seattle/vancouver & zoos/aquariums?
 

I'm spending 3 days in Seattle and 2 in Vancouver and have a hunch I won't "need" to see the zoos or aquariums in these cities (since I've seen many other great zoos in many other cities), but just wondering if there are particularly noteworthy exhibits that I should go out of my way to see in these zoos/aquariums.

Good zoo in Seattle, GREAT aquarium in Vancouver. I'd check it out if I were you - in Stanley Park, so combine with a visit there.

The beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium are beautiful. I know, it is a bit sad to see whales in an aquarium--and the Vancouver Aquarium has lost calves--but few of us will have the chance to see them in the wild (and the numbers of belugas in the wild have been dwindling as well). The Seattle Aquarium will give you some idea of the aquatic life of Puget Sound. As I did not have the opportunity (nor the inclination) to scuba dive in Puget Sound, I really enjoyed the Seattle Aquarium. Though Vancouver's was a bit better.

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is very nice. They have mostly the type of exhibit where the animals are in their wild "natural" habitats.

The Woodland Park Zoo has won the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Exhibit Award on a number of occasions:
for Jaguar Cove, Northern Trail, Tropical Rainforest, Elephant Forest, and African Savannah exhibits.

The Seattle aquarium (on the waterfront) has recently been completely redesigned and remodeled. Worth a look if you are in town.

I totally agree with this: <i>Good zoo in Seattle, GREAT aquarium in Vancouver. I'd check it out if I were you - in Stanley Park, so combine with a visit there.</i>

If you like zoos and acquariums, you will like these whether or not other cities have good zoos and acquariums.

Also, if you love rose gardens (which I do), there is a beautiful one right next to the Woodlawn Park Zoo.