An offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum, nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park has unparalleled waterfront views, grassy lawns, and 20-plus mesmerizing works silhouetted against a gorgeous natural backdrop. Some of the more famous pieces include Alexander Calder’s abstract red Eagle and Jaume Plensa’s colossal head Echo. *2901 Western Ave; seattleartmuseum.org
Puget Sound native Dale Chihuly is world renowned for his beautiful blown-glass artwork. At this institution—the only in the world solely devoted to, designed with, and curated by the artist himself—find his ethereal pieces indoors and out. See brilliant-blue glass spires and a colorful glass “tree” with fiery red and orange spirals. $18 admission; *305 Harrison St; chihulygardenandglass.com
*Visit Seattle partner
Famous for its appearance in ’90s teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You, the Fremont Troll is still a beloved piece in Seattle’s public art scene. The gigantic concrete sculpture, inspired by the tale of Three Billy Goats Gruff, hunkers down below the Aurora Bridge. Visitors like to climb onto its shoulder for a picture and to peer inside the real Volkswagen Beetle in its clutches. N 36th St and Troll Ave N
Head to Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill to see the impressive sculpture that inspired Seattle band Soundgarden’s 1994 grunge hit “Black Hole Sun.” Created by internationally acclaimed artist Isamu Noguchi, Black Sun is sculpted from black Brazilian granite and stands as a minimal tribute to the movement of the sun. 1247 15th Ave E
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Download STQRY (*stqry.com), the Office of Arts & Culture’s public art app, to find even more alfresco art in Seattle.
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