Rainy Days Can't Cloud Seattle Museums

2007-06-16 Word Count: 412 Category: Arts & Entertainment

Seattle's reputation as one of America's rainiest cities isn't actually deserved. With yearly rainfall of slightly more than three feet, the Emerald City actually lags dozens of American cities, including New York City, where nearly four feet of rain falls on average each year. But while New York City weather brings its fair share of heavy downpours, rain in Seattle tends to take the form of drawn-out drizzles.

Luckily, residents of Seattle and visitors touring the city as part of a grand excursion of the American Northwest can still find lots to do on Seattle's overcast days. Headlining my list of indoor favorites is a visit to one of Seattle's many top-notch museums. Here's a brief overview of three of the city's must-see attractions:

1. The Pacific Science Center at 200 Second Avenue N is a five-building complex that's home to a variety of science exhibits, a Butterfly House, a planetarium, and two impressive IMAX theatres, including one with IMAX 3D technology. The Center stands underneath the arches of yet another Seattle attraction, the Space Needle, and is open seven days a week during the summer months from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

2. The Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center is another of the Emerald City's museum gems. Focused on the nautical history of Seattle and Puget Sound, the Odyssey Center features four main exhibits and galleries covering the ships, environment, fishing industry and trade connections that make Seattle and the Puget Sound region the thriving center of the Pacific Northwest. The museum is closed on Monday but opens Tuesday through Sunday at either 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.

3. Another Seattle museum that pays homage to the city's maritime traditions is the ever-popular Seattle Aquarium. Newly expanded and renovated as part of a 41 million dollar facelift, the Aquarium is particularly proud of its Window on Washington Waters exhibit. This is a 120,000-gallon exhibit accessible to visitors through a imposing 17-foot by 39-foot viewing window and is teaming with everything from salmon and vibrant rockfish to sea anemones and dozens of other species of marine life.

While Seattle isn't America's rainiest city, there are still lots of gray days in the city's future. Luckily, there are many wonderful museums that can both educate and entertain visitors on one of Seattle's rainy days.

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