Seattle sites: visiting the best of the Pacific Northwest - Brief Article

Healthcare Financial Management, June, 2002

Whether catching some of the Emerald City's spectacular mountain views or learning about its rich cultural history visitors to Seattle will find plenty of things to see and do. A wide variety of museums, wildlife outings, and fun family attractions are easily in reach.

VIEWS

Space Needle 400 Broad St., Seattle Center, Seattle. A 43-second ride in one of three glass elevators will take visitors to the observation deck of this famous Seattle landmark created for the 1962 World's Fair. Indoor and outdoor observation decks provide a spectacular view of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are available in the SkyCity restaurant. Open Sunday through Thursday, 9 AM to 1 PM, and Friday and Saturday 9 AM to midnight. Admission: adults $11, youths (ages 11 to 17) and senior citizens (65 ) $9, children (ages 5 to 10) $5, and children (ages 4 and under) free. (206) 905-2111.

MUSEUMS

Museum of Flight 9404 E. Marginal Way South, Seattle. Located on Seattle's Boeing Field, the museum explores the origination of flight to the coming of the Space Age-- including Seattle's contributions to the industry--with more than 54 airplanes on display Visitors can sit in the cockpit of a real SR-71 Blackbird or climb aboard America's first presidential jet, Air Force One. Open daily, 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: adults $9.50, senior citizens (65 ) $8.50, youths (ages 5 to 17) $5, and children (ages 4 and under) free. (206) 764-5720.

Police Museum 317 Third Ave. South, Seattle. "Frontier justice" and Seattle's notorious history of gangsters, police corruption, and gambling are just some of the exhibits at the Seattle Metropolitan Police museum. The museum also features a large collection of antique weaponry and uniforms. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission: adults $3, children (ages 11 and under) $1.50, and a 10 percent discount is available for senior citizens. (206) 748-9991.

Burke Museum Corner of 17th Avenue NE and NE 45 Street, University of Washington Campus, Seattle. This museum is nationally recognized for its focus on the Pacific Northwest's natural and cultural history Collections include towering totem poles, hand-carved cedar canoes, gems and minerals, fossils, and the region's only dinosaur skeleton. Open daily 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: adults $6.50, senior citizens $5, youths (ages 6 to 18) $3, and children (ages 5 and under) free. (206) 543-5590.

Seattle Art Museum 100 University St., Seattle. Located in the heart of downtown, the Seattle Art Museum hosts a collection of more than 21,000 objects, featuring Old Master paintings, African masks, and contemporary Northwest art. Free tours are available. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: Suggested donation of $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens (62 ), and children (ages 12 and under) free. (206) 654-3255.

Seattle Asian Art Museum 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle. This museum houses a world-famous collection of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan art. Of particular interest is its current temporary exhibit of Chinese furniture. Free gallery tours. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: Suggested donation of $3 for adults; children (ages 12 and under) free. (206) 654-3206.

The Pacific Science Center 305 Harrison St., Seattle Center, Seattle. Located beneath a set of arches near the Space Needle, the center features six acres of handson exhibits, IMAX and IMAX 3-D films, planetarium shows, and evening laser light shows. Visitors can try their hand at virtual hang-gliding, view robotic dinosaurs, or play a game of one-on-one basketball against a computer. Open weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM and weekends, 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission: adults $8, youths (ages 3 to 13) and senior citizens (65 ) $5.50, and children (ages 2 and under) free. Admission for exhibits and one regular IMAX feature or a laser dome matinee: adults $12.50, youths (ages 3 to 13) and senior citizens (65 ) $10, and children (ages 2 and under) free. Admission to evening laser rock shows is $7.50 Friday through Sunday and $5 on Thursdays. (206) 443-2001.

Experience Music Project (EMP) 325 5th Ave., Seattle Center, Seattle. Interactive and interpretive exhibits explore the origin of American popular music with emphasis on rock, jazz, soul, gospel, country, and blues. EMP features more than 80,000 artifacts, including stage costumes, handwritten song lyrics, rare song sheets, one of the world's first electric guitars, and instruments used by Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Kurt Cobain, and others. Open Sunday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM; Friday through Saturday, 10 AM to 9 PM. Admission: adults $19.95, senior citizens (65 ) $15.95, youths (ages 13 to 17) $15.95, children (ages 7 to 12) $14.95, and children (ages 6 and under) free. (206) 367-5483.

Rosalie Whyle Museum of Doll Art 116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue. Winner of the Jumeau Award for the best doll museum in the world, the site features more than 3,000 dolls of modern times and centuries past. Professional curators discuss the artistry, history, and technology of dolls. Exhibits also feature miniatures and teddy bears. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: adults $7, senior citizens $6, youths (ages 5 to 17) $5, and children (ages 4 and under) free. (425) 455-1116.