Pacific Science Center — Attraction in Seattle

I took my son here this previous weekend Feb 2024- I’ve got to say. I was slightly disappointed. When I was a child, granted. 25 years ago. We used to go here on a monthly basis. This place was where kids could dream around every corner. While there are still many neat exhibits, I’m sad about some of this things I/we saw.

First off- right when you walk in, the ponds are empty. There is a sign that explains why. And says that it is getting into the foundation and causing deeper issues….. (fix them). Line the ponds or something ( it is 2024 they have MANY materials you can “paint on” to solve this issue.) That outdoor courtyard is where we as kids used to LOVE to play. The water cannons which were still there (needing updated) were and still are always amazing. Get more. Expand that outdoor area and make it where you want to go and toss all your coins to make a wish again. Make this special since it is the first thing you see! I used to save change all week so I could toss it in that fountain. Okay- sorry next note

Get the shadow wall back. Again. Another area that had to have been a hit. And I’m sure you can make it larger and more improved these days.

Dinosaur exhibit was exactly as it was 25 years ago.. please update just a little bit. Still great. But change it up just a little.

Laser show was good. Dj was interactive and we had a blast. Hard to believe that it’s still free with admission. Was worth watching.

The area where they used to have the mole rats and then turned to the display for ( I think waves and earthquakes?). This is a bunch of tablet's now that are supposed to interact with that display. (It’s dumb), I saw 2 ppl look at it questionably in the almost hour I was watching it. Again sorry but get something magical. Get a huge mole rat kingdom or something again. I and all my friends used to watch those guys tunnel for hours.

I know everything in suggestion is not just a simple $5 fix. But one adult and one 6 year old was $70……. That’s rough. This place should feel as magical as it did when I was younger. I could not wait to go back as a kid.

My little guys said he would like to rerun, but I didn’t feel the same excitement that I’m sure project to my father. :(

It’s either got to get cheaper or get better (I’d even pay more if it was). Or we likely wont be back...

Honestly, it's looking a bit run down. They don't seem to take care of the outside grounds very well. It needs quite a bit of power washing and touch-ups. Inside, many of the displays are broken and or worn out. My kids were very disappointed in some things that they couldn't use and some things that looked open were not because they were broken and they didn't know about it as there was no sign. The laser show was great until the sound started and it was obvious that the sound system had been blown out potentially a long time ago. This is evident when you go to the IMAX theater, either of the IMAX theaters, and the sound is stunning. So obviously they know good sound but for some reason that doesn't translate to the laser show. Not sure why? This is a science center so I'm sure they're aware of how to fix it. The Paccar IMAX theater has amazing sound, but the visuals are extremely outdated. They use a very old format DLP projector and the pixels are enormous. It's like watching an old DVD blown up to the big screen. Sometimes people's eyes were an entire pixel. This is crazy in 2023. They could easily replace that with the new digital projection system. The things that we loved were the people, who make this place come alive. They are well-informed, love to be there, seemingly having a great time educating everyone about science, but it's obvious that things aren't going as well as they should. The best part of the experience was the butterfly area, which was not terribly obvious due to the fact that it kind of stands out among everything else. I say this because the butterflies only live for 2 to 5 weeks so they are constantly being refreshed and are constantly new. This is very different from the rest of the center where everything feels old and overly used. I feel like all they need to do is let the folks that work there do some magic aka science and fix the things that need fixing. Who is holding them back? Is management not allowing them to do the things that obviously they love to do? Like fix things! Regardless, I bought the family a year pass. And we'll be back, and will expect more, and hopefully they'll...

One-Time Fun

My visit to the Seattle Science Center was an experience that left me with mixed feelings. While there were aspects of the visit that my family and I enjoyed, overall, it fell short of our expectations.

Firstly, let's address the logistics. Finding our way into the center proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Clear signage or guidance on how to access the building would have been greatly appreciated. Additionally, the parking situation left much to be desired. The distance from the parking lot to the center itself was considerable, making it quite a trek, especially with young children in tow. Moreover, the parking fees were a bit higher than expected, adding an unexpected expense to our visit.

However, once inside, we found some highlights. The butterfly exhibit was undoubtedly the standout feature of our visit. It was a mesmerizing experience, with vibrant butterflies fluttering around us, creating a magical atmosphere. This exhibit alone made the visit worthwhile, and my kids were particularly captivated by it.

Despite this, I can't shake the feeling that the Seattle Science Center didn't fully live up to its potential. While there were pockets of enjoyment, the overall experience left us underwhelmed. It's certainly a place that's worth visiting once, especially if you have children who are interested in science and nature. However, for us, it's unlikely that we'll be returning. The logistical challenges and the overall lackluster experience have left us feeling that there are better ways to spend our time and money.

In conclusion, while the Seattle Science Center offers some interesting attractions, including the enchanting butterfly exhibit, its shortcomings in terms of accessibility and overall experience leave much to be desired. It's a fun thing to do once, but for us, it won't be a destination we'll be revisiting...