My Favorite Museums in Seattle to Visit

As a local, I’ve been to many of the great museums in Seattle. In this guide, I’ll point you to museums that deserve your attention and give you tips on how to save money at them, too. 

Several of these museums made my list of the best Seattle attractions, so add a few to your itinerary. Get ready to check out amazing history, art, and cultural museums, along with a few quirky, out-of-the-box options too!

18 Best Seattle Museums

Seattle Art Museum

Admire global and contemporary art in a large, refined museum in downtown Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $29.99-$32.99, Adults, $19.99-$22.99, Teens (15-19), Free, Children (14 and under); Free to all First Thursdays | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed, Fri-Sun, 10 am – 8 pm Thu, Closed Mon & Tues

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is located downtown, just a block from Pike Place Market. Visit both on the same day – they’re top attractions for a reason.

The SAM has well-curated exhibits of ancient art and contemporary pieces. You’ll see sculptures, paintings, and artifacts from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Northwest.

The SAM Shop and Gallery is the museum’s gift shop and art gallery where you can buy creative souvenirs and art made by local artists. Check out MARKET Seafood Eatery if you work up an appetite after exploring all four floors of the museum. This on-site restaurant serves crab bisque, fish and chips, and lobster rolls.

Museum of Pop Culture

Top-rated pop culture museum with sci-fi and fantasy displays, indie games, a music lab, and a vast collection of movie memorabilia.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $38, Adults, $28.50, Youth (5-12), Free, Children 0-4 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Thurs-Tues, Closed Wednesday

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is Seattle’s most popular museum (and one of the best things to see in Washington). It explores all aspects of pop culture media, from movies, TV shows, and music. The MoPOP is packed with movie memorabilia.

There are permanent science fiction and fantasy exhibits, and an interactive exhibit on horror films. I personally love the immersive indie games exhibit, where you can play a rotating selection of non-traditional games. 

Music history fans will be at home in the Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Jimi Hendrix exhibits. Or take your time in the sound lab playing and testing out a variety of instruments.

👉 ProTip: One of the most fun ways to get to the Museum of Pop Culture is by taking the monorail, which goes through the outside of the museum. You’ll be steps away from the entrance upon arrival.

Burke Museum

A natural history museum with dinosaur displays, Native art, and research labs.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $24 Adults, $16 Youth (4-17), Free, Children 3 and under; Free to all First Thursdays | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Tues-Sun, Closed Monday

The Burke Museum is located on the University of Washington Campus. Come here to learn about natural history in the Washington region. 

The museum has dinosaur fossils, archaeology exhibits, Native artifacts, and taxonomy specimens. There’s enough here to appeal to both kids and adults. Plus, you can peek into the museum’s labs to watch archeologists and other scientists doing research. 

Hang around after your museum visit. Grab some Indian tacos from the fabulous on-site restaurant, Off The Rez. Or get some coffee from the nearby Cafe Allegro, one of the top coffee shops in Seattle.

Museum of History and Industry

Learn about the city’s past, present, and future in this large South Lake Union museum.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $25 Adults, Free Children (ages 14 and under); Free to all First Thursdays | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, daily, until 8 pm on Thu

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI for short) is one of my favorites. Come here for an in-depth lesson on Seattle’s history. 

Walk through an engaging exhibit on Chief Seattle and watch an entertaining musical about the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Check out an interactive exhibit detailing how the Ballard Locks work. You’ll learn all about how Seattle’s natural landscape has been altered drastically to make the area liveable.

The MOHAI also dives into how the city’s tech economy has boomed over the years. The museum is cohesive and interactive enough to make it engaging, even if you aren’t typically drawn to history museums. I recommend all visitors move this museum to the top of their list!

👉 Pro Tip: The Museum of History and Industry is one of several museums with free admission on the first Thursday of the month. Others include the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, the Burke Museum, the National Nordic Museum, and the Museum of Flight. Plan your visit around this day if you’re visiting Seattle on a budget.

Frye Art Museum

View gorgeous 19th and 20th-century art in this small, always-free museum.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free (donations appreciated) | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun (till 8 Thurs), Closed Mon & Tues

You’ll find a collection of gorgeous 19th and early 20th-century art in the tiny Frye Art Museum in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood.

The permanent collection was donated by avid art collectors Charles and Emma Frye. A mix of the couple’s modern and classical paintings is always on display, along with rotating exhibits by contemporary artists.

A trip to the Frye Art Museum is one of the best free things to do in the city if you’re trying to stick to a budget. It’s also one of my favorite places to get meaningful souvenirs. The gift shop has tons of unique art for sale.

Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park

Learn about Seattle’s role in the Gold Rush at this National Park Service-affiliated museum.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free (donations appreciated) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tues

The Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park is a free history museum that touches on an intriguing part of Seattle’s past. During the Gold Rush in the 1890s, optimistic prospectors stopped in Seattle to stock up on supplies before resuming their journey to the Yukon Territory.

The Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park details what that stop in Seattle looked like for the determined prospectors. It also highlights how this rush of people traveling through Seattle led to exponential growth in the city.

Walk through the info-packed museum on a self-guided tour or speak to helpful staff members who can answer your questions. The Klondike Gold Rush Museum is in the vibrant and historic Pioneer Square neighborhood.

National Nordic Museum

Discover how the city’s Scandinavian roots influenced Seattle’s past and present.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $20 Adults, $10 Youth (5-18), Free, Children (4 and under); Free to all First Thursdays | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tues-Sun (until 8 pm Thurs), Closed Monday

Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood has Scandinavian roots. It’s the perfect place for the National Nordic Heritage Museum, which is one of Ballard’s top attractions. 

The museum touches on both historical and cultural aspects of Scandinavian life.  It also details how the people who immigrated to Seattle influenced its culture. Check out costumes, carvings, and artifacts from Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Finland.

The museum’s permanent Nordic Journeys display is one of the most popular exhibits. It discusses how Nordic life and values have evolved over thousands of years, and what connections we can make with them in the present.

Center For Wooden Boats

A small maritime museum in South Lake Union with historic wooden boats and tons of rental options.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm, Wed-Sun (hours change seasonally, check website)

The Center for Wooden Boats helps educate people on the maritime heritage in the Pacific Northwest. Check out its collection of historic wooden boats and the museum’s small displays. 

The best part of the Center for Wooden Boats is that you can rent one of its small pea boats for free and take it out on Lake Union! It’s the best (and cheapest) way to get out on the water.

The museum also offers kayak and canoe rentals. Or you can go on one of the super popular Sunday public sails. These happen once a month from April to October and are first-come, first-served, so make sure you arrive early!

Northwest African American Museum

A cultural museum dedicated to sharing stories, history, and art by Black Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $10, Adults, $5, Children (free 3 and under) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thurs-Sun, Closed Mon-Wed

The Northwest African American Museum is in the Central District, and it has cultural exhibits, art, and stories about Black Americans in the Pacific Northwest. 

The museum always has displays by local artists and a variety of rotating local history exhibits. Past exhibits have been about Jimi Hendrix, the Black Panther Party, and the historically Black Central District.

The museum also hosts educational programs and events to bring together the community, like the super fun Juneteenth celebration!

Seattle Pinball Museum

An interactive arcade-style museum with vintage pinball machines.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $23, Adults, $20, Children (7-14) | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Thurs-Mon, Closed Tues & Wed

Is your idea of a good time playing pinball and drinking beer? Seattle has a museum for you.

The Seattle Pinball Museum in the International District has vintage pinball machines dating from the 60s and up. The admission fee allows you to stay and play them as long as you want.

Order snacks and drinks to keep you full while you hone your pinball skills. This quirky museum is a great one for kids, but they must be seven or older to play.

Connections Museums

Examine vintage communication equipment and learn about the evolution of the telephone.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $5-$10 suggested donation | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Sunday, Closed Mon-Sat

The Connections Museum is one of the most unique museums in the city. It will be a hit for techy people and anyone who wants to dive into little-known, niche topics.

The museum has a massive collection of vintage telephones, switchboards, and communication equipment. Walk through exhibits on telephones, mechanical and electronic switchboards, telegraphs, and more.

I highly recommend going through this museum with a tour guide who can answer your questions and give you context for everything you’re looking at. By the end of the tour, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for our modern communication equipment. 

Young children will likely find the information too dense, so I recommend this museum for adults. You’ll find it in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

Seattle Asian Art Museum

See a range of art from various Asian cultures in one of Seattle’s most beautiful museums.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $14.99+, Adults, $9.99+, Teens (15-19), Free, Children (ages 14 and under) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mon &Tues

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is located in Volunteer Park. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful art museums. The museum is an extension of the Seattle Art Museum, but this one focuses on art by various Asian cultures. 

The thoughtfully curated museum has religious sculptures, delicate ceramics, and ancient art. Ample natural light and the museum’s Art Deco exterior and interior only add to its appeal.

Olympic Sculpture Park

Abstract sculptures line the pathways in this downtown Seattle park.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Free | Hours: sunrise – sunset, daily

The Olympic Sculpture Park is also part of the Seattle Art Museum. This free-to-visit park has modern and abstract sculptures along paths that wind down to Seattle’s waterfront. 

You’ll enjoy the giant sculptures here, especially if you love public art. Some of its standouts are the Father and Son, Eye Benches, and Eagle sculptures. Make sure you visit close to sunset too. This is one of the best Seattle parks to see one!

Seattle Children’s Museum

Bring kids to an immersive play-focused space they’ll want to spend hours in.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $16 Adults, $16 Children (free under 1 year) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Mon, Closed Tuesday (open 7 days a week July & August)

Visiting the city with younger children? The Seattle Children’s Museum is one of the best things to do in Seattle with kids!. This interactive, play-focused museum has so much to keep children ages 1-10 entertained. Kids will learn through play at various engaging exhibits.

The exhibits include a play store, a theater, and a construction zone. There’s even a spot dedicated to kids under 3 for those traveling with babies and toddlers. The museum is completely indoors, making it a great rainy day play space.

👉 Pro Tip: Stay in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood if museum-hopping is a high priority on your trip! By staying here, you’ll be close to the Seattle Center museums and several museums in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

Pacific Science Center

Visit a butterfly house, explore interactive exhibits, or attend a laser show at this STEM-focused science center.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $25.95+, Adults, $19.45+, Children (ages 3-17) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tues

The Pacific Science Center is a great museum for both children and adults. It’s dedicated to STEM education and bolstering interest in scientific discovery. PacSci has a variety of hands-on exhibits to illustrate scientific concepts.

The most popular exhibit in the museum is the Butterfly House where you can see, observe, and be surrounded by tropical butterflies from around the world. Make time to visit the planetarium and catch a documentary or show at the IMAX theater.

I also strongly recommend attending one of the evening laser shows. They’re a super cool experience and make a great date night activity!

Wing Luke Museum

A cultural museum that highlights the Asian American experience in the Pacific Northwest.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $17 Adults, $10 Children (free under 5); Free to all First Thursdays (May-September 2025) | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Sun (until 8 pm First Thursdays), Closed Mon & Tues

The Wing Luke Museum is in the International District. It tells the stories of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians in the Pacific Northwest. This museum contains carefully selected artifacts, textiles, and a popular Bruce Lee exhibit.

Museum tickets also include admission to the wonderfully preserved hotel and storefronts in the Kong Yick Building next door. The hotel has historic significance in the Asian community since it was where Chinese pioneers established their businesses to begin their lives in the city. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Check out intricate glass creations at this Seattle Center museum.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $32-$39, Adults, $22-29.50, Youth (5-12), Free, Children ages 4 and under | Hours: 9 am – 9:30 pm Mon & Tues, 10 am – 7 pm Wed, 10 am – 9:30 pm Thurs, 9 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat, 9 am – 6:30 pm Sun (hours change daily & seasonally, confirm on website)

Chihuly Garden and Glass is full of stunning glass art creations. Find works by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly throughout the museum in several galleries, a glasshouse, and a garden.

The glasshouse is the museum’s centerpiece – you can even view the Space Needle from inside. Make sure you wander through the garden to see how well the glass creations mix with the botanicals. 

This is worth a visit if you want to see one of Seattle’s most unique museums. You’ll learn about the amount of work and skill it takes to create glass art and can even catch a glass-making demo. 

💰 Money Saving Tip: Purchase a Seattle CityPASS to save a ton of money on the Seattle Center Museums. The pass will give you discounts on admission to Chihuly Garden and Glass, the MoPOP, the Pacific Science Center, and more!

Museum of Flight

This massive museum has a huge aircraft and spacecraft collection and flight history exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $29, Adults, $21 Youth (5-17), Free, Children under 4 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, daily

The Museum of Flight is one of the best museums in the Puget Sound region. It’s technically in Tukwila, just outside of Seattle. Still, the museum is easy to reach, and it’s a must-visit to learn about the city’s intriguing aircraft history. 

The museum has an impressive collection of air and spacecraft.  Visitors can get up close and even inside an Air Force One, Concord, and 747. There are artifacts and galleries on the history of flight, current industry developments, and future projections.

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Now you know where to get your museum fix when you visit Seattle! Can’t get enough of museums? Check out my guide to things to do in Tacoma, a Washington city with loads of other awesome museums.