PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER FAST FACTS

Pacific Science Center, located under the arches near the Space Needle in Seattle, features five buildings of hands-on science exhibits, two IMAX® theaters (one with IMAX® 3D technology), laser light shows and a planetarium.

Was established the day after the 1962 Seattle World's Fair ended. Designed by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki, Pacific Science Center's buildings served as the U.S. Science Pavilion during the Fair.

Pacific Science Center currently has approximately 20,000 member households.

As a privately funded not-for-profit institution, Pacific Science Center relies on the generous contributions from the community to carry out our mission. Membership provides essential financial support that enables Pacific Science Center to inspire discovery and a lifelong interest in math, science and technology, reaching one million people throughout the Pacific Northwest each year.

Selected Permanent Exhibits:

Tropical Butterfly House - Despite Seattle's infamously dreary weather, visitors are assured warmth and brightness inside Pacific Science Center's Tropical Butterfly House. Surrounded by tropical flora, visitors can stroll down a garden path while hundreds of colorful butterflies from around the world flutter freely around them.

Insect Village - Visitors will go bug-eyed with excitement exploring the Insect Village and meeting its inhabitants including some giant, robotic specimens. Highlights include the Insecta Sideshow,a circus-like setting featuring insects' amazing adaptations and a live Insect Zoowhere visitors can touch - if they dare - live hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, millipedes and even go eye-to-eye with a hairy tarantula.

Dinosaurs - Who says dinosaurs are extinct? Visitors can journey back through time and meet nine moving, roaring, robotic dinosaurs set in a lush, semitropical Mesozoic environment. Deinonychus, Allosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Apatosaurusdinosaurs, Pachycephalosaurus, Pteranodon, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus rex are modeled after current paleontological theories and concepts.

Tech Zone - Visitors experience firsthand what it's like 'in the box' in Virtual Keeper. It's a virtual soccer match with you as the goal keeper

Water Works - Pacific Science Center's outdoor exhibit. Visitors can power a water wheel, aim at targets in the water arcade and maneuver a two-ton granite ball suspended on water.

Mercer Slough:

Pacific Science Center, in partnership with Bellevue Parks & Community Services, offers environmental science education at its Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, located in Bellevue, Washington. Situated on a 320-acre freshwater wetland with forests, marshes, swamps and bogs, Mercer Slough offers an ideal location to study biology and the environment. In 1998-99, through field studies and other activities, more than 9,249 children and adults participated in Mercer Slough programs.

IMAX® Films:

"IMAX®" stands for "image maximum." The large film format produces an image ten times larger than 35mm film and three times larger than standard 70mm film, producing both extraordinary clarity and the feeling of being immersed in the movie. Pacific Science Center features two IMAX® theaters: the Eames IMAX® Theater featuring regular IMAX® films and the Boeing IMAX® Theater featuring both regular IMAX® and IMAX® 3D films. Call (206) 443-IMAX for current film, admission and schedule information.

Hours of Operation

Regular Hours 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays & holidays.
Summer Hours (June 15 - Sept. 3, 2001) 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day only.

Admission Prices

General Admission: Adults (13-64): $10.00 Juniors (3-12): $8.00 Seniors (65+): $8.50 Under 3 free

Regular IMAX® pricing (including 3D films): Adults (13-64): $8.00 Juniors (3-12): $7.00 Seniors (65+): $7.50

Admission and IMAX® combo tickets: Adults (13-64): $15.00 Juniors (3-12): $12.00 Seniors (65+): $13.50

Regular exhibit admission includes all regular exhibits, special events and planetarium shows.

Parking

Pacific Science Center offers parking in its James Albert Claypool Memorial Garage. The three-story garage is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and Denny Way and provides a covered walkway directly into Pacific Science Center. Rates range from $5.00 to $10.00 depending on length of stay.

For More Information

General Information: (206) 443-2001
IMAX® Information: (206) 443-IMAX
IMAX® tickets online: evenue.net
Membership: (206) 443-2924
Laser Hotline: (206) 443-2850
Planetarium Information: (206) 443-2920
Group Sales: (206) 443-3625
Volunteer Opportunities: (206) 443-2868

All information and schedules subject to change without notice. IMAX® is a registered trademark of Imax Corporation.