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!
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
REMEMBRANCE: The Legacy of Executive Order 9066 in Washington State
Ongoing
This new long-term gallery explores the intergenerational impacts and legacy of the incarceration of people of Japanese descent …
Event WebsiteTrue Northwest: The Seattle Journey
Ongoing
True Northwest traverses through the real Seattle journey, from an age when Native American cultures first came into …
Event WebsiteTropical Pacific
Ongoing
Discover the vibrant array of life on a coral reef in the Pacific Ocean. The 25,000-gallon community exhibit …
Event WebsiteMetaphor into Form: Art in the Era of the Pilchuck Glass School
Ongoing
Founded in 1971, the Pilchuck Glass School, co-founded by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly, emerged as a world-renowned center …
Event WebsiteWinter in the West
Ongoing
Winter is here. This selection of paintings from the Haub Family Collection celebrates the winter season with a …
Event WebsiteWild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-70
Ongoing
At the height of his fame, Jimi Hendrix performed more than 500 times in 15 countries and recorded …
Event WebsiteDale Chihuly at Tacoma Art Museum
Ongoing
Celebrating world-renowned glass artist and Tacoma-native Dale Chihuly. Most of the works on view were donated by Chihuly …
Event WebsiteCalder at SAM
Ongoing
Calder at SAM celebrates the life, legacy, and work of iconic American artist Alexander Calder.
Event WebsiteJamie Wyeth: Unsettled
Now through 10/5/2025
From haunting portraits to supernatural landscapes, Wyeth’s vivid compositions explore the ominous side of rural American environments spanning …
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