MoPop. Photo: Jie Liu.
Burke Museum. Photo: Dennis Wise.
Museum of Flight. Photo: Andrew Kalat
Frye Art Museum Courtesy of Mark Woods

SeattleMuseums

Seattle is full of wonderful museums to educate and inspire.

The Seattle area is home to an excellent collection of art, history, maritime, and special interest museums. The Museum of Flight will take you on a thrilling adventure through aviation history with exhibits like the Great Gallery, the Personal Courage Wing and the original Boeing Headquarters, in one of the largest air and space museums in the world. At MoPOP you can learn to play an instrument, stroll through the Jimi Hendrix exhibit and explore the history of popular culture. History buffs will appreciate the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. Many of these museums are family-friendly and offer hands-on-activities for kids and adults alike!

"Occular" at Frye Art Museum

Photo: Linda Lane

Art & Craft Museums

Seattle is a magnet for both artists and art enthusiasts. The casual yet sophisticated setting, beautiful scenery and inspiring mix of people create a powerful environment for artistic expression.

DC-3 at The Museum of Flight

Photo: Bill Abbott

Aviation & Transportation Museums

The greater Seattle area has an extensive collection of historic planes, from public displays to private collections open to the public. See how far we have come since the first airplane took flight in Seattle in 1910.

The Burke Museum

Photo: Loren Javier

History & Heritage Museums

Seattle is named after the respected Native American Chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes. Shaped by many cultures, including the original Native Americans, along with immigrants from Asia and Scandinavia, we retain a strong and diverse cultural heritage that provides many opportunities to learn about Seattle from the roots up.

Photo: David Newman

Photo: David Newman

Maritime & Military Museums

The maritime heritage of Puget Sound is filled with fascinating stories of native traditions, intrepid explorers, pioneer sea captains and vessels, industrialists, and ordinary working people.

Pacific Science Center beneath a supermoon

Photo: Ingrid Taylar

Science & Natural History Museums

In a region that is notorious for its stunning natural beauty and technological innovation, is it surprising that we have fantastic science and natural history museums for you to explore?

Nirvana exhibit at EMP Musuem

Photo: Theresa Arzadon-Labajo

Pop Culture Museums

The optimistic and creative mentality of Seattle residents creates an attractive climate for innovative thinkers. This is why some of the most original and successful business concepts in the nation have been launched right here in Seattle. (Hint: think Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, REI, Expedia, Zillow…)

Seattle Children's Museum

Photo: Nicholas Wang

Children’s Museums

While any museum in the area welcomes children, some offer special programs that keep the attention of even our youngest travelers. From hands-on exhibits to creative events catered just for kids, you’ll find yourself wishing that you were a kid again!

Upcoming Museum Events

Raul de Nieves

Now through 9/30/2024

Across painting, sculpture, and performance, Raul de Nieves fuses aesthetic traditions of Mexican craft, queer club culture, and …

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Nirvana: Taking Punk To the Masses

Ongoing

The exhibition features instruments like Kurt Cobain’s Fender Stratocaster, Krist Novoselic’s Hiwatt DR103 bass amplifier head, and Dave …

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Exhibition Tour: Calder

Now through 3/31/2024

This 60-minute guided tour traces Calder’s career, highlighting his revolutionary mobiles and stabiles as well as the most …

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Fossils Uncovered

Ongoing

Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history is a continuing saga of dynamic change. Events from ice ages to splitting continents …

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Be/longing: Contemporary Asian Art

Ongoing

Vast, vibrant, and rapidly changing, Asia is a fertile ground for contemporary artists. The 12 artists in Be/longing …

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Untold Stories: World War II at 75

Ongoing

World War II ended over seventy-five years ago. The War was one of the most destructive and defining …

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Cambodian Cultural Museum and Killing Fields Memorial

Ongoing

This collection of photographs and artwork testifies to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge holocaust and honors the …

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Great Hall of Washington History

Ongoing

Our largest exhibit at the Washington State History Museum is a walk through time. This space showcases some …

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Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings Of Bruce Lee

Now through 7/28/2024

Do you ever wonder how Bruce Lee developed the philosophy behind his most iconic quote? This incredible interactive …

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Museum Partners

Northwest African American Museum Southside Seattle

Northwest African American Museum

  • Address 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
  • Phone (206) 518-6000
  • Connect
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University District

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

  • Address 1413 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105
  • Phone (206) 543-5590
  • Connect
Seattle Asian Art Museum Capitol Hill

Seattle Asian Art Museum

  • Address 1400 E Prospect, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Phone (206) 654-3140
  • Connect
Henry Art Gallery University District

Henry Art Gallery

  • Address University of Washington, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98195
  • Phone (206) 543-2280
  • Connect

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