Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art … Train to Trek … Intiman Date Night … Great American Backyard Campout … The Arches at Pacific Science Center
Doll Art The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art is “dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of dolls as an art form.” The museum’s permanent displays feature more than 1200 antique and modern dolls, teddy bears, dollhouses and accoutrements. The current exhibit, A Few of My Favorite Things, showcases some of Ms. Whyel’s favorite dolls, books, clothing, miniatures and more, and will close Oct. 25. The gallery will change during the exhibit’s run, so be sure to visit more than once.
The museum is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Kewpie doll with an exhibit featuring everything Kewpie (Kewpie Turns 100!), running through Aug. 11.
Where: 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Cost: General admission $8, seniors $7, kids 5-17 $5, kids 4 and younger free. Contact: 425-455-1116. www.dollart.com.
Flight Tower Reopens The Museum of Flight’s flight tower has been reopened after extensive renovations. The semicircular tower overlooks the runways at King County International Airport/Boeing Field, and features interactive displays that explain air traffic control from the viewpoints of pilots and controllers. The tower also features four new exhibits – Animal Flight, Weather and Flight, Physics of Flight and Flying Machines. Where: 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Cost: General admission $14, seniors $13, active military $10, kids 5 to 17 $7.50, ages 4 and younger free. Contact: 206-764-5720. www.museumofflight.org.
Gross! Swing by Pacific Science Center to view the disgusting, yucky and revolting exhibit Animal Grossology. The exhibit was adapted from the popular Grossology book series by author and science teacher Sylvia Branzei. Visitors will find the answers to such burning questions as: Why is the dung beetle considered nature’s original pooper-scooper? Why do cows chew cud? How do ticks, mosquitoes and leeches store blood? Where: 200 Second Ave. N, Seattle When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends through Sept. 7. Cost: General admission $11, seniors $9.50, kids 6 to 12, $8, kids 3 to 5 $6 206-Contact: 443-2001. www.pacsci.org.
The Arches of Pacific Science Center Have you ever wondered why the Pacific Science Center arches are different colors at different times? It turns out that there’s a reason for each color. Some are obvious – they turn green for St. Patrick’s Day and red, white and blue for Independence Day. But some are not so apparent: for instance, red’s for the American Heart Association and blue and yellow was for last month’s opening of the “Star Trek” movie (the colors of Kirk and Spock’s uniforms). Pacific Science Center’s Web site has a monthly calendar page to keep visitors abreast of what colors the arches will be, and (briefly) what the reason is behind each choice.
Where: Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center, 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle. Contact: 206-443-2001; www.pacsci.org/arches.
Train to Trek One day each month from June to October, visitors can board a vintage train in Tacoma for a leisurely two hour ride to Northwest Trek in Eatonville. The trip – narrated by geology, history and train experts – stops just outside the park, where buses whisk guests in for a three-and-a-half-hour visit, complete with tram tour. The day ends with a reverse bus ride to the train, and a ride back to Tacoma. The return train trip includes activities for kids, such as an on-board scavenger hunt, wildlife bingo and hands-on crafts.
Where: Freighthouse Square, 2501 E. “D” St., Tacoma. When: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Oct. 3. Cost: Adults $65, seniors $60, kids $45, children 2 and younger free. Reservations required. Contact: 360-832-7166; www.nwtrek.org/page.php?id=390.
Intiman Date Night Intiman Theatre is making it easy for parents to have an evening out. During four upcoming performances, parents can drop off their youngsters, ages 4 to 12, at John Hay Elementary School on top of Queen Anne hill. Kids Co. will offer child care that includes a drama workshop led by instructors from Seattle Children’s Theatre, games, pizza and a movie with popcorn. Parents receive discount tickets to Intiman, plus a pre-show reception complete with appetizers and wine. Remaining Date Nights for the 2009 season include June 6 (A Thousand Clowns), July 18 (Othello), Sept. 12 (The Year of Magical Thinking) and Oct. 17 (Abe Lincoln in Illinois).
Where: Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., Seattle. When: 6 to 11 p.m. Cost: Child care – One child $35, two children $45, three children $55. Pre-registration required. Tickets – Single tickets (per person): $47.25. Double date tickets (per person): $44.75. Contact: 206-269-1901, ext. 281; kathleenm@intiman.org. www.intiman.org.
Great American Backyard Campout The National Wildlife Federation’s annual Great American Backyard Campout is June 27. Think of it as your family’s chance to rediscover how much fun it can be to sleep under the stars. The federation says participation has risen steadily each year, with some families setting up camp in their backyards and others joining 30 or more community members at a public campsite. For get-ready guides featuring campfire songs, camping tips, crafts and activities, go to www.nwf.org/BackyardCampout/Get_Ready_to_Camp.cfm.
