Top 10 Science Museums in Washington, United States

February 26, 2022 Matilde Konrad

Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including Family Interactive Gallery, Living Computers: Museum + Labs, McAllister Museum of Aviation, Mobius Discovery Center, WET Science Center, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, SEA Discovery Center, Mobius Science Center, Pacific Science Center, Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.
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250 Flora St Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA 98225-4412 http://whatcommuseum.org/family-interactive-gallery/
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Family Interactive Gallery

2. Living Computers: Museum + Labs

2245 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134-1407 +1 206-342-2020 http://livingcomputers.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 209 reviews

Living Computers: Museum + Labs

Living Computers: Museum + Labs, located in Seattle, Washington, is dedicated to preserving and displaying working examples of historic computers that tell the story of our journey away from computing as a difficult and expensive undertaking toward the universal access to information technology we enjoy today. On any given day at the Living Computers: Museum + Labs, you might see our staff working to restore our vintage machines. Starting November 18th, we will also make a fantastic array of new technology available to our visitors featuring topics in modern computing, such as AI, VR, robotics, and self-driving cars. We believe that the best way for people to fully understand computing systems is by experiencing them.

Reviewed By Nostalgiyeah - Bellevue, United States

This museum is a must visit if you got your feet wet in tech or are generally curious about the various facets of it. The museum is split based on two themes - today's technology with big data and how it is shaping up the world of tomorrow and the history of tech, how we reached where we are today. I was able to spend time only in the latter half, the history and evolution of computers from the mid 20th century. I ended up spending over 3 hours here and thus was too tired to check the modern technology exhibits. I began with a wonderful tour given by Justin, one of the staffers at the museum. They have three tours everyday, I'd encourage you to try and make it for one if you can. The tour was about early development and democratization of computing - a special shout-out to Justin who conducted an excellent tour. At the entry to the vintage section is an "Enigma" machine, that was used quite extensively by Germany in World War 2. On display is the Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-7 and subsequent versions of computers from the same family. The punch card machine (IBM 029) and the instruction set to create our own punch card is novel. It was enriching to read about the evolution of programming through punch card, punch card reader and the way punch cards were a way of life especially in universities and big companies. This floor then moves on to MITS Altair, based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor. They do have a working MITS Altair 8800 "computer" on display - that is priceless! They do an excellent job of walking though the popular culture of those days, the development of Altair and how eventually they faded away. Along this display is where they introduce the tech titans of Microsoft and Apple. There is mention of the founders of the two companies, the difference in the way they started out and the evolution of either of them and how they came to be the duopolies in the tech scene till late 20th century. I was particularly fascinated by the Microsoft exhibits - which included Windows 1.0, evolution of Microsoft Office and the advent and decline of Microsoft Home (products like Microsoft Encarta and Flight Simulator etc). I loved the layout and the explanations in this museum. Most of this stuff needs a lot of explanation and they've done a wonderful job with the plaques and short videos. The best part about this museum is the working machines, which have definitely been restored with time, care and effort. To play Pacman on Windows 1.0 or Apple II or write a basic program on the Altair 8800 is an incredible feel and something that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. The entrance fees is on the higher side ($22 for adults), if you purchase the ticket online, the price is slightly lower ($18). But I'll add that the price is should be considered in conjunction with the value of exhibits they have on display and the efforts that would have involved getting those machines online. They have a parking lot where free parking is provided. There are plenty of computer and arcade games to keep kids occupied as well! I'll definitely make another visit, especially to cover the modern tech displays which I didn't get time for!

3. McAllister Museum of Aviation

2008 S 16th Ave, Yakima, WA 98903-1214 +1 509-457-4933 http://mcallistermuseum.org/
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

McAllister Museum of Aviation

4. Mobius Discovery Center

331 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99201 +1 509-321-7121 http://mobiusdiscoverycenter.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 75 reviews

Mobius Discovery Center

Sparking the curiosity of younger children through exploration, play, and the arts, and igniting imaginations of all ages with fascinating exhibits, technology, and skill-building activities. Mobius Discovery Center provides a unique continuum of experiential learning that cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving abilities — foundational skills that create lifelong learners. Mobius is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in downtown Spokane across the street from Riverfront Park

5. WET Science Center

500 Adams St NE, Olympia, WA 98501-6911 +1 360-664-2333 http://www.lottcleanwater.org/education.htm
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4.5 based on 25 reviews

WET Science Center

6. Port Townsend Marine Science Center

Fort Worden State Park 532 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368 +1 360-385-5582 [email protected] http://www.ptmsc.org
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4.5 based on 139 reviews

Port Townsend Marine Science Center

Inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea. Founded in 1982, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the Salish Sea. We provide place-based, people powered, hands-on learning for all ages including youth camps, exhibits of marine flora and fauna, educational and historical displays, citizen science programs and community-based lecture series. Located at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Wash., we offer two public exhibits: the Museum and the Aquarium.

Reviewed By Oaroche

Wonderful selection of local marine species in the aquarium and interesting historical exhibit in the Natural History building.

7. SEA Discovery Center

18743 Front St. NE, Poulsbo, WA 98345-0408 +1 360-598-4460 [email protected] http://www.poulsbomsc.org/
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4.5 based on 78 reviews

SEA Discovery Center

Open and FREE to the public Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Reviewed By Sarah_SQ6334SQ - Port Orchard, United States

The kids enjoyed the touch tank, octopus, informative video, coloring, stuffed animals, puppets and sea creature toys. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted. They are located on the waterfront. They do offer school events for a fee.

8. Mobius Science Center

331 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99201-6026 +1 509-321-7133 [email protected] http://www.mobiusspokane.org
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Mobius Science Center

Mobius Science Center ignites the imagination of people ages eight to 108 with fascinating exhibits, technology, and skill-building activities.

Reviewed By JoRoOmaha

This is a fun and engaging hands-on science center that kids will love, and learn a lot while having great fun. As an adult, its hard not to try out some of the exhibits, and that’s encouraged as well. The staff is wonderful. They wander around the space periodically to check on how you’re doing and answer questions. Every city should have a science center this wonderful. Bravo Mobius!

9. Pacific Science Center

200 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109-4895 +1 206-443-2680 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/PacSci/
Excellent
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4.0 based on 1,901 reviews

Pacific Science Center

TEMPORARY CLOSURE: On March 11, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a prohibition on gatherings of 250 people or more in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. In accordance with that, PacSci has closed. Please check the website for the most up-to-date hours. Pacific Science Center ignites curiosity in every child and fuels a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Get hands-on in our Tinker Tank maker space, wander among fluttering tropical butterflies, immerse yourself in a giant-screen IMAX film, explore distant galaxies and meet local scientists and researchers. Don't miss a show in our popular Laser Dome that features a brand new laser system filling the dome with vibrant light and color! Every visit to Pacific Science Center is unique, engaging and fun for adults and children alike. In addition to our daily live science demonstrations, IMAX films, planetarium and laser shows, we feature traveling exhibits that vary throughout the year.

Reviewed By rjacquet2 - Seattle, United States

The science center is located in the same area as the Space Needle. lots of attractions to see here especially for your children to get hands on science events and programs they have. in the same location are lots of attractions which includes a very good Music and Science Fiction museum, an outdoor play station for kids that can teach them musical ideas, a very good IMAX movie theater and a very large food court.

10. Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109-4630 +1 877-724-3428 http://www.empmuseum.org/?code=brand_adwords&gclid=CLrO-fmQ7cUCFVKVfgodW58AQA
Excellent
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4.0 based on 149 reviews

Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

Reviewed By dianebS2450BE - Edmonds, United States

This museum is now part of MoPOP and is well worth the cost. The SciFi area is fascinating with great artifacts, games, sayings, scripts and costumes.

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