An absolute gem in downtown Seattle! Highly recommend. I had…read morea wonderful time exploring the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). The layout is fantastic--spacious, bright, and very easy to navigate. What I loved most was the incredible contrast between the exhibits. You can admire classical European oil paintings in one room, and then walk into a gallery featuring cutting-edge modern art. The current exhibits using unique materials like aromatic cedar, plastic film, and even electronic waste are mind-blowing. It's the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon or grab some artistic inspiration. Don't forget to take a close look at the details of each piece! **Helpful Tip for Visitors: While the first Thursday of the month offers free admission, it tends to be very busy. For seniors aged 65 and older, admission is only $5 on the following Friday. Visiting on Friday is definitely the best way to avoid the crowds and enjoy the art at your own pace!

The Seattle Art Museum, or SAM as it is known locally was a cool place to visit…read more We went to the main location but they have 2 other locations as well. Very educational with tons of art works from several eras. Great place to get your culture on.

I peeked into Fireworks Gallery minutes after deplaning in Seattle. Not because I'm an idiot who…read moreshops for souvenirs on the first day of a trip, but because I'm an idiot who forgot to put shoes on her two-year-old before leaving for the airport back home. I kind of thought you could buy most essentials at the airport, but it turns out children's shoes are not a typical travel need, at least when they aren't being worn by traveling children. Fireworks did carry children's slippers, which caught my eye as I passed, as well as a nice assortment of unique, crafty toys and gifts. Unfortunately, my five-year-old followed me into the store and zeroed in on a tiny, colorful finger puppet in the shape of a parrot. He asked me to buy it for him, and I declined, telling him we weren't getting a souvenir before we even left the airport. He was upset by this to the point of tears, but I managed to get us out of there. We had a wonderful time in Seattle, and to his credit, the five-year-old behaved well the whole trip (and the two-year-old got new shoes). When I saw Fireworks Gallery again by our departure gate, I decided at the last possible second to stop in and get him the parrot. It was one of several Folkmanis finger puppets in a wire basket. I picked it up along with a bunny rabbit and went to check out. There was a short line at the register--I guess this shop gets decent traffic--and by the time I was up, my husband was calling to tell me we were boarding. This is how I paid $36.36 for two finger puppets that cost $10 apiece online. Fireworks got me good, but my boys do love their little puppets, which are soft and cute and well made. The wares here are definitely nicer and less generic than at your average airport store. It might cost you, though, if you wander in there with your kids.

I mean EVERYTHING but the kitchen sink is in this joint!…read more Expensive jewelry, stationary, candy, books for the kiddo's, charcuterie boards in the shape of Washington, knick-knacks just perfect for souvenirs to bring home and to carry on board. Service was a plenty here and I was there after 9:30pm on a Wednesday evening. Respectfully Reviewed

This is a great place for all your Mount St. Helen Goodies. My friend and I stopped twice bc we…read moredecided we needed something else. The Women that owns the shop was very nice and helpful, telling us best Restaurants, how to get to the Mountain and just overall knowledge of the Mountain itself. Good Prices on merchandise. I highly recommend stopping here on your way to a Magic Adventure.

The Mount St. Helens Gift Shop sits in Castle Rock on the road to its namesake mountain about a…read morehalf mile off I-5. Plenty of parking. The gift shop, as expected, is well stocked with items concerning Mount St. Helens and the events of 1980. Lots of memorabilia scientific and colloquiel. More unexpectedly, the Mount St. Helens Gift Shop also seems devoted to all things Big Foot. They stock a larger selection of t-shirts, hoodies etc displaying Sasquatch than I've ever seen before. There is also a large (8'!)stuffed doll who is available for photos....unlike his corporeal cousins! There is also a smatering of other local items. We bought a jug of marionberry jam that comes with a top to make it a salt or pepper shaker when you finish off the jam.

This place is a site to see!!! Definitely take the whole family! 3 floors of education and games…read morefor the kiddos! There are 3 floors of wonderment! You'll enjoy this place for sure!!! Every type of specimen is available to see & learn about! There staff were very friendly and knowledgeable! There are classes during the week you can partake! Clean clean clean place!

Came for first Thursdays so can't speak to value for money, but had an amazing experience. Staff…read moreare friendly. Museum is chock full of artifacts, fossils, and animals. There are also lots of areas for kids to interact. I also loved that they make the research labs so accessible to the public, with signs explaining what they are doing and windows to watch the scientists work. I've never been to a museum that did that and I think it is so special. First floor is about culture with a large emphasis on indigenous cultures. I really enjoyed the weaving exhibit. Second floor is biology with some stunning set ups of ecosystems and lots of stuffed animals. Third floor is paleontology and archaeology. I found the archaeology exhibit not as engaging as the rest. The fossils are very cool and well laid out.

Not bad, but quite small. If you've been to the Seattle Museum, you might be disappointed…read more There is designated parking, so don't get towed. The staff is nice. Overall, it's not bad, but it's not great.

I was able to visit this museum for free on the third Thursday of the month. There was also a…read moreworkshop studio and I created a nice journal cover. It was a great experience. Please come and create your own adventure.

I visited here several years ago, and I would say it was the highlight of my trip to San Juan…read moreIsland. It was such a wonderful place to visit - a delight for all the senses. You really must sample the lavender treats! The ice cream was surprising and delicious, as were the lemonade and shortbread cookies. Double check the blooming season schedule, and watch out for our friends, the bees! While you're visiting here, make your way around the island. So many fun and interesting discoveries! If you're visiting the Seattle area, the island and this wonderful place are worth the day (or overnight or weekend) trip via the ferry! You'll enjoy the visit and create some great memories -- and get some great souvenirs for dear ones (and yourself!).

Go for the photo opp and the heavenly scent and stay for the snacks…read more The farm came highly suggested on a few travel blogs and I can't resist a stunning photo opp. The farm is really easy to find and is listed on Apple Maps. The moment you get out of the car your nose is tickled with the delicate and subtle lavender scent floating through the air. It's pure heaven. You can either pick your own or cruise around the farm. We loved seeing all the happy, fuzzy, fat bees pollinating and living their best bee lives. Not to worry bumble bees don't sting and left us alone completely. After getting some instagram-able photos we popped into the shop. If the budget had allowed I would have purchased one of everything. We ended up with dog treats and linen spray. The candles and the berry compote are next on my list. The back patio is not to be missed. They have stunning lavender plants in many sizes for purchase as well as fresh made snacks. We tried the lemon lavender sorbet and the lavender lemonade. Both were amazing and not overwhelmingly floral. It was a warm day and these were refreshing ....... And devoured. Basically don't miss this little gem on your next trip to San Juan Island

One of my favorite shops in downtown Arlington. The best place to buy chalk paint! Kim, the owner,…read more is super knowledgeable and very helpful!! I have recommended this place to so many people and will continue to!!!

Kim is such a sweet heart! Came in to find chalk paint, found that and then some!! Will be back…read moremany many times!!

The Frye Art Museum, located in downtown Seattle, was found on Yelp. I did notice that people said…read morenot to have a car so we walked here from the hotel which is about a 20-minute walk. Some uphill walks but it was a nice walk actually. The museum is free which is nice you walk through and it is pretty much filled with many unique rooms, each with different pieces of art. It was pretty quiet but I do enjoy the placement of every piece. It's not a big museum so this probably won't take up so much time.

Great option for a free museum in Seattle! It's a bit smaller but still full of great art work…read more There is also a store/gift shop & cafe in site!