Children interested in a close encounter with multi-legged creatures will enjoy Seattle's Bug Safari. The word “safari” led me to believe we would be on some sort of bug tour. I was disappointed when I realized the first small jungle-themed room of critters was the only room, especially considering the price of admission. My 2-year-old didn't seem to mind at all. After all, bugs aren't nearly as big as creatures one usually encounters on a safari (with the possible exception of the Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula!).
We took our time observing the fascinating bugs residing in the 40 thoughtfully designed and well-maintained enclosures. I only had to lift up my 2-year-old a couple of times to view the creatures inside. She could see into most of the exhibits on her own. A Safari employee gave her a flashlight so she could peer into the darker corners of the bug habitats to find the slumbering or shyer residents. Most were out in plain view. A few large plastic magnifying glasses were lying around to allow for closer observation as well.
My daughter loved the Sunburst Diving Beetles and returned to watch them swim again and again. Each cage displays information about the scientific classification of the creature inside, its habitat, food, where in the world it lives, and other fun facts. (Apparently it is actually tough to get a tarantula to bite you!)
Visitors to the Safari will encounter Black Widow Spiders, Blue Death Feign Beetles, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, White Spot Assassin Bugs, Ferocious Waterbugs, Giant Vinegaroons, Desert Hairy Scorpions, The Giant Sonoran Centipede, The Giant Prickly Stick Insect and many more varieties of bugs, arachnids, and insects with names fit for a campy horror film villain.
I enjoyed reading posted information which corrects misconceptions about bugs, like an e-mail circulating about a giant camel spider in Iraq – it's actually about six inches long, not venomous, and isn't actually a spider at all.
The store attached to the exhibit area has a great selection of buggy items. The Safari is small and we lingered for forty minutes, so it was nice to combine the visit with a stroll through Pike Place Market. Since the Safari is located half way up the hill climb between the Aquarium and The Market, I'd recommend skipping the stroller.
The Bug Safari may be small, but its residents had a huge impact on my little one. She chattered about her visit for days.
IF YOU GO
Where: Located on the Pike Street Hill Climb (between the Aquarium and Pike Place Market) at 1501 Western Ave., Suite 304 in Seattle.
When: Open Monday depending on the season(check events calendar on their Web site for hours), Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing.
Cost: Adults (13 to 64) $8, children (4 to 12) $6, seniors/military and college students $7, children 3 and under free. (Several local coupon books have two for one admission coupons).
