With exhibits like “Yes, Yes, Y’all: The Birth of Hip Hop,” “Riot Grrrl Retrospective” and “Bob Dylan’s American Journey,” the Experience Music Project in the Seattle Center is the right place for music lovers. Microsoft’s Paul Allen wanted to share his collection, the world’s largest, of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, so he founded EMP, which grew into a monumental tribute to popular music. Hear musicians tell their own stories via a headset that accompanies you on your journey through 80,000 items, including photos, personal artifacts, promotional and fan materials, posters, instruments, costumes, and film footage. High tech and interactive, EMP also lets you create your own music and recordings. In true rock n’ roll style, architect Frank Gehry’s early vision for the dramatic and colorful metal exterior came when he bought some electric guitars, cut them up and rearranged the pieces. With the Seattle monorail running right through the building, which also houses the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, and with the Space Needle nearby, Experience Music Project has become one of Seattle’s most visited landmarks. The gift shop is killer, and you can also make a groovy pit stop at the Turntable Restaurant or Liquid Lounge.