Explore some of the vibrant works of world-famous glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, at this Seattle Center gem. 

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma in 1941 and studied glass-blowing in the U.S. and in Venice before co-founding the Pilchuck Glass School. Chihuly Garden & Glass is an indoor/outdoor exhibition that showcases some of Chihuly's most impressive work. 

This is the place for kids who love color! You'll find vibrant glass sculptures spread from floor to ceiling through eight galleries, along with botanical-themed art in the Mille Fiori installation, garden space and a 100-foot long masterpiece in red, orange and yellow that adorns a 40-foot tall glasshouse.

Dark wall paint and dramatic lighting help bring out the patterns and colors in each room. Compare the motifs in Native American trade blankets and baskets from Chihuly's personal collections located in the Northwest Room. Search for your favorite sea creature amongst the swirling blues of the 15-foot fall tower in the Sealife room. Enjoy the reflections of the Persian Ceiling against the walls of the only white-painted room. 

With all the breakable art, you might feel a bit nervous about bringing kids (it brings to mind the phrase "bull in a china shop"). It's a truly mesmerizing stop for visitors of all ages, but you'll want to take a few precautions before your visit. Here are some tips and notes to keep the experience low-stress and fun:

- Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult (not that you would send your toddler to a museum by themselves).

- Talk about expectations in advance. Visitors cannot touch or get too close to anything in the exhibition (artwork, collections, tables, or platforms). We like to pretend there's a force field around the art. 

- Leave large bags at home (the limit is 11x15", although bags for nursing and baby care are allowed) and make sure you keep food and drinks stashed away during your visit. 

- For young kids, I recommend a stroller or a baby carrier to keep them close but note that only the smaller umbrella styles are permitted.

- To keep little hands busy, bring a sketch pad and some colored pencils (they have some in the gift shop if you forget). You can also pick up a Kid's Guide at the entrance for activities to help kids connect with the art. 

- Budget about 1-2 hours for your stay. Be sure to stop by the Community Hot Shop to observe glass blowing techniques and grab a pizza or a snack at the Art Collections Cafe (open daily) or the Collections Cafe (open Fri-Sun). 

All artwork is copyrighted by the Chihuly Studio.