No, it’s not déjà vu. It’s the second wave of re-openings for our favorite museums and other kid-friendly hot spots. We’ve got the details you need to plan your adventure for the first time… again, whether you want to count one fish, two fish at the Aquarium, rock like Hendrix at MoPOP or play like a kid (who can resist!) at KidsQuest. Here’s what you need to know.

MOHAI

MOHAI

Local history buffs can rejoice, because MOHAI is opening its doors once again starting April 2, 2021. Families can visit Thursdays through Mondays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Families can expect the same safety measures here that they'll find at other area attractions. Masks will be required for anyone over the age of two and timed tickets are your green light to visit the exhibits. You'll find lots of hand sanitizing stations around, but you won't find the typical coat or bag check. Instead, families can reserve a locker when they visit. While you're there, stop by the newest exhibit in the museum—Stand Up Seattle: The Democracy Project. It's an in-depth look at the power of self government, and the museum curators hope it inspires visitors to "take action now to create the change they want to see." 

Good to know: You can find prepacked snacks and drinks to-go (as well as locally made masks) at the MOHAI Mercantile any time the museum is open.

860 Terry Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
206-324-1126
Event details

Wing Luke Museum

Grace S. via yelp

Explore the history of the Asian Pacific American experience when you bring the family to Wing Luke. Now open visitors are welcome to explore the museum Fridays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

As always, visitors will need tickets to visit the museum, and families are encouraged to purchase them online to limit contact as much as possible. They're valid any time the museum is open and don't expire. Masks, social distancing and group size guidelines will be in place for visitors. And in addition to seeing great new exhibits like Guilty Party and Where Beauty Lies, families can check out the live, virtual historic hotel tour as a perk. 

719 S. King St.
Seattle, WA
206-623-5124
Online: wingluke.org

MoPOP

MoPOP Seattle, best seattle museums, indoor seattle activities
courtesy MoPOP

We know Seattle families love to rock the weekend, and now yours can rock harder because MoPOP is open again, Fridays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For the record, here's what you need to know...

Like many other museums, MoPOP will be reducing capacity and using timed tickets; electrostatic cleaning is another bonus here. Everyone over the age of three will need to rock a mask when visiting, and families will get a personal stylus to use on exhibits with touch screen surfaces—a total bonus for kids who want to touch everything. Most the museum’s exhibits will be open with a few exceptions (parents, take note, the Sound Lab is closed), so your kids can still marvel at the Minecraft exhibit, while you wander through Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Hendrix memorabilia.

325 5th Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
206-770-2700
Online: mopop.org

The Burke Museum

Andrea Godinez/Burke Museum

The Burke Museum's doors are open again. Bring your natural history buffs to visit on Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or for free on the first Thursday of each month when the museum stays open until 8 p.m. Here's the low down...

Timed tickets will help reduce crowds and allow visitors to socially distance with ease. If you’re over the age of two, bring your favorite mask to wear, and visitors should also plan to give a bit of info to help with contract tracing when you purchase your online tickets (families can opt out if they choose). You’ll find hand sanitizer at key locations in the museum, and one-way traffic in galleries, too. Check out the new exhibit Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline during your visit or from the comfort of home.

Good to know: When it comes to food, families can take a seat in the Cascade Room or take it outside to the terraced steps for some fresh air. Off the Rez Café will be open with eat-in and to-go options and limited seating both inside and on the outdoor patio in case fry bread tacos sound tempting.

4300 15th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA
206-543-7907
Online: burkemuseum.org

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium

It's time to bring your little fish to the Seattle Aquarium again. The staff is welcoming visitors seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Can't wait to spy you favorite sea creatures again? Here's what you need to know...

The Aquarium will be using timed tickets for guests and operating at 15% capacity, so you'll have plenty of space when you're there. Plus, a new bipolar ionization air handling system and open-air flow are part of the aquarium's enhanced cleaning protocols. Masks are a must for anyone over the age of five and recommended for kids ages 3-4 too. If the kids get hungry, sit down to eat a snack in a designated area, or grab one from the aquarium cafe. It will be open Thursdays through Sundays only, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Good to know: Save on parking when you park at the Pike Place Market garage. Just ask for a voucher at Guest Services and you'll get three hours of free parking.

1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA
206-386-4300
Online: seattleaquarium.org

BAM

The Bellevue Arts Museum is back with all the art you love and enhanced cleaning protocols so families can visit safely. The museum is now open Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Let us paint you a picture…

Like all other venues, families will need to reserve timed tickets. Then, arrive five to 10 minutes before your ticket window. You can also expect the usual suspects, masks, extra sanitizing stations, one-way paths and plenty of space to socially distance. The coat check here will stay closed, as will upstairs bathrooms, so have the kids go before you start exploring. They’ll also be collecting contact tracing information for visitors. Galleries will be open for all to enjoy, but many of the interactive elements kids love won’t be. All weekend family craft sessions are still on hold.

510 Bellevue Way N.E.
Bellevue, WA
425-519-0770
Online: bellevuearts.org

KidsQuest Children's Museum

kidsquest museum, seattle, bellevue, free days
KidsQuest Children's Museum

Who else is ready to play again? KidsQuest Children’s Museum re-opens on February 17, 2021, and will be open four days a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Here’s what you need to plan a play date with your kids.

Timed tickets and limited numbers are at the forefront of the safety plan here. Guests will be allowed to reserve playtime in two-hour slots, with a 45-minute reset in between each wave. When you arrive at the museum, you’ll pass through a Safe Entry checkpoint that will include a temp check, symptom screening and a hand washing station. As usual, masks must be worn by anyone three and up. Restrooms will be open (and cleaned with an electrostatic sprayer throughout the day), but food and drink won’t be allowed, other than water bottles that can be refilled at the drinking fountains.

1116 108th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA
Event details

National Nordic Museum

courtesy of the Nordic Museum

February 18, 2021 marks the day visitors can view exhibits at the National Nordic Museum again. Enjoy all the museum has to offer Thursdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Here’s the breakdown...

Reserved tickets will help reduce crowding and make social distancing easier for museum visitors, and they’ll be operating at reduced capacity. Masks are a must for anyone age two and older, and visitors will be asked to “go with the flow” throughout the galleries, so look for the signs. The museum’s coat check will remain closed, and although large bags are not allowed, diaper bags always are. 

Museum staff have worked to extend the La Vaughn Belle: A History of Unruly Returns and the Edvard Munch photography exhibit, The Experimental Self, through mid-April. If you and the kids live the ski-hard-or-die lifestyle, you'll want to check out Sublime Sights: Ski Jumping and Nordic America that opens on April 17 and runs through mid-summer.

2655 N.W. Market St.
Seattle, WA
206-789-5708
Event details

The Museum of Flight

Alaina Weimer

The Museum of Flight is “cleared for takeoff” and ready to welcome visitors once again. Starting March 4, 2021 the museum will be open Thursdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Families can get tickets starting February 22.

The museum will operate at 25% capacity and will used timed tickets to reduce crowding. All visitors over the age of five will be required to wear a mask, and you’ll find social distancing reminders and additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the museum. Visitors should also expect a “brief, contactless health screening” before being allowed to take flight. All five buildings, plus the open-air Aviation Pavilion and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park will be open to visitors. The Boeing 747 and 787 Dreamliner are included in these re-opened perks.

Good to know: Families should keep in mind that easy go-to spots like the Flight Zone, Aviation Pavilion Kidport and Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center remain closed, as does the Café.

9404 E. Marginal Way
Seattle, WA
206-764-5700
Event details

Seattle Art Museum

Benjamin Benschneider

The doors at SAM are opening again March 5, 2021, and families can get tickets starting February 18. Here’s what you need to know. 

Just like last time, the museum will be open Fridays through Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and families will need to reserve timed tickets to visit. There will be a quick health screening before you enter, and masks are needed for any aspiring artists over the age of two. We're especially excited for the upcoming exhibit, Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle that opens the same day the museum does.

Good to know: Kid-friendly spots like the children's play areas, TASTE Café, Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center and Bullitt Library will be closed for the time being.

1300 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA
206-654-3100
Event details

Good to know: Imagine Children’s Museum has plans to re-open Jun. 1, 2021.

—Allison Sutcliffe

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