Museums are wonderful learning opportunities. You can admire wonderful works of art or dive into hands-on science projects. Find the museum that’s right for you, then plan a day trip or multi-day vacation to experience history, science and more.
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin gave pet squirrels to friends? They weren’t white elephant gifts, either. I guess having pet squirrels was a thing back the late 1700s. While most people picture Benjamin Franklin flying a kite in a lighting storm, he was much more than that. The Benjamin Franklin Museum in Philadelphia is…
Twenty years ago, I was living in a small town in Southern France. I learned all about the culture and even brought a little piece of it home with me. I purchased a nativity set of little clay people known as santons. They’re indicative to southern France and are a great reminder to me of…
Visitors will flock to see the Space Needle at Seattle Center. But did you know there’s an amazing glass garden next door? Chihuly Garden and Glass is a great opportunity to see some colorful glass sculptures. While they may be classified as sculptures, they are truly intricate pieces of art. I had no idea what…
Over the years, we’ve taken our kids to the Clark Planetarium in downtown Salt Lake City. It’s a great place for younger kids because of the interactive exhibits. For older kids and teens, there are still opportunities to learn. But there are also some spectacular films and laser shows that provide that added level of…
People often think of Van Gogh as the art they see in museums. Famous paintings like The Starry Night (1889) or The Bedroom (1888). Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience not only brings to life the paintings, but also Vincent. In a way, it humanizes the man behind the art leading to greater appreciation of…
It’s fun to watch animals running around, or even just lounging about. The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle has a wide range of animals, all from different areas of the world. You’ll find penguins, tigers, giraffes, birds, warthogs, meerkats and more. There are also several shows to enjoy, where you can learn about the animals…
Dole Whips are all the rage. There’s something scrumptious about pineapple-flavored ice cream. And when you top it off with fresher than fresh pineapple tidbits, you’ll be wanting it again and again. The Dole Plantation in Hawaii has those fresh and delicious treats, but there are several other activities you can do beyond enjoying an…
Every Labor Day weekend, thousands flock to Fort Bridger State Historic Site and Museum for the Mountain Man Rendezvous. The town comes alive and takes a step back in time. People wear attire from the days of Jim Bridger and pioneers traveling the Oregon or Mormon Trails. We felt a little out of place in…
As we walked out of Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (otherwise known as MOHAI), my teenage son said… “Every city should have a museum just like this.” I couldn’t have agreed more. The museum was full of information that told the story of Seattle – Innovators, technology, the city on fire, natives, Prohibition and…
My son is passionate about Scandinavia. His ancestry on his mother’s side hails from Sweden and he did a country report a couple years ago in school. His passion is deep. He tries to speak the language and eat the foods. As I was looking at activities in Seattle for our family vacation this summer,…
