I Want to Go There |
U.S. West
TED HUETTER
SEATTLE
Museum of Flight
Founded in 1965, the Seattle-based Museum of Flight is one of the
largest air and space museums in the world. Its collection includes more
than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, ranging from
the first fighter plane (circa 1914) to the world’s only full-scale NASA
Space Shuttle Trainer.
The attraction features the original Boeing Company factory, called
the Red Barn. During tours, students can learn more about Seattle’s
strong tie to aviation history and see a number of vintage aircraft in the
barn. The Space Shuttle Trainer, which is housed across the street in
the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery, is more than 100 feet long and four
stories high. Groups can see the massive module that NASA used to
train hundreds of astronauts during the 30-year history of its space
shuttle program.
The museum is nearing completion of a $22 million Aviation Pavilion
expansion project. Slated to open to the public this June, the new
pavilion will extend the length of two football fields and house more
than 20 commercial and military airplanes such as original Boeing
727, 737 and 747s, the 787 Dreamliner, Air Force One, the Concorde
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trip planner
airliner, and B-17, B-29 and B-47 bombers. The pavilion will also offer
a café and playground.
To learn more, contact Brad Jones of Visit Seattle at bjones@
visitseattle.org, or go to visitseattle.org.
TOP EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
EMP, the Museum of History and Innovation,
the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Art Museum,
the Space Needle & Chihuly Garden & Glass
TOP RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Olympic Sculpture Park, the Washington Park Arboretum
TOP LOCAL FESTIVALS
Northwest Folklife Festival
(May 27–30, 2016, and May 26–29, 2017),
the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festiva