SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention offers an exciting and educational experience for audiences of all ages. Compelling, interactive exhibits spanning four centuries of scientific achievement and cultural heritage are featured in a world-class collection of unique objects including the giant "MegaZapper" Tesla Coil which produces massive lightning bolts! SPARK Museum displays the inventions and innovations that changed the course of human history. Come check it out!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
197 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
55
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
0
AnnieSFBayArea
Seattle, WA33 contributions
Apr 2022
What a surprising museum this was to come across! It only cost $8, and we felt we saw it well with only an hour visit though we could have stayed longer. There's such an amazing collection of devices, and all well interpreted. We also met one of the two people who'd collected the stuff.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian E
Santa Rosa, CA410 contributions
Sep 2021
First and foremost, this museum is real! While I went in there wondering what it was I was about to experience, behind the wonderfully eccentric offerings, is a very serious collection of inventions and contraptions used throughout history to capture and use electricity. The floor is laid out chronologically, from the earliest experiences with electricity through to the present. But the highlight was the live demonstration for which you'll need to pay a little extra. The docent leading it was alone worth the price of admission. He was obviously passionate about the subject. But he also had a hint of "mad scientist" about him that made it truly memorable. We weren't planning on coming to this museum, but a rainy day on the road and a "why no?" attitude resulted in something fun and memorable.
Written October 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TSA
Bellingham, WA32 contributions
Dec 2019
Nicely located right downtown, this great little museum has all kinds of interesting artifacts and displays that electrical nerds and non electrical nerds will enjoy. A very fun and friendly staff that really enjoy their work and make the visitor enjoy their time too. We recently took our grandkids and caught the afternoon weekend show that they put on. It was a hit for all. The staff really make the concept of electricity come alive in a big way and lots of fun along the way for all. My wife and I won the ticket stub drawing and got to go into the Mega Zapper shown in photo where millions of volts from the big Tesla coil are dancing all around the outside while we were safely marveling from inside the cage! Amazing to see and to be so close.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
THANK YOU for bringing your grandkids! That is one of our absolute favorite things to see. Oh, and we're also really glad that you survived the MegaZapper! Hope you got your stickers. ⚡⚡😆 Thank you for this kind review; we couldn't do what we do without people like you. Nerds unite! (And non-nerds, too.)
Written February 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rob W
Missoula, MT67 contributions
Feb 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by what they had to offer. Entry fee is very reasonable, a lot of old electrical equipment. In some places a bit of duplication. A lot of hands-on displays. Enjoyed playing with the theremin. The staff there was great. Very helpful and informative. If you really want your money's worth pay the extra money and come back for the electric show. Overall great show, the Tesla coils are amazing. Fun for all ages.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you, Rob! A pleasant surprise is a great thing. We'll share this review with our staff and docents; they love hearing that they are making positive impacts on those who visit! We're glad you stopped by our museum and enjoyed your time. We will continue working hard to ensure that it's a fun, exciting and informative visit for all! Have a great day, Rob.
Written February 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cindy P
San Diego, CA7 contributions
Jan 2020
Took my friend and our daughters this past weekend and we had a great time! Highly recommend paying the extra $4 for the show. SO MUCH FUN!!! The girls even enjoyed looking at all of the artifacts (LOL!) and interactive items they had throughout. This place is REALLY cool! Look forward to going back again!
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
One of the best ever!!!? What a kind thing to say. We are honored to hear that you enjoyed your visit, both to the galleries and to the MegaZapper show. Sounds like you've got some brilliant kids there! It warms our hearts to see kids interacting with science. Cheers, and see you next time!
Written February 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Inspiration5394
Santa Barbara, Calif1 contribution
This Museum is one of the most interesting I have come across. The Museum has just moved into a 25,000 sq. ft. building on Bay St. and at present is using half of the space available. The Museum's collection can only be described as amazing. Artifacts from the dawn of the electrical age (the 1600's), to the radios at the end of the tube era. (1950) this collection is only improved by the people who help visitors learn about what is on display. Many of the exhibits are interactive and it is a sure bet that youngsters will leave with memories they hold on to. The Museum is located at 1312 Bay St. in Bellingham WA. The hours of operation are Wed. through Sat. from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. If you are in Bellingham I recommend a visit to the American Museum of Radio.
Written December 27, 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VanStuver
Vancouver, Canada48 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Sparks is a small museum / exhibition that tracks and illustrates the history, invention and development of electricity. When we arrived, we were the only ones there and Ken took us, pretty much, on a private tour, which was great. Ken was full of knowledge, history and fun stories and made our trip. There's plenty to interact with, especially the static sphere and the theremin musical instrument, which is just weird. My wife and I had a great trip and cheers to Ken's tour for making it so. It is a small museum, but for $8 and it was worth it.
Written October 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you! We will pass this on to Ken. You are very kind, and we're thrilled that you and your wife enjoyed your time at SPARK!
Written October 26, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kirsten H
Crawley, UK26 contributions
Sep 2014 • Family
This is a fun little museum full of all sorts of electrical items from across the years. It's pretty cheap just to wonder round but it's worth paying a little more for one of their demos if you are there at the right time. Be brave and volunteer, the hubby and I got to sit in a Faraday cage whilst being bombarded by a Tesla coil, not your average museum visit!!
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ted C
94503127 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
Actually a history of electronic devices. Many working models and demonstrations. There were at least three volunteers to answer questions and show how the old devices worked! Hear a player piano. Listen to Teddy Roosevelt on a cylinder disk, an original TV picture. Spent over two hours.
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're super proud of our knowledgeable and attentive docents, and we'll pass on your comments. We're glad to hear you had a great time interacting with the old devices! One of the joys of SPARK -- if we do say so ourselves -- is that you can see, hear, touch and test so many original electrical devices. We hope to see you again!
Written November 30, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
parkwife
Thousand Oaks, CA301 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We had a bit of time to kill in Bellingham and decided to explore this wonderful gem of a museum in downtown Bellingham. It has an amazing array of electrical gadgets and history and we spent a couple of hours exploring it all. Alas, we were not there when they were doing their electric show but the docents were well versed in their subject and a font of knowledge.
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for this wonderful review and for the high praise of our docents! We're with you: They're the best. Thanks so much for stopping by during your time in our beautiful city!
Written October 26, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is the admission fee
SPARK Museum
Bellingham, WA
Thanks for your help, everyone! You are correct.
Members get free general admission, of course, and then here are the general admission prices:
- 12 and older: $8
- 2 to 11: $5
- Younger than 2: free
If you're in a group and have scheduled a tour guide, admission costs are:
- 12 and older: $9
- 2 to 11: $7
Admission including MegaZapper Electrical Show:
- 12 and older: $12
- 5 to 11: $9 (must be 5 or older to view the MegaZapper show)
Finally, to experience the MegaZapper from inside the Cage of Doom is $10 on top of the normal admission fee. (Must be 18 or older to enter the Cage of Doom.
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention (Bellingham) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
- SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is open:
- Wed - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention:
- (0.17 mi) Hotel Leo
- (0.24 mi) Downtown Bellingham Apartment
- (0.78 mi) Hotel Bellwether
- (1.12 mi) Coachman Inn
- (0.88 mi) Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center
- Restaurants near SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention:
- (0.02 mi) Bayou on Bay
- (0.04 mi) Mount Bakery Cafe
- (0.07 mi) Old Town Cafe
- (0.05 mi) Brandywine Kitchen
- (0.04 mi) Black Sheep