Experience Music Project
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Music lovers the world over will love exploring the halls of Seattle’s unique Experience Music Project (EMP). Located next to the space needle and the Monorail at the Seattle Center, the museum is a celebration of creativity and innovation. The Frank Gehry-designed structure — which is art in itself — encloses the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, tracing its roots through jazz, soul, gospel, country and blues and exploring its influence on hip-hop, punk rock and Seattle’s claim to fame, grunge. Perhaps one of the most intriguing of the museum’s exhibits is the Sound Lab, where visitors can pick up actual instruments and learn to rock like a pro. The experience is similar to playing the now popular video game Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but with real instruments and in a real recording studio-type environment. Kids and adults alike gravitate to this part of the museum for hours. If they ever tire of life as a musician, there are plenty of more traditional exhibits to explore, full of rare artifacts and memorabilia from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and more.
And, EMP is not just an attraction for music lovers anymore. With the addition of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in 2004, the museum has become a true icon of pop culture. It is the first museum of its kind in the world and was designed to promote awareness and appreciation for science fiction literature and media. The museum pays homage to the genre with various works collected from writers, artists, publishers and filmmakers. Visitors can view everything from Star Trek memorabilia and Back to the Future movie posters to relics of the Twilight Zone and more.
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Muesum and Hall of Fame (EMP/SFM) is also home to live performances. Its popular music venue, the Sky Church, hosts several local and big-name artists.
The Details
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP/SFM)
325 5th Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98109
Museum Hours
Through May 21, the museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum Admission
General adult admission is $15. Seniors, youth, military and students (with ID) are $12. Children under age 5 are free.
www.empsfm.org
