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    Gates Foundation Discovery Center

    4.5 (86 reviews)
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    Yuka Y.

    Eye opener and very informative. Definitely educational and made me think about my choices and how much we take many things for granted. As a human we have responsibilities to take care of not only our close loved ones but all people in general. To be kind to one another and lend a hand to the ones in need. Definitely a great purpose and I would recommend going here with your kids and family. They also do free tours daily.

    Jenel O.

    As if the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation doesn't do enough, they offer a FREE visitor center to read about their work as well as get your mind stimulated about how you can help too. There are several exhibits and also hands-on exploration. Located near the Space Needle (and across from MoPOP), the Visitor Center is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. I mean, even if you only spend 10 mins there, you didn't pay to get in and you likely picked something up from the visit.

    Annette H.

    Thanks to Yelp for telling us about this place. It's neat to go to a free museum (though we ended up paying $6 for parking). I'm glad there are people in this world who use their wealth to make a difference in the world. And instead of just boasting about all that they do, this museum was geared to inspiring visitors to think of ways they could make changes in the world. There were many activities in which visitors were encouraged to brainstorm ways to help those in need, make changes, etc. I would have loved to bring students here on a field trip because I can imagine elementary school students finding this fascinating (if they can read all the displays). They even have a section where you can make a fleece blanket for an animal shelter. If we had more time, I would have totally done that. We didn't take the tour though we were there around the 2pm tour time. Kinda glad we didn't because previous reviews had mentioned it not being worth the time. And when we walked by, I wasn't sure I could listen to the tour guide the entire time. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out. At the very least, it will give you an appreciation of how blessed we are to live in the U.S.

    Debra W.

    Stumbled across this place because we were looking to kill some time and this was by far the best accident of the day. The center is filled with information about the foundation's goals - with lots of interactive stations and intriguing displays. The information provided - a lot of it was new to me and while it was educational, it was far from boring.

    Malika A.

    Free, educational, perfect location near space needle. Make sure to check it out. Everything is very interactional for guests to learn about different sides of the world.

    Cydney F.

    This was an amazing experience. Very educational and motivating. It is amazing to see how much the Gates family has dedicated to people outside their families. Life is about giving back and they have definitely done so. I really enjoyed reading about the contributions local individuals have made to Seattle. This shows that there are people in the world work g towards a positive change. I was also touched by the collage in which equality is mentioned. It is a diverse world and we all need to work and live together.

    Erica R.

    My boss and I were in the area for some meetings, so we opted to stop by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center and see what it was like. I was especially enticed after seeing the various sculptures on the sidewalk next to the Visitor Center, and I wanted to see more. The purpose of the Visitor Center is certainly to give folks a general idea of the work being done by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, but also to make the efforts something that an individual can relate to, more easily understand, or see the impact of. There's a great attention to displaying the various exhibit portions in an eye-pleasing way, while also allowing for the video/sound components of exhibits to be appreciated - all without being too distracting to those viewing other portions of the space. The various portions of the Visitor Center also allow for a real creative, but streamlined, way to demonstrate the work being done by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. You feel inspired to consider how you as an individual can get more involved, and, for example, little topic cards placed all around the Visitor Center encourage you to volunteer, learn, use your voice, show kindness, donate, or raise money for your own causes. While we can't all contribute in the same way to bettering the world around us, that's truly a positive. We all have something we can contribute, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center inspires individuals to consider their own strengths and how they can best become engaged in the world around them. TL;DR Searching for inspiration? The the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center is a highly recommended spot to visit.

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    Sheri H.

    Gorgeous visitor center. There are many stations that are informative and interactive to explain all of their worldwide projects for the greater good. I love their mission: To help the greater good. One of their projects that opened my eyes that I had no idea was a problem is the lack of toilets in third world countries. They are working on reinventing the toilet from better waste disposal and water usage to getting more to the people who need them. They focus on global health and review grant requests that flood in. HIV, malaria and vaccines are three of the top priorities of the foundation. Convenient parking garage connected nearby and one is allowed to park there for Seattle Center events.

    Exterior (8/30/17)
    Marie B.

    Finally had an opportunity to visit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center with The Homie on 8/30/17. Free admission, friendly reception staff, nicely laid out, lots of interactive kiosks and informative, thought provoking displays. It is amazing the philantrophic reach worldwide that the Gates Foundation has. This should be a required field trip for middle and high school students in the greater Seattle area.

    Linh L.

    A group of friends wanted to see this place, so I came along. But to my surprise it was very educational and enlightening. You are greeted when you first come in and told that there is a video presentation that shows every 10 mins or so and then you can go around at the different exhibits at your own pace. They happen to have the "Half the Sky" special exhibit featuring the work of women throughout the world. So many stories of women and their struggles and how people are helping to make a positive impact. I only skimmed most of the displays and did not read everything, but I did have time for some of the video stories featured. They are compelling and do inspire you to be part of the solutions. The last portion of the showcase was more interactive that allows you to take a brief quiz to find out what type of person you are and how you can contribute. They have cards where people brainstorm issues they care about and put them up. Overall I think it's a good place to go to see what the Foundation is doing to be part of making the world a better place, locally and globally. If anything, you will learn something and be inspired to do your part too.

    Stephanie T.

    What an amazing find! And the best part is it's FREE. This exhibit/museum/gallery/visitors center is an interactive, thought provoking haven for do-gooders, inventors and the good people of tomorrow. While it's small and only has a few rooms, the content is huge and the message inspiring. Spend some time in the interactive room to build a new invention with the kiddos, pack a bag for the needy or just stop to write a note. Really nice way to spend 1-2 hours in Seattle and learn something new while you're at it!

    Grain sack models along the sidewalk and a quote by Melinda French Gates
    Jean K.

    When I was eight, the song "Seattle" was etched into my brain in preparation for a gymnastics recital. Years later, I still think of that song every time I hear the name Seattle. The lyrics boast of the bluest skies and greenest grass, and even compare Seattle to a beautiful child, growing up free and wild, full of hopes, laughter, and dreams. That song was written long ago but it takes on a whole new meaning in the Seattle of 2015. If you are in Seattle for any length of time, you might notice the blue sky and the green grass among other things. You will probably notice the tall white Space Needle proudly reaching into the blue sky. It's hard to miss. If you look closely, you will probably notice that people sometimes sleep on the green grass below it when the temperature is an unseasonable 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hard to miss, also. You might even notice the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor's Center directly across the street from both the Space Needle and the people sleeping on the grass. It seems ironic. A structure built for people to see for miles on end. Another structure built to show work being done to help people in need around the world. And, a grassy area in between where you will see people who don't have a bed, let alone a room or home, to sleep in. However, the Gates Foundation is helping some of the more than 20,000 people who sleep in places not meant for human habitation in the state of Washington on any given night: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/US-Program/Washington-State/Homelessness-and-Family-Stability. It's not a complete solution. The initiative focuses primarily on family homelessness. But, it's a start. And, it makes a difference to families facing homelessness including children who will hopefully grow up, as the song goes, full of hopes, laughter and dreams. And, not like the other lyrics in the song: full of fears and tears. Unfortunately, homelessness is not the only problem in the world. The Gates Foundation Visitor's Center highlights ways that human lives are improved or even saved by things like vaccinations in remote and impoverished areas, safe drinking water or toilets that don't require water and sewer lines or a power grid. One problem is finding real solutions. That requires people who care enough about others and think creatively enough to find solutions that aren't just temporary Band-Aids on a larger problem. The center does a wonderful job of encouraging people to find solutions and they offer to provide funding to implement those solutions. At the very least, the center raises awareness. Optimally, it can inspire people to think beyond themselves to make the world a better place and provide the resources to do so. Or, it can reveal some who have no interest in seeing lives improved, apart from their own. If that's you, then you can skip this free display of innovation and spend $20+ to visit the Space Needle where you can see Seattle for miles on end. If you only see one thing in Seattle, be sure to stop by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor's Center.

    Rachel S.

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center is a free museum open to the public. It is an important place to visit. Inside they show you what the rest of the world lives like, and how the Gates Foundation and many others are working to improve the lives of billions of impoverished human beings. Billions do not have clean water, toilets, or any access to vaccines or proper health care. It is inspiring to see how communities, organizations, and individuals are working to change this and improve the lives of others.

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    What a wonderful way to learn about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the issues they're tackling.

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    Gates Foundation Discovery Center - visitorcenters - Updated June 2026

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