The Whale Museum
| Address: | 62 1st St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA |
| Phone: | +1 360-378-4710 |
| Site: | whalemuseum.org |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 38
F
F Tu
Friday Harbor is one of our favorite short get-away destinations and each time we go there, we visit the Whale Museum. It has simply become one of our "routines". But our last visit to the museum was a little peculiar. My in-laws were here with us during our last visit a month ago. Our return ferry was only 1 hour after the museum opened. So we were kind of in a rush. By the time we got on to the ferry, my in-law realized he had forgotten his camera bag in the museum, but it was only 15 minutes before the ferry was to leave and its too late for us to go back to retrieve the bag. On a whim, I called the museum and the lady at the gift shop picked up my call. She immediately went to check where the bag was left and promised us she would run to the ferry to deliver our lost bag. Just before the ferry left, she arrived with the bag and handed the bag to the ferry worker. We cant appreciate her kind help enough. This is just a small example showing how the museum staff care about their customers. We really love this tiny caring museum and will certainly go back again!
SH
Shawn Newman
This is such a fantastic Museum and a great way to support local conservation. They have lots of whale and other marine mammal skeletons on display, interactive exhibits, and extremely knowledgeable docents who are able to bring the subject matter to life. It makes me very happy that the primary purpose of this Museum is to provide a steady stream of funding for local efforts to protect whales and other marine mammals in the San Juan Islands. A visit to Friday Harbor definitely isnt complete without a tour through The Whale Museum
S
S Duncan
The museum is a bit dated and some interactive displays werent functional, but it was a good way to spend time indoors without spending lots of money. Many of the exhibits require reading so not ideal for young ones with short attention spans. The reconstructed whale skeletons were pretty cool. Also note they have a deep discount for students.
PA
Pacific Mammal Research
A great place to bring the family and learn all about marine mammals in the Salish Sea. Their educational displays are wonderful, with life size replicas, fully articulated skeletons, videos, acoustic recordings, hands on artifacts like real teeth and baleen and much more, all packed with interesting facts. You will have fun and learn a lot!
FR
Fred Cai
This is an awesome little place. Ive been here twice. Once as a child and once as an adult. It was fascinating! There was so much to learn about whales. My favorite part was seeing a specimen of a gigantic whale brain! They also have a cute little souvenir shop downstairs. This place is a must go if you ever find yourself on this island!
JO
Jo Alex
Loved learning about whales. On the day we visited, there was a elementary school tour taking place which we got to sit in and hear the presentation. We were able to see a demonstration of the call of the whales. What a humbling experience to know that beautiful and intelligent creatures roam the oceans.
JO
Jordan Gamble
Dropped in the whale museum while waiting in line for the ferry. Great display even if you only have 5 minutes. The cost of admission is to support the whale museum and shouldnt be a reason not go. Ask if they will let you in for free if your budget doesnt allow for $6. :)
LA
Laura Chestnut
The must see museum of Friday Harbor. Tells the story of the local whale pod individuals, research that is being done on whales, and about whales in general. Interesting for both children and adults. Excellent presentation of material. Great gift shop.
BR
Bryce Caster
A neat small-town museum. For $6, you can learn all about the resident orca population. While the information was good, I would have liked to have more background about whales before diving into the specifics of the orcas and their habitat.
DA
Darin Hays
Super informative, friendly staff, videos and audio of many whales. Very complete collection of history and science about whales. Full skeletons, interesting for kids. Reasonable price. Active in current research and protection of whales.
DR
Drake Hei
Fun touristy thing to do. Its free so why not. Personally love seeing skeletons of creatures and seeing the biology that makes up other animals so definitely fun to visit for me. Though not much reason to visit a second time.
BI
Bill Clogston
The Whale Museum is a wonderful place to learn about our Salish Sea and its inhabitants. I really enjoy all the people involved with the daily operations of the museum. A truly great place to visit!
PO
Poultry Playground
A TON of information! Great little place and so much information packed into there. I would consider this a must see on san juan. Wish I would have done this on my first day there.
KA
Katie Widen
Cheap admission, but the museum doesnt offer too much. There are whale replicas and skeletons. The people working the desk are very knowledgeable, so its worth it to talk to them
VI
Victor Favela
small quaint and more of a place for elementary students.. its something to do on the island if u wanna kill time. still a great option to contribute to a local institution.
CO
Corey Kopp
Pretty much a one-room museum, so perhaps a little pricey for that. But they do have a lot on stuff packed into that room. It was interesting to see.
BI
Bin Zhu
A good place to visit, a decent amount of collection and some interesting facts. Also mentioned the whale watch park, which is a great visit as well.
DA
David Charles Geist
Important, current science information is made available quickly and coherently. This museum is on the cutting edge of local research on Orca whales.
BR
Bruce Morton
Its worth it if you can get a coupon. There are lots of whale skeletons, info on Orcas in the area, and native American history.
MP
MP Donahue
Excellent information historical and current about the status of the orcas, nonprofit run that has an educational mission.
M
M W
So cheap to get in. Definitely give these guys a visit. Its a small museum, but theres a lot of info and displays.
C.
C.Michelle Miller
A must see in Friday Harbor! Definitely good for the young and old. A WOW for a WHALE of information :D
LI
Lisa Hoffman
Anything concerning Whales is great for me. Very educational and the prices in the shop were awesome.
TI
Tiffany Oda
Really cool whale facts, awesome gift shop. Its small, probably wont spend more than an hour there.
AP
Apes
Well put together museum, great rainy day adventure. Its really cool to learn about the local pods.
ZA
Zane Zheng
Outdated exhibition and need some renovations, short visit if you are tying to kill some time
VA
Valori Flake
Love this place, filled with passion and love for Orcas and the southern resident pods!
MA
Marcus Turner
A lot of great info on whales could use some love but worth checking out with the kids.
EL
Elli Gull
TEM works every day to help the Southern Resident orcas and the Salish Sea ecosystem!
MI
Mina Serif
Nice place learned a lot about the whails. Nice exhibits. My kids had a funn.
AN
Antony Prasanna
Place to visit before whale watching... has all the basic info abt whales
IS
Isabel Kelliher
Great way to learn about the history and future of whales in the area!
JO
John Shorb
Great little museum for both kids and adults. Short walk from ferry.
JA
jason allen
Small whale musuem. Takes about 30 to 45 minutes for a full tour.
VI
Virendra Gulati
Small museum about whales, more of a store for gifts than museum.
HO
Houston Foist
It is a great place to visit. For children and adults.
SC
Scott Whitney
Nice to see whale bones, but the museum is very small.
CH
Charles Basin
Watch the video on the threat to whales from ships
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