MoPop. Photo: Jie Liu.
Burke Museum. Photo: Dennis Wise.
Museum of Flight. Photo: Andrew Kalat
Frye Art Museum Courtesy of Mark Woods

SeattleMuseums

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

Gates Foundation Discovery Center Queen Anne

Gates Foundation Discovery Center

  • Address 440 Fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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Seattle Art Museum Downtown Seattle

Seattle Art Museum

  • Address 1300 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
  • Phone 206.654.3210
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Holocaust Center for Humanity Belltown

Holocaust Center for Humanity

  • Address 2045 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
  • Phone (206) 582-3000
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The Museum of Flight Georgetown/Sodo

The Museum of Flight

  • Address 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
  • Phone (206) 764-5700
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MUSEUMS FOR EVERY INTEREST

"Occular" at Frye Art Museum

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.

DC-3 at The Museum of Flight

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.

The Burke Museum

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

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.

Pacific Science Center beneath a supermoon

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?

Nirvana exhibit at EMP Musuem

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…)

Seattle Children's Museum

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

Humboldt Penguin Exhibit

Ongoing

Most people think of snow and ice when they think of penguins, but our penguins are from the …

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Honoring Our Journey

Ongoing

The “heart” of galleries, this permanent exhibition showcases the pan-Asian Pacific American immigrant and refugee experience with five …

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Vietnam 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 …

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American Art: The Stories We Carry

Ongoing

American Art: The Stories We Carry, features a transformation of SAM’s American art galleries. Created through an unprecedented …

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Untold Stories: World War II at 75

Ongoing

World War II ended over seventy-five years ago. The War was one of the most destructive and defining …

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Diego Cibelli

Now through 5/10/2026

SAM’s ornate Porcelain Room features an evocative ceiling fresco by the greatest Venetian artist of the eighteenth century, …

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Event Name Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank

Now through 5/31/2025

Visit the Holocaust Center for Humanity for a limited run of the traveling exhibit from the Anne Frank …

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Baird’s beaked whale

Ongoing

The Burke Museum’s Baird’s beaked whale is one of about 10 Baird’s beaked whales in U.S. museum collections …

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Yirrkala: Art from Australia’s Top End

Ongoing

Step into a whirlpool off the north coast of Australia. With an artist from Yirrkala as your guide, …

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