The one thing Seattle doesn't lack - apart from great restaurants, the Seahawks, Mt. Rainier and its friendly people - are tourist attractions. There are tons of them. You cannot fail to spot the Space Needle and the view from the top defies description. But I'm digressing a little. One of the city's more recent attractions is the Museum of Pop Culture.
First, the bad news. As you'd expect there is an admission charge. Ticket prices start from $28 for the museum only, though there are discounts available for students, military, youth (both need ID) and seniors, with kids four-years-old and under, free.
The better news is that with a City Pass, you can save a whopping 49 percent off the top five Seattle attractions, including MoPop.
Right from the start, the museum is a visual extravaganza of sight and sound. It makes no secret of its mission: imagination, inspiration, and expression. And it carries all three throughout its many exhibits. A particular favorite of mine is the multi-guitar column. It's huge and features as many stringed - and not stringed - instruments as your imagination allows. But this is only the beginning.
Around each corner, something new
It's safe to say that around each corner, you'll find something new and imaginative. My first port of call, apart from the giant video screen with Jimmy Page and Paul Rogers in full swing, was the guitar exhibit.
This traced its history from cautious beginnings to the earliest forms of amplification, right up to the very beasts played by Greg Allman, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton. It makes you wonder the mileage these stringed beauties traveled, let alone the stages they were played on.
My next stop on this amazing mission was a dedication to Seattle's own Jimi Hendrix.
On the outside, he was an apparent and proverbial wild man of pop but on the inside, a shy and intelligent genius. This exhibit summed it all up - right down to a touching black and white image of the man and his niece. Framed scribbled lyrics on scraps of paper bared his musical soul to the world. There were maps of his almost constant and frantic tour schedules.
From passports to stage gear, they're all here. It was an all too short journey from start to finish, much like Hendrix's life.
A trailblazer's musical journey
Mick Rock's photo/film exhibit of Starman David Bowie is a fascinating glimpse into this trailblazer's musical journey. Background narration keeps you well informed and you can take the weight off your feet into the bargain. As with all areas in the museum, non-commercial photography is permitted, which is an added bonus in itself.
Stepping back from the frenzy of fame, the museum offers visitors several other avenues to pursue. If you're a Trekkie, there's an impressive selection of Star Trek memorabilia including props, costumes, and film sets.
The "Star Trek" franchise is celebrating its 50th year and the exhibition is well worth the entrance fee by itself.
An all too brief encounter
In this brief encounter, I've covered a small segment of the Museum of Pop Culture. From hands-on exhibits - (the sound lab is a must) - to areas for the younger family members, as well as icons and stage clothing, there's something for everyone. I know that's a cliché, but, when it comes to MoPop, there was never a truer word written.
