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

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University District

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

  • Address 1413 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105
  • Phone (206) 543-5590
  • Connect
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Bainbridge/Bremerton

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

  • Address 550 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
  • Phone (206) 842-4451
  • Connect
Henry Art Gallery University District

Henry Art Gallery

  • Address University of Washington, 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98195
  • Phone (206) 543-2280
  • Connect
National Nordic Museum Ballard

National Nordic Museum

  • Address 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
  • Phone (206) 789-5707
  • Connect

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

Hello Auntie, Hello Uncle: Conversations with Our Elders

Now through 2/23/2025

Hello Auntie, Hello Uncle explores the many roles Elders play in their communities, celebrates their lives and achievements, …

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Jacob Lawrence: American Storyteller

Now through 1/5/2025

This focused exhibition brings together works by Lawrence from SAM’s and local collections in a series of case …

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Christine Sun Kim: Ghost(ed) Notes

Now through 1/26/2025

Influenced by non-verbal communication, Kim merges graphic and musical notation with American Sign Language. Her compositions uniquely address …

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Diego Cibelli: Fiori dei mei Habiti

Now through 5/10/2026

SAM’s ornate Porcelain Room features an evocative ceiling fresco, The Triumph of Valor over Time by the greatest …

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Life on the Edge

Ongoing

Ready to get your hands wet? This is the exhibit for you. Step up, lean over and reach …

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Bella Kim: Transformations

Now through 9/29/2024

Bella Kim began using recycled materials due to necessity, such as making a Barbie Doll skirt out of …

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Massive: 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 …

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Frye Salon

Now through 10/27/2024

Frye Salon features over one-hundred paintings from the Frye Art Museum’s Founding Collection hung floor to ceiling – …

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In The Spirit Contemporary Native Arts 2024

Now through 9/29/2024

In The Spirit features contemporary Native art with a variety of themes and mediums, including textiles, paintings, carvings, …

Details Event Website

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