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 74 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.