The museums in Seattle are some of the best in the world. Cultural icons like Nirvana sit beside the epic history of the Nordic peoples. There are also beautiful glass sculptures, fossils of extinct animals, and ancient computers that still work. Because Seattle is home to so many diverse museums, the best one to visit depends on your particular areas of interest.
If you want to start your museum visit in Seattle, the Seattle Center is a good place to go. More than one museum can be found on this sprawling 74-acre property. In addition to the Space Needle, additional iconic Seattle landmarks can be seen at the Seattle Center.
Plan ahead of time if you want to see any of Seattle’s museums. Across the board, the level of detail in the displays has been consistently outstanding. Museums in Seattle are also known for their frequent crowds. Advance tickets are advised when available.
1. The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight shows an astonishing showcase of space and aircraft. The museum is located in the city’s far southern end, some eight miles from the central business district. It’s worth your time, but it shouldn’t be confused with the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center in nearby Everett. Hundreds of airplanes and spacecraft are on display from floor to ceiling at the Museum of Flight.
The museum’s collection of more than 175 aircraft occupies 15 acres, so visitors may spend a whole day there. The Space Gallery features interactive displays covering the final frontier, and the Aviation Pavilion houses a tourable Air Force One. The Great Gallery, which is three million square feet and has windows from floor to ceiling and a total of 39 planes suspended from the ceiling, is another attraction.
The museum has a number of optional extras that can be enjoyed by guests. Other than the more expensive “premium experiences,” services like docent-led tours and virtual flight simulations are included as basic fare. The price of general admission does not include the cost of any optional extras. The museum is accessible daily. Advanced ticketing is available and encouraged, especially on the weekends.
- Address: 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, Washington
2. Chihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly, who was born in Tacoma, Washington, is a world-renowned glass artist with numerous acclaimed installations. Thanks to his original and distinctive style, Chihuly’s works can be recognized anywhere, from London to Japan via Ohio, California, and Florida. And this world-famous artist houses some of his most astounding pieces in Seattle.
Located in Seattle Center near the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass is well worth the trip. The museum’s layout winds visitors through eight rooms showcasing breathtaking examples of the art form. You should take your time in each gallery and appreciate the finer details of the displays.
The museum’s Glasshouse is its showpiece. The 100-foot ribbon of red, yellow, and orange glass flowers is draped from the ceiling of this 40-foot-tall conservatory, making it Chihuly’s largest suspended sculpture. This beautiful structure captures light in a variety of ways, providing viewers with a new vantage point at every hour of the day.
Next to the Glasshouse, the Art Plaza and Collections Café offer outdoor seating and snacks. Live glassblowing demonstrations are held here every day for the public to watch. It’s also the way to get to the Garden, where Chihuly’s outdoor-friendly glass sculptures and installations look right at home.
- Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington
3. Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a creatively inclined institution with a strong footprint in the Seattle Center. The 140,000-square-foot structure has a distinctive form and surface thanks to the work of architect Frank O. Gehry.
The exhibits within MoPOP are where the real showstoppers are. There are exhibitions and displays galore on all three floors of the building. Some significant permanent exhibits explore topics including the realm of science fiction, the fascination of horror films, and the rise of Seattle-based grunge rock band Nirvana.
Exhibits change frequently so that there is always something fresh to see at the museum. It will take you at least two or three hours to explore all three levels of the museum. Several locations provide an immersive experience, much like the Sound Lab on the third floor.
The museum also often hosts special events, within and outside the museum. For the most up-to-date information, see the organization’s website. The museum is accessible seven days a week. Weekends are typically the busiest days of the week.
- Address: 325 5th Avenue N, Seattle, Washington
4. Seattle Art Museum
Just across the corner from the bustling Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle is the Seattle Art Museum, or SAM for short. Since its opening in 1933, it has served as the city’s primary art museum. The Asian Art Museum in neighboring Volunteer Park is also under SAM’s stewardship.
The downtown SAM presents a well-lit world of ancient and modern artworks spanning four floors of galleries. The museum’s permanent collection is so extensive that it occupies the first three levels and is supplemented by temporary exhibits. Among the many cultures represented in the collection are those of the Americas, Africa, and the ancient Mediterranean. There is a substantial collection of contemporary and modern art at the museum as well.
Mondays and Tuesdays are quieter at SAM, whereas weekends are busier. Plan your visit for Wednesday or Thursday morning to have a greater opportunity to experience the artwork without any distractions. There will still be plenty of time to see the rest of downtown’s sights by taking this way.
- Address: 1300 1st Avenue, Seattle, Washington
5. Pacific Science Center & Seattle Children’s Museum
There are two hands-on exhibits at the Seattle Center that are designed to pique the interest of young visitors and those young at heart. The Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Children’s Museum are two of the city’s most visited attractions, and they’re only a short walk apart.
The Pacific Science Center offers hundreds of interactive exhibits and programs in STEM fields. Exhibits and special activities rotate throughout the year, bringing something fresh with each visit. A tropical butterfly house and a planetarium are two examples of permanent displays. There’s a lot to see and do at the museum, so even grownups won’t be bored.
The Seattle Children’s Museum is a short drive away and provides a kid-friendly atmosphere to learn and play. Kids as young as eight will enjoy exploring this museum’s expansive 18,000 square feet. The adults who are there to watch over the kids are highly urged to join in the fun. Please be aware that the museum has been closed for what appears to be an extended period of time. Make sure it’s open before making the trip.
- Address: 200 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
6. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
The Burke Museum is the first public museum in the state, opening its doors in 1885. However, this does not mean that no progress has been made in the classroom throughout the years. The museum, which houses more than 18 million objects, moved to the University of Washington campus this year (2019). The hospitality provided by this brand-new home is unparalleled.
There are three levels to explore at the museum. Large fossils and taxidermied creatures are on display in the paleontology and archaeology exhibits on the top floor. The second floor is devoted to biology and the cataloging of all forms of life. Additionally, there are relics and numerous interactive exhibitions on the first level that explore indigenous culture.
The Burke is unlike any other building in that it also serves as a fully operational laboratory and research space. At least a dozen huge windows allow guests a rare glimpse into the scientific processes taking place at these workstations.
- Address: 4303 Memorial Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
7. Living Computers: Museum + Labs
Just south of T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field is the entertaining and educational Living Computers exhibit. The history and development of computing is on display in this tech-inspired gallery. The museum achieves this goal by presenting a range of objects from different eras, both past and future.
The museum houses the world’s greatest collection of operational antique computers. Visitors can observe these mainframes and microcomputers in action, complete with the accompanying beeps and lights of activity.
Several cutting-edge technological marvels can be found in the museum as well. There are hands-on displays covering subjects like “big data,” “augmented reality,” and “robotics.” Guests can try out a self-driving vehicle, too.
The Gamemakers studio, which aims to inspire the next generation of video game designers, is another well-liked exhibit. A large digital art studio provides a similar opportunity for artistic expression across multiple platforms.
- Address: 2245 1st Avenue S, Seattle, Washington
8. Museum of History & Industry
The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is located on Lake Union’s southern shore. The museum is very happy to showcase the history of Seattle and the Puget Sound area over its four floors of exhibits.
The museum’s exhibits vary from the history of the local Duwamish people to the present-day impact of the technology industry on the city’s landscape. The first white settlers in Seattle and the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 are only two of the pivotal moments in Puget Sound history that are covered in exhibits open to the public.
The museum is a visual feast that one should not miss. Extensive photography, artifacts, and straightforward descriptions make for captivating displays. Multiple exhibits provide a more hands-on learning environment with interactive components. And a few theaters throughout the museum offer a spot to sit down and enjoy an instructive show.
Plan to spend some time both within and outside the museum. A beautiful place to relax on a bench and take in the view of Lake Union is along the waterfront. Boat rentals and weekly public sails on Sundays make The Center for Wooden Boats another popular community resource in addition to MOHAI.
- Address: 860 Terry Avenue N, Seattle, Washington
9. Seattle Pinball Museum
Located southwest of Pioneer Square, the Seattle Pinball Museum is a kinetic art museum in the city’s International District. Around fifty pinball machines are on exhibit at this one-of-a-kind museum, and for the price of entry, guests can play as many times as they like.
The museum’s collection of pinball machines spans from the 1930s with the oldest to the present with several sporting sleek, contemporary designs. The gallery constantly swaps out the machines, so there’s always something fresh to interact with.
The museum store sells beverages from the past. Interested groups can also rent out the full venue for a night of entertainment. Thursday through Monday at noon, the museum is available to the public.
- Address: 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, Washington
10. National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum celebrates the history and heritage of Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. The museum also ties the culture to the U.S., especially the Pacific Northwest, where thousands of Nordic immigrants have found a second home.
The museum is on the south end of the Ballard neighborhood, near Salmon Bay and Ballard Locks. It features regularly rotating exhibits on the first floor and a permanent “Nordic Journeys” exhibit on the second floor. This multi-room exhibit follows the timeline of the Nordic region, from native Sámi people to Vikings, reform, World War II, and modern innovations.
A prominent part of the Nordic Journey exhibit displays the Nordic footprint in the Pacific Northwest. Nordic immigrants helped build Seattle and the surrounding region, and along the way, found a second home with landscapes comparable to their homeland. The museum’s collection of over 80,000 artifacts helps illustrate every inch of the entire exhibit.
There is also a café, an outdoor garden, and a reconstructed Viking ship for visitors to enjoy while at the museum. Mondays and Tuesdays are off-limits for museum visits.
- Address: 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, Washington
