This interactive museum of science and industry once housed the science pavilion of the 1962 World’s Fair. Today the center features virtual-reality exhibits, a tropical butterfly house, laser shows, holograms and other wonders of science, many with hands-on demonstrations. Also on the premises is the vaulted-screen IMAX Theater, a saltwater tide pool and a planetarium. IMAX movies and special temporary exhibits cost extra.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chihuly Garden & Glass

0.11 MILES

Opened in 2012 and reinforcing Seattle’s position as a leading city of the arts, this exquisite exposition of the life and work of dynamic local sculptor…

2. Space Needle

0.14 MILES

This streamlined, modern-before-its-time tower built for the 1962 World’s Fair has been the city’s defining symbol for more than 50 years. The needle…

3. Children’s Museum

0.18 MILES

In the basement of the Seattle Center Armory near the monorail stop, the Children’s Museum is old-school entertainment and a good bet if you want to tear…

4. Olympic Sculpture Park

0.23 MILES

This ingenious feat of urban planning is an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum and it bears the same strong eye for design and curation. There are dozens…

5. Museum of Pop Culture

0.23 MILES

The Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP, the "Experience Music Project") is an inspired marriage between super-modern architecture and legendary rock-and…

6. International Fountain

0.24 MILES

A remnant of the 1962 World's Fair, the International Fountain was completely rebuilt in 1995. With 272 jets of water (recycled, of course) pumping in…

7. Seattle Center

0.27 MILES

The remnants of the futuristic 1962 World's Fair hosted by Seattle and subtitled Century 21 Exposition are still visible over 50 years later at the…