11 Seattle Museums To Inspire You

I've visited Seattle multiple times in recent years, and exploring its museums has become one of my favorite ways to experience the city. The best museums in Seattle encompass a wide range of themes, from art and aviation to history and pop culture.

The city's cultural scene is impressive, and it's been fun to uncover more of what makes Seattle unique with each trip. When planning your trip to the Emerald City, consider visiting a few of these fantastic museums.

Top Museums

1. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

The Museum of Pop Culture celebrates contemporary popular culture in a visually stunning building. It was designed by architect Frank Gehry to evoke the smashed and twisted pieces of a guitar. Its flowing, metallic exterior, made of colorful aluminum and stainless steel panels, captures the energy and chaos of rock 'n' roll, setting the tone before you even step inside.

Home to eclectic exhibits showcasing Seattle's influential music scene, movies, video games, and science fiction, the museum invites visitors to engage in interactive experiences.

Of all the museums I've visited in Seattle, the MoPOP is the one I was most excited about. As a Gen Xer, the grunge music phenomenon struck when I was in my early to mid-teens. I idolized Kurt Cobain and loved Nirvana's music (in addition to Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, etc.).

For 14 years at MoPOP, the exhibit "Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses" traced the band's evolution and showcased plenty of guitars and memorabilia. It's scheduled to close on September 7, 2025, so I'm grateful I saw it.

I also enjoyed "Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-70," part of the permanent collection. When I visited in 2022, there was also a sizeable, albeit temporary, Pearl Jam exhibit on the top floor. And "A Visual History of Hip-Hop" used photography to document the rise of a new musical genre from the 1970s to the present day.

Though the music exhibits drew me in, sci-fi fans will find plenty to geek out over, too. MoPOP is home to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. Timed general admission tickets start at $33 and vary with demand. mopop.org

2. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Adjacent to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass impresses visitors with its mesmerizing collection of Dale Chihuly's glass art. This incredible museum combines indoor galleries featuring intricate sculptures, chandeliers, and colorful glass installations with beautiful outdoor gardens.

Each display, illuminated by natural and artificial light, transforms throughout the day, offering a captivating experience that blends art and nature. If I had to choose only one museum to recommend to you in Seattle, it would be the Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Inside the museum, I encountered one spectacular work of art after another. Inspired by ice, "Winter Brillians" was commissioned by Barneys New York in 2015 for the department store's holiday window display. It reminded me of the crystals from The Fortress of Solitude in "Superman."

The 15-foot-tall "Sealife Tower" was inspired by Puget Sound. It was too heavy to be supported as a chandelier, so it rests on a black pedestal with a reflective coating in the museum. Minor works depicting octopuses and other sea creatures fill the ocean-themed room.

One of my favorite installations is the colorful "Mille Fiori" (Italian for a thousand flowers). General admission with access to the galleries, glasshouse, and gardens begins at $35. You can save a little money by purchasing a combo ticket that includes admission to the Space Needle. chihulygardenandglass.com

3. Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight, one of the largest aviation museums in the United States, explores the history of human flight. Exhibits range from vintage aircraft and spacecraft to interactive displays about aviation pioneers and space missions. Visitors can step aboard historic airplanes, experience flight simulators, and learn about the evolution of aviation technology.

The enormous museum is approximately four miles south of downtown Seattle at King County International Airport - Boeing Field. You'll enter the museum at the East Campus.

East Campus

The highlight here is the Great Gallery, where 50 aircraft are displayed from the first 100 years of flight. I was most excited to see a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird. The sleek spy plane set an air speed record of Mach 3.2 (or 2,190 mph) on July 28, 1976, a speed that remains the fastest to date. It was designed to cruise at an altitude of 85,000 feet.

The Great Gallery also features an Apollo exhibit that chronicles the development of rocket technology required to send humans to the moon. On display are one of the giant F-1 rocket engines used with the Saturn V rockets, and a life-size Lunar Rover. The first Apollo Command Module to roll off the production line, used solely for testing, is also displayed here.

West Campus

Cross the Skybridge to the West Campus of The Museum of Flight to reach the Space Gallery, where you can board a Space Shuttle Trainer and see a full-scale model of the Mars Rover Perseverance.

The main attraction on this side of the museum is the Aviation Pavilion, which houses 19 rare aircraft, including:

• Boeing 247, considered the first modern aircraft (1933)
• Boeing VC-137B, which served as the first Air Force One (1959)
• Boeing Dreamliner (my favorite of today's commercial planes)
• Concorde supersonic jet
• B-17 Flying Fortress (a WWII-era heavy bomber)
• F-14A Tomcat (for the "Top Gun" fans who are reading)

Walking through the cabin of the first Air Force One to carry the president of the United States was a real trip. The 1959 technology was undoubtedly cutting-edge at the time, but it now appears antiquated.

Outside the Aviation Pavilion is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park and a B-52 bomber. I missed this on my visit and only realized it as I was writing this story. General admission is $29. museumofflight.org

4. Seattle Art Museum (SAM)

The Seattle Art Museum anchors the city's cultural offerings with its extensive collection spanning continents and centuries. Housing over 25,000 artworks, the museum showcases masterpieces from renowned artists alongside contemporary installations. Its exhibits reflect global perspectives, including significant works from Indigenous cultures, European masters, and modern visionaries.

I zipped through the galleries of the Seattle Art Museum in about one hour, which felt like enough time to get a feel for the major exhibits. I especially enjoyed paintings by Claude Monet and prints by Andy Warhol. General admission begins at $14.99. Buy at least one day in advance and save $3. seattleartmuseum.org

5. Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM)

Inside Volunteer Park, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is housed in a historic Art Deco building. Its carefully curated collections showcase a diverse range of artworks from across Asia, including traditional and contemporary pieces from China, Japan, Korea, and South Asia.

Visitors will find intricate textiles, sculptures, ceramics, and multimedia art, providing a nuanced understanding of Asia's cultural heritage and evolving artistic traditions. As usual, I was most drawn to the items related to Buddhism, including ceremonial items, a Tibetan thangka (a type of painting), and several sculptures of the Buddha.

Perhaps my favorite work in the Seattle Asian Art Museum was more modern, though. The "Flower Ball" by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami was a true joy to see on the wall. General admission tickets are $14.99 when purchased at least one day in advance. Otherwise, you'll pay $17.99 on the day of. seattleartmuseum.org

Tip: After visiting the SAAM, walk over to the Volunteer Park Conservatory to see pretty flowers in a Victorian-style greenhouse.

6. Henry Art Gallery

Located on the University of Washington's campus, the Henry Art Gallery is known for its bold contemporary exhibitions and experimental installations. This innovative space challenges traditional museum experiences by showcasing provocative and cutting-edge artwork. Regularly rotating exhibits encourage visitors to interact and reflect. Admission is free. henryart.org

7. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

A few blocks north of Henry Art Gallery, the Burke Museum offers an intriguing journey into natural history, anthropology, and biology. Washington state's oldest museum has collections that showcase fossils, Indigenous artifacts, and the environment.

Visitors can observe working scientists via transparent labs, connecting directly with research processes and discoveries. Gain insights into the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.

Timed general admission tickets are $24. The first Thursday of each month is free. burkemuseum.org

Tip for foodies: Off the Rez Cafe, located at the Burke Museum, is Seattle's first Native-owned cafe. Stop by before or after you tour the museum for unique teas and coffee, frybread, and Indian tacos. Museum tickets are not required.

8. Olympic Sculpture Park

For a breath of fresh air, head to Olympic Sculpture Park, a fantastic green space with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Managed by the Seattle Art Museum, this open-air park hosts monumental sculptures and contemporary installations by internationally acclaimed artists.

A red ampersand on a pole caught my attention to "Love & Loss" by Roy McMakin (2005-06), an installation that invites passersby to sit on one of the concrete benches and stay for a while.

"The Eagle," a striking red sculpture built by Alexander Calder in 1971, is hard to miss. Look north past it to catch a glimpse of the Space Needle. Thanks to its placement on a hill, I could also spot "The Eagle" from my Seattle locks cruise.

At 46 feet tall, "Echo" by Jaume Plensa (2011) is a luminous, meditative head created from resin, steel, and marble dust. Modeled after a neighborhood girl whose features Plensa elongated using computer modeling, Echo represents the Greek mountain nymph who could only repeat others' words.

With closed eyes and positioned to face Puget Sound, she invites quiet reflection amid Seattle's busy waterfront.

Olympic Sculpture Park is open 365 days a year, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Bring a picnic lunch or go for a walk at sunset. It's free to visit. seattleartmuseum.org

9. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park 

Located in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park recounts the city's critical role during the gold rush era of the late 1800s. Exhibits in this small two-floor museum detail the arduous journeys of prospectors heading north to the Yukon.

Artifacts, photographs, and personal stories portray Seattle's transformation from a modest settlement into a gateway for adventurers (and the occasional criminal) seeking their fortune. Admission is free. nps.gov

10. Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)

MOHAI captures Seattle's evolution from its Indigenous roots to its contemporary status as a tech hub. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Union, the museum presents engaging exhibits covering maritime history, technological innovation, and the city's social and cultural movements.

Interactive displays and rare artifacts bring Seattle's transformative moments to life, highlighting the stories of individuals and communities who shaped its past and present. General admission for adults is $25, and admission is free on the first Thursday of each month. mohai.org

11. Pacific Science Center

Finally, we have the Pacific Science Center, adjacent to Seattle Center. It offers hands-on exhibits covering topics from marine life and dinosaurs to space exploration and cutting-edge technology. Though I have yet to visit it myself, the Pacific Science Center is high on my list for a third trip to Seattle.

Tickets start at $27.40 for adults, and you can save a few dollars by purchasing at least 24 hours in advance. General admission tickets include access to the planetarium and laser shows; however, a timed entry ticket must be picked up on-site to enter. pacificsciencecenter.org

Many of Seattle's best museums offer free days, discounted tickets, or even outdoor exhibits you can enjoy without spending a dime. No matter your budget, there's a way to experience the creativity and history that make Seattle such a fun destination.