Recreational Activities
Museum Information
MUSEUMS
Whatcom County
American Museum of Radio & Electricity
Presents the story of electricity and radio featuring a private collection of more than 1,000 antique radios and artifacts. Wed-Sat 11AM-4PM, or call for an appointment. Fee: $5 adults, $2 kids. Located at: 1312 Bay St, Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call: (360) 738-3886 or visit: www.amre.us
Bellingham International Maritime Museum
Exhibits military boats and models. Open Sat. noon-3pm or by appointment. Located at: 800 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA. For more information please call (360) 592-4112 or visit www.bimmus.org
Bellingham Railway Museum
Features local railroad history, G and O gauge layouts with a chance for hands-on-learning, as well as a kids’ play area. Fees: adults $3, kids 3-16 $1, under 3 free. Families (up to 4 people) $5. Tues & Thurs-Sat, noon-5pm. Located at: 1320 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA. For more information please call (360) 393-7540 or visit: www.bellinghamrailwaymuseum.org
Bellingham Society of Model Engineers
HO-scale railroad layout with mountains, cities and realistic scenery. N-scale is on two levels. Digital command control and sound effects. Call or check web site for hours open to the public. Located at: 1469 Silver Run Lane (I-5, Exit 240, at corner of Hwy 99 & Alger Rd). For more information, please call (360) 733-0711 or visit: www. bsme.org
Black Mountain Forestry Center
Open weekends Memorial Day - Labor Day. See first-hand the history and development of communities founded by forest harvesting of over 100 years. Forestry tours and educational programs (Group tours by appointment). World of Wood Festival is in August. Open Sat & Sun noon-4pm. High Country Tours at 1pm on Sun. Located at: 7802 Silver Lake Rd., Maple Falls, WA. For more information, please call (360) 599-2623 or visit: www.blackmountainforestry.com
Drayton Harbor Maritime Museum
History of Semiahmoo’s fish cannery days and the Alaska Packers Association. Open Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend, 1-5PM. Located on the Semiahmoo Spit in Birch Bay (Blaine) WA. For more information, please call (360) 733-2900 or visit: www.draytonharbormaritime.org
Fairhaven Pharmacy Museum
Antique pharmaceutical equipment and photos. Open Fridays, 1-5pm. Located at: 1115 Harris Ave. Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call: (360) 734-3340.
Heritage Flight Museum
Dedicated to the flying and preservation of historic military aircraft. Founded by the William Anders Family in 1996, the collection currently has about ten “Warbirds.” Open every 3rd Sat. from Noon-4pm. Located at the Bellingham International Airport - Office: 2000 W. Bakerview, #B, Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call (360) 733-4422 or visit: www.heritageflight.org
Lynden Pioneer Museum
Boasts 28,000 sq. ft. of some of the rarest historical collections in the State. Includes pioneer artifacts; a re-creation of early downtown Lynden; antique cars and tractors; and the priceless buggy and wagon collection of local pioneer Fred K. Polinder. Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 1:30-5. Fee: $7 / $4 / free for 5 and under. Located at: 217 Front St., Lynden. WA. For more information, please call (360) 354-3675 or visit: www.lyndenpioneermuseum.com
Mindport Exhibits
Hands-on exhibits blending art, science, humor, and humanities. Enjoyable for adults and children 6 years and older. Wed-Fri noon-6pm / Sat 10am-5pm / Sun noon-4pm. Fee: $2.00. Located at: 210 W. Holly St., Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call: (360) 647-5614 or visit: www.mindport.org
Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park is a collection of historic cabins and artifacts from various locations in Whatcom County. With 14 cabins, it’s one of the largest collections of authentic log structures in the Northwest. Included are a school house, church, store and print shop. View exteriors year ‘round. Cabins open mid-May through mid-Sept. Tues-Sun, 11:30am-4pm. (Group tours by appointment). Located at: 2002 Cherry St., Ferndale, WA. For more information, please call (360) 384-6461 or visit: http://www.ci.ferndale.wa.us/parks/pioneerpark.php
The Pickett House
This small pioneer house was built by Captain George E. Pickett in 1856. Later on during the American Civil War, he was the Confederate General in Lee’s army who led the famous charge at Gettysburg. Open the 2nd Sunday each month (unless poor weather), 1-4pm, or by appointment. Located on Bancroft St. between “F”&”E” Streets in Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call (360) 734-1827 or visit: http://www.cob.org/services/neighborhoods/historic/tour/026.aspx
Whatcom Children’s Museum
Creative and educational hands-on exhibits, ideal for ages 2-9. Sun/Tues/Wed Noon-5PM, Thurs-Sat 10AM-5PM. Fee: $3.50. Located at: 227 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA. For more information, please call (360) 778-8970 or visit: www.whatcommuseum.org
Whatcom Museum of History and Art
Two buildings, including the 1982 “red” Old City Hall, feature contemporary art, historical exhibits, and original installations. Also of interest, are ongoing lectures and an expansive photo archives. Tues-Sun noon-5. Located at: 121 Prospect St, Bellingham. WA. For more information, please call (360) 778-8977 or visit: www.whatcommuseum.org
San Juan County
Orcas Island Historical Museum
They serve Orcas Island residents and visitors by offering new exhibits, presentations and speakers, tours, research assistance, the annual Historical Day Fair, open house celebrations, regular visitation hours, and opportunities for special appointments, newspaper articles and quarterly publications. Located at: 181 North Beach Road, Eastsound, WA 98245. For more information, please call: 360 376 4849 or visit: www.orcasmuseum.org
San Juan Island Historical Museum
- The San Juan Historical Museum is located on the King Homestead which is over 100 years old. The museum complex consists of many old buildings. Located at: 405 Price St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information, please call 360-378-3949 or visit: www.sjmuseum.org
The Whale Museum
- The Whale Museum promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. For more information, please call Jenny Atkinson at 360-378-4710; visit: www.whalemuseum.org; email: jenny@whalemuseum.org. 62 First St. North, P.O. Box 945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Westcott Bay Institute, Westcott Bay Sculpture Park and Island Museum of Art - The Westcott Bay Reserve Sculpture Park
Boasts an exhibit of over 70 sculptures placed in an open 19 acre setting, creating an outdoor museum. The sculptures include works in bronze, stone, wood, metal, glass and ceramic by noted artists from the San Juan Islands and all around the Pacific Northwest. The Institute continuously rotate the sculpture at the Reserve so there will always be new art to view. The Island Museum of Art has changing exhibits of local and regional arts & crafts by prominent and emerging artists. Island Museum of Art/Westcott Bay Institute. Located at: 314 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, WA. For more information please call 360 370-5050 or visit: www.wbay.org
Seattle Area
Burke Museum
Located at Northeast 45th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast, Seattle. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 5-9 p.m. first Thursday’s free admission. For more information please call 206-543-5590 or visit: www.washington.edu/burkemuseum
Children’s Museum Seattle
Located at Seattle Center, $6-$7.50. For more information please call 206206-441-1768 or visit: www.thechildrensmuseum.org
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum
Located at: 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle. For more information please call: 206-367-5483, or visit www.emplive.org for current exhibits.
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
Located at: 5917 S. 196th St., Kent. Nation’s only public museum dedicated exclusively to boat racing; features unlimited and Gold Cup hydroplanes from six decades. Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays or by appointment; free. . For more information please call 206-764-9453.
Museum of Glass
Located at: 1801 Dock St., Tacoma. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, through Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. . For more information please call 253-284-4750 or visit: www.museumofglass.org
Museum of Flight
Located at: 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle; Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 5-9 p.m. first Thursday’s free admission. For more information please call 206-764-5720 or visit: www.museumofflight.org
Northwest Railway Museum
Located at: 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie; depot and bookstore, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; $6-$9; 425-888-3030 or visit: www.trainmuseum.org
Pacific Science Center
Located at: 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle; Ongoing exhibits: “Dinosaurs: A Journey through Time,” Tropical Butterfly House, Insect Village, “Kids Works” and more. Call or go to Web site for hours and admission information; $7-$10. For more information please call 206-292-2787 or visit: www.pacsci.org
Seattle Art Museum
Located at: 100 University St., Seattle. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; closed Mondays. For more information please call 206-654-3100 or visit: www.seattleartmuseum.org
Tacoma Art Museum
Located at: 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. Ongoing: Dale Chihuly, glass art, Second Tuesday monthly program for seniors and military retirees featuring docent-led tour, lecture, workshop or art-making activity, lunch in cafe; $4-$10. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays. For more information please call 253-272-4258, or visit: www.tacomaartmuseum.org
Tacoma Historical Society Exhibit Center
Located at: 747 Broadway, Tacoma; Ongoing: “Building Tacoma” traces the city’s growth from the first Euro-American settlement through its emergence as a major city by 1915; “The John Graham Collection: Historic Postcards of Tacoma.” Donation requested. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. For more information please call 253-472-3738 or visit: www.tacomahistory.org
Tacoma Telephone Pioneers Museum
Located at: 757 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. Exhibits of telephone equipment, phones, old phone books, switchboards, Teletypes and more. Hours: 8 a.m.-noon Thursdays or by appointment; free. For more information please call 253-627-2996, or visit: www.scn.org/tech/telmuseum/tac.html
Washington State History Museum
Located in: 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays; $6-$8. For more information please call 253-272-3500 or visit: www.washingtonhistory.org