Seattle Museums
Seattle Museums
I've been to the Seattle aquarium a couple times. It's a decent aquarium, not real big. My favorite parts are the touch tide pool and the mammals in the outside tanks like the otters and seals. I do also like the ring of jelly fish, the octopus, and the giant tank near the entrance. It is definitely a northwest based aquarium and a good source of information.
Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Last Entry at 5:00 PM, exhibits close at 6:00 PM
Fees: Adult (13+) $17.00
Youth (4 - 12) $11.00
Special prices with combined Argosy Harbor Cruise, details here
Location: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 386-4300
I visited the Seattle Art Museum to see the Picasso exhibit and it was wonderfully done with several rooms of his work and an audio tour. I also spent some time in the rest of the museum and enjoyed the various pieces on display. The permanent collection includes African, American, Ancient Mediterranean, Islamic, Chinese, South Asian, Southeast Asian, decorative, European, Japanese, Korean, Modern and Contemporary, Native, Mesoamerican, and Northwest art. There are also porcelain and textiles exhibits.
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Friday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday, Tuesday: Closed
Fees (suggested):
Adults $15.00
Seniors (62+) and with Military ID $12.00
Students $9.00
Children Under 12 Free
First Thursday of the month: Free for All
First Friday of the Month: Free for Seniors
Location: 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
206.654.3100
Klondike Gold Rush Seattle Unit
I have been to this museum while wasting some time before heading to a tour of Safeco Field, but I got to see quite a bit of it. It's kind of a random find downtown Seattle. It's run by the national park service and provides a wealth of information about the gold rush and Seattle's role in it. If you find yourself downtown with some time to spare, I recommend stopping by and checking it out.
Hours:
Winter Season, January 2 - June 15, 2010:
Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Summer Season, June 16 - September 8, 2010
Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: Free
Location: Northwest corner of Jackson Street and Second Avenue downtown Seattle
I went to the Pacific Science Center when they had the Lucy exhibit. I saw one IMAX movie about rafting up the Nile which was really interesting. The Lucy exhibit was fascinating, and other than that I liked the butterfly garden. There were some other exhibits but much more suited for children.
Hours:
Winter
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Fees:
The fees vary depending on if you will be watching any IMAX movies, so check out theirwebsite for information
Location: 200 2nd Ave N Seattle, WA 98109
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum
I've been to the EMP a couple times. It is definitely a museum unique to Seattle and a must-do for music lovers. To be honest, I expected a little more. EMP is very informative and devotes a bit of space to some locals - Jimmy Hendrix and the grunge movement. The best part it the music room where people are allowed to play different instruments - guitars, drums, and even sing. This exhibit is very popular and the wait can be long. The Science Fiction part of the museum leaves a lot to be desired. I feel like there is a lot of potential that hasn't been realized. I would suggest going once at least to check it all out. If you are not a big music buff, I might wait for a free Thursday to check it out, although it will be really busy.
Hours:
Winter, September 8 - May 27:
Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: Adults (18 - 64) $15.00
Seniors (65+0) $12.00
Youth (5 - 17) $12.00
Student or Military (with ID) $12.00
First Thursday of the month free from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Space Needle at 325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Museum of History and Industry
I've been to this museum once. Upon arriving, it wasn't quite what I expected. I was thinking more along the lines of the Chicago Science and Industry Museum. However, the unassuming building does house quite a lot. It clearly displays Seattle's heritage in the northwest, from the salmon industry to the maritime dependence to the old Rainier baseball team, just to name a few. The museum is a little out of the way, tucked nearby 520 south of the University of Washington and just north of the Washington Park Arboretum.
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
First Thursday of the month is free from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Fees: Adult (18 - 61) $8.00
Senior (62+) $7.00
Student and Military (with ID) $7.00
Youth (5 - 17) $6.00
Location: 2700 24th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
I have not been to this museum but it is on my list of things to-do. It is nestled in the corner of the University of Washington campus. I have not heard much about it so go and let me know what you think.
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
First Thursday of the month is free from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Fees: General $9.50
Seniors $7.50
Students (with ID) $6.00
Youth (5+) $6.00
Children under 4, UW Students/Staff/Faculty Free
Location: 17th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street in Seattle by the University of Washington campus
The Seattle zoo is nestled in between the Greenlake, Phinney Ridge, and Fremont neighborhoods. It houses a few 'exotic' animals from continents across the ocean with some animals from the northwest. I think this is the first zoo without 'petting' in its name that had goats in an actual exhibit. The zoo also plays host to various activities throughout the year like concerts and wine tasting. It's a fun setting for the events. If you like animals then you'll probably enjoy a trip to the zoo on a nice, sunny day.
Hours:
October 1 - April 30: Daily 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
May 1 - September 30: Daily 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Fees:
October 1 - April 30
Adult (13 - 64) $11.00
Seniors (65+) $9.00
Child (3 - 12) $8.00
Toddler (0 - 2) free
May 1 - September 30
Adult (13 - 64) $16.50
Seniors (65+) $14.50
Child (3 - 12) $11.00
Toddler (0 - 2) free
Location:
South Entrance: 750 N 50th Street, Seattle, WA
West Entrance: 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA
I have not been to this museum but I pass a directional sign for it as I head towards the Locks or Golden Gardens. I will make it there some day, it may be a perfect rainy afternoon event so I should have ample opportunity.
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Fees:
Adults $6.00
Seniors $5.00
College Students $5.00
Children (5+) $4.00
Location: 3014 NW 67th Street Seattle, WA 98117
One of the best aerospace museums I've been too! If you are interested in aerospace, both aviation and space, you must stop by this museum. Even if you don't have an interest you should check it out, you may develop one. There is so much to this museum that if you like to read and look at everything, plan a whole day here. There are movies that I've never even seen because I haven't had the time. There is the great gallery with many airplanes, including an SR-71 Blackbird, with the Lear Gallery of all things space found nearby. There is a mock flight control tower you can go up in and listen to the radio from the actual control tower at Boeing Field. The original Boeing Red Barn is part of the museum and offers a great history lesson for early aviation. There is also the Personal Courage Wing with two levels - one for WWI aircraft and the other for WWII aircraft. In case you haven't seen enough planes inside the museum, just down the street is the airpark. There are four or five airplanes but only two are open for tours - an old Air Force One and the Concorde, a supersonic transport jet. If you have the time, I would definitely recommend checking those out. The museum brings in some very interesting speakers and they often have family events on the weekends. I think this is one of the best museums Seattle has to offer.
Hours:
Museum: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Airpark: May 1 - September 2: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
September 3 - April 30: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
First Thursday of the month is free from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fees: Youth (5 - 17) $8.00
Adults (18 - 64) $15.00
Active Military $11.00
Seniors (65+) $13.00
Groups of 10+
Youth $6.50
Adults $13.00
Location: 9404 East Marginal Way S. Seattle, WA 98108
206.764.572
