Museums and galleries in Seattle

34 museums and galleries in Seattle, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

BuyFremont
Archie McPhee
Novelty store with a variety of gag gifts and odd items, as well as the Rubber Chicken Museum and the Wallingford Beast. Exploring the shop is an experience.
11AM-6PM daily
SeeUniversity District
Burke Museum
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Washington's oldest and largest natural history museum. In addition to exhibits on evolution and dinosaur skeletons, there is an emphasis on native peoples of the Northwest Coast, local ecosystems and windows into the day-to-day work of researchers. Most galleries have non-linear arrangements that reward wandering to whatever catches your eye. Highlights include colorful contemporary and historic crafts from Native artists, a well-preserved T. rex skull and the only dinosaur fossil found in Washington.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM, first Thu of each month 10AM-8PM$24 general, $22 seniors, $16 students and youth, children 3 and under free, free for everyone first Thursday of every month
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Chihuly Garden and Glass
This museum provides a look at the inspiration and influences that inform the career of artist Dale Chihuly. The on-site exhibition hall contains eight galleries and three drawing walls, offering visitors a comprehensive look at Chihuly’s significant series of work. The centerpiece of the museum is a glasshouse with a suspended 1,400-piece, 100-foot-long sculpture. Also on the grounds is a lush garden, which serves as a backdrop for four monumental sculptures and other installations.
Mon-Thu 10AM–10PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-11PM; last ticket sold one hour prior to closing; combined tickets with Space Needle available$19 adults, $17 seniors, $12 children, children 3 and under free
BuySouth
Columbia City Gallery
An artists’ cooperative that brings together emerging and professional artists working in diverse media. The gallery provides an exhibition space for local artists, additional space for exhibits by guest artists and a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages.
Wed-Sun 11AM - 7PM
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Connections Museum Seattle
Museum of Communications
A museum of antique telephone equipment, although "warehouse" might be a better description than museum, with racks upon racks crammed full of equipment. Many exhibits are kept functional, including mechanical and electronic switches, telephone poles, and antique telephones. Tours take at least an hour, but will go on for 2-3hrs you have strong technical interests and lots of questions. The building itself is still owned by CenturyLink.
Sun 10AM-3PMCash-only $5/adult, $2/child
BuyFremont
Evo
Popular outdoor gear retailer for skis, snowboards, bikes, mountain bikes, skateboards, longboards, surfboards, outerwear, and men's & women’s clothing. The space includes an art gallery, music venue and movie theater. Offers a variety of bike rentals, with helmets and maps included.
Mon–Sat 10AM–8PM; Sun 11AM–7PM
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Frye Art Museum
A small private collection of modern art with rotating contemporary exhibitions. Parking is always available and the place is worth a visit.
Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM, Thu 11AM-7PMFree
SeeUniversity District
Henry Art Gallery
One of the biggest contemporary art galleries in Washington, The Henry shows well-known contemporary and modern artists of visual media, as well as an annual exhibition of the UW's Master of Fine Arts students.
Thu Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM$10 general, $6 seniors, free for UW students and staff, free for everyone on first Thursdays
SeeBallard
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Ballard Locks
Linking the freshwater Lake Union and the salt-water Puget Sound across a height difference of 22 feet, the locks allow boats to cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal, relying solely on the force of gravity. A salmon ladder with a viewing gallery allows visitors to witness the salmon migration, which with different species allow for viewing throughout most of the year, but preferably mid to late summer. Adjacent is the Carl S English, Jr Botanical Garden. Guided tours weekdays 1PM and 3PM; weekends 11AM.
7AM-9PMFree
DoBallard
Julefest
Discounted admission to the Nordic Museum and a large collection of food, drink, and craft vendors, with live music. A Nordic-inspired Christmas market.
Typically a Sat and Sun in late November or early December
SeePioneer Square-International District
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park - Seattle Unit
A key attraction in the Pioneer Square area, this is the Seattle branch of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the remainder of which is in Alaska. The site highlights the city's key role as the "Gateway to the Gold Fields" for most of the Klondike stampeders of 1897-1898. National Park Service Rangers and volunteers staff the museum and can provide information and perspective not only on the gold rush but also on Seattle's past. The museum contains many artifacts and historical photographs related to the Gold Rush, and movies about the gold rush and Seattle's history are shown upon request (except in summer, when they're shown on a regular schedule). Rangers also conduct free walking tours of the Pioneer Square area in the summer and demonstrate gold panning to school groups.
Daily 9AM-5PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's DayFree
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Lake Union Park
Home to the Center for Wooden Boats and the Museum of History and Industry. Spray park open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
4AM-11ː30PM
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Museum of Flight
A massive air and space museum, near the original Boeing factory. The museum consists of an indoor area that is further divided into the history, jet age, airport operations, and space travel, and an outdoor section where you can sneak inside retired airplanes. The collection includes 131 aircraft and spacecraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the SR-71, Space Shuttle Trainer, a retired Air-Force One and a Concorde. It's arguably better than even the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in the other Washington. Tours to the vicinity of the airport inside a van are available, but most spots do not allow cameras for security purposes! The Museum offers a large educational outreach program including weekend family workshops, the Aerospace Camp Experience (ACE) summer day camp, and an aviation high school.
Daily 10AM to 5PM except 1st Thu of month 10AM to 9PM$20 adults, $12 youth (5-17), children (4 and under) free, $17 active military and seniors (65+). Lower fares available for groups of more than 10 people. Free on first Thursday of the month from 5PM until 9PM
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Museum of History and Industry
MOHAI
The museum focuses on the history of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region, with exhibitions focusing on the maritime history of the city and the rise of the region's technology industry, as well as a set of changing exhibits.
Daily 10AM–5PM, Thursdays until 8PM$25 adults, $20 seniors, children under 14 free; free first Thursday of the month
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Museum of Pop Culture
MoPOP
An excellent pop culture museum housed inside a visually striking building designed by Frank Gehry to "evoke the rock 'n' roll experience", with exhibits on all manner of popular culture: film, television, music, video games, fashion, etc. There's a particular focus on science fiction and Seattle musicians, with a sci-fi hall of fame and exhibits dedicated to Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana. Top-notch special exhibits have included the likes of David Bowie, Star Trek, the Marvel comic and movie universe, and Minecraft. There are many interactive exhibits, but don't expect to get a turn without a long wait. Outside, the large playground is a big hit with kids.
Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) 10AM-7PM daily; rest of year 10AM-5PM daily$28 adults, $25 seniors/students, $22 military, $19 youth, children 4 and under free. $2 discount if purchased online. Additional $8 for special exhibit. Outdoor playground free
SeeBallard
National Nordic Museum
Documents the history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle, with rotating art exhibits and a permanent collection of historical artifacts. Julefest includes discounted admission and a Christmas market.
Tue–Sun 10AM–5PM$20 adults, $16 seniors, $15 college students, $10 children above 5 yrs, under 5 free
SeeSouth
Northwest African American Museum
Short but powerful museum on the history of Blacks in the Northwest.
Wed 11AM-5PM, Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri-Sun 11AM-5PM$7 adult, $5 children 4-12, students, seniors; free the first Thursday of every month
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Northwest Nikkei Museum
Japanese Cultural Community Center of Washington
Small exhibits relating to the history of nikkei (Japanese immigrants) in the Pacific Northwest.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PMFree
BuyDowntown
Pacific Place Mall
This 5-floor shopping mall is anchored by a large AMC movie theater and Din Tai Fung restaurant on the top floors. While the mall once featured upscale brands, it is now a little sparse, with mostly galleries and independent businesses.
Daily 10AM-8PM
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Pacific Science Center
An interactive science museum featuring permanent and temporary exhibits, a butterfly atrium, IMAX theater, planetarium, and laser shows.
Wed-Sun 10AM–5PMAdults from̩ $22.95-̩$28.20 depending on day. Planetarium and daytime laser shows included, but requires timed tickets
DrinkPioneer Square-International District
Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House
The result of a unique renovation, Panama Hotel is both a teahouse and historical museum. Fine tea connoisseurs appreciate the wide selection of quality teas. The Panama Hotel once housed the personal belongings of interned Japanese Americans who had to sell their homes and abandon their businesses. The belongings that were never claimed, including pieces of furniture and a piano, are on display here.
BuySodo-Georgetown
RE∙PC
Used computers and electronics. With a wide and ever-changing selection that includes vintage oscilloscopes and audio amplifiers, modern high-powered servers and network routers, and accessories like printers, piano keyboards, and joysticks, geeks may have a hard time walking out empty-handed. Everything is well organized, so you can easily find any cables or components you're looking for. A small free museum showcases computers that were exceptional and pivotal in the history of computer technology.
Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM
SeeDowntown
Seattle Art Museum
SAM
The museum displays a good assortment of art from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Though the permanent exhibitions only occasionally delve deeply into a specific subject (such as the enormous variety of pieces in the porcelain room), extensive special exhibitions fill the gap. Tours available.
Tue Wed Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, closed MonSuggested admission: $19.50 adult, $17.50 senior/military, $2.50 students/youth, children 12 and under free. Admission is free on first Thursday of the month
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Seattle Asian Art Museum
SAAM
An offshoot of downtown's Seattle Art Museum, SAAM displays a portion of the permanent collection balanced with rotating, consistently well-curated special exhibitions. The focus is usually on Chinese or Japanese art, reflecting long-established ties across the Pacific, but does include works from as far as India and the Middle East. The Art Deco building (the Seattle Art Museum's original home) is an attraction in its own right.
Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM$15/adult, $13/seniors, $13/military, $10/student, children free, last Fridays free, all tickets +$3 if not bought in advance
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
Seattle Children's Museum
An independent non-profit museum which hosts popular traveling exhibits and features permanent exhibits and programs geared towards children.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PMGeneral exhibits: $7.50, $6.50 seniors, children under 1 free; no adults admitted without a child
DoPioneer Square-International District
Seattle Pinball Museum
A pinball machine museum where all the machines are on free play once you pay admission. There is soda and beer available.
Sun-Mon noon-5PM, Thu-Sat noon-10PM$13/adult, $10/child
SeePioneer Square-International District
Smith Tower
Built in 1914, the Smith Tower was Seattle's first skyscraper, and the tallest building on the West Coast for nearly half a century before being overtaken by the Space Needle. Uniformed attendants operate the old copper and brass elevators from which you can peer into the different floors and offices as you ascend, an experience most people today have probably only witnessed in old movies. The outdoor Observatory on the 35th floor wraps completely around the four sides of the tower, providing panoramic views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, including Mt. Rainier, as well as of Elliott Bay, Downtown Seattle, and Pioneer Square. The interior of the 35th floor contains a speakeasy-themed bar, formerly known as the Chinese Room for its ornately carved ceiling and a number of decorative flourishes imported from China in the early 20th century. There is an excellent 45 minute guided tour with a very knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide (separate admission fee) about Seattle's history from the 1920s and beyond that is available. Also, there is an excellent independent coffee shop (Caffe Vita) in the Smith Tower (hours M–F: 7AM-5PM, Sa–Su: 8AM–3PM). Washington state residents can get admission for only $18 (with Washington state ID) and after 4pm Monday to Thursday admission is available to all for only $18 to the observation deck and bar only (museum not included for this price).
Mon-Wed Noon-7PM, Thu and Sun Noon-8PM, Fri and Sat Noon-9PMSelf tour and observatory: adults $27, seniors/military $24, students/children 5-13 $21, under 5 Free, locals with Washington state ID $18. Guided 45 minute tour is additional
SeeQueen Anne-South Lake Union
The Center for Wooden Boats
An intriguing museum where you can learn about maritime culture and experience sailing traditional wooden boats. The center's programs allow you to get a hands-on feel, putting in control of crafting and sailing your own wooden craft. On Sundays, rain or shine, you can get a free boat ride on a classic wooden boat around the lake for an hour. At times artist-in-residence Saaduuts leads programs.
Opens daily at 10AM except Mondays November through mid-April; closing hours vary by season. Free boat sails Sun 10AM (signup), 11AM-3PM (cruise)Free
BuyBallard
The Fiber Gallery
Greenwood's LYS (local yarn store) has a wide variety of quality yarn, notions, tools and books. It offers online knitting classes as well.
Tue-Sat 11AM-2PM & 3-6PM; closed Sun Mon
SeeCapitol Hill-Central District
Volunteer Park
at Prospect St
Designed by John Charles Olmsted and Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr, this is the largest park in Capitol Hill and is the site of a botanical conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (above).
SeePioneer Square-International District
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
The Wing
The first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, this museum features exhibits and programs related to pan-Asian American art, history, and culture. Admission includes a first-come-first-served guided tour of the preserved rooms in its historic 1910 building: an import grocery store, rooms of a hotel and a Chinese family association (allow 45-60 minutes). Neighborhood walking tours are also offered on weekends. Bruce Lee fans will enjoy the exhibits of his personal items. They are open until 8PM on the first Thursday of the month.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM$25/adult, $22/senior, $18/students, $15/child
DoPioneer Square-International District Not mapped
Art Walk
The Art Walk is almost synonymous with Pioneer Square and takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Galleries are open until 9PM. Show up early for the free wine and hors d'oeuvres.
See Not mapped
Seattle CityPASS
A discount pass that includes admission to five attractions for half the normal fee combined. You are entitled to up to two visits (within 24 hours) to the Space Needle and a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. You also get three choices of an Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, admission to the Museum of Pop Culture, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pacific Science Center the Museum of Flight, or Chihuly Garden & Glass. A CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket. Transportation and parking are not included.
$127 for adult, $97 for children (ages 5-12), plus tax and a $2 processing fee per ticket
SeeSodo-Georgetown
Coast Guard Museum Northwest
A small museum with thousands of Coast Guard related items.
Mon Wed Fri 9AM-3PMFree

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Seattle (CC BY-SA 4.0).