Many visitors to NYC make sure to visit the city’s famous museums but don’t scratch the surface of more off the beaten path things to do in New York. I’m so glad you’re reading this so you can stray from the usual touristy destinations and experience something unique: this Eldridge Street synagogue.

In this post, I’ll share how to visit this important Jewish museum and synagogue in the Lower East Side, what you’ll see there, the history of the building and its ties to the neighborhood, and tips that will make the experience go smoothly.

Read on for all the details of how to visit the Eldridge Street synagogue.

What’s special about the Eldridge Street synagogue?

New York is a city shaped by waves of immigrants from different places, backgrounds and faiths. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of Jewish people came to the U.S. from Europe. They found community—as well as inexpensive housing in tenement buildings—in the Lower East Side.

(If you’re interested to learn more about Jewish life in the Lower East Side, you need to visit the Tenement Museum. Read my insights on that NYC museum here.)

In contrast to the places some immigrants left, Jews were free to practice their religion in the Lower East Side. Synagogues were central to the neighborhood not just for faith but also other opportunities. From visiting with friends to trading tips about jobs, synagogues played a critical part in the LES community.

The synagogue on Eldridge Street, which later became a museum, was one of the more stunning synagogues in New York. It was painstakingly designed and built in the late 19^th century as a very public declaration of faith. (Up to that point, most synagogues were tucked unobtrusively into cellars or converted buildings.)

As the congregation dwindled in the 20^th century, though, this New York synagogue fell into disrepair. That’s when a community group formed to restore the synagogue. When they began, the walls were literally crumbling, holes in the roof let in rain and pigeons roosted in the sanctuary.

What a contrast to this stunning synagogue today.

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One of the most beautiful New York attractions

I think of the Museum at Eldridge Street as the most beautiful New York destination nearly no one has heard of. But once you catch a glimpse of the interior, you’ll want to go immediately.

When you arrive at the Eldridge Street synagogue, go straight upstairs to the sanctuary. The interior of this New York synagogue was lovingly designed, restored and now maintained by the super-friendly museum staff. Everything, from the lamps to the woodwork, is ornately detailed. It’s more than clear that craftspeople poured themselves into making every aspect of the synagogue gorgeous.

The circular stained glass window above the bimah, where the Torah is read, is the Museum at Eldridge Street’s real showstopper. This window is not original to the synagogue; it was commissioned in 2010. The vibrant blue window is now an iconic part of the Eldridge Street synagogue. Sadly, my photos don’t come close to doing this landmark justice.

You’ll see beauty everywhere you turn in the museum. Another circular, epic stained glass window is mounted opposite the blue one. Stained glass stars of David let in colored light. More stained glass on the synagogue’s ceilings shine multicolored sunlight into the sanctuary. Many of the glass had been broken during the synagogue’s years of disuse. Artists recreated the pieces using techniques the original makers would have used.

Wallpaper, paintings, tiles and carved woodwork add to the Eldridge Street synagogue’s grandeur. I felt breathless among its beauty, so I can only imagine how the original congregants felt inside. Most were immigrants, many struggled to make ends meet, and most had never worshipped in such a grand synagogue.

An unknown New York City landmark

The Eldridge Street synagogue was certainly a community hub and meeting place for Jewish immigrants. Roughly 85 percent of the 2.5 million Jewish immigrants who came to the U.S. during peak immigration stayed in New York City. In fact, the Lower East Side neighborhood would have been the most populous Jewish city in the late 1800s, had it been its own town.   

New immigration laws in the 1920s limited the number of people who could move to America. Many people who had settled in the Lower East Side moved away as they became more prosperous and established in New York. The character of the LES changed as other ethnic and cultural groups put down roots in the neighborhood.

The Museum at Eldridge Street helps visitors learn and remember the central role Jewish immigrants played in the evolution of New York City. I’m so grateful that this stunning Lower East Side synagogue was restored and preserved.

When you visit, explore and admire the synagogue’s beauty. Make sure to use your phone’s camera to scan the QR codes in the self-guided tour, too. You’ll learn so much and take in details you might have missed on your own. For example, one spot on the tour directed my attention to the dips in the original wood floor. The uneven spots were worn down from years of people swaying as they prayed.

You’ll probably spend the most time in the Eldridge Street synagogue’s sanctuary and on the floor above, which overlooks the sanctuary and where women attended services (apart from men). Save at least 15 minutes to go through the exhibits on Lower East Side history and how the Jewish community contributed to New York City culture. These are located on the ground floor, where you enter from Eldridge Street.

Visiting the Museum at Eldridge Street

If you were walking by in the Lower East Side, you likely would pass on by the Museum at Eldridge Street without a second glance. But as you can see, its interior is one of the most beautiful places in New York City.

This Lower East Side museum is open Sunday through Friday, usually opening its doors at 10am. I say usually because hours may change on Jewish holidays. Definitely check the website before you go so you’re not disappointed by a closed museum.

One of my favorite things to do in the Lower East Side is to wander around and admire street art. You’ll spot some stunning murals on the blocks surrounding the Eldridge Street synagogue.

No matter if you spend hours or just a few minutes admiring the Museum at Eldridge Street, I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you visited.

The Museum at Eldridge Street must-know details

Museum hours: Sunday – Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-3pm. Make sure to check the website because the museum is closed on holidays.

Museum admission: $15 for adults, $8 for children, pay what you wish Mondays

Free admission: Children under 5, U.S. veterans, and people with federally recognized disabilities

Nearby subway stops: East Broadway on the F line, Grand Street on the B and D, and Canal Street on the 6, N, Q, R, J, and Z.

You can also walk from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Don’t forget about this stunning New York attraction. Pin this post for later!

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I am always up for exploring a new landmark or museum, so I made my way to the Umlauf. I didn’t know what to expect, or even what/who Umlauf was, so it’s safe to say I learned and discovered a ton about this Austin sculpture garden!

If you like art or are looking for unique things to do in Austin, definitely check out the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. You’ll take in this local artist’s most impressive sculptures under an open Austin sky.

Who was Charles Umlauf?

First of all I wondered, who is this Charles Umlauf fellow? As I learned, he was an artist who moved to Austin to teach at the University of Texas, where he was an art professor for 40 years. He lived in Austin the rest of his life and, in 1985, donated hundreds of his sculptures—along with his home and studio—to the city.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum sits on four acres of land that Umlauf and his wife donated. Although their home isn’t yet part of the museum, it is working on plans to open it to the public.

In the meantime, you can wander the grounds of this Austin sculpture garden and appreciate the diversity of Charles Umlauf’s sculptures.

Visiting Austin’s Umlauf Sculpture Garden

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, a few minutes away from Austin’s Zilker Park, is an outdoor destination in its own right. Paths wind through the sculpture garden, leading you on a peaceful art walk.

Sculptures dot the garden so that every few feet, you come across another emotive piece of art. And the landscape design means you’ll see each sculpture from different vantage points as you walk through this sculpture garden in Austin.

I was surprised by the variety of bronze sculptures at the Umlauf. Much of the art focuses on people and their relationships, but then there are others—like the quirky animals—that show Umlauf’s many interests.

Sculpture garden in Austin: Art for all

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden makes this art accessible, even to people who might not typically feel comfortable in an art museum.

First of all, the outdoors setting makes you feel as if you’re just taking a stroll through a particularly artistic park. If you like walking outside, you’ll definitely enjoy the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.

Secondly, there’s pretty much no wrong way to enjoy this sculpture garden. Some people don’t love traditional museums because they’re so hushed, with security guards keeping an eye on everything and everyone. (I know a lot of fellow parents feel this way!) The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, on the other hand, makes it clear you can explore the garden how you like—as long as you’re respectful of the art and other visitors, of course.

Finally, you get to interact with the art in a more personal and direct way. I loved getting up close to the sculptures, noticing tiny details and even evidence of the sculptor’s technique in crafting the figures. I circled the art, seeing it from every angle. And you’re even allowed to touch the sculptures. In fact, the rhino’s horn has been rubbed so often that it turned golden instead of the dark blue of the other metal!

More art at the Umlauf

Almost all of the art at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum was created by Umlauf himself. That said, the museum features works by other artists, too.

In the sculpture garden, keep an eye out for several sculptures that differ from the rest in style and materials. While we visited, I saw a large installation that was made from PVC pipe and lights—quite different from the traditional bronzes Umlauf is best known for!

Inside, a gallery room features shows from different featured artists. Unfortunately, we came at the tail end of one show, but I’d definitely want to go back to see what the museum has in store next.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum: Details

Here’s what you need to know to visit this sculpture garden in Austin.

Admission: $7 for adults, $1 for youth 13-17, and free for children 12 and under and veterans

Hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday – Sunday 11am – 4pm.

Pets are not allowed in the sculpture garden.

More details on the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum site

Unique thing to do in Austin, TX

Even if you’ve never heard of Charles Umlauf, this Austin sculpture garden is definitely worth a visit. I loved seeing so much art in such a small place—the garden is absolutely filled with stunning bronze sculptures. And the sculpture garden showcases art in a totally different way than a traditional museum: You get to enjoy art in the outdoors, under the Austin blue sky.

Do you ever visit outdoor museums?

PS – Do you love unusual museums? Then you’ll love my post on off-the-beaten-path museums in NYC.

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The Campbell House mansion was built for a silver baron and his family in 1898. You probably can’t afford to have five live-in servants and deck out your tea room in silk and velvet (I know I definitely can’t!), but you can see how the Campbells did just that in this National Historic home.

Luckily for us non-millionaires, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) preserved the Campbell House in Spokane and opened it up for tours.

So if you’re looking for off the beaten path things to do in Spokane, WA, visit the Campbell House. (Just brush up on your silver baron poses and finishing school manners first!)

Quick history of the Campbell House

The Campbell House in Spokane was built in 1898 for Ohio-born Amasa Campbell, a high school dropout who made his fortune in mining. He hired the architect Kirtland Cutter to build the 13,000-square-foot home for just $30,000, where he lived with his wife, Grace, and daughter, Helen.

The house reflects the traditions of the time’s high social class. One of the mansion’s most stunning spots, the gold-and-pink reception room, was built entirely for Mrs. Campbell to receive visitors in 15-minute time slots. And the game room downstairs—like a 20th century millionaire’s man cave—was the only spot where Mr. Campbell was allowed to gamble and drink, given that his wife was involved in the Temperance movement.

Helen donated the family home to a local historical society in 1924 when she moved to the other side of the Spokane River, where it had become more fashionable to live. The MAC refurbished the home in the 1980s and 1990s, using historic photos and other records to recreate or buy similar furniture, fixtures and even wallpaper.

Tour the Campbell House in Spokane

The Campbell House is next door to the MAC and entry is included when you pay to enter the main museum. That said, you need to take a tour to visit the mansion, and tours are offered on the hour in the afternoons Tuesday through Friday and Sunday. (See full details below.)

My sister and I visited the MAC one recent afternoon not even intending to go into the Campbell House. The folks at the front desk mentioned the tour to us, though, and I’m so glad we took them up on it!

The Campbell House tour begins in the Campbell Carriage House, which formerly held the family’s carriage and, later, an electric automobile. (!!) Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, answered our many questions and made me laugh throughout the 45-minute tour.

One of the more fascinating parts of the Campbell House tour: the contrast between the family side and the servant side of the house.

Anyone who has watched Downton Abbey understands the concept of the upstairs/downstairs divide. It’s another thing to see that difference firsthand.

The family’s quarters were opulent, breathtaking. Rooms were full of souvenirs from their travels in Europe, expensive furnishings and enough cut crystal to make the whole house sparkle. (Also, is anyone else as obsessed with wallpaper as I am? I felt like such a weirdo oohing and ahhing over the wallpaper in every room!)

In contrast, the servant side of Campbell House was more practical and obviously designed to prioritize the family’s comfort. For example, the very layout of the house enabled servants to clean and take care of the guest bathroom—without using the main hallway or even being seen.

That said, the Campbells seemed fairly kind to the servants. They installed a modern bathroom in the basement so servants wouldn’t have to walk up three flights of stairs to use the facilities, and Mrs. Campbell sometimes acted as chaperone when one of the younger servants had a date!

March of modern times in 1920s Spokane

I didn’t know a lot about Spokane history. But as always, I find I absorb so much more when history is linked to personal stories (like those of the people who lived in the Tenement Museum in New York). Thanks to the Campbell House tour, I learned a ton about Spokane in the early 20th century.

The Campbells built and outfitted their home at a dynamic point in U.S. history. Workers were striking, demanding better pay and conditions. Women agitated for the right to vote. Prohibition outlawed alcohol.

On the Campbell House tour, we witnessed how these cultural changes played out in upper class families. For example, in the Campbells’ daughter’s room, a golf trophy was displayed. Competitive and athletic, young Helen was no prim and proper wallflower!

The Campbell House was also outfitted for modern technologies like electricity and the telephone. Mr. Campbell had private phone lines installed so he could call his business partner and lawyer in the houses next door so he could talk without the risk of a nosy operator listening in!)

Campbell House in Spokane: Details to visit

Campbell House address: 2316 W. 1st Ave. in Spokane, within the Browne’s Addition neighborhood

Admission: Admission for the Campbell House is included with MAC entry: $10 for adults, $5 for children, and children 5 and under are free. AAA members and active military members get $1 off admission. Entry may be more expensive during special exhibitions.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday. The MAC museum is closed Mondays, with the exception of some holidays. See the MAC hours page for more details.

Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Tuesday – Friday and Sunday. Open house 12-4pm Saturdays.

Expect the tour to take about 45 minutes.

Accessibility: The Campbell House tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly. We walked up three flights of stairs, and there is no elevator.

Spokane history at the Campbell House

I’m thrilled my sister and I toured the Campbell House in Spokane. I don’t know much about architecture and am not a history buff, but I still absolutely enjoyed this unique thing to do in Spokane.

My sister has lived in Spokane for almost 10 years altogether and had never visited the Campbell House. (See, it’s a hidden gem even for Spokane residents!) I’m so glad we finally explored this gorgeous historic home in Spokane.

Question: How do you find hidden gems when you travel?

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Yes, it includes family favorites like plenty of dinosaur bones (including a baby T. rex!!!) and dioramas displaying preserved animals. Beyond the slam-dunks, though, is a museum curated and crafted with every age in mind. Families will find hands-on activities to bring natural history to life, interactive displays, friendly museum staff and outdoor spaces that incorporate nature into the learning experience.

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LA’s Natural History Museum with kids

My kids weren’t with me on this trip, but now I want to plan a trip to California  just so we can visit LA’s Natural History Museum with my kids. You guys, I just can’t stop raving about this kid-friendly museum, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Here are the highlights for when you visit LA’s Natural History Museum with kids.

Dinosaurs: The star attractions

Dinos are the A-list celebrities of the Natural History Museum, and for good reason: It is absolutely awe-inspiring to stand beneath the fossilized skeletons of these behemoths.

You’ll see two right off the bat in the central foyer of LA’s Natural History Museum. Here, curators recreated a fight between a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops. (Who do you think would have won? Definitely not me—that T. rex is about to nom my head!)

Continue on to the Dinosaur Hall and you’ll see two rooms on two floors—after all, these dinosaurs are so big they need the room.

Level 10 travel tip: Look for the wall of fossilized bones—it has a touch screen display in front of it where kids can “filter” the pictures (e.g. by meat-eaters or species). You can play I Spy or a scavenger hunt: Let your kids challenge you to find a predator’s tooth or vertebrae!

Make sure to scope out the area where you can watch scientists working on actual fossils. When I visited, one was using a tiny drill to clean a 24.8 million year old bone from an Ichthyosaur. Watching these experts at work is even better than career day at your kids’ school!

Animals here and animals gone: Halls of diversity

LA’s Natural History Museum has several enormous rooms filled with scenes depicting animal life in the wild. Your family will see preserved animals that live among us today (for example the hawks in the Bird Room) and those that are, sadly, extinct.

Your kids may recognize some of the animals from the zoo, but chances are they’ve never seen them this close. Of course the animals at this kid-friendly museum aren’t alive, but your kids will notice details—how feathers lay flat on top of one another, the unique patterns on an antelope’s stripes—they’d never spot from afar.

Level 10 travel tip: Read the informational displays at every animal to yourself: Many of them have remarkable trivia about the animals depicted. (Did you know, for example, that the ostrich has the largest eyes of any land animal, and that a group of hippos is called a bloat? Neither did I, until I visited the Natural History Museum!)

Even more exhibits!

If I’m honest, to me, everything besides dinosaur bones is secondary in a natural history museum. But LA’s Natural History Museum made me rethink my dino-focused zeal.

The reason for my epiphany? The Gem and Mineral Hall.

I never thought this section of LA’s Natural History Museum would be so fascinating, but I marveled at the colors, textures and shapes of minerals found deep underground and inside rocks. And the bling contained inside the gems room made my eyes pop (and the security guard keep his eyes on everyone inside).

In addition, you’ll find permanent exhibits on shells, ancient Latin American art and fetish carvings.

Make sure to look for rotating exhibits, too. When I visited the Natural History Museum, they hosted an exhibit on tattoos throughout time (though entry costs an additional $8, unless you’re a member).

Exploring actual nature at LA’s Natural History Museum with kids

LA’s Natural History Museum is the only one of its kind that does a remarkable job incorporating, well, the outside natural world (at least that I’ve ever seen).

Step outside the museum and you’ll find a half-dozen different habitats and many more opportunities to learn. Keep an eye out for LA’s wildlife that visits the museum not to stare goggle-eyed at dinosaur bones but to take a bath in the pond, sip nectar from blooms or nest in a tree.

Level 10 travel tip: Bring a change of clothes for your kids. On a hot day, your kids will want to splash and play in the water feature. They’ll be amazed that they can splash around at a museum!

Visiting LA’s Natural History Museum with kids

LA’s Natural History Museum has kid-friendly activities and features throughout the museum. They do an exceptional job getting kids interested—and excited!—about science and the natural world. If you’re visiting the Natural History Museum with kids, don’t miss these highlights.

Nature walks

Every day at 3:30, Natural History Museum staff lead a group of kids throughout the outdoor section of the museum. Kids might have a chance to spot finches or mourning doves on the bird viewing platform, harvest snap peas from the edible garden or look for wildlife in the pond. The museum’s nature walks are free with admission.

Critter Club

This monthly meet-up introduces kids 3 to 5 years old to different kinds of animals through art, song, stories and other hands-on activities throughout the museum. The sessions are on a break now but will begin again in Summer 2018.

The Discovery Center: Hands-on central

In the Natural History Museum’s Insect Zoo and Discovery Center, kids can play and explore to their hearts’ content. They can dig for casts of dinosaur bones, pretend to camp out and peek across the museum grounds in a spyglass.

Then get close and personal with creepy crawlies. You’ll find cockroaches, pill bugs, gigantic spiders, millipedes and more in the habitats at the center of the room.

“Ask me” buttons

If your kids are anything like mine, they don’t have the patience to read (or listen to) many of the plaques that explain the displays. But when given the chance to learn from a real-live expert, they’ll surprise you at how much information they soak in. The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles offers plenty of opportunities for kids to express their curiosity and get details from experts. 

Level 10 travel tip: Challenge your kids to find a staff member with a yellow “Ask me” button—it’ll be like a scavenger hunt. Then listen to your kids’ questions. They’re so open-minded that they ask about things you’d never consider. (“Do baby Triceratops have teeth?”)

Find the rats

Rats—in a museum?! You bet, if it’s the LA Natural History Museum! Downstairs on the ground level families will find an interactive Nature Lab, where kids are invited to ask questions about how humans interact with the natural world. Part of our coexistence with animals and plants is living alongside rats.

There is a structure with see-through walls where kids can try to spot rats scurrying here and there—and even overhead!

The nitty gritty: Visiting LA’s Natural History Museum with kids

Here are the details you need when planning a visit to LA’s Natural History Museum.

• Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for youth 13-17, $7 for children 3-12 and free for kids under 3. If you go more than twice a the year, it’s actually more economical to buy a membership.

Level 10 travel tip: If you do buy a membership, make sure to use it to get free admission at the La Brea Tar Pits and The William S Hart Museum (which has a herd of bison on the property!). They have reciprocal memberships, which means even more natural history fun!

• Family restrooms and nursing rooms are located throughout the museum.
• A cafe offers kid-friendly food downstairs. There’s plentiful seating outdoors and, if it’s raining (or too blazing hot), in a solarium. You can also bring your own food for a picnic.
• This kid-friendly museum is right next to the Exposition Park Rose Garden and is a short walk from several aircraft on display outdoors. If your kids are antsy after being relatively quiet and contained in the museum, let them run their yayas out in the Rose Garden or challenge them to find the planes.

I can’t wait to return to LA’s Natural History museum with my kids. If you’re looking for kid-friendly activities in LA, make sure to put this museum on your itinerary!

And if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out my friend Melissa’s guide to fun things to do with kids in LA over on her Thrifty Family Travels blog.

What is your favorite part of visiting a natural history museum?

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The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia is our go-to spot!

We’ve been to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia many times, and we’re always planning our next visit before we even leave. The curious kid’s paradise is one of my favorite family-friendly activities in the Pacific Northwest in part because it’s fun for a wide range of ages.

For example, when we go, we meet up with my nephew, who will turn 7 this summer. My girls can’t get enough of the museum, either. We started going when my younger daughter hadn’t even turned 1 yet—so the Hands-On Museum in Olympia is great for babies through elementary aged kids.

Even though we’ve been many times, we continue to discover new activities, features and spots. Before you go, get excited! I’ll preview some of the best features of this Washington children’s museum that will build kids’ creativity, curiosity and joy of experiencing STEAM.

A Washington children’s museum that parents don’t hate

When you have kids, you end up checking out every kid-friendly destination within driving distance. That means I’ve been to a lot of duds, people. (Pretty sure you have been, too.) Scuzzy play structures, ball pits you’re sure are petri dishes, outdated displays—I’ve seen a lot of supposedly family-friendly museums and attractions that make me want to run away as quickly as I can.

The Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia puts those poor excuses of a family-friendly destination to shame, partly because parents love this Washington children’s museum just as much as their kids do. And that’s not only because their kids are having fun; parents get in on the action, too!

The best parts of the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia

One of the things about exploring a great children’s museum is discovering the place for yourself. Kids in particular love to find their own way around a new destination, but I won’t say anything if you guide them to the most fun parts of the children’s museum.

Ball lifter

At one point, I lost track of my older daughter, but I didn’t panic—I was about 99% sure I’d find her at this museum exhibit. (I was right.) I don’t blame her for wanting to come back to this part of the children’s museum time and time again—it is so fun to snag a ball from the water, pop it into the tube and watch it shoot into the air!

This exhibit also has a section that blows fog out of a tube. Kids can engineer complex systems diverting the fog here and there with short sections of pipe.

Without even knowing it, kids are learning engineering—and the joy of STEAM education.

Outdoor discovery center

Generally, I avoid going to children’s museums on nice days because I’d rather spend time outside. The Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia gets around this problem by including a huge outdoor space that has just as many fun opportunities for exploration as the indoor exhibits.

When we first step outside at the museum, the girls don’t even know what to do with themselves. They run from activity to activity because they’re all so amazing. Our favorites include the tricycle track, the gardening center (which has a cool space for water play), the dinosaur/bulldozer rock zone, and the waterfall.

Level 10 travel tip: Bring a spare change of clothes for your kids. They’ll likely get all wet in the water features in the outdoor discovery center or the gigantic water table inside near the Emergency! exhibit. And if they’re not wet, they’ll likely be dirty from the sand box or the mud pie kitchen!

Tides to trees climber

Why take the stairs when you can climb a massive tree-like play structure to get to the museum’s second floor? In the ultimate proof point that the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia was designed for kids, the tides to trees climber lets children scurry up, up and up—all the way to an eagle’s aerie!

The climber has platforms and bridges where kids can peek down below them—and wave at their parents. The height also gives them a different perspective on the other areas of the museum. For example, the girls got a totally different look at the ball lifter from inside the climber, so they had a new POV on what happened to the balls when they shot into the air.

Build it!

The Build it! section of the Hands-On Children’s Museum is tucked away on the second floor, and we didn’t even find it until our third visit. My younger daughter had so much fun trying on construction safety equipment and building kid-sized buildings that we’ll definitely make it back on our next trip.

Take a peek and you’ll agree: It’s a solid bet this section of the museum is inspiring future architects, contractors, DIYers and other builders.

Scarf wall

This is my second-favorite part of the entire museum (after the ball lifter). You (or your kids—ha!) can stick silk scarves and other light materials into the vast system of clear tubing and watch the items get whooshed away in a current of air.

If your kids are fascinated by making things move, a little ways away on the second floor they’ll find a spot where they can engineer parachutes and other flying contraptions, then test them out in an air blaster. My older daughter loved making tiny versions of hot air balloons and watching them fly into the air!

Maker Space

Upstairs kids will find an enormous maker space. Different tables have an array of supplies, from clay to pens and paper to materials to make an LED light circuit.

Museum staff and volunteers are on hand to help kids—but they’re also welcome to tinker and craft, following their imagination and inspiration wherever it leads.

Something for every age (including babies!)

I don’t love that a lot of children’s museums are designed with only older kids in mind. Thankfully, the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia breaks that mold.

Upstairs, families with young children can safely and comfortably play in the Snug Harbor. This area is meant only for kids under 4 years. There’s even a padded section set into the ground where crawlers and new walkers can get their wiggles out safely (without escaping!).

I particularly liked this section of the museum when my littlest was a baby. I didn’t have to worry about her getting run over by larger kids, and the activities in there—from cuddly stuffed animals to a safe play structure shaped like a boat—are perfect for tinies.

Level 10 travel tip: If you’re breastfeeding, there are comfortable and low-distraction seating spots in the Snug Harbor. If you want more privacy, ask a museum employee or volunteer—they’ll take you somewhere more secluded.

Kids on the young end will also like the make-believe section at the entrance of the children’s museum. There, they can sell each other groceries in the play store, harvest apples and go for a ride in a pretend car. Little ones also find plenty to do outside, from climbing in the waterfall to digging in the sand. Imaginative play is welcome here!

Visiting the children’s museum for families with special needs

On a regular day, children’s museums are overwhelming for me—I’m sure that environment feels even more chaotic for children with an intellectual disability or processing disorder. Luckily, this Washington children’s museum offers sensory-friendly days and other accommodations.

Look on the museum’s web site for upcoming sensory-friendly events. These include mornings where the museum opens early, so kids who are sensitive to noise and crowds can explore the exhibits before the rush of visitors. These mornings offer discounted admission, and local organizations offer resources and ways to connect with other families living similar experiences.

What’s more, visiting the Hands-On Children’s Museum during sensory-friendly events allows kids and their families to enjoy the museum without feeling judged.

That said, children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory needs are always welcome at the museum. The front desk offers noise-canceling headphones anytime, for free.

7 ways to make the most of your visit to the Hands On Children’s Museum

1. Look for kid-friendly activities

On a recent day, my younger daughter and I worked with a museum employee to build a bird nest supplies catcher. We later hung it on a tree branch in front of our window, where we watch native birds take the yarn and alpaca wool to line their nests. Another day at the museum, costumed super heroes wandered the building and high-fived kids. There was also a workshop on making comic books that was included in the museum admission.

2. Pause for snacks

We travel to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia from Portland two hours away, so to make the most of our visit, we stay for hours. The girls (and we adults!) pause partway through our stay to fuel up at the Play Day Cafe, which sells snacks and kid-friendly food. You can also bring food from home; just make sure to eat only in the cafe area, not in the exhibits.

Level 10 travel tip: When you and your kids have had enough to eat, challenge them to find a teeny-tiny animal family living somewhere in the Play Day Cafe. (Hint: Look for critters that live in the tree!)

3. Climb up the Lighthouse

The lighthouse, which is in the outdoor area of the museum, doesn’t look like much from the outside—but it provides an incredible view. Not only can you scope out the other outdoor activities you want to play in; you can also see the dome of the capital building off in the distance!

4. Get your music on

Throughout this Washington children’s museum, your kids will find ways to experiment with sound and music. Even before you get inside, there are enormous percussion instruments three or four kids can play at a time. Outside near the greenhouse kids can start a band with the instruments set out next to the giant hand chairs. And upstairs onstage, kids can create their own silly songs and perform a show while a friend hits buttons to make sound effects.

5. Tinker

Throughout this Washington children’s museum, kids will find opportunities to tinker. Stations are set up to spark an idea or project—such as an insect hotel or fairy house—and kids are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Tinkering is a wonderful STEAM concept that encourages problem-solving, a growth mindset and grit as they try new things.

6. Look for special guests

Check out the museum’s web site to plan your visit around guests making a special appearance. On a given day, kids might be able to meet Bat Girl, learn how to weave from a natural fibers expert or read to a specially trained dog.

7. Join an early education class

Throughout the week, early education experts lead classes for parents and their young children at the museum. Classes are free with admission or membership and include an activity, story time and an art project.

Visiting the Hands-On Children’s Museum in

Olympia: The nitty-gritty details

• Admission to the museum runs from $13-15, though babies are free and there are discounts for seniors, military members and EBT cardholders.
• Membership pays for itself in three visits, so if you come often, this is definitely your best choice.
• A parking lot directly next to the museum is just $1 per hour but often fills up, so you might need to find street parking.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly activities in Olympia, Washington or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest, make sure this children’s museum makes it onto your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed, and your kids will be talking about it for weeks!

PS – If you’re looking for another family-friendly museum in Washington, check out my post on the totally off-the-beaten-path Burke Museum in Seattle, which includes dinosaur bones!

Have you ever been to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia, another Washington children’s museum, or another family-friendly museum in the Northwest? Tell me about it!

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We look at it every day, so when we planned to visit Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History with kids, my little dinosaur lovers were beyond excited.

Despite my own fascination with dinosaurs and fossils, I’d never been to the Burke Museum in Seattle. Heck, I’ve been to Seattle dozens of times, but I’d never even heard of the Burke Museum until I started researching kid-friendly things to do in Seattle.

Most people haven’t, either—but that makes this gem much less crowded than other family-friendly spots in Seattle.

So when I came across this natural history museum that had a dinosaur exhibit in Seattle, I put it on our list of activities. (I don’t plan an itinerary or set anything in stone when doing family vacations—I prefer to allow for lots of flexibility, which means less disappointment in the end.)

And we definitely weren’t disappointed. We were all excited to see dinosaur bones—and we ended up getting even more than we hoped for.

Exploring the Dinosaur Museum, Seattle

Complete skeletons of prehistoric animals populate the Seattle dinosaur exhibit that you’ll first see at the Burke Museum of Natural History’s entrance. I was especially partial to the fossils of the mammoth, with its enormous tusks.

Can you imagine meeting one of those in the wild?! Clearly, the girls were excited to see this big guy, too!

Why the Burke Museum is a great place for kids

There are plenty of fossils and dinosaur skeletons in Burke Museum of Natural History and it’s no wonder people often refer to it as the Seattle dinosaur museum! Kids have a great time looking at them and it makes for a fun outing in the city.

What’s more, hands-on activities—like feeling a cast of a dinosaur’s footprint—help little ones engage with natural history.

I love that the Burke Museum also addresses the science behind evolution in a kid-friendly way. One entire wall is covered in a tree of evolution that shows how different animals share a common ancestor. And right after that display, a dinosaur skeleton that looks remarkably like a bird hints at the connection to modern-day avians.

In addition to the main dinosaur exhibit, you can see scientists working on several projects—including uncovering a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull.

Admittedly, I was more interested in watching them work than my kids were (“Look, girls, a real-live paleontologist!!!” #fangirl), but it did give them a chance to see how the fossils get to look museum-perfect.

More than fossils at the Seattle Natural History Museum

The entire bottom floor of the Burke Museum of Natural History is dedicated to Native American artifacts and other cultures. The section featured textiles, masks, carvings, and other beautiful relics from Pacific Northwest Tribes.

I admired how the Burke Museum treated the sometimes dubious history of how collectors got some of the artifacts.

One carving, for example, had been stolen from the roof of a Native American building a century ago. The Burke Museum reached an agreement with the tribe to keep the carving for a short time longer before it will return it.

While we were at the Burke Museum, they also featured an exhibit of home shrines from around the world.

Visiting Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History for kids: What you need to know

• The Burke Museum of Natural History is housed on the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus.
• Entrance fee for kids under 5 is free; older children and adults have a $22 entry fee.
• Coat check is free. Wahoo!
• Parking can be tight around the University of Washington. Instead of driving around, you can pay for your parking at the UW kiosk at the university entrance; they’ll tell you where you can find an open space.
• In the main dinosaur exhibit, there’s a section in the back with a bunch of plastic dinosaurs for kids to play with. It’s a great opportunity for little ones to do what they do best: play!
• Kids will need 1-2 hours to explore the dinosaur museum. You can see all the exhibits in that time.

So if you’re looking for things to do in Seattle with kids—especially if your children love dinosaurs—the Burke Museum is an easy win, free of crowds and an inexpensive but memorable visit. Enjoy, and ROAR!

What do you do in Seattle with kids? What is your favorite family-friendly activity, destination or restaurant in Seattle?

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