There are quite a few museums focused on flight, but only a small handful of really great aircraft museums; the Museum of Flight falls into the category of magnificent. With over 150 aircraft in its collection, this museum has a little bit of everything. Their numerous collections include World War I era fighters, World War II era fighters, historically significant aircraft and artifacts, and a grand gallery that will leave you in awe.

Some of the other exhibit highlights allow you to climb into an F/A-18 Hornet or SR-71 Blackbird cockpits, or take an inside tour of a Concorde, a 787 Dreamliner, or walk in the footsteps of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon in the first ever presidential jet plane (Air Force One).

There is also an entire building devoted to space travel, which includes the 122 foot long Space Shuttle Trainer used for training every shuttle crew over three decades, the trainer is signed by the last group of space shuttle astronauts (STS-135), which used this simulator prior to the program being discontinued in 2011. While the shuttle bay area is open for viewing any time, you can also tour the cockpit and living areas for an extra fee during certain days of the week.

For a bit of extra history, the museum also showcases the original ‘Red Barn’, which was Boeing’s first manufacturing plant. Built in 1909, this section of the museum houses rare artifacts and a re-creation of the inner workings of the factory, highlighting the building of some of America’s first aircraft.

The museum sits on the grounds of King County Airport / Boeing Field, just 10 minutes South of Seattle or 10 minutes North of SEA/TAC and includes it’s own ‘control tower’ view of active aircraft flying in and out of the area. If you are going to be in Seattle for a few days, check out the museum website, they have free admission and extended hours on specific days.

If you love aircraft, are interested in the history of flight, or just like museums, this spot has an SAS Score of 5!

Situated on the North shore of Lake Union, Gas Works Park sits on the former site of the Seattle Gas Light Company. It gets its name from all the ‘pipes’ from the old plant which still populate the grounds. Some of the larger towers are fenced off, but many pieces are used to create the decor of the park, including a children’s play area. During my visit, there were several kickball games being played, lots of kites, some folks strumming guitars, and one man providing music on a flute along the waterfront. The park also provides one of the best views of the Seattle skyline.

As the Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base is located on Lake Union, it is not uncommon to see a steady stream of seaplanes taking flight up and over the park. The base averaged 97 take-off and landings per day in 2012.

This park was seen in the film ’10 Things I Hate About You’ and has served as both the start and finish lines in two separate seasons of ‘The Amazing Race’.  Keeping with the entertainment theme, the houseboat on which Tom Hanks lived in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ can be seen just across the water from the park. SAS Score: 3