Rich Museum Landscape Makes Rainy Seattle A Gem

Seattle's reputation as one of the country's rainiest cities isn't necessarily justified. With annual rainfall of thirty-eight inches, the Emerald City actually lags more than forty American cities, including New York City, where forty-seven inches of rain fall on average each year. But while Gotham weather brings its fair share of torrential rains, rain in Seattle tends to take the form of drawn-out drizzles.

Luckily, Seattle residents and visitors touring the city as part of a grand excursion of the American Northwest can still enjoy many rewarding indoor activities on Seattle's gray and drizzly days. Headlining my list of indoor suggestions is a visit to one of Seattle's many world-class museums. Here's a brief overview of three of the city's must-see attractions:

1. The Pacific Science Center at 200 Second Avenue N is a five-building campus that's home to a wide range of science exhibits, a tropical Butterfly House, a planetarium, and two stunning IMAX theatres, one of which boasts IMAX 3D technology. The Center stands beneath the arches of yet another Seattle landmark, the Space Needle, and is open seven days a week during the summer season from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

2. If popular music rocks your world, you'll definitely want to visit the 240-million dollar Experience Music Project. A labor of love for Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, the EMP is a one-of-a-kind, interactive music museum that tells the frequently turbulent and rebellious history of American popular music. Located close to the Seattle Center and Space Needle, the Experience Music Project is open every day during the summer months from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3. Another unique venue in Seattle is the Wing Luke Asian Museum. Because immigrants from the Pacific Rim regions played such a critical role in the development of the Pacific Northwest, the Wing Luke is devoted to preserving and promoting Asian Pacific American culture, history, and art. The museum also reminds us with a permanent exhibit of the internment camps used to incarcerate Japanese Americans during the Second World War.

While Seattle isn't the country's rainiest city, there are sure to be plenty of gray days on the city's horizons. Fortunately, there are plenty of museums that can both educate and entertain visitors on one of Seattle's drizzly days.

Matthew Paolini is a consultant with Citybook Seattle Online Yellow Pages in Seattle, WA.