The worlds first cartoon aquarium
No tanks, no live animals—just pure imagination.
The Portland Aquarium is unlike any aquarium you’ve ever seen.
This fully immersive educational walkthrough and Mike Bennett gift shop takes you on a journey through five colorful biomes, brought to life with over 100 cartoon species created by beloved Portland artist Mike Bennett. There are no live animals here—just vibrant, larger-than-life cartoon illustrations, interactive displays, and playful storytelling that spark curiosity and joy for guests of all ages. It’s part art exhibit, part educational adventure, and totally unforgettable.
Admission:
General Admission Ticket: $14
Kids Ticket (12+under): $10
Kids 2 and under: FREE
Arts for All Ticket: $5
Each admission ticket comes with a 24 page Explorer Compendium, a discovery book which highlights all 100+ species of animals and the 6 different biomes in Bennett Bay!!
Take the book home to continue the learning and exploration!!!
HOURS:
Monday: 11am - 7pm
Tuesday: 11am - 7pm
Wednesday: 11am - 7pm
Thursday: 11am - 7pm
Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 7pm
FAQs
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At this time, tickets to the Portland Aquarium are only available for purchase in person at the Cascadia Marine Lab a.k.a. our front lobby. If there’s a wait when you arrive, no worries—we’ve got a digital waitlist system! You can check out the Mike Bennett Studios museum and gift shop while you wait, or explore other parts of downtown Portland. We’ll send you a text when it’s your turn to dive into the depths of Bennett Bay.
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Nope! The Portland Aquarium is home to 100% cartoon marine life characters—handcrafted by artist Mike Bennett and his team. While everything you’ll see is made of art, light, sound, and storytelling, there’s a strong educational current running through the experience. We worked closely with Chanel Hason, our local marine biologist, to curate accurate and inspiring ocean facts throughout the space. You’ll even get an Explorer Compendium—a field guide packed with info about all 100 species you’ll encounter on your journey through Bennett Bay. It’s where creativity and curiosity collide!
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Yes! The Portland Aquarium is fully ADA accessible. Our entire experience is designed to be navigable for guests using wheelchairs, mobility devices, or strollers. We want everyone to feel welcome exploring the wonders of Bennett Bay! If you have specific accessibility questions or need additional accommodations during your visit, feel free to reach out to our team at pdxaquarium@mikebennettstudios.com —we’re happy to help.
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Starting in July we will start hosting birthday parties and other private events in the mornings before we open at 11am. If you are interested in renting our space for a private event or tour, let us know and send an email to pdxaquarium@mikebennettstudios.com.
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Yes! We are part of RACC’s Arts for All program.
Who can use it? Anyone who gets food relief through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and has the Oregon Trail Card or Washington State Basic Foods Card. This includes P-EBT (pandemic food relief).
Additionally, following recent updates, Arts for All pricing is now available to those with enrollment documentation in assisted living/home care programs or a college student ID.