Explore the history of flight from the Wright Brothers to space travel. Collections at Museum of Flight include commercial, military and civilian crafts. See a 1929 Boeing 80A-1, the sole survivor of its type. The 1926 Swallow was used as the nation's first contracted airmail service starting in April 1926. For those interested in more modern aircraft, there are the dynamic M-21 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever built, and the VC-137B Air Force One, which flew President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a historic visit to meet with Germany's Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1959. Take a walk through the “Red Barn,” a museum in its own right, where the Boeing Company manufactured its first aircraft. There is also a library with an extensive selection of aviation information, as well as a museum store and a cafe on the premises.
When it was built in 1914, this 42-story downtown tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi. In 1962, the 605-foot Space Needle outreached it, and for many years afterwards, the Seattle skyline was bracketed by these two spires. Today Smith Tower, with its many windows and ornate pyramid top, is still a beloved Seattle edifice. Anybody can waltz in to take an old-fashioned ride in one of the eight brass-caged, manually operated elevators. The 35th floor observation deck has lovely views.
In operation since 1942, Admiral Theatre is the local haunt for cultural entertainment. Hosting a number of live performances and other events, the theater is always buzzing with a cheerful crowd looking to have a good time. Whether you want to watch a play, laugh away at a comedy show, tap your feet to catchy rhythms or watch an art-house film, the theater can offer what you are looking for. If you are wondering where to spend the evening, bring some pals along and enjoy a dose of culture at the Admiral Theatre. The quality shows and talented performers ensure you won’t be disappointed.
Here, where the streets of downtown's business district angle down around Elliott Bay to the south, are the flatlands where Seattle was first built. Nightclubs, art galleries, tourist shops, design firms and restaurants dominate Pioneer Square. The area's First Thursday art walk draws huge crowds to the studios, galleries and street performers, and the nightclubs keep the neighbourhood buzzing with activity till wee hours of the morn'. The kitschy Underground Tour explaining Seattle's early history is a perennial tourist favorite, as is the more sober Klondike Gold Rush Museum, which details the Yukon gold fever that made Seattle richer. Yesler Way, which slices the neighbourhood in half, has a footnote in history as the original "skid row". There are also several small parks in the area, including the quiet Waterfall Park, the shady cobblestones of Occidental Park, and the totem-pole decorated triangle at First and Yesler, Pioneer Place Park. The neighbourhood also marks the popular shopping destination of the city, famous for all kinds of knickknacks such as tapestries, rare artworks, books and what-nots!
Featuring American, European and Asian art, the Tacoma Art Museum is a well-known gallery and museum. Since its inception in 1935, it has been displaying art in the form of paintings and drawings—both classic and contemporary, national and international. Their permanent collection includes works by Mary Cassatt, Jean Baptiste, Camille Corot, Dale Chihuly, Edgar Degas and Robert Henri to name a few. It also holds lectures, workshops, talks, temporary exhibitions and performances for all age groups.
The six-acre Tacoma Dome Entertainment Complex is unparalleled as far as its technology and design are concerned. The in-house restaurant, McKinley's, brews and serves most delicious and tangy Redhook Ales. The Shanaman Sports Museum, located in the Dome, is where Pierce County's sporting paraphernalia is preserved for your perusing pleasure. Live entertainment events take place here at various intervals, so check their website for more information.
Take the ferry from Seattle on a 50-minute trip to historic Bremerton. Located close to the ferry terminal, this "floating museum" lets you view the configuration of naval destroyers up close. Named for Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, a leading Korean Armistice Peace negotiator, this ship was involved in the August 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, which helped to escalate the Vietnam War. Take an in-depth tour of this historic ship, which is maintained in its original condition.
The corporate headquarters of Weyerhaeuser, the largest timber company in America, devotes a chunk of its property to two public gardens—a rhododendron display and this bonsai collection. The tiny, gnarled trees are fantastic both in shape and age. Some are as much as 1,000 years old. Most are little pines, but there are some deciduous trees as well, and several are arranged in charming miniature landscapes. Bonsai masters give occasional weekend lectures and classes. Tours are also offered every Sunday at noon.
Formerly known as the Rainier Beach High School Performing Arts Center, the place was renamed in 2004 to honor Paul Roberson. He was the first African American to make a mark in film and theater, a civil rights activist and a passionate sports person. The center was built in 1998, and since then is used by the school for hosting various events and programs organized by the students, especially those from their arts curriculum. However, the vision to create the best performing-arts program in the nation, has let them to take major initiatives to host special events to draw a crowd. This includes African Drum and Dance Ensemble show and the musical "Dream girls".
Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church is a community of worshipers who strongly believe in the preachings of Christ. The church works towards spiritual development of both children and adults by offering contemplative prayer sessions along with bible study and film screenings. Mount Baker church, located near Mount Baker Park, also provides childcare along with community services for social events viz. baptism, weddings and funerals. You can even enjoy listening to the choir here on Sundays and interestingly, they don't just sing gospel alone.
This excellent studio is airy, spacious and accommodates a fairly large amount of people. Home to a number of cultural and social activities and special events too, Rainier Dance Studio is filled with individuals when an event takes place. Also, as the name would suggest, dance lessons or courses are held regularly.