5 Things to Do in Seattle When the Sun Goes Down

Whether you want to learn something new, or you're interested in exploring more about the world around you, the museums in Seattle offer the perfect place to do both. Make sure you take some time to explore these best museums in Seattle. 1. Pacific Science Center Pacific Science Center seeks to encourage an interest in science, math, and technology for people of every age with interactive exhibits and programs. The Body Works exhibit tests reaction time and shows how much energy you produce on a bicycle. The Tropical Butterfly House maintains a perfect temperature year-round for exotic butterflies to feed and sun themselves. Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket Prices: Adults (16-64) - $19.75 Seniors (65+) - $17.75 Youth (6-15) - $14.75 Child (3-5) - $11.75 more 2. Seattle Art Museum The Seattle Art Museum collection contains nearly 25,000 pieces. Permanent exhibits showcase art from ancient Americans, Australian Aboriginals, Native Americans, and Islamic, European, and Asian artists. The museum has a steady rotation of traveling exhibits so that even returning visitors will always see something new. These exhibitions include displays about glass, textiles, modern art, and sculptures. Hours: Monday-Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket Prices: Adults - $19.95 Seniors (62+) - $17.95 Military (with ID) - $17.95 Students (with ID) - $12.95 Teen (13-19) - $12.95 Child (12 and under) - Free 3. Seattle Children's Museum Seattle Children's Museum is designed for children between the ages of 10 months and 10 years. All the exhibits are open for play and exploration, including the Global Village, where children explore what homes and shops are like in Japan, the Philippines, and Ghana, and Discovery Bay, an area specifically designed for children three and under, to explore touchable and moveable objects. Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket Prices: Adults - $9.25 Grandparents - $8.25 Children - $9.25 Children under 12 months - Free 4. Museum of Flight The Museum of Flight is the largest museum on the West Coast devoted to aviation. Step inside a Boeing SAM 970 that served as the first Air Force One and carried presidents such as Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Nixon. Climb inside the cockpit of a SR-71 Blackbird, and view replicas of lunar modules and lunar rovers. Hours: Daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket Prices: Adults - $23 Seniors (65+) - $19 Youth (5-17) - $14 Child (4 and under) - Free Active Military - $20 5. Burke Museum The Burke Museum is the oldest natural history museum west of the Mississippi River, and it contains over 16 million artifacts on geology, biology, and anthropology. View real dinosaur bones, learn the science and legend behind birthstones, and see the largest collection of spread bird wings in the world. Hours: Daily: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket Prices: Adults - $10 Seniors (65+) - $8 Student (with ID) - $7.50 Youth (5-18) - $7.50 Child (4 and under) - Free Whether you're interested in art, dinosaurs, or airplanes, these museums around Seattle offer something for everyone to enjoy. Image via Flickr by erocsid | CC BY 2.0

With a city as large and distinctive as Seattle, it's hard to narrow down the list of what to see and do. However, if you're spending any amount of time in the city, and you want to experience the best activities and attractions, be sure you include these top things to do. 1. Shop Pike Place Market No trip to Seattle is complete without a walk through Pike Place Market. The market consists of several levels, and each level features unique shops. The lower levels contain collectible shops, antique dealers, small restaurants, and more. The upper levels house the craft stalls, produce stands, and fishmongers. Along with shopping, drinking, and dining, you can also enjoy the variety of street entertainers who perform at the market. more 2. See Seattle From the Skyview Observatory While climbing to the top of the Space Needle certainly offers some amazing views of Seattle, if you go to the top of the Skyview Observatory, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the city skyline, Elliot Bay, and Mount Rainier. The Skyview Observatory is on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, and it towers 900 feet over the surrounding city. While you're up there, be sure to take pictures of the city skyline, and get famous sites such as the Space Needle, Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains. 3. Stroll Through Kerry Park For another unique view of the Seattle skyline, head to Kerry Park. While the 1.26-acre park is one of the smaller parks in the area, the views of Elliot Bay, downtown Seattle, and Mount Rainer are unsurpassed. As the sun begins to set, amateur and professional photographers alike will line the wall to take some truly spectacular pictures of the glowing city. Once the sun sets, the illuminated Space Needle and bright ferries on the water offer a scene that is distinctly Seattle. 4. Enjoy the Outdoors at Green Lake Park Green Lake Park is one of the more popular parks in Seattle. The 323 acres offers a quiet retreat in the middle of the urban area. A 2.8-mile path surrounds the lake and is the ideal place for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. Along with the path, there are also basketball courts, tennis courts, a soccer field, a baseball field, and an indoor pool. In the summer, enjoy a splash pad, swimming beach, boat launch, and fishing. 5. Tour Seattle Center Originally built in 1962 for the World's Fair, Seattle Center is a park and entertainment complex in the downtown area. In the heart of the park is the iconic Space Needle, with its revolving restaurant and observation deck. The Seattle Center is also home to the EMP Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Kobe Bell Meditation Garden, International Fountain, and much more. Whether you're visiting Seattle and you want to make sure you experience the best the city has to offer, or you live in the area and you simply want to enjoy what makes the city great, be sure you don't miss these top attractions and activities.   Image via Flickr by tiffany98101 | CC BY 2.0

The Showbox Built in 1939, the Showbox is the premier music venue in the city to catch some great touring acts. The venue comfortably holds about 1,100 spectators, so there's a good chance you can find tickets for your favorite act. Musical acts vary from rock and blues to metal to hip hop. There are also two bars inside to grab a beer or cocktail before, during, or after the performance. more Cafe Racer If you're looking to get away from the huge venues and see something a little more personal, head over to the Racer Cafe. This quaint locale has live music most nights of the week, concentrating on local acoustic and folk acts. They also serve some great coffee, beer, breakfast, and sandwiches throughout the day. Inside, you'll also find the Official Bad Art Museum of Art, showcasing, well, terrible art. Electric Tea Garden The transcendence of electronic dance music, or EDM, was once thought as a passing fad. However, after over a decade of popularity, the genre seems ready to maintain its spotlight in popular music. For those that love dancing til they collapse while scoping out strobe lights and lasers, the Electric Tea Garden is your destination. Featuring many local and national DJs, this venue prides itself more on feeling like a house party and less like a rave. Even so, the visual effects and music are still the highlights. The Tractor Tavern Get out your best Western shirt for the Tractor Tavern, as it's quickly become the top spot to hear local alt-country jams. There are folding chairs throughout the venue to sit and sip a drink, or you can just meander about the venue and meet some of the local musicians and music enthusiasts. Other genres of music are also heard such as jazz and rock, depending on what day of the week you choose to go. The Triple Door Located right downtown, the Triple Door was originally a vaudeville venue, so even after its most recent renovation in 2002, it still feels like a speakeasy. Here, you can check out some of the best jazz acts that roll through town, performing everything from the standards to new experimental sounds. While you're there, you can grab a table and order from a fully stocked bar or order some great Asian fusion cuisine. There are only 50 places to sit and over 200 standing spots, so it can get a bit crowded for some of the most heralded acts. Plan accordingly. No matter what your taste in music, the vibrant Seattle scene is sure to please your ear. Make sure you visit a few of these places to hear live music, and who knows, you may just become one of the first people to catch the next big act. Image via Pixabay | CC 0