The following is a 100% real, 100% authentic review. Dadtography was not compensated in any way for this review.
Play that funky music tourist. The Experience Music Project is located near the Space Needle and is quite the treat. This complex is part music museum and part science fiction museum. Together it’s one of the best places to check out while visiting Seattle. The architectural design is as unique as the exhibits you’ll find inside. I love this place because there’s so much to do here that it’s easy to spend an entire day enjoying yourself with friends and family. Read on to find out why the Experience Music Project is one of the best places to have a fun time during your visit to Seattle.
EMP Museum
325 5th Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 770-2700What to See?
The Experience Music Project is broken up into two distinct areas. The first half of the museum is focused on the music of the 20th century onwards. Permanent exhibits include a study of Jimi Hendrix, an impressive guitar selection and the history of the Seattle music scene. There are also many traveling exhibits that focus on many famous musical acts that have graced the world. My favorite room however is full of instruments that visitors are able to play so that they can better appreciate the diverse range of instruments that exist.
The other side of the museum focuses on the history of science fiction from its 19th century origins to the present day. They have an excellent collection of memorabilia for a multitude of genre pieces. If there was a place for major science fiction fans to go, it’s here. My favorite thing about coming to this side of the museum besides the exhibits is that they sell awesome merchandise from some of my favorite genre productions (i.e. Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr. Who, etc.) making this one of the few places you can buy a lot of these items besides the internet.
What to Eat?
There’s a pretty good restaurant located on site. They actually have a nice variety of food. You can order items like hamburgers, steak or teriyaki chicken depending on what you have a taste for. They even serve alcohol which makes for a nice date if you’re at the Experience Music Project with a significant other. The food is pretty tasty and there’s no denying that the convenience of staying on site but it’s important to note that it’s not the cheapest place. If you think that it’s too pricy I recommend exploring the vicinity outside for a restaurant that’s more in your budget.
What’s the Cultural Value?
The great thing about the Experience Music Project is that it’s a fun environment for the public to come and learn about multiple popular culture subjects. This place represents a study into what makes society tick and helps visitors better understand these ideas by letting them directly engage. The value in this is that people are able to come and explain society as a whole through the arts which is a rare and beautiful thing in today’s busy world.
Recommended Place to Stay
I know I’ve already mentioned it before in a previous post but the Downtown Seattle Sheraton is your best choice for nearly any location in the vicinity of the Space Needle (The Experience Music Project is located ten minutes away from the Space Needle by foot). There is a shuttle that goes directly from the hotel’s location to the district that the Experience Music Project is located.
How Is the Overall Rating?
The Experience Music Project is a great place to spend a day with friends and family. It’s one of the best places to go in Seattle because it’s fresh, fun and unique. The distinct nature of this museum makes it worth the while. There are only a few things that give pause: the parking situation can be problematic and the location as a whole can be expensive. Overall I give the Experience Music Project a 4/5 because it’s nearly perfect.
