARENCY:

Physical: 

The Aquarium’s buildings and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. You can check out a wheelchair free of charge from the Aquarium’s Guest Services desk at Pier 59 or Ocean Pavilion (available on a first-come, first-served basis). Wheelchairs are sanitized between uses. An ID and phone number must be left with Guest Services to check out a wheelchair. 

Sensory: 

The Seattle Aquarium has partnered with KultureCity to improve their ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Their objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests, including those with sensory needs, for all Aquarium experiences and events. Visit the Sensory Inclusive page for more information on available sensory bags, app downloads and more.

The Aquarium has many spaces with open airflow and we will be moving through both indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the event, regardless of the weather. Please dress accordingly for your comfort. 

Immune System Safety: 

Queer Scouts understands that  the Covid-19 vaccine is not currently accessible to everyone. The Washington State Department of Health has issued a standing order to allow healthcare providers and pharmacists in WA to administer Covid vaccines to anyone age 6mo+. The vaccine is covered by WA Apple Health Medicaid and many other insurance plans. Queer Scouts recognizes that some insurance plans may not cover the vaccine at this time, which has led to inequal access. We are temporarily removing the requirement for vaccination at our in-person events. If you are physically and financially able to be vaccinated, we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE getting an updated dose of the 2025-26 Covid vaccine.  

Plan to be masked with an n95/kn95+ at all times; if you need to drink or eat something, please step away from the group. While all members of our group will be masked, please note that other likely to be other unmasked folks likely to be nearby both indoors and outdoors at the Aquarium. 

We have 27 tickets for Scouts. Myst (they/them) from Queer Scouts leadership and Scout Elizabeth (she/her) will be leading us through the aquarium. We will also be joined by Leah (they/them), the Queer Scouts leadership member who coordinates our participation in the Aquarium's Connections program. With these three coordinators, a maximum of 30 people from Queer Scouts will be participating in this event. If more than 10-15 people sign up for this event, we may split into two groups. 

Financial: 

This event is FREE for all attendees. If you'd like to make a donation, follow the directions later in the ticket process. Feel free to donate as little or as much as you are able. Donations support us in continuing to make Queer Scouts programming available & accessible to everyqueer.

Transit:

Parking: Paid garaged and metered parking can be found near the Aquarium. Go here for more info. The closest wheelchair-accessible parking spaces to the Seattle Aquarium entrance are located at the Platinum Parking Hillclimb Garage across the street from the Aquarium at 1422 Alaskan Way. The Pike Place Market parking garage also has wheelchair-accessible parking and elevator access to Pike Place Market. The accessible drop-off area is located in the loading zone in front of the Seattle Aquarium on the west (southbound) side of Alaskan Way. This loading zone is NOT for parking.

Buses: Most of the downtown buses have stops within a few blocks of the Aquarium!  

Biking: There are bike racks along Waterfront Park. 

Bathroom: Accessible gendered restrooms are available on the main floor near the the Window on Washington Waters and the Caring Cove exhibits and on the upper floor near the cafe in Pier 59. An all-gender family restroom is available near the Northern Fur Seals in Pier 60; however this location is often very busy with families with small children. Accessible all-gender restrooms are available in the lower level of Ocean Pavilion near the Into the Depths exhibit.