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Salish Sea School Discovery Center, Anacortes, WA
MuseumsFamily FavoriteLocal Gem

Salish Sea School Discovery Center

2201 Skyline Way, Unit 101 · Anacortes, WA

Why you should go…

The Salish Sea School is a nonprofit marine science education organization based in Anacortes, Washington that runs boat based and shoreline programs, summer camps and a public Discovery Center. The Discovery Center features aquarium exhibits drawn from local Puget Sound and San Juan Islands waters and is staffed by science educators during open hours. The school also leads guided wildlife tours such as tufted puffin watching trips.

  • #marine life
  • #family
  • #science
  • #aquarium

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Salish Sea School Discovery Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Anacortes

    Free

    Visitor information center for Anacortes, the ferry gateway town to the San Juan Islands.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Outer Island Excursions

    $50+

    Whale-watching boat tours from Anacortes searching for orcas, humpbacks and other Salish Sea wildlife.

    3.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Deception Pass State Park

    Under $25

    You walk across the high Deception Pass Bridge, look down on the narrow channel, and hike forest trails to rocky beaches.

    7.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

    Under $25

    A Whidbey Island aviation museum tracing Naval air history in the Pacific Northwest through artifacts and flight simulators.

    16 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Free Entry

    Langley Whale Center

    Free

    Free Orca Network exhibit space in downtown Langley with whale skeletons, real specimens and current Salish Sea whale-sighting information.

    34 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Cascadia Art Museum

    Under $25

    Museum of Pacific Northwest art and design from 1860 to 1970, next to the Edmonds ferry terminal.

    50 mi awayMore like this