Neyteri from touring Avatar exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture

Neyteri from touring Avatar exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture; credit MOPOP

Seattle Family Attractions

Museum of Pop Culture
DESCRIPTION: The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, this landmark Frank Gehry-designed venue originally called, Experience Music Project, explores creativity and innovation in Pop Culture. That means dives into Rock, Rock ‘n Roll, Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Country, Blues, Hip-Hop, and Punk music genres. The 140,000-square-foot museum features artifacts from a collection of more than 80,000 artifacts, including the world’s largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia – its mesmerizing. You’ll be struck by the massive video screen showing music legends and cutting edge musical artists of today. Located within MOPC, Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame presents thought provoking and entertaining experiences that promote science fiction and pays homage to its creators. See changing exhibits like Avatar, Alien, Star Wars, War of Worlds, ET and many more. One exhibit talked about the significance of Star Trek showing the first interracial kiss on TV and how the show opened doors for more Black TV actors. The venue includes a large a cafe on the lower level and a gift shop remarkable for its distinctive gifts and comprehensive for its volume.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: May 27-Sept 6 10a-7p; Sept 7-May 26 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 325 5th Avenue North, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: next to Seattle Center Monorail Station
PARKING: lot at 5th Avenue North and Harrison Street
PHONE: Box Office 206-770-2702
WEBSITE: https://www.mopop.org

Pacific Science Center
DESCRIPTION: Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the buildings served as the U.S. Science Pavilion during the 1962 Worlds Fair. It consists of five buildings of hands-on exhibits for children of all ages. Major exhibits include: SPACE: A Journey To Our Future where you can touch a piece of the Moon and Mars; a Tropical Butterfly House; Tech Zone lets you play virtual reality soccer. Colossal Fossils crawling with dinosaur fossils, eggs, nests, giant replicas and interactive exhibits. An IMAX Theater with planetarium hosts frequent laser-light shows. It is conveniently located under arches near the Space Needle.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: Fall-Winter Mon, Wed-Fri 9:45a-5p, Sat-Sun 9:45a-6p; longer spring-Summer hours
ADDRESS: 200 Second Avenue North, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: James Albert Claypool Memorial Garage at the corner of Second Avenue North and Denny Way
PHONE: 206-443-2001 or 800-664-8775
WEBSITE: https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org

Seattle Childrens Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Theatre hosts a variety of productions; hosted world premiere of “When I Grow Up I’m Gonna Get Some Big Words” about the modern Civil Rights Movement through eyes of the young activists that Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: check website for performance schedule
ADDRESS: 201 Thomas Street, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: 1st Avenue North Garage between John Street and Thomas Street
PHONE: 206-441-3322
WEBSITE: https://www.sct.org

Climate Pledge Arena
DESCRIPTION: The arena first opened in 1962 as the Washington State Pavilion for the Seattle World’s Fair. It was soon name-changed to Key Arena. After the first renovation and expansion in 1995, this architectural gem renewed popularity with locals. Though the NBA Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, Key Arena remained home for the WNBA Seattle Storm. Seattle University men’s basketball, concerts and many family events also call it home. Renamed Climate Pledge Area, it is receiving a $1 billion upgrade with a summer 2021 reopening. The venue will retain an intimate entertainment experience while seating 18,100 for basketball, 17,100 for NHL hockey and 17,200 for concerts. Amenities include plenty of restrooms, concession and merchandise space.
ADDRESS: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: many lots & garages within 4 blocks
PHONE: 206-684-7200
WEBSITE: https://climatepledgearena.com

Seattle Children’s Museum
DESCRIPTION: A fun, interactive learning environment for kids and families with a wealth of exhibits such: Global Village, Mountain Forest, Imagination Station, Discovery Bay for toddlers, The Neighborhood, Mindscape Technology Studio, Cog City and a traveling exhibit gallery.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10-5p, Sat-Sun 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 305 Harrison Stree, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: 2-hour metered and un-metered street parking is available around Seattle Center; paid parking is available in lots surrounding Seattle Center.
PHONE: 206-441-1768
WEBSITE: http://thechildrensmuseum.org

Seattle Waterfront
DESCRIPTION: In 1897, the steamship Portland arrived at Schwabacher’s Wharf, now called Waterfront Park. The ship crew claimed they carried more than a ton of solid gold from Canada’s Yukon Territory through this port. Their venture remarked a 2-year Klondike Gold Rush that made Seattle the Gateway to Alaska. The waterfront is now home to The Seattle Great Wheel, Wings Over Washington, Argosy Cruises, Washington State Ferries, Bell Harbor Marina & Cruise Terminal, Emerald City Charters, Olympic Sculpture Park, Piers 62 and 63, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Waterfront Arcade, and Tillicum Village Native American cultural center. So there’s plenty of fun to go around.
ADMISSION: Free, specific venues and cruise ships assess their own fees
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: Metered parking available underneath Alaskan Way
PHONE: Pier 62 and 63 206-684-4075; Waterfront Arcade 206-903-1081
WEBSITE: https://www.seattlewaterfront.org

Seattle Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: The aquarium has a perfect location next to Puget Sound with its astounding views. Exhibits include Seahorses, Octopus, Sharks, Tropical Fish, Eels, Touch Pools, Sea Otters, Seals, and Puget Sound Fish. The Family Activity Center lets kids burn off energy in an edutainment environment. America’s 7th largest aquarium includes a 120,000 gallon Window on Washington Waters exhibit that is breathtaking.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-5p
ADDRESS: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: Metered parking available underneath the Alaskan Way
PHONE: 206-386-4300
WEBSITE: https://www.seattleaquarium.org

Woodland Park Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Spanning 92 acres, the zoo manages 1,100 specimens representing 300 species plus 34 groups of arthropods, one group of fish and one group of Partial snails. Provides a home for endangered animal species; the botanical collection includes 7,000 trees and herbs representing more than 1,000 species. Observe a group of gorillas foraging for food, come eye-to-eye with orangutans living atop trees in an open forest canopy, enjoy a herd of elephants meandering rolling terrain in a Thai village and a Safari to Africa. The zoo helped pioneer naturalistic exhibits that mimic the rich diversity of the world’s bio-climatic zones. Take a ride on a lovingly restored, vintage 1918 carousel. Rose enthusiasts can stroll through one of only 24 All-America Rose Selections test sites in the U.S.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: daily Oct 1-April 30, 9:30a-4p; May 1-Sept 30, 9:30a-6p
ADDRESS: 5500 Phinney Ave North, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: onsite
PHONE: 206-684-4800
WEBSITE: https://www.zoo.org

Museum of Flight
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy the wonder of flight viewing more than 150 historically significant aircraft and spacecraft in the original Boeing Aircraft factory, and dozens of interactive exhibits and family activities. The largest museum of its type on the West Coast, stroll inside the West Coast’s only supersonic Concorde. Walk in the footsteps of presidents aboard the first Air Force One jet. Fly airplane and spacecraft flight simulators. Launch into orbit with rare spacecraft. World War II gallery features a uniform and flight gear exhibit honoring Tuskegee Airman and Lieutenant Colonel Bill Holloman III — a fighter pilot during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. He was the first black helicopter pilot in the Air Force. The Holloman display is next to a P-51 Mustang fighter flown by Tuskegee Airmen in the 332nd Fighter Group during World War II. Education Office offers weekend family programs, programs for students and educators, and overnight camps.
ADMISSION: see website for prices
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 9404 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: onsite for a fee
PHONE: 206-764-5720
WEBSITE: https://www.museumofflight.org

Tillicum Village
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a 4-hour experience culminated at the longhouse styled in the fashion of the ancient dwellings of the Northwest Coast Native Americans on Blake Island. The experience includes a 45-minute narrated Argosy cruise to Blake Island, which is a mere 8 miles from downtown. Once ashore, staff in authentic native regalia greet the boat. Delicious clams steamed in nectar with a touch of butter and onions are served. As is tradition at Tillicum, used shells are tossed to the ground and crushed under foot, creating the path up to the longhouse; once inside you will see an authentic dance representative of Native Americans, centuries before anyone else arrived with handmade regalia worn by the tribal elders, as each element of the show is true to the Coast Salish Tribes. The experience includes salmon bakeed in the Native American tradition on a wood frame before an open fire. Dessert is a moist and decadent chocolate brownie with a Marionberry swirl topping this sweet creation. Dine on your wonderful salmon feast with a healthy salad. After dinner, guests are treated to a 25‐minute show in the spirit of Northwest Coastal Tribes. When the lights are raised, guests participate in guided tours about this beautiful region.
ADMISSION: see website for prices; AAA members receive a discount
DAYS & HOURS: 4 times daily beginning at 8:30a
ADDRESS: depart from Argosy Cruises at Pier 55/56 to Blake Island, WA MAP
PARKING: paid lots under Alaskan Way across from the pier
PHONE: 206-623-1445
WEBSITE: https://www.argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/tillicum-excursion/

Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture
DESCRIPTION: One of the foremost natural history museums in the region, The Burke features both natural and cultural artifacts from the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Rim ranging from Native American totem poles and hand-carved cedar canoes to dinosaur skeletons, fossils, gems, and minerals.
ADMISSION: see pricing matrix on website
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p
ADDRESS: 45th Street NE and 17th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: onsite for a fee
PHONE: 206-543-5590
WEBSITE: https://www.burkemuseum.org

T-Mobile Park
DESCRIPTION: Home for the Seattle Mariners baseball team, this retractable roof venue is considered one of the premier baseball parks in America. Some seats have sweeping views of the downtown skyline and sunsets over Puget Sound to combined with excellent views of the game. It includes the baseball Mariners Hall of Fame and team store. When games are not played, you can for a fee, tour areas not normally open to the public such as the press box, luxury suites, field, visitors clubhouse. Cameras are welcome. The athletic venue seats 46,621.
BOX OFFICE: see website for prices
ADDRESS: 1250 First Avenue South, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: $20-40 on premises, plus different rates at many surrounding lots
PHONE: 206-346-4000
WEBSITE: https://www.mlb.com/mariners/ballpark

CenturyLink Field
DESCRIPTION: Home for the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team, it; features natural turf and seats 67,000. The most distinguishing feature is the a 13-story tower with a scoreboard at the top and bleacher seating for up to 3,000 fans in its base. Located next to T-Mobile Park, but a tad closer to downtown.
BOX OFFICE: see website for prices
ADDRESS: 800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA MAP
PARKING: onsite for a fee
PHONE: 206-381-7555
WEBSITE: http://www.centurylinkfield.com

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