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
Queen Anne
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Address 440 Fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
- Connect
International District
Seattle Pinball Museum
- Address 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
- Phone (206) 623-0759
- Connect
Southside Seattle
Northwest African American Museum
- Address 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
- Phone (206) 518-6000
- Connect
MUSEUMS FOR EVERY INTEREST
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.
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.
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
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.
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?
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…)
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
Fischersund: Faux Flora
Now through 1/26/2025
Icelandic family-run art collective, Fischersund, will present its first-ever museum exhibition and the world premiere of Faux Flora, …
Details Event WebsiteScience 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.
Details Event WebsiteTropical Pacific
Ongoing
Discover the vibrant array of life on a coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. The 25,000-gallon community exhibit …
Details Event WebsiteFossils Uncovered
Ongoing
Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history is a continuing saga of dynamic change. Events from ice ages to splitting continents …
Details Event WebsiteAmazing Life
Ongoing
Over 8.7 million species are known to exist today, with more being discovered daily. How did this variety …
Details Event WebsiteUntamed: The Anatomy of Desire
Now through 4/30/2025
This exhibit will feature works created during Bri Chesler’s 2022 residency, in addition to work made between 2018–2023, …
Details Event WebsiteMetaphor into Form: Art in the Era of the Pilchuck Glass School
Ongoing
Founded in 1971, the Pilchuck Glass School, co-founded by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly, emerged as a world-renowned center …
Details Event WebsiteBoren Banner Series: Natalie Krick
Now through 4/6/2025
In her new suite of collages for the Boren Banner Series, Natalie Krick deconstructs pictures of Marilyn Monroe.
Details Event WebsiteWinter in the West
Ongoing
Winter is here. This selection of paintings from the Haub Family Collection celebrates the winter season with a …
Details Event WebsiteSUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST
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