Sometimes, playing tourist in your own city is a worthwhile endeavor. Being a huge Star Trek fan, the minute EMP Museum announced that it would host the special Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds exhibit, I put it on my wish-list. This week, I finally got a chance to visit EMP and it was well worth the trip for a fan, or, as usual, anyone who has the opportunity to visit this gem at the Seattle Center.
As mentioned, I’m a fan, so Star Trek was well worth the extra $5 per person admission. Everything in the exhibit is authentic, with over 100 artifacts and props spanning the Star Trek television series, spin-offs, and films. That means set pieces like the navigation console, which is on display for the first time to the public (see, told you I was a fan). Plus, costumes, props, and the Enterprise models from Star Trek: The Next Generation:
When you purchase your EMP ticket (or, snag one from Seattle Public Library) and pay the extra $5, you also get access to the entire EMP Museum. That means another visit to the history of Nirvana, We Are 12 (Go Hawks!), and the science fiction, horror, and fantasy exhibits. All worth seeing.
And, that brings us to the new World of Wearables exhibit. It had just opened when I made it to EMP earlier this week, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But, I can assure you, it is stunning.
If you are a Star Trek fan, and only go to EMP for your Star Trek fix, do not pass up the top floor of EMP. Do not pass go, head straight upstairs to an amazing display of wearable art, much of which takes its cue from science fiction, fantasy, and more:
In closing, if you are a Star Trek fan, know one, or have out-of-town guests, get to EMP and experience the magic of the series that spawned films and a philosophy that still resonates today. Plus, you can crawl through a Jeffries tube, experience the transporter, and get your photo op in a Borg regeneration chamber.
And, don’t forget the other ongoing exhibits – the Science Fiction one includes Greedo from Star Wars (among a slew of other cool TV and film props and costumes) – and don’t miss the World of Wearables on the top level. You won’t regret it!