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
Meet our Marine Mammals
Ongoing
Meet delightful seals and otters. Choose your view – you can watch animals swimming and diving underwater, on …
Event WebsiteTariqa Waters: Venus is Missing
Now through 1/4/2026
Seattle-based artist Tariqa Waters’s practice encompasses mixed-media tableaus, sculpture, photographs, film, and immersive installations that push the aesthetics …
Event WebsiteCulture is Living
Ongoing
Cultural objects at the Burke Museum aren’t tucked away on shelves. They are alive, embodying the knowledge, language, …
Event WebsiteThe MiG-21 Project
Now through 1/26/2026
The Museum of Flight’s dazzling new exhibit is the world premiere of South African artist Ralph Ziman’s 5-year, …
Event WebsiteAmazing Life
Ongoing
Over 8.7 million species are known to exist today, with more being discovered daily. How did this variety …
Event WebsiteHumboldt Penguin Exhibit
Ongoing
Most people think of snow and ice when they think of penguins, but our penguins are from the …
Event WebsiteDiego 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, …
Event WebsiteAi Weiwei: Water Lilies
Now through 3/14/2026
Nearly 50 feet in length and made from 650,000 LEGO blocks, Ai Weiwei’s Water Lilies is the artist’s …
Event WebsiteApollo
Ongoing
The challenge of spaceflight drew upon the best and the brightest of a generation, and was the longest, …
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