The largest city in Washington, Seattle is home to an assortment of interesting landmarks designed to attract tourists, including the Space Needle and Olympic Sculpture Park. The gorgeous coastal views of Puget Sound also delightfully pair with Seattle's diverse museums, many of which offer seasonal showcases to entice the curious mind. Here are three of these top exhibits we recommend catching in spring.
- The Vikings BeginÂ
The Vikings of early Scandinavia hailed from countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, carrying with them a rich history filled with stories of conquest, settlement, and social hierarchies. They were also the first Europeans to establish communities in North America, and despite popular belief, they weren't simply known for raiding. You can find out more about them at
"The Vikings Begin" exhibit at Seattle's Nordic Museum until April 14, 2019.Â
All the era-specific artifacts on display come from the Gustavianum museum at Sweden's Uppsala University and include interesting archeological gems dating back more than 1,300 years, including elegantly adorned weaponry such as helmets, swords, and spearheads. Gravesite excavations have also uncovered ancient accessories, including a bracelet embellished with glass beads and a female figurehead etched from animal bone.
- With My Own EyesÂ
The Holocaust was the genocide of two-thirds of the European Jewish population as well as other civilians and prisoners of war during Adolf Hitler's reign in Nazi Germany during World War II. "Diary of a Young Girl" details life in hiding during the time; Anne Frank's memoir, as well as the testimonies of Holocaust victims and survivors, is the focus of the "With My Own Eyes"
 exhibit at the Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity.
Currently undergoing renovations, the showcase is expected to reopen on Jan. 6, 2019, and continue well into the spring as a permanent museum exhibit. Features include an Anne Frank annex with an enlarged diary replica, an Eternal Light memorial, Reflection Wall, and various photos providing a glimpse of the war's impact on these individuals during this dark time in European history.
- Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has done wonders in the field of space exploration since its 1958 inauguration. One of its most notable missions was the
1969 Apollo 11 spaceflight that became the first moon landing. The spacecraft launched from Cape Kennedy with crew members Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins in the Apollo 11 command module Columbia. Armstrong and Aldrin successfully landed on the moon in the lunar module Eagle, spending 21 hours and 36 minutes on the surface before returning to Columbia and traveling safely back to Earth.
To commemorate the mission's 50th anniversary, The Museum of Flight will host an exhibit, appropriately named "Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission" on its main campus from April 13 to Sept. 2, 2019. This showcase will offer a 3-D tour of the historic Columbia spacecraft and offer an up-close look at artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution, including star navigation tools and a pair of gloves and helmet worn by Aldrin during the expedition.
If there's one thing residents and visitors can look forward to in Seattle in the spring, it's the prospect of visiting these top museums with exciting exhibits suitable for the whole family.
Image via
Aaron Headly | Licensed by
CC BY 2.0
