There aren’t any real fish at Mike Bennett’s Portland Aquarium — and it’s even better this way. Instead of tanks and touch pools, kids become the explorers in this giant, real-life seek-and-find adventure through six colorful biomes, each filled with over 100 hand-painted wooden creatures.
What’s Included
Every ticket comes with a 24-page Explorer Compendium — a beautifully illustrated field guide written by marine scientist Chanel Hason. It’s packed with fascinating facts: Pacific lampreys are older than dinosaurs (and basically underwater vampires!), and cleaner shrimp? They run underwater spa services. The guide is so fun and engaging, kids won’t even realize how much they’re learning. Honestly, it’s a standout piece on its own — I even mailed a few copies to my friend’s kids in Texas. Adults and kids alike will totally geek out over it. I cannot recommend it enough.
As kids (and adults!) explore the space, they can also keep an eye out for Gilly — a mischievous rogue goldfish hiding in every zone. Finding her is half the fun and turns the whole experience into an interactive scavenger hunt.
Sensory-Friendly and Dreamy
Soft lighting and original music by Grammy-winning Portland artist RAC give the whole experience an underwater dreamlike feel — it’s immersive without being overwhelming, making it perfect for kids and sensory-friendly for all ages.
Need-to-Know Details
🕐 Hours
Open daily at 11 am
Closes at 8 pm most nights, open an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays
Timed-entry tickets available online
💵 Admission
$14 for adults
$10 for kids (ages 3–12)
Free for kids under 3
Includes Explorer Compendium
🛍️ Don’t miss the gift shop — you can take home one of Mike Bennett’s iconic Slow Down signs, seen all over Portland neighborhoods.
📍 Location
Mike Bennett’s Portland Aquarium
603 SW Broadway
Right in downtown Portland
Make It a Downtown Day
After your visit, walk over to Director Park for a splash in the fountains, grab a sweet treat at Toasted S’mores Bar, or explore the stacks at Powell’s City of Books just a few blocks away. Plus there’s always something fun happening in Portland’s Living Room, just a block down the street.