Chihuly Garden and Glass sits at the base of the Space Needle in Seattle Center, about an hour north of Olympia. It’s one of those places that’s easy to write off as a tourist attraction — until you walk in.

Chihuly glass sculpture in a boat

The glass work is absurd in the best way. Colors you didn’t think were possible. Shapes that shouldn’t be able to hold themselves up. The boat installations are a highlight — a rowboat overflowing with glass forms that look like they grew there.

The garden outside is where the glass and the plants start to blur together. You’ll find yourself second-guessing what’s real and what’s blown glass.

Practical Notes

Tickets are around $35 and you’ll want at least two hours. Go on a weekday if you can — weekends get packed. The night-time experience is different and worth doing separately; the glass glows under the lighting.

It’s an easy day trip from Olympia. Take I-5 north, park at Seattle Center, and you’re there.