The best museums in Seattle

What is it?
A museum dedicated to the history, culture, art, and heritage of Nordic and Nordic American people.

Why should you go?
Have you ever dreamed of traveling back in time to the Viking era? Are you into modern Scandinavian design? There are many possible reasons why you should visit the National Nordic Museum. Its collection, one of the largest and most important of its kind in the United States, tells the story of Nordic life, culture, and immigration over 12,000 years. Go there to see a 19th-century Greenlandic Inuit kayak, admire drawings by Danish-American artist Dines Carlsen, and immerse yourself into the world of Nordic traditional music and dance.

Specialization
History & Culture

Perfect for
Families, history buffs, and anyone interested in Nordic culture

What is it?
A 140,000–square-foot museum housing fun hands-on exhibits and some of the world's most legendary pop-culture artifacts.

Why should you go?
Whether you are into grunge music, science fiction, fantasy, or video games, this museum will take you on a fantastic journey and let you enjoy some of the best examples of the world's popular culture related to your personal interests. You can explore the entire floor dedicated to Pearl Jame, see the original lightsaber from Star Wars and the first white walker head from Game of Thrones, test your DJ skills in the Sound Lab, and plunge into the universe of horror films or indie games from around the world.

Specialization
Music & Culture

Perfect for
Music buffs, gamers, science fiction fans

What is it?
An art museum in Seattle showcasing iconic glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly.

Why should you go?
Chihuly Garden and Glass is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in contemporary art. Dale Chihuly is a world-famous master of large-scale glass sculpture, known for his passion for vibrant colors and intricate designs, and you shouldn't miss your chance to marvel at his work. The museum features a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including an ever-changing garden filled with glass flowers and a glasshouse with an enormous, 100-root-long sculpture hanging from the ceiling.

Specialization
Art & Design

Perfect for
Art lovers

What is it?
A history museum housing over 4 million objects and telling the story of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region.

Why should you go?
The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) allows you to immerse yourself in Seattle's diverse past, from the time when Native Americans first came into contact with Europeans to the present day. You will walk through different moments from the city's history, such as the 1889 Great Seattle Fire, a legendary gold rush, and the region's transformation into a major global hub, by exploring unique artifacts, playing games, enjoying multimedia presentations, and interacting with hands-on exhibits.

Specialization
History, Culture & Technology

Perfect for
History buffs, families, students

What is it?
One of the largest and most respected art museums in Seattle and the whole Pacific Northwest region.

Why should you go?
The museum, situated in the heart of downtown, invites you to wander through its multi-level space filled with art from around the world, dating from antiquity to the present. Start with admiring the 48-foot-tall Hammering Man, a monumental moving sculpture standing in front of the building, and then explore the permanent collection. It includes 25,000 pieces, and you will find almost everything, from striking face masks made by Native Americans and Africans to oil paintings by European masters and famous works by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock.

Specialization
Art & Design

Perfect for
Art lovers

What is it?
A science museum featuring numerous interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and IMAX films.

Why should you go?
Pacific Science Center is one of the best museums in Seattle to visit with kids of all ages. It showcases various fields of science, from biology to astronomy, with a mission to spark curiosity and fuel a passion for discovery and experimentation. Get ready to meet dinosaurs, watch interactive presentations about climate change or geological events on an illuminated, six-foot globe, and even experience hundreds of breathtaking butterflies in their tropical habitat.

Specialization
Science & Technology

Perfect for
Families, children

What is it?
A museum and entertainment center with the largest public collection of pinball machines in the Pacific Northwest.

Why should you go?
This place is one of the most fun Seattle museums, offering a unique experience. The museum houses over 50 pinball machines, including classics such as 'Black Knight' and 'The Addams Family,' and encourages you to play as many games as you like for a flat admission fee. In addition, there are several retro video games, including those from the 70s. Be sure to grab the vintage soda they sell to immerse yourself in this fantastic atmosphere.

Specialization
Entertainment

Perfect for
Families, children, couples, gamers

What is it?
A small hands-on maritime museum at South Lake Union celebrating Seattle's rich and varied watercraft heritage.

Why should you go?
The Center for Wooden Boats is the absolute must-visit for anyone who is interested in boating, wants to develop maritime skills, or simply loves the water. The museum features a wide variety of historic sailboats, rowboats, and canoes and offers sailing lessons and boat-building workshops. There is a fixed admission fee for several activities, but you can stroll the docks and enter the buildings at no charge, as well as take free boat rides on South Lake Union.

Specialization
Maritime History & Craft

Perfect for
Families, history buffs, boat enthusiasts

What is it?
An air and space museum in the Seattle metropolitan area considered one of America's best aviation museums.

Why should you go?
The museum, situated just a 15-minute drive from Seattle, houses an amazing collection of over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, ranging from early biplanes to the supersonic Concorde and the beautiful Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Go there to climb in the cockpit of the world's fastest plane, step onboard the first Air Force One, train on the full-scale NASA Space Shuttle simulator, and experience what it is like to travel to the Moon and back.

Specialization
Aviation

Perfect for
Aviation enthusiasts, families, history buffs

What is it?
A nine-acre industrial site turned into an outdoor museum of contemporary sculpture.

Why should you go?
Olympic Sculpture Park, located on the waterfront, is loved by local people because it provides breathtaking views of the city's skyline and Puget Sound, but it is also one of the few free-admission museums in Seattle. This large green space is filled with striking monumental sculptures, both permanent and temporary. You can marvel at the abstract red Eagle by Alexander Calder, admire several works by Louis Bourgeois, and accompany the enigmatic ECHO sculpture by Jaume Plensa in looking at Elliott Bay.

Specialization
Art & Design

Perfect for
Couples, families, art lovers