Free First Thursday!

The rain is still falling in Western Washington, so we're still all looking for some good indoor stuff today. Tonight (Wednesday) Satchel and I are going to Lego club at the Mountlake Terrace library from 6:30-7:30 (join us, it's free!) but tomorrow is the day that I'm writing about.

Why?

Because it's Free First Thursday!

For those who don't know, several Seattle museums are free on the first Thursday of every month, and we go pretty much every time. I mean, you can't beat free museum admission. It's a bummer that Experience Music Project is no longer part of Free First Thursday because that place is awesome, but there's still plenty of fun to be had for those interested in taking advantage of it.

Here are your choices:

Northwest African American Museum: We haven't been to this one yet but I'd like to one of these times. The museum is obviously about telling the story of African Americans in the Northwest. There's not a ton of kid-specific stuff here but there's some good displays. Right now they have an exhibit featuring paintings of Tuskegee Airmen, which sounds awesome. As a tip, the second Thursday is also free here, and on Saturday, March 16 they celebrate their fifth birthday with free admission, a performance by the Ugandan Orphan's Choir and all-ages art activities. Free day lasts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the museum is located at 2300 South Massachusetts St., Seattle.

Seattle Art Museum: I haven't taken Satchel to this yet, though I keep meaning to (it's been awhile since I've been here). It doesn't seem like a great place for kids, but they actually have a Family Room where kids can dress up in medieval clothes, play with musical instruments and build with blocks. Depending on your kids' patience, you might be able to check out some of the regular gallery too. Special exhibits aren't free but are discounted ($6-10) and the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. SAM is located at 1300 First Ave., Seattle, just look for the Hammering Man.

Burke Museum: We've done the Burke several times and Satchel really likes it (I do too). The special exhibits right now are about how plastic affects our world (doesn't sound that thrilling) and Spectacular Fossil finds of Tanzania (which does sound pretty cool). They have some really cool dinosaur and ancient animal exhibits with lots of skulls and bones, some interactive areas where you can play with dinosaurs, a little pretend store where kids can "shop" and they have an exhibit about the Native American cultures of the Northwest. It's a really good place, especially if your kids are into dinosaurs. It's open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located on the University of Washington campus at 17th Ave. Northeast and Northeast 45th St.

Museum of History and Industry: We've been here a couple times but not since it moved into its new home on South Lake Union, a move that gave it a ton more space. The focus is on the history of the Pacific Northwest with a big focus on the maritime history of Seattle. There's also a cool exhibit that takes you through the history of Seattle including clothes, pictures, buildings, really interesting. Seeing the old pictures of the city next to current pictures of the same area is really cool. They also have a current exhibit about Seattle in the movies that has a lot of hands-on activities. Definitely looking forward to checking out the new space, lots to do for everyone. MOHAI is located at 860 Terry Ave. North and open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Seattle Asian Art Museum: We've never been to this one so I can't speak from experience. It's obviously focused on art from China, Japan, Korea and India and I know that there are several hands-on activities for kids. I also know the art work is really vibrant and should keep most kids' attention better than typical paintings. I've heard good things about it and one day we'll visit it. It's located in Volunteer Park at 1400 East Prospect St. in Seattle and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wing Luke Museum: I haven't taken Satch here yet but I've been here a couple times and it's a really interesting, moving museum about the Asian experience in the Pacific Northwest. They even have a hotel where Asian immigrants lived when first arriving in Seattle. They have an area called KidPlace with lots of hands-on kids activities, and they have some amazing photographs throughout the museum. It's located in the International District at 719 S. King St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. I recommend it.

Museum of Flight: This is the one we most often visit and it's Satchel's favorite museum. Yes, it does have a kids area where they can sit in mini planes, do some hands-on activities, try out a virtual hang glider. But we actually spend more time in the rest of the museum. It's got an amazing airplane part full of different kind of planes and jets that is awesome (there's a couple of fighter jets you can sit in). My favorite part is the space exhibit with a lot about the trip to the moon and a space station to walk through. There's also a room devoted to WWI and WWII planes which is incredible and the outdoor area where you can walk through an Air Force One and a Concorde. Their newest exhibit is devoted to the Space Shuttle and they have a huge Space Shuttle trainer that you can walk through that is really awesome. If your kids like space or airplanes, you have to visit. It's the farthest away at 9404 E. Marginal Way, Seattle, but it's worth it. Time is 5-9 p.m. for the free day.

So there you go. Lots of choices and they're all great deals, I can't recommend taking advantage of Free First Thursday enough.