Children and science enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of local marine species and shoreline environment.

Founded thirty years ago by two teachers, the center is located on the beach in Fort Worden State Park and offers interactive exhibits, scientific projects, wildlife cruises and other educational programs.

Plan to spend at least two hours exploring the center’s two main exhibits: the Natural History Exhibit and the Marine Exhibit. While the Natural History Exhibit delves into the forces that shaped Port Townsend’s marine life and landscape, the Marine Exhibit houses four large touch pools and a half-dozen aquariums filled with local marine life. Children will love the open pools, where they can safely touch a variety of live invertebrates and fish, including sea stars, crab species, tube worms and gunnels. Exhibit hours vary by season, so check before you go.

If you’re looking for an all-day wildlife experience, book tickets for one of the center’s popular bird migration or Protection Island cruises, hosted by a seasoned naturalist. Cruises are offered on various Saturdays from April through October.

This article was originally published in my article “Washington’s Victorian Seaport” in the March/April 2013 issue of Northwest Travel Magazine.

Families and science-lovers can have a blast exploring interactive science and creative arts at Southern Oregon’s innovative ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum.

Located on the outskirts of Ashland, this innovative museum offers 26,000 sq. ft. of interactive exhibits, entertaining activities, science shows and special events for all ages. It’s so much fun you and the kids may never want to leave.

When you arrive at ScienceWorks, you may first want to check out the museum’s spacious grounds and outdoor exhibits, including a solar-powered nursery, a public garden, a large climbing wall and a loooong echo tube.

Then head inside the museum proper, which is sectioned into a handful of rooms or areas. One of my favorites was the Bubble-ology room, where my three-year-old son Finn and I experimented with soap bubbles.

Next we explored the Discovery Island room, a 1,000 sq. ft. space designed for children five and under. Finn adored frolicking in the Shipwreck Playhouse, maneuvering wooden construction crane and launching balls through the air-powered vacuum tubes.

After coaxing Finn out of the playhouse, we walked to the Discovery Lab. This large area features rotating exhibits both kids and adults will enjoy. My science nerd husband Erik especially had a blast with the hands-on displays exploring noise and toy sciences.

What else is awesome: Dark Science hallway, Frozen Shadows exhibit and the Cannon Ball Blast.

What’s not awesome: Telling my son and husband that it’s time to go home because the museum is closing.

When you go:

Science Works Hands-On Museum
1500 E Main St
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 541-482-6767

Standard admission: $7.00 for kids ages 2-12; $9.00 for teens and adults; $7.00 for seniors 65+; Free for teachers with school ID.

Hours: In spring, fall & winter, the museum Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-5pm. Summer hours are 10am-6pm daily.