From quirky hands-on labs to riverside heritage sites and bubble-filled wonderlands, the Eastside’s museum scene is packed with surprises. Whether you’re hunting for interactive science, railroad history, pioneer life, or art that feels like play, there’s a spot here you’ll want to add to your weekend plans.
Let’s get to it.
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
Not just for fish fans, the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery combines education and entertainment in one free exhibit.
Inside, 37 hands-on displays cover salmon from egg to spawning adult. The aquarium room shines a light on each life stage, and a short documentary provides additional context. Fiber-optic fun facts and interactive quizzes keep visitors of all ages engaged.
Guided tours introduce the hatchery’s conservation mission and local salmon lore. Families appreciate stroller-friendly paths and ADA accessibility. A stroll over the creek bridge brings visitors face-to-face with local streams and interpretive signage. The annual Salmon Days Festival brings the community together around these iconic Northwest species.
Live streams on the virtual SalmonCam let you check on the action from home during peak season. At the FISHop, you can browse salmon-themed gifts and plush toys. Whether you’re a budding ichthyologist or just curious about local wildlife, this hatchery offers a balanced mix of science, history, and whimsy. Explore the magic of salmon at FISH.
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience – Bellevue
For anyone craving playful adventure, Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience in Bellevue feels like a theme park dedicated entirely to bubbles. Housed in a former Toys R Us building, every corner turns into hands-on sensory fun. You can bounce in a bubble ball pit, wander through an LED undersea landscape that glows like jellyfish on parade, or test your skills in a VR bubble-chasing zone.
The interactive vibe is strong here. In total, ten themed rooms await exploration and surprise. There are no “look but don’t touch” areas. Selfies basically come with your ticket, which starts at $19.90 for adults while children under two enter free. The experience is open to all ages, though anyone under 17 needs an adult companion. That doubles as a perfect excuse to act like a kid again.
Bubble Planet welcomes guests from April 18 through June 30, 2025. It’s closed on Tuesdays…apparently even bubbles appreciate a day off. You’ll find ample parking, a snack counter stocked with treats, and a gift shop full of bubble-themed souvenirs. It’s an eye-catching, playful escape you’ll want to pop back into. drift your way over here.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
At KidsQuest Children’s Museum, the old Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art has been transformed into a vibrant STEAM playground. Children up to age twelve dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on exhibits. They can splash in the water play area, climb a treehouse, explore a mini orchard designed for tiny hands, or ring up pretend purchases in an old-timey general store stocked with penny candy.
Beyond the exhibits, workshops and classes sneak education into playtime. Drop-off science sessions, paint days, and family research events invite everyone to join in. Wheelchair accessibility and sensory-friendly spaces ensure that no one has to miss out. Membership perks include early access during special hours, store discounts, and themed evenings like Super Science Night.
Parking is free right outside the building, and public transit can drop you at the door. When closing time arrives, adults may outnumber kids in reluctance. It’s a space where learning feels more like play and less like homework.
Issaquah Depot Museum
Nestled in historic Issaquah, the Issaquah Depot Museum offers a ticket to life in 1889. Housed in a lovingly restored train depot, its original wood floors and period details welcome visitors into the golden age of rail travel. A detailed model railroad layout and a collection of telegraph equipment add to the immersive feel.
Train enthusiasts and families can climb aboard the vintage Issaquah Valley Trolley whenever it’s running. Kids will delight in exploring a real caboose and learning Morse code on working telegraph keys. Volunteer guides share local lore at occasional events ranging from ghost stories to heritage celebrations.
Admission is free, a rarity that feels like finding a hidden treasure. There’s no café on site, so pack a picnic or visit the nearby shops. Though the museum occupies just one building, its charm and hands-on features make every visit memorable. It’s a perfect stop for anyone who cherishes classic Americana and a slower pace. Hop aboard for Issaquah’s rail history here.
Petersen Rock Garden & Museum
Tucked away in Redmond, Oregon, Petersen Rock Garden & Museum feels like a secret from another era. It all began in 1935 when Danish immigrant Rasmus Petersen decided to fashion a landscape entirely from local stones. Today the four-acre site features miniature castles, delicate bridges, winding paths, and even a 7-foot Statue of Liberty carved from jasper and obsidian. About 40 peacocks roam freely as if they pay rent.
Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the garden’s eccentric charm is impossible to miss. You’ll find standard museum exhibits peppered with hands-on surprises such as a glowing fluorescent mineral room… the colors shift in a hypnotic, lava-lamp way. The little shop sells rock-inspired keepsakes and curiosities.
There’s no cafe onsite so bring snacks. Admission is by suggested donation and the overall vibe feels friendly and delightfully DIY.
It’s like stepping back to the 1930s only better.
Kids adore the open space and the chance to follow strutting peacocks.
Just watch your step. Paths are uneven, full of gravel and stones. Wander through Oregon’s quirkiest rock masterpiece.
The Park at Bothell Landing
Overlooking the Sammamish River, The Park at Bothell Landing showcases Bothell’s 19th-century heritage through three preserved buildings.
The Beckstrom Log Cabin, built in 1884, stands alongside the Queen Anne style Hannan House from 1893. Nearby, Bothell’s First Schoolhouse displays period furnishings, from a pot-bellied stove to antique desks.
Rooms remain set up much like they were in the late 1800s, inviting quiet exploration rather than hands-on interaction. Admission is free, and the park welcomes visitors on Sunday afternoons from April through October.
Special events like Petals on the River add seasonal flair, while interpretive signs share historical context year-round. Inside the Hannan House, period furniture and domestic artifacts illustrate daily life at the turn of the century.
A brief walk along the riverfront ties in nature views and local history. Parking is available nearby and public transit stops within a short walk. Whether you’re following a walking path or browsing at the museum on-site, this small park delivers a concise dose of Bothell’s past. Plan your visit to Park at Bothell Landing.
Great Northern & Cascade Railway
At the Great Northern & Cascade Railway in Skykomish, train enthusiasts find a small-scale paradise. Housed in an 1898 depot with genuine historical charm, this nonprofit museum offers free admission.
Outside, a miniature train winds its way over 2,700 feet of track. This blend of railroad nerdiness and approachable fun has an unpretentious vibe.
Volunteers share detailed stories about the region’s railroading past and guide visitors through displays of vintage artifacts. The depot itself features original beams and period photographs that highlight life on the rails a century ago. Kids and adults both can ask questions and explore at their own pace.
A stop at the gift shop completes the visit. Bring snacks if you plan a picnic, since on-site options are limited. Parking is convenient and plentiful, and the depot is wheelchair accessible. Photo opportunities are encouraged at every turn. Whether you love detailed railroad lore or simply enjoy a unique family outing, this spot delivers an authentic glimpse into Pacific Northwest rail history. Plan your visit now.
Suquamish Museum
Tucked near Puget Sound, the Suquamish Museum weaves thousands of years of Indigenous history into its 9,000-square-foot gallery space.
Permanent exhibits like Ancient Shores – Changing Tides combine touchable artifacts with multimedia storytelling. Regularly rotating shows from institutions such as the Smithsonian bring fresh perspectives alongside traditional displays of tools, baskets, and carvings.
Children can join scavenger hunts or hands-on workshops designed to connect them to Suquamish heritage. Since no food or drinks are allowed inside, plan a snack for afterwards.
The Leota Anthony Museum Store offers locally made art, jewelry, and books from tribal artists. Admission is affordable, and on the second Saturday of each month entry is free. The building is wheelchair accessible and served by public transit. While a virtual tour would be convenient, nothing beats seeing the exhibit spaces in person for a full sense of scale and craftsmanship. See what’s happening at Suquamish Museum.
White River Valley Museum
In Auburn, the White River Valley Museum brings local stories to life with immersive exhibits inside a single accessible building.
One section features a 1924 Auburn train depot and an authentic caboose you can explore. Nearby, a recreated 1920s Main Street offers vintage storefronts, and a Japanese farmhouse from 1915 provides a unique cultural snapshot.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s history and artifacts share gallery space with displays on the old Tourist Hotel. While guests can’t stay overnight in these recreations, each setting offers hands-on elements alongside traditional artifacts.
Open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons, the museum is free to enter (though donations are appreciated). Visitors can pick up a quirky souvenir at the gift shop, park on-site for free, or arrive by public transit. This blend of neighborly warmth and historical depth appeals to families, history buffs, and curious explorers alike. see what’s on at White River Valley Museum.
Pioneer Farm Museum
Step into the past at Pioneer Farm Museum, where homesteading life from the 1880s comes alive. Spread across historic land, this open-air site hands you a pioneer bonnet and asks you to join in the daily chores. Guided tours wind through barns, a blacksmith shop, and a woodworking space. You can step inside an authentic 1880s cabin or stroll into a Lutheran mission schoolhouse that still echoes with chalkboard tales.
Native American demonstrations run on summer weekends…you might even churn butter or draw water from a hand-pump well. Volunteer guides share stories and demonstrate traditional crafts, making each visit unique. Kids can dress in period costumes while grown-ups get a nostalgic nod by slipping back into century-old school desks. The setting is rustic, so anticipate a gravel parking lot and minimal public transit options.
There’s no café here, but visitors are welcome to pack a lunch and browse old-time candy at the Trading Post. Accessibility varies by building—these log cabins were built long before ADA guidelines existed. If you’re up for a little dirt and a lot of authentic pioneer flavor, this farm museum delivers a hands-on history experience you won’t forget. Step back in time at Pioneer Farm Museum.
Camlann Medieval Village
For a taste of medieval life, Camlann Medieval Village in Carnation, Washington, transports visitors to the 14th century without forfeiting running water entirely. This living history site features buildings constructed to period specifications and interpreters who stay in character as they demonstrate blacksmithing, weaving, and traditional cooking methods. Their old-English speech and practical workshops bring the Middle Ages into the present.
Children and adults alike can try hands-on crafts, archery lessons, and even help prepare bread in a medieval hearth. The on-site tavern, Bors Hede, serves hearty fare that tastes like it skipped a few centuries of preservatives. Weekend openings run from May through September, so plan ahead if you want to catch a feast or join a themed banquet.
Parking is plentiful and convenient, though public transit options are limited. The village encourages a bit of planning…a modern GPS won’t know this tucked-away spot by name. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about chainmail and period games, Camlann offers an immersive step back in time that’s equal parts quirky and authentic. Join the village fun here.
