Summer at the Museum

Summer at the Museum

 

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to go on a long journey. That’s the beauty of museums. You can drive for a few minutes, or take a road trip to explore one of the many options in the state, and you’ll be transported to another time and place.

Here’s a roundup of fun regional museums that are worth the road trip this summer:

 

Yakima County

Central Washington Agricultural Museum

Museum grounds feature horse-drawn and early mechanical farm machinery, plus 3,000 antique hand tools, a steam engine, bells, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, an apple packing line and the Lindeman Tractor. Educational programs available 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays though June 8. Other special events include various tractor runs, tractor pulls and the annual Central Washington Antique Farm Equipment Expo, scheduled for Aug. 18-19.

Fullbright Park, 4508 Main St., Union Gap

Museum grounds open every day of the year

Buildings open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday through October

Free admission ($5 suggested donation per person)

509-457-8735 • centralwaagmuseum.org

 

McAllister Museum of Aviation

Opened in 1926 by brothers Charles and Alister McAllister. Special event: B-17 Bomber, ground tours and rides available at 4 p.m., June 25-28.

Open all year: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays

2008 S. 16^th Ave., Yakima

509-457-4933 • mcallistermuseum.org

 

Northern Pacific Railway Museum

The Northern Pacific Railway depot was in use from 1911 until 1981, and the museum was opened in 1989. Highlight: Have your birthday party in a caboose!  The 13^th Annual Railroad Show is Aug. 24-25 and features art, demonstrations, caboose rides and tours.

10 Asotin Ave., Toppenish

Open through October

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 12-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

$5 adults, $3 children 17 and under and seniors

Contact: Roger, 509-865-1911, or Mary (special events), 509-877-3894

nprymuseum.org

 

Yakima Area Arboretum

Described as a “living collection of trees and plants.” Park grounds cover 46 acres, 30 of which house trees and display gardens, and 15 acres of natural area. Jewett Interpretive Center features a bell tower, Heritage of Trees display, reference library, herbarium, gift shop and courtyard.

1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima

Park open dawn to dusk; Jewett Visitor Center open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

Admission by donation

509-248-7337 • ahtrees.org

 

Yakima Electric Railway Museum

Since 1907 this has been the home of Yakima Valley Trolleys, which its website says is “America’s last intact, early 20^th century, interurban electric railroad.” A collection of trolleys for observation and weekend and holiday trolley rides available.

South Third Avenue & Pine Street, Yakima

Open through September 3

Trolley rides 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

$4 adults, $3 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and up, children on lap are free (cash only)

509-249-5962 • yakimavalleytrolleys.org

 

Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center Museum

Exhibits include life-size dwellings, a mannequin exhibit of Native American leaders and sound effects with music and oral narratives. There’s also a gift shop, restaurant and theater.

Highway 97 and Buster Road, Toppenish

Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

$6 adults, $4 seniors 55 & older and children 11-18, $2 children 0-10, $15 family (2 adults and 2 children under 18), $25 guided tour

509-865-2800, ext. 1 • yakamamuseum.com

 

Yakima Valley Museum • Children’s Underground

Historical exhibits of Yakima Valley, from pioneer days to early city life. Highlights include a focus on the area’s fruit industry, horse-drawn vehicles, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas exhibit, the Children’s Underground and the adjacent Museum Soda Fountain. Gift shop and educational programs available. Other rotating exhibits throughout the year.

2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima (Franklin Park)

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; Children’s Underground opens 1 p.m. weekdays & 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Museum & Children’s Underground: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, children under 5 free, $12 family (check for special group rates)

Soda Fountain: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; summer hours 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday

509-248-0747 for museum; 509-457-9810 for Soda Fountain

yakimavalleymuseum.org

 

Take a little road trip for these museums:

 

Benton County Historical Museum

Antique clothing, Pomo baskets and a Christmas toy exhibit.

Located in Prosser City Park, 1000 Paterson Road, Prosser

Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 12-3 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday

$3 adults, $1 children under 18

509-786-3842

 

Children’s Activity Museum

Since 1991, hands-on fun includes themed play areas, the vortex machine and a reading nook. Preschool program, party rentals and field trips available.

118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, 12-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday; closed Sunday-Tuesday

$4.25 per person, ages 1 and up; $14.50 family admission for four or more immediate family

509-925-6789 • childrensactivitymuseum.org

 

Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science & Technology

Highlights the scientific and technology history of Columbia Basin area, including nuclear technology, molecular science, hydroelectric power and Hanford.

95 Lee Boulevard, Richland

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday

$5 adults, $4 students ages 7-17 and seniors

509-943-9000 • crehst.org

 

Fort Simcoe State Park

This 200-acre, day-use park features five original buildings, picnic areas and interpretive displays. A family weekend in June celebrates military and Fort Simcoe history.

At the end of State Route 220, located on the Yakama Reservation (45 minutes south of Yakima)

Summer hours (through September): daily, 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Free admission and parking

509-874-2372

 

Goldendale Observatory

Budding astronauts will enjoy staying up late to star gaze at this hilltop observatory housing one of the nation’s largest public telescopes. Or stop by during the afternoon for a daylight view of the countryside.

1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale (70 miles south of Yakima)

Summer hours (through September): 2-5 p.m. & 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday.

Admission by Discover Pass, donations

509-773-3141 • perr.com/gosp.html

 

Kittitas County Historical Museum

A local history museum. The Exploring Kittitas County summer program offers an extensive calendar of field trips and hands-on activities for kids.

114 E. Third Ave., Ellensburg

Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Admission by donation

509-925-3778 • kchm.org

 

Maryhill Museum of Art

Set in a three-story mansion overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, the Maryhill Museum of Art features European and American paintings, Native American arts and pieces from the Queen of Romania. The kid-friendly EyeSEE Resource Room features games and special exhibits. Enjoy a picnic in the large garden. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Stonehenge Memorial.

Special event: Family Fun-Draw Your Own Landscape,  1-4 p.m. Jun. 9 (free with museum admission)

35 Maryhill Museum Drive, Goldendale (Located off Highway 97, 12 miles south of Goldendale)

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through November 15, including holidays

$9 adults, $8 seniors 65 and up, $3 youth ages 7-18, children free 6 and under, $25 family (2 adults and all related children ages 7-18); free parking and exploration of grounds

509-773-3733 • maryhillmuseum.org

 

It’s only a couple of hours to ancient Egypt…

If you’re hitting the road for the west side, be sure not to miss something extra special at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center. (This just might be the attraction to give you an excuse to hit the road!)

That’s because the “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” exhibit will be unveiled for the last time in North America, from May 24 until Jan. 6, 2013. The attraction features more than 100 artifacts, many of them having been around for 2,000 years. Visitors will get to see 50 items that came right from King Tut’s tomb.

The exhibit is a collaboration of National Geographic and Arts & Exhibitions International and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, and sponsored by Seattle’s Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Tickets range from $15.50-$32.50. Pacific Science Center is located at 200 Second Avenue North in Seattle.

Find out more information: http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/King-Tut/king-tut-the-exhibition

Filed under Day Trips, From the Mag, Museums