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
International District
Seattle Pinball Museum
- Address 508 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
- Phone (206) 623-0759
- Connect
University District
Henry Art Gallery
- Address University of Washington, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98195
- Phone (206) 543-2280
- Connect
Ballard
National Nordic Museum
- Address 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
- Phone (206) 789-5707
- Connect
Tacoma
LeMay – America’s Car Museum
- Address 2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421
- Phone (253) 779-8490
- 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
Recent Acquisitions
Now through 6/1/2025
Recent Acquisitions presents newly acquired artworks by artists with deep connections to the Pacific Northwest.
Details Event WebsiteCulture is Living
Ongoing
Cultural objects at the Burke Museum aren’t tucked away on shelves. They are alive, embodying the knowledge, language, …
Details Event WebsiteBody Language
Now through 3/30/2025
This presentation offers a selection of extraordinary artworks recently acquired for the Henry’s permanent collection. The pieces in …
Details Event WebsiteVietnam Divided: War Above Southeast Asia
Ongoing
Located in the Museum’s T.A. Wilson Great Gallery this installation focuses specifically on the air war above Southeast …
Details Event WebsiteMassive: The Power of Pop Culture
Ongoing
This exhibition explores the impact of global pop culture on our daily lives across 2,400 sq. ft. of …
Details Event WebsitePorcelain Room
Ongoing
Vast quantities of translucent, elegantly decorated white-bodied porcelain from China and Japan, arriving in Europe in the seventeenth …
Details Event WebsiteHonoring Our Journey
Ongoing
The “heart” of galleries, this permanent exhibition showcases the pan-Asian Pacific American immigrant and refugee experience with five …
Details Event WebsiteGiant Pacific Octopus
Ongoing
Take a close look at one of the most elusive and fascinating sea creatures found in Puget Sound: …
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 WebsiteSUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST
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