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.
Best Seattle Museums & Galleries
Seattles many museums offer visitors an indoor escape on the citys rainiest days. Some of the major museums include Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Frye Art Museum, but there is so much more here to explore.
We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.
Pacific Science Center & Seattle Children’s Museum
For younger visitors or the younger-at-heart, the Seattle Center has two interactive museums aimed to stimulate curiosity. Located a short walk from one another, the Pacific Science Center and Seattle Children’s Museum are two of the most popular for family visits.
The Pacific Science Center dives into all types of STEM activities, with hundreds of hands-on experiences on-site. Exhibits and special programs change throughout the year, offering something new with each visit. A few permanent exhibits include a tropical butterfly house and a planetarium. With so much to experience and learn, the museum tends to keep adult visitors engaged as well.
The nearby Seattle Children’s Museum offers a safe place to explore and interact with creative environments for the youngest family members. This 18,000-square-foot museum is designed for children up to eight years old. Adults accompanying their children are also encouraged to play along. NOTE: This museum has been experiencing some temporary closures that may extend indefinitely. Be sure to check that it is open before visiting.
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Living Computers Museum And Labs
Living Computers Museum + Labs is the brainchild of Microsoft co-founder and Seattle resident Paul Allen. His dream was to provide one-of-a-kind hands-on computer technology experiences starting with the 1960s to today. The museum represents a complete history of computing and has the largest collection in the world of restored supercomputers, mainframes, microcomputers, and minicomputers all usable. There are even augmented reality, robotics, self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, video-game making, and more experiences in the main gallery. On the museums main floor, visitors can participate in learning labs to learn or practice new skills. History buffs and computer geeks will love the historical significance of this museum.
2245 First Avenue South, Seattle, WA, Phone: 206-342-2020
Asian Art Museum Seattle
Located within Seattles Volunteer Park, Asian Art Museum represents the art from the Asian countries of India, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas,China and other Southeast Asian countries. It features both contemporary as well as traditional artworks in different forms such as paintings, glass work, sculptures etc. Exhibitions are held throughout the year in this gallery and some of the exhibits include the famous Madhubani paintings of Baua Devi, Famous Japanese artist, Mrs pop art and a lot more. Location: : 1400 E Prospect St, Seattle, WA 98112, United StatesExhibitions: : JACOB LAWRENCE: THE AMERICAN STRUGGLE: Mar 5- May 23, NORTHWEST MODERNISM: FOUR JAPANESE AMERICANS: Mar 20,INKED! NORTHWEST COAST SILKSCREEN PRINTS FROM THE COLWELL COLLECTION: March 5
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The Best Museums In Seattle You Should Visit
Seattle is a city filled with historic culture and some of the most impressive museums in the state of Washington. The city of Seattle hosts an amazing variety of unique museums to visit, from their awesome flight simulators at the Museum of Flight to exploring the artifacts of ancient dinosaur bones at Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle has a museum for you! Museums are a great way to spend time with friends and family while learning and experiencing a lot of new things. We atThe Norawanted to make it simple for you to find the next museum to visit, and thats why we created this incredible list of the best museums in Seattle.
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Performing Arts On A Budget
In terms of other arts, if theres a performance you really want to see, check the website of the organization and sign up for emails. In pre-COVID-19 times, we relied on $10 day-of tickets and pay-what-you-wish dress rehearsals to see shows for cheap.
Performing arts groups are planning a very cautious fall season and many theaters wont start their seasons until this winter. But there will be discounted tickets available. Intiman Theatre, for instance, has a limited number of free for everyone same-day walk-up tickets, including for its Homecoming Performing Arts Festival Sept. 18-19. Seattle Rep will have a pay-what-you-choose option, and other ways to save, for live shows starting in January. Pacific Northwest Ballet sends email notifications for $15 tickets, half-price tickets and ticket giveaways when you sign up for its Pointe program.
If music is your jam, student performances have traditionally been a great way to catch concerts for free. The University of Washingtons ArtsUW calendar is a good place to check. As of press time, however, the pickings are looking slim even outdoor concerts are being canceled because of the surging delta variant.
Best Museums In Seattle
Written by Brad LaneOct 14, 2021
Seattle museums are a world-class repository of history and culture. Subjects on display range from cultural icons like Nirvana to the saga of Nordic peoples. Collections also include working vintage computers, dinosaur fossils, and magnificent glass sculptures. With such a wide range of subject matter, the best museum in Seattle is whichever one piques the most personal interest.
Heading to the Seattle Center near downtown is a great start for exploring the city’s museums. This 74-acre campus is a central tourist destination, with more than one museum to explore. The Seattle Center is also home to other quintessential Seattle attractions, including the Space Needle.
Take some extra time when planning a visit to any Seattle museum. The high level of detail in each exhibit is a common characteristic between each institution. Another common feature of Seattle museums is the crowds that tend to gather. Advance tickets are recommended when available.
Dive deep into the culture of the city with our list of the best museums in Seattle.
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The Best museums to visit in Seattle
Image: Pixabay
The Best museums to visit in Seattle
Seattle exhibition halls are a top-notch store of history and culture. Subjects in plain view range from social symbols like Nirvana to the adventure of Nordic people groups. Assortments additionally incorporate working rare PCs, dinosaur fossils, and brilliant glass figures. With such an extensive variety of topics, the best historical centre in Seattle is whichever one provokes the most private curiosity.
Going to the Seattle Center close to downtown is an extraordinary beginning for investigating the citys galleries. This 74-section of land grounds is a focal vacationer location, with more than one historical centre to investigate. The Seattle Center is likewise home to other quintessential Seattle attractions, including the Space Needle.
Take some additional time while arranging a visit to any Seattle historical centre. The elevated degree of detail in each show is a typical trademark of every establishment. One more typical element of Seattle exhibition halls is the groups that will generally assemble. Advance tickets are suggested when accessible.
Jump profound into the way of life of the city with this rundown of the best galleries in Seattle.
1. Seattle Art Museum
2. Chihuly Garden and Glass
3. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
4. The Museum of Flight
Image: Wikimedia Comms
5. Exhibition hall of Pop Culture
6. Living Computers: Museum & Labs
7. Public Nordic Museum
The Supperfield Museum Of Contemporary Art
The Supperfield Museum of Contemporary Art returns with an all new exhibition of miniature art including Transformación En El Desierto, mixed media work by Delhartio González The Yard, paintings by Richard Rabbler Gone Fishing, an installation by Eloma Kapalin Spiral Wormhole, A neon installation by Chelsie Chernchoff and SPOOKTASTIC: a haunted Museum experience, through 10/31
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Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center
Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center has been serving Seattle residents and visitors since 1964. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Northwest Coast and Puget Sound maritime heritage. Their historic floating fleet is found at Lake Union Park, and includes vessels deemed National Historic Landmarks. They host a plethora of annual festivals, hands-on public tours, music programs, overnight experiences, programs for children and families, and more. Visitors will learn about the ships, stories, and music of workboat culture. Their extensive collections offer a complete picture of northwest maritime history. The museum is open weekends and by appointment.
860 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, WA, Phone: 206-477-9800
Art Museums To Visit In Mississippi
Traveling through Mississippi anytime soon? Check out one of these three fun museums.
On the states Gulf Coast, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art is, of course, focused on the artwork of Walter Inglis Anderson and related artists. However, the museum also taps in to the areas culture. Special events bring together various art forms and other seemingly not-related topics to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
In downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum is known as the tiniest museum in the state. The ever-changing museum is free, always open and blends larger-than-life art installations with tiny creations.
Another favorite Mississippi art museum, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Mississippi, sits in a Georgian Revival structure built in 1923. The museum houses an impressive array of galleries dedicated to American, European and Native American art, as well as Japanese woodblock prints and British Georgian silver.
Need more arts-related fun? Make sure to mark your calendar for the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, the largest arts fest on the Gulf Coast, taking place this year Nov. 56, drawing artisans and travelers from all over the country.
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The Best Museums To Visit In Seattle Washington
While Seattle is known for its technology, coffee, and fast-paced life, it is best known for housing world-class museums that are filled with history, art, and culture.
Seattlesmuseums will surely have something for everyone from glass sculptures and pop culture artifacts, to scientific and archaeological pieces.
Read and learn about five of the best museums to visit when in Seattle and discover why you should visit them, how to get there, what youll pay, and other relevant information to guide you.
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
- National Nordic Museum
Image Source: Downtown Seattle Association
Visiting The Seattle Art Museum
One of our favorite activities when we travel is enjoying local museums and art. We think the Seattle Art Museum is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon when visiting the city. SAM houses a diverse collection of art old and new and easily provides several hours of entertainment in a comfortable and spacious setting. Its also just one block from Pike Place Market, making for a convenient stop on a day of Seattle sightseeing.
Thinking about including Seattle Art Museum in your travel plans? Heres everything you need to know for your visit. Check out the KAYAK Seattle travel guide for more Seattle vacation ideas, too.
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Seattle Art Museums To Visit
Seattle, true to its reputation, is home to some of the most celebrated cultural centers. From antiquity to the present, these diverse collections of museums, galleries, and foundations are wonderful places to discover, learn, and be dazzled! Each has its own distinct personality, and we have compiled a list of the top 8 must-see Seattle art museums!
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Seattle
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a national historical park that was built in 1979 to memorialize the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98. The Seattle unit of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a museum and visitors center. The museum tells the history of Seattle, the people that came for the gold rush, and how the city went through a developmental change. Visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibits, read, and further dive deep into the history of Seattle by watching a movie. Address : 319 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104Open Hours : 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMEntry Fee : FreeCollections : The Hielscher Collection, The Sourdough, and more.Parking : Sreet parking limited to two hours and Paid Parking lots and Garages availableHow to reach : Via Train – King Street StationBoat – Washington State Ferry Terminal on Pier 52Streetcar – S Jackson St & Occidental Ave walk .
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Museum Of Museums Seattle
Museum of Museums is an art center located in Seattle, Washington. It was created by Greg Lundgren. The museum was built with the vision to inspire artists and create a thriving art scene in the city. It features murals, sculptures, rotating installations, exhibition spaces, even a gift shop, and more. Visitors can also enjoy the visual journey, and participate in the weekly art classes.Address : 900 Boylston Ave, Seattle, WA 98104Open Hours : Wednesday to Thursday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PMFriday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PMSunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PMMonday & Tuesday ClosedGeneral Admission Fee : USD 10Exhibits : Ruth True Space, Barbara Malone Gallery, Emergency RoomService Animals : AllowedHow to Reach : Public Transport via Light Rail – Broadway & Marion StationBus – Route 43 and 49, Broadway & Marion Station
Not Your Typical Museum:
Seattle Japanese Garden1075 Lake Washington Boulevard East, Seattle
The Japanese Garden is a 3.5-acre urban oasis within the Lake Washington Arboretum. It is typically open beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The usual admission charge is $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and kids 6-17 free for kids 5 and under. Admission will be free the first Thursday of each month.
A new exhibit, Garden Images, by Seattle artist Stephen Okawa, will be on display in the Tateuchi Community Room. Inspired by Okawas love of nature, Japanese art and gardens, the exhibit was created in 2020 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Garden. The series is printed on handmade paper from Nepal and mounted as triptychs on birch boxes.
719 S King StOpen: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The galleries of this museum of the Asian-Pacific American experience has a wonderful permanent display called Honoring our Journey, which is packed with stories and artifacts. Theres also a variety of temporary exhibits. The museum also offers neighborhood tours and other programs.
15th Ave NE & NE 41st St.University of Washington
This gallery on the UW Campus is devoted to contemporary art in all its surprising variety. It is currently open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday only, and admission is free through Oct. 1, 2021. Last admission 4:30 p.m. tickets by walk-up only no online ticketing.
510 Bellevue Way NEHours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
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Frye Art Museum Seattle
Frye Art Museum houses paintings and sculptures from the 19th Century to the Present Age. Initially, It was a private collection of Charles and Emma Frye which was later opened to the public as Seattles first free Art Museum in 1952. The Museum strives to reflect Seattles evolving identities through its exhibitions and various outreach programs. Address : 704 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104Open Hours : Tuesday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PMThursday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PMFriday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PMSuggested Duration : 1 to 2 hoursTicket Price : FreeExhibition : Unsettling Feminity: Selections from the Frye Art Museum Collection, Art on the Mind: Ten Years of Creative Aging, Agnieszka Polska: Love Bite Pets : Only service animals are allowed.Wheelchair : AccessibleParking : Public Parking at Terry Ave, 9th Ave, Columbia St, and Cherry St.Public Transit : Via Bus – Route 3 and 4: James St and 8th Ave.Route 12: Madison St and 9th Ave.Route 60: 9th Ave and Columbia St.
Chihuly Garden And Glass
The Tacoma-native glass artist, Dale Chihuly, has several celebrated installations across the world. From London to Japan and Ohio, California, and Florida, thanks to his innovative and creative style, Chihuly’s artworks are easy to spot. And this world-famous artist houses some of his most impressive work in Seattle.
Chihuly Garden and Glass is within the Seattle Center, steps away from the Space Needle. The flow of the museum takes guests through eight galleries, each illuminated by incredible expressions of the art form. Plan to spend some time in each gallery taking in the intricate detail of each exhibit.
The Glasshouse is the centerpiece of the museum. This 40-foot-tall conservatory houses Chihuly’s largest suspended sculpture, a 100-foot ribbon of red, yellow, and orange glass petals. This stunning installation catches sunlight differently throughout the day, offering a changing perspective from dawn to dusk.
Next to the Glasshouse, the Art Plaza and Collections Café offer outdoor seating and snacks. This area is also where visitors spectate daily live glassblowing demonstrations. It also leads to the Garden, where Chihuly’s nature-inspired work blends into the natural surroundings.
Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington
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