Seattle Museums
Here's an ever-growing list of museums in the Greater Seattle area:
Museum type: Science
Located in the heart of Seattle right next to the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center is a place for kids and adults of all ages to learn about the science of life on and around Earth. Learn about weather, our solar system, dinosaurs, engineering for all ages, the local ecology of the Puget Sound, and so much more. Featuring a butterfly house, planetarium, IMAX theater, and a laser dome, PacSci really does have something for everyone. Check out all of their exhibits, ongoing and current, here.
Hours: 10am-5pm (last admission at 4pm), Wednesday-Sunday (closed Mon/Tue)
Museum type: Arts & Culture
Right next PacSci, on the other side of the Space Needle, is the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPop. Featuring exhibits about the pop culture that influenced us past and present, including music (like Seattle legends Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana), movies (including Fantasy and Horror exhibits), and games, the MoPop is a museum for everyone with a love of pop culture through the ages. Interactive exhibits like the Sound Lab get the whole family participating, and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame has something for everyone. On their website they include sensory ratings for each exhibit and have periodic sensory friendly hours (find information about that here).
Hours: 10am-5pm Thursday-Tuesday (closed Wed)
Museum type: Art
Located adjacent to the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum features work from famous Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly in an elegant, artistically designed space. Every element of the presentation of the art is purposeful and adds to the overall experience of the glass. Outside, don't miss the live demonstration glass-blowing experience (check the schedule for that here).
Hours: open 7 days a week but times change often, check current hours here
Museum type: Natural History, Arts & Culture, Science
Located on campus at the University of Washington, the Burke Museum is a museum of culture and natural history of the Pacific Northwest. Explore northwest Native art and culture, the biology of local animals, what archaeology in a city teaches us about our history, and the amazing ancient animals that used to roam the area. What makes the Burke special is the glass walls that separate the researchers from the museum guests, allowing visitors to watch actual scientific research happen in real time. Take a break for lunch at the Off the Rez Cafe located inside the museum!
Hours: 10am-5pm (last admission at 4:30pm) Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mon). First Thursday of the month 10am-8pm (and free!).
Museum type: Art
The Seattle Art Museum, or SAM, is a large-scale, diverse collection of art nestled in the heart of downtown Seattle, just a stone's throw from Pike Place Market. Their collection, spanning centuries and continents, invites visitors to take a journey through the world of art. Their pieces include ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, with several rotating exhibits that promise a unique experience every time you stop in.
Hours: 10am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday (closed Mon/Tue)
Museum type: Arts & Culture
Located in Volunteer Park, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is a branch of the SAM, showcasing art from the world's largest and most populated continent. The museum is organized in 12 galleries not by geography but by theme; worship, celebration, visual arts, literature, clothing, identity, and more. Read more about what the Seattle Asian Art Museum has for you to explore here.
Hours: 10am-5pm Thursday-Sunday (closed Mon/Tue/Wed)
Museum type: Art
Located inside of downtown Seattle's largest green space and on the waterfront, the Olympic Sculpture Park has 20 sculptures across it's nine acres, creating a fun scavenger hunt for the dedicated visitor. Find the guide and map to the park (so you know you've found them all) here.
Hours: Open daily, 30 minutes prior to sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Always free!
Museum type: Art
Located in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood, the Frye Art Museum is named after the art collectors the donated the founding collection of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century European paintings, Charles and Emma Frye. Since it's founding, it's gone on to collect a diverse range of art from local and global artists, aiming to, in the words of their about page, "uncover new voices, facilitate conversation, and provide a forum for relevant social dialogues."
Hours: 11am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday (closed Mon/Tue). Bonus, it's always free!
Museum type: Arts & Culture
The National Nordic Museum, located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, is a home for Nordic heritage art, history, and culture. They explain on their about page that the museum "traces the Nordic themes of connection to nature, sustainability, social justice, and innovation from the earliest anthropological records through contemporary Nordic society." Their extensive collection includes information on all of the different countries and cultures included in the term "Nordic," art from prominent Nordic artists, and an outdoor area that boasts a full-size, authentic Norwegian fishing vessel that was refurbished to resemble a Viking ship.
Hours: 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mon)
