The Towers of Tomorrow exhibit at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) features both the opportunity to view remarkable LEGO structures, as well as make your own LEGO creations.
The experience: Beyond the buildings
The exhibit is a collection of twenty LEGO replicas of unique and innovative skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia, designed by LEGO Certified Professional Ryan McNaught. The skyscrapers in the exhibit include the Empire State Building, Shanghai Tower, the Chrysler Building, and the Tokyo Sky Tree.
However, the exhibit goes far beyond just observing the incredible LEGO structures. You can learn a bit about the history of LEGO, watch a video of LEGO creators explaining how they designed and built some of the structures displayed in the exhibit, and use some of the over 200,000 loose LEGO bricks available to build your own creations.
Brick by brick with my 5-year-old
My 5-year-old daughter and I explored the exhibit together. She remarked at how tall the towers were (a few of them are too tall to fit into the exhibit room and are on display on the ground level of the museum) and built her own miniature skyscraper. When she finished her skyscraper, she displayed it with other creations visitors had made (a space to show off your creation is available near the loose Legos).
The Towers of Tomorrow exhibit is meant for audiences of all ages. Adults and children alike will marvel at the skyscrapers and have fun building their own LEGO creations.
Note for parents of little ones
If I were to bring little ones to the exhibit, I would keep an extra close eye on them. All of the skyscrapers are behind a foot-high piece of thick plastic to discourage touching, but little ones could reach over the plastic boundaries, when their adults are not looking. Also, if your little tot still puts everything in their mouth, watch them near the loose LEGO bricks.
Tip: If you bring your young children, be sure to spend time on the large carpeted area with loose DUPLO bricks available for play.
Don’t miss: Other exhibits at MOHAI
While youāre at MOHAI to check out the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit, explore the rest of the museum. The MOHAI is highly visual and interactive, with many pictures and artifacts for kids to view.
On the third floor, there is a āKid-Struction Zoneā – a permanent space with activities for kids to play with and explore. Tools, foam blocks, books, ramps, gears, blocks, and more exist. I imagine some families spend nearly their whole visit at the MOHAI in this space.
Before and after your visit:
The MOHAI is located at the south end of Lake Union in Lake Union Park, a complex that includes the Center for Wooden Boats, Goose Beach, Lake Union Spray Park, and a great viewing spot for watching seaplanes take off and land. Consider pairing your trip to the MOHAI with a splash at the spray park, time for a picnic lunch while watching seaplanes, or a visit to the Center for Wooden Boats.
Hungry?
If youād like to grab something to eat near the museum, you may want to consider driving to a nearby eatery – getting to restaurants in South Lake Union may be a bit of a long walk for little legs. Or eat at the MOHAI cafe, Gourmondo. The cafe has a variety of offerings: sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, dessert and coffee.
Know before you go
- The Towers of Tomorrow exhibit runs from May 25 through September 29 and admission is $25/adults; $20/military and 65+; free for youth ages 14 and under.
- Access to the Towers of Tomorrow is included in general admission
- First Free Thursday access does not include access to the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit
- Mark your calendar for a special event called āOutside the Brickā on Saturday, August 24, 1-4 p.m. This is a free day for all ages to build in the park.
- Located at 860 Terry Ave
- Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thereās a small parking lot in the Lake Union Park complex. On the day of our visit, the lot was full, so we parked in a lot at the south end of Westlake, about a ten-minute walk to the museum.
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