Mike Bennett’s Portland Aquarium!
- Portland Observer
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
No live animals- but vibrant cartoon sea creatures
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! 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!
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. 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.
