Museum Shops offer Unique Gifts for Your Holiday Shopping

Holiday gift buying is much more fun when you can find something unique and perfectly appropriate for the recipient—and support a great local cultural organization or nonprofit in the process. That’s why one of my favorite places to buy gifts is at a local museum store. I find that their carefully curated selections always yield welcome surprises, and I like the fact that my purchase helps our region’s one-of-a-kind museums. Of course, another great option is to buy a gift membership if your intended recipient lives locally (or visits often!), and that gift will be sure to be appreciated all year.

Here’s a list of some of my favorites that offer art, jewelry, apparel, toys, Seattle memorabilia, books, and so much more, including many items by local makers. Looking for hand crafted jewelry? Hand blown glass ornaments? A gift for the grunge fan in your life? Art? Seattle themed books? Something to delight the small fry? Plan to visit some of these, and happy shopping!

Recommended museum shops:

• • SAM Shop
  • MOHAI Mercantile
  • National Nordic Museum
  • Burke Store
  • MoPOP – Museum of Pop Culture
  • Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • Museum of Flight
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Frye Art Museum
  • Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
  • Tacoma Art Museum
  • Museum of Glass
  • Bellevue Arts Museum
  • Duwamish Longhouse 
  • United Indians/DaybreakStar/Circle Gallery
  • Center for Wooden Boats
  • KidsQuest Children’s Museum
  • Kids Discovery Museum

Click on any image below to see details on the item and where to find it!

Featured in the banner image above: MOHAI Mercantile

About the Author

Tracey Wickersham

Tracey Wickersham is the Senior Director of Cultural Tourism at Visit Seattle. A volunteer dj & host of a long running music program on KBCS 91.3 FM, she spent 6 years on the board of 4Culture, supporting arts, heritage, public art and historic preservation in King County. You'll often find her at the Tractor Tavern enjoying great bands, exploring one of the region's beautiful parks with her spunky blue heeler mix, or in one of Seattle's many live theater venues.

More Posts By Tracey Wickersham