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!

We came in December during a train event without having realized the trains were on display. It was…read morea happy coincidence, as my kids really enjoyed the displays and talking to the hobbyists. The actual history museum had a lot of interesting and well put together displays. The exhibit on native people was very interesting and informative. I grew up in the area and moved away without ever having learned much about the local native tribes and their history, so it was great to learn more as an adult. My kids are 8 and 5 and this place held their attention for over 3 hours. We probably could've stayed longer, but our tummies were growling so it was time to find lunch.

I never knew glass and the art of creating glass was so fascinating. I did not know how much I…read morewould appreciate this whole experience until I visited Chilhuly Garden and Glass. How beautiful it all was! How much I learned here was quite extraordinary. Chilhuly Garden and Glass is both educational and a wonder to behold. I highly recommend paying the price of admission to learn the mystery and the art of glass blowing. I will return here in the future.

This is my 3rd time to visit Chihuly Garden and Glass. Chihuly is arguably the finest glass blower…read morein the world and we all take pride that he's a native of Washington state. His works have been commissioned in different cities around the world. This museum is a showcase of his talents and unrivaled craftsmanship. The glass sculptures are masterpieces---jaw dropping and eye catching, filled with color, radiance and brilliantly conceptualized. They range from different sizes, from colorful reeds to grandiose installations. They are equally stunning in an inside space as they are outdoors in a garden. Every person visiting Seattle should pay a visit.

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.

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.

From the owner: The Vashon Heritage Museum's Permanent Exhibit invites visitors to explore the rich tapestry of…read moreVashon Island—from its earliest inhabitants to the present day. Step back in time to the age of the formation of the island and the large and small creatures that roamed the island through time. Meet the Indigenous community who have called Vashon home since time immemorial. Through interpretive listening experiences, visitors can immerse themselves in the Twulshootseed language, or try their hand at traditional basket weaving, Guests can engage with interactive displays in each gallery, gaining a hands-on understanding of Vashon's evolution, included learning about animal paths that evolved into modern roadways and historic focal points, the first contact between cultures, the rise of the Big Four industries (mining, logging, shipbuilding, and agriculture), and the transformative impact of World War II, as well as exploring the post-war era and the gentrification and activism that defines island life today. Join us on this journey through time.

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 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.

This place makes a great stop off if you happen to be next door at the Children's Museum or at some…read moreother location nearby. It might be better for older, science oriented kids, but adults will likely find it interesting as well. It's free and all they ask you do is provide some info about how many people are in your party and the zip code you are visiting from. It's a good rainy day activity and can provide some educational moments. There is an interactive scavenger hunt which involves doing 8 tasks and ends with the ability to choose a prize. The maze pen we won is pretty cool. My 10 year old nephew was easily able to complete all the tasks and seemed to enjoy doing it. Some things were like video games, which he seemed to like and maybe it will give him some ideas about career possibilities for the future. It was a good learning opportunity about the importance of saving water and learning about what happens to all the water we waste, etc. I wish I lived in Olympia and was able to trace where the water goes when I flush the toilet. It was nice that they ask you to share what you learn when you go to redeem your prize. I'm not sure if my 8 year old niece would have found it as interesting, but there are places to sit and some kitchen toys to play with if not. It looks like they also have some crafts available. Check it out if you are in the area.

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!