Space and flight are integral elements of science fiction storytelling, often serving as the foundation for its most imaginative narratives. For anyone visiting Seattle for the World Science Fiction Convention, what could be a more fitting addition to your trip than a visit to the largest independent air and space museum in the world? A 20-minute drive from Seattle, Tukwila’s Museum of Flight is home to nearly 200 aircraft and spacecraft, displayed alongside thousands of artifacts and photographs in world-class exhibitions that bring the skies closer.
The Past and Future of Humankind’s Fascination with the Skies
Learn about the history and evolution of aviation through detailed exhibits that showcase aircraft in all their glory, from the first wooden planes to commercial airliners to military aircraft to specialized aircraft, like the planes used by the bush pilots of Alaska or the cargo planes of FedEx. The Museum of Flight’s expansive exhibit hall has something for all ages, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning. Step into the past at the Red Barn, where the Boeing Company was born. See legendary aircraft such as Air Force One, the Concorde, and a Flying Fortress in the open-air Aviation Pavilion gallery. As you explore the museum grounds, you may find yourself noticing the real-world design elements of fighters and rockets that made their ways into the sci-fi stories you love.
Blast Off
Live out your astronaut dreams at the Space Shuttle Trainer Crew Compartment Experience. Every Space Shuttle astronaut trained for their missions in the NASA Full Fuselage Trainer, which is now at the Museum of Flight. Visitors can tour the flight deck and living area astronauts used to learn about how astronauts lived and worked.
Also on view is the Museum of Flight’s Apollo exhibit, which documents the Space Race. Come see sections of NASA’S Houston Mission Control from the 1960s, a lunar rover, the first Apollo command module, and rocket engines.
The Details:
- Location: The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila, WA. Parking is free (for both cars and planes).
- Hours: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Admission: $29 for adults, $25 for seniors, $21 for youth (5-17), free for children under 4
Fifi Ding is a journalist and travel writer. She has interviewed numerous figures in the world of entertainment and genre fiction, including actor Nathan Fillion and manga artist Hiro Mashima.
Have you considered doing something with the former Cinerama theater downtown? Fan Paul Allen saved it. Maybe a retro showing of “2001: A Space Odyssey” could be a special event, or an SF film festival in association with WorldCon.
One of our Fringe events is a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the SIFF Cinema Downtown (former Cinerama)!
And while it will be showing with the rest of the programming in the convention center, we do have a speculative film festival as well!
Michael said what I wanted to say, but I think a showing of perhaps the 70mm print of 2001: A Space Odyssey during the week of the Worldcon at SIFF Cinema Downtown would be A-MAZ-ING. Maybe it could be arranged as a Fringe event on Tuesday? Or as an evening event on Wednesday? Someone would need to step up and take charge of making this happen, but if they did, the Worldcon would promote it. If you think you are this person, you can email fringe@seattlein2025.org and cc: publications@seattlein2025.org.