Most immersion museum we've been to. Every section we went through had something more than just a…read morepicture on the wall. It's hard to believe so much was in this one place. My personal favorite part was the Scared to Death horror film section. The detail that went into each section was so intricate. There was never a dull moment. We easily spent hours here going through everything. If you're thinking about visiting, DO IT!!

Never did I expect that a place that would overstimulate me would be a place I enjoyed so much. Of…read morecourse, it does have to do with pop culture, and pop culture is always a top area of interest to me. The museum building itself is as interesting as the exhibits inside. The curvy building is even more interesting if you take the Monorail into the area. The trains slipping between the buildings just adds to the museum itself. The monorail being a part of pop culture as much as the exhibits inside. There is no wrong way to discovery this museum. Take it in any way that you desire. Make your way through the maze of stairs, floors and exhibits. Again, no wrong way to explore. Level 2 seems to be the best start in my book here. You can branch off in any direction and make your way to what pulls you in. I had no set plan when I came here and started with the Central Galleries. This consisted of three exhibits: Massive: The Power of Pop Culture, Styled by the Streets: Black Women in Hip-Hop Fashion, and Indie Game Revolution. Of the three, I was enthralled by the Indie Game exhibit. If you want to waste some time here diving into games and sitting in front of screen, you can loose track of time. From there, I went towards the South Galleries. Exhibits here: Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, and Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film. Each one of these exhibits can absorb a good chunk of time. Science Fiction delving into the worlds of space, robots, and mutations. Fantasy covering the realms of dragons, witches, and wizards. But for me, the horror section. Going down into the minds of vampires, serial killers, and zombies. The pieces they have in this section puts it over the top, and just in time for spooky season. Be sure to take in the scream booth, utilize the stairs here to make your way back to the main section where you will see the faces of the people that used this booth. I then went up to Level 3: Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music, Rebels + Icons: The Photography of Janette Beckman, and Sound Lab. Rebels + Icons is a multi level exhibit, the coolest part about this is the staircase to the exhibit. Making you feel like you are being teleported. Then you get to see all the amazing photographs by Janette Beckman. Perfectly paired selections, definitely take in the upper floor that deals with voting and it gives you a bird's eye view of the exhibit below. Sound lab is a time killer as well. Teaching you how to play the instruments to some familiar tunes, even on turntables. Never Turn Back, takes you from the start of African American music all the way to today. Touching on gospel to rap. Level 1: more like the cash out section. Containing Culture Kitchen, Sound + Vision Theater, and Vinyl Listening Bar. This is also where you head towards the exits. Be sure to check out the Museum Store, grab your souvenirs and head out. Plus here, you can reenter by keeping your ticket for the day. So if you needed to break away from here to do something else, you can always come back to finish up before they close for the day.

Spent a wonderful afternoon at this museum, they had a variety of exhibits on the history of…read moreWashington mostly from 19th century to present. Located in downtown Tacoma, this museum is right next to Union Station and a short walk away from the Museum of Glass. Parking is available in an outdoor lot and a downstairs structure. On a Saturday afternoon it wasn't crowded, there were plenty of spaces. Parking is $4 for 0-2 hours, $5 for 2-4 hours, $8 for 4-6 hours. Walking into the lobby, it's very modern--built within the past two decades, clean and spacious. The entry and ticket/info counter is directly to the right and a gift shop on the right side as well. The staff was very cordial and helpful and helped validate this tickets right away, there was no line. Admission is $17 for adults, with discounts available to students/seniors, and those needing special assistance, with free admission possible on Third Thursdays and if you sign up with a library card in advance. A few key exhibits that I enjoyed: - Native Land: on the history of Native Americans, highlighting history of the people in the state, the oppressive treatment imposed by the federal government and how that has shaped the present, the importance of the environment to their culture, and resilience of their communities. - Immigration stories: on anecdotal accounts by immigrants with a diverse range of backgrounds ranging to 1700s to today. - Japanese American internment history: on the discriminatory policies enacted during WWII that incarcerated innocent US citizens, the impacts of this on those who lived thru it, protested against it and advocated for legislation reforms. - miniature railroad model: on the second floor, this was so fun to watch the trains loop around quite a large track, quite a lot of mini buildings and landscapes. The museum was spacious and not crowded on a weekend afternoon, I spent about 3 hours here reading thru exhibits though I didn't go through all of them super thoroughly. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking to learn more about Washington's past and how it shapes the state today.

What a wholesome experience for the entire family! 5 floors of different type of Model trains while…read moreyou go through the states history as well. If you are here for the train displays with your kids, you need to cover floor 1 as the last stop. Floor 1 has play area with Legos and Toy train tracks and the toddlers don't want to go anywhere else! Super friendly staff at each display who are eager to interact with the kids and the adults. I missed it last year, now, we might end up coming here every year!

A must see when in Seattle. Such amazing glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly…read more Be sure to look at the outdoor gardens for amazing pieces as well. Loved watching the glass blowing demonstration. And those items are available to purchase and they will ship it home for you. I did it!

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL! 4.8…read more I had been wanting to visit Chihuly Garden & Glass for years. Ever since I first saw Fiori di Como, Dale Chihuly's spectacular glass ceiling installation in the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, I had dreamed of traveling to Seattle to experience more of his extraordinary creations. We finally made it happen during our most recent visit to Seattle after disembarking from our Alaska cruise, and I was thrilled to see his work up close. One aspect of Chihuly's artistic journey that fascinates me is his experience working at the Venini glassworks on the island of Murano, Italy, renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. Having visited Murano ourselves, we had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the techniques involved and the pride that go into crafting each piece. Knowing this, I came away with an even deeper appreciation for Chihuly's artistry. Chihuly Garden & Glass features three main areas: the indoor galleries, a soaring Glasshouse, and an outdoor garden. Each offers a distinct experience, showcasing his extraordinary works of art. One of the highlights is the suspended glass sculpture in the Glasshouse. There is also a small outdoor theater-like area where visitors can watch talks/demonstrations throughout the day, offering a glimpse into Chihuly's creative processes. Depending on your pace, you can comfortably explore the exhibition in about 1.5 hours, although some may find themselves lingering longer reading about all the details and capturing a lot of photographs of their favorite pieces. A tip for visitors: Consider purchasing a combination ticket for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass. The two attractions are just steps apart, making it easy to experience both in one visit while potentially saving on admission. I was so glad we finally made time for this visit. The glass sculptures were captivating, and the experience brought back wonderful memories of our time in Murano. For me, it was more than simply admiring beautiful artwork; it was a chance to reconnect with the magic of glassmaking through the distinctive vision of one of its most celebrated contemporary artists.

This museum was well planned and the exhibits are detailed and engaging. It helps that the staff…read moreall have been part of this community for 50+ years and we were fortunate to have Lisa on location as she knows everything about every detail of this community. The history of this tribe is inspiring and the art is of best quality I've ever seen. Cheers!!

This was a nice find while visiting the area. The museum is very educational about this Native…read moreAmerican people, their history, and their culture. My children enjoyed seeing many of the different tools that were used for catching fish and holding ceremonies. The architecture is intriguing as it is based on the Thunderbird. The museum and grounds are peaceful, allowing one to reflect on the history and culture of this people. The staff were friendly and the admission was reasonable. Visiting the museum was a great experience.

We were at the Strawberry Festival and decided to stop in here to learn a little bit more about…read moreVashon Island. It has free admissions. It was quiet and we had the place pretty much to ourselves. We were there for about 15 minutes. We like the interactive map of Vashon through the years.

This place was really interesting and easy to walk through with ease…read more In addition to the history of Vashon, you will learn all you need to know about the Japanese internment camps and the horrible things that happened to these people clear back in WWII. The building does not have A/C and got a bit stuffy but even on a hot/sunny day it wasn't too bad. There is no fee so I donated as I always do to these type of locations.

This mansion museum was a great way to spend a slow afternoon in Puyallup…read more It is currently a $15 fee for adults to do a self tour of the home. You are welcome to take photos, and please, take your time! There is plenty to read either on the pamphlet given to you at the entrance, or on the walls beside all the beautiful furniture, paintings, and artifacts. It's hard not to imagine yourself at the turn of the century, living in wealth in this fancy home, like the Meekers did. Ezra and Eliza Meeker were a fascinating couple who did so much with their lives, even into their last years. Traveling the Oregon Trail, hitting success with a hop business, Ezra being the mayor twice, Eliza founding the town's public library and strongly supporting the suffrage movement. I also can't help but to respect Eliza even more for her strength in character even though she was of small stature (4'8")! Especially for those who live in the area, I highly recommend you learn about this historic Puyallup family with a visit to the Meeker Mansion Museum!

I happened to be in the area and saw a sign for the Meeker Mansion, so I decided to check it out…read more Diane was very sweet and gracious and gave me a brief history of Ezra & Eliza Meeker. "Ezra was an American pioneer who traveled the Oregon Trail migrated from Iowa to the Pacific Coast. Once known as the Hop King of the World." A lot of good history of Puyallup. I didn't have time for the tour, but I appreciated seeing the mansion and getting a glimpse of this city's history. Next time, I'll have to do the tour. Thank you again, Diane, for being so nice and friendly!

I love art and I love the Seattle Art Museum! I love most of its permanent exhibits---especially…read moreits African arts collection, PNW tribal art and the Porcelain Room. But I enjoy the temporary exhibitions they install. I've been going to the SAM for more than 20 years. I can't afford to be a member or pay the regular admission, so I'm excited to go on Free First Thursdays. It's such a wonderful opportunity and program to those who can't afford to view art, but appreciate it.

First Thursday means free entrance to this lovely Seattle Art Museum…read more Amazing display of art, Pacific Northwest art and culture. Lots to see. Love seeing this place. Today we witnessed a traveling art by Calder and Tara Donovan.

This place is amazing! Love that it's free. Thought it might be too educational and not enough fun…read morefor some out-of-town visitors with an eight and eleven year-old but they loved it and learned so much. It's small but we spent more time there than intended and coupled with the outdoor features, we didn't end up making it inside museum though we originally planned to do both. They also some neat swag that's useful. My spouse has been using the grease scraper since haha. The people working here are also very nice and welcoming. Recommended little stop!

This free discovery center across from the Children's Museum was a lot of fun, and educational…read more They have a scavenger hunt for the kids to do to help them learn more about water, and they get a prize once they finish it. They have a small free lot for parking which is nice. Staff was very friendly and helpful when the kids needed a hint about one of the questions on the scavenger hunt.

We love museums, and the Gig Harbor Museum satisfied us 100%. It is well curated, and the section…read moreabout the Narrows bridge is particularly interesting. I also loved to see how is was like to get around in the 1930s etc. Well worth a visit to pick up tidbits on local Gig history.

If you're in Gig Harbor, you should take some time out of your day to check this museum out.  It…read morewas very impressive to me.  I loved the artifacts, the stories, the videos, the interactive exhibits, and the volunteers who gave me some interesting facts while I was exploring.  I had a deeper appreciation for how this town came to be after I left.  It left me in wonder.  There was also an outstanding local artist exhibit set up and some of the pieces blew my mind!!  And it's FREE!  So no reason not to stop in!  I planned on doing a quick walk through ... maybe spend an hour ... but stayed for several taking it all in - so well done!

My husband loves bonsai trees and while I think they look nice, I don't really know much about…read morethem. When I saw that we would be in the area of the Pacific Bonsai Museum on our most recent travels, I was super excited to put it on our itinerary. Unfortunately, while I was researching, I noticed that although this is an outdoor museum, they have a " service dogs welcome but no pets" policy. It was disappointed because we travel with our small dog so I decided to take it off our list of stops. When my husband noticed he was visibly saddened and I knew I had to do my best to see if we could make it work. I messaged the museum here on Yelp and explained my situation to them. They responded immediately, and said that although that is their policy, because my dog is small, well behaved, always on a leash and has no behavioral issues, staff would likely not approach me to ask me to leave or show my credentials. I truly appreciate their fast response and understanding. They have amazing customer service here. Our visit to the museum was lovely. Our dog enjoyed the shady walk along the path to get there and sat patiently while we looked around. The museum is not only gorgeous, but laid out by region, so it's almost like walking through the world showcase at EPCOT but better because there were no crowds and the environment was incredibly peaceful. It was so interesting to see all the bonsais displayed and to learn about them. Masterfully designed and curated and incredibly tranquil, it was definitely one of the highlights of our stops in the area. I encourage you to stop by and to donate to this amazing museum if you have the opportunity.

The Bonsai Museum is a hidden gem. We had a few hours to kill before picking up dinner and heading…read moreover to my cousins house. Since she and her family live in Fife, I ordered and scheduled pickup for 2:30 pm in Federal Way. We weren't what to do in the meantime and so I looked up botanical parks. The bonsai Museum and the Rododendron botanical Park came up. We noticed they were across from each other and so we headed over to the parks. It's a nice drive over there as everything is so green and lush. Once we parked, we noticed that we needed to walk a bit to get to the exhibits. Once we got to the exhibits, the Rododendron botanical park was on the left side with $12 entrance fee and on the right side was the bonsai Museum with free entry. On the outside, they do have restrooms available before heading into the bonsai museum We didn't know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised with all the bonsai displays they had by the different artists from different countries, and there were a lot. It took us about 30 minutes to get through the entire exhibit. We would've stayed longer to read all the information, but we were running short on time and we still wanted to visit the botanical park across the way. I highly recommend the Pacific Bonsai Museum if you're in the Federal Way area especially because it's free.