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!

Museum Partners

MUSEUMS FOR EVERY INTEREST

"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

Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film

Ongoing

Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film features more than 50 props and costumes from film and …

Event Website

Discover Ancient Coast Salish Culture

Ongoing

The Hibulb Cultural Center is approximately 23,000 square feet with a 50-acre natural history preserve. The mission is …

Event Website

Window on Washington Waters

Ongoing

This 120,000-gallon exhibit greets you as you take your first steps into the Seattle Aquarium. Filled with hundreds …

Event Website

Diego Cibelli

Now through 5/10/2026

SAM’s ornate Porcelain Room features an evocative ceiling fresco by the greatest Venetian artist of the eighteenth century, …

Event Website

Our Material World

Ongoing

From the food we put in our bodies to the furniture we put in our homes, human life …

Event Website

Honoring Our Journey

Ongoing

The “heart” of galleries, this permanent exhibition showcases the pan-Asian Pacific American immigrant and refugee experience with five …

Event Website

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 …

Bezos Center for Innovation

Ongoing

The Bezos Center for Innovation at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry features 5000 square feet of exhibits …

Event Website

Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

Ongoing

Explore the lives and legacies of the genre’s greatest in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Event Website

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