Making the Most of Seattle Museum Month

When the winter weather rolls in, there’s no better time to explore one of Seattle’s best cultural points: its museums. These indoor escapes offer everything from hands-on science fun to a deeper dive into its rich history.

This February, Seattle Museum Month makes it easier than ever to immerse yourself in these experiences with 50% off admission to over 20 world-class museums when you’re staying at one of 71 participating hotels.

I’ve hand-picked five of our family’s favorite museums so that whether you’re a visitor or a local staycationer, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for what makes Seattle special.

Museum of History and Industry Natasha Dillinger

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)

This treasure trove of local history brings Seattle’s vibrant story to life, especially in the second floor’s True Northwest exhibit. Explore how Coast Salish tribal stewardship, pivotal moments—like the Great Seattle Fire of 1889—and local industry titans helped shape the city we know today.

Don’t miss the ever-changing temporary exhibits, like Almost Live!—a nostalgic celebration of the sketch comedy show that gave us iconic skits like “Pike vs. Pine” (pop quiz: where’s the Paramount Theatre?) and launched the career of none other than Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Head down to the first floor to uncover innovations born in the Emerald City, or make your way to the third floor where the Kid-Struction Zone lets little ones unleash their creativity with hands-on building and invention activities.

Pro Tip: Visiting with kids? Swing by the front desk to borrow a free Discovery Pack. Filled with puzzles and scavenger hunts, these interactive kits make exploring the museum even more fun for young minds!

Website: mohai.org

Opening hours: Daily, 10 am–5 pm; Open until 8 pm on First Thursdays.

Special exhibits: Almost Live!, open through February 23. Teamsters, Turtles, and Beyond: The Legacy of the Seattle WTO Protests, open through April 27.

What to do nearby: Located right on the water in Lake Union Park, MOHAI is easy to access from downtown. Watch seaplanes take off over Lake Union or book a free Peapod rowboat rental from The Center for Wooden Boats. If the weather’s not cooperating, head to Flatstick Pub for a round of mini-golf featuring art by local icon Henry.

A preserved storefront at Wing Luke Museum Natasha Dillinger

Wing Luke Museum

Located in a historic building that once housed up to 150 immigrant workers striving for a brighter future, the Wing Luke Museum brings the pan-Asian Pacific American experience in the Pacific Northwest to life, weaving together themes of historic preservation, social justice, and art.

Sign up at the front desk for the first-come, first-served historic hotel tour, included with your admission. This immersive experience transports you to early 20th-century life in the International District, where you’ll step into the storefront that once served Chinese immigrants buying dry goods and explore the association hall where connections were forged and community thrived.

For families, don’t miss the vibrant New Year’s All Year Round exhibit, a colorful celebration of the Year of the Snake that keeps the festive spirit alive every day!

Website: wingluke.org

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. 

Special exhibits: The beauty of the Wing Luke is that exhibits are refreshed regularly, so there are 3–4 time-limited exhibits to check out at any given time.

What to do nearby: The Wing Luke is located in the historic Chinatown-International District, home to some of the best mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. If you’ve saved room after your Wing Luke Museum tour, head over to E-Jae Pak Mor for flavorful Thai street food, Kilig for modern Filipino cuisine or Hood Famous Bakeshop for a coffee and ube cheesecake. The Seattle Pinball Museum also participates in Seattle Museum Month and is a great stop for players ages 7 and older.

The Sound Lab at MoPOP Natasha Dillinger

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

With an iconic iridescent exterior, MoPOP provides something for even the most jaded museum-goers. Hard-to-impress teens will love testing out unique video games in the Indie Game Revolution exhibit, while fantasy fans head for the immersive experience inside Worlds of Myth and Magic. Enjoy a touch of nostalgia while learning about local rock legends Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana before getting the whole family together to create your own music in the Sound Lab (my kids’ favorite spot).

Website: mopop.org

Opening hours: Thursday–Sunday: 10 am–5 pm, Tuesday: 10 am–3 pm; Closed Wednesdays.

Special exhibits: Massive: The Power of Pop Culture gives a nostalgic look at pop culture past and present. For a nominal extra fee, check out the colorful contemporary art in Keith Haring: A Radiant Legacy.

What to do nearby: MoPOP is located on the east side of the Seattle Center campus, making it an easy ride from Westlake Center on the Monorail. Young visitors will appreciate the Artists at Play playground directly behind the museum and it’s a short walk for coffee and a Scandinavian pastry at Cafe Hagen.

Brainy Bodies exhibit at Pacific Science Center Natasha Dillinger

Pacific Science Center (PacSci)

This is the perfect spot for kids and adults who just have to touch the exhibits. Explore Brainy Bodies for hands-on learning about our brains’ superpowers and cheer on combustion experiments at the Live Science Stage. Make sure you save plenty of time for the Tinker Tank Makerspace — the Lego brick conveyor belt and wall-mounted ball maze areas can keep kids entertained for hours.

Website: pacificsciencecenter.org

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Open select Mondays and Tuesdays during school breaks 

Special exhibits: Select laser show, planetarium and IMAX theater tickets on arrival. The daytime Laser Dome and Planetarium tickets are included with admission. IMAX shows and select laser shows incur an additional fee. 

What to do nearby: Music fans will love popping into the KEXP studio (you can even snag a viewing spot for a live studio session) — browse the records at Light in the Attic, check out community art in the gallery and grab a coffee at Caffe Vita. It’s just a 10-minute walk down to another local gem: the Olympic Sculpture Park. Admission is always free and you can connect your stroll down the hill to a pocket beach for a little nature therapy.

The Great Gallery at The Museum of Flight Natasha Dillinger

The Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight makes a great intergenerational bonding opportunity. Aircraft-buff grandparents can share their interests with the family while admiring the vintage aircraft placed literally floor to ceiling in the Aviation Pavilion and Great Gallery. Younger visitors will appreciate that there are buttons to push and things to touch around nearly every corner along with not one, but two children’s play areas.

Pro tip: Visit on a weekend or during the First Thursday of the month’s free evening program for workshops designed to engage the whole family.

Website: museumofflight.org

Opening hours: Daily, 10 am–5 pm; Open until 8 pm on First Thursdays. 

Special exhibits: NorthWest Scale Modelers Show, February 15 and 16, 10 am–5 pm.

What to do nearby: It’s helpful to have a car to visit The Museum of Flight as its size and co-location with Boeing Field make public transit challenging. Stop for a coffee and treat at the Flora Bakehouse. Just a few minutes down the road, take the kids to play at Georgetown Playfield or head to the fabulous and free Japanese-style Kubota Garden.

Book Your Stay Today

After a fun-filled afternoon museum visit, we headed back to our family-friendly suite at Hilton Motif Seattle. The hotel’s central downtown Seattle location made the commute a snap!

It was so nice to hand off cooking duties to the chef at Hilton Motif Seattle’s in-house restaurant, Frolik, and focus on connecting with my kids. We chatted about our favorite museum exhibits over seared scallops with cauliflower purée and sliders from the kids’ menu.

Book a February stay at your favorite downtown hotel soon so you can enjoy some of the best museums Seattle has to offer.