Seattle gets it. Art and culture aren’t just frills; they’re the soul of a city. They enrich our lives, offering ways to express ourselves, connect with others, and find meaning in the world around us. Through art, we discover beauty, and through cultural preservation, we connect to the past, share customs and values, and, ultimately, learn about ourselves. Here are a few Seattle favorites just waiting to be explored.
National Nordic Museum
Explore the art, culture, and history of Nordic peoples and learn their stories with a visit to the National Nordic Museum. Tour galleries with artifacts from all five Nordic nations, from Viking treasures to modern design. Nordic Journeys, a permanent exhibit, details the Nordic immigration story, including its evolution over the last 12,000 years. To further immerse yourself in Nordic culture, check out Freya in the museum for Nordic-inspired food and drinks. The National Nordic Museum hosts many events throughout the year, including hands-on activities, film screenings, guest speakers, and cultural performances. Plan your visit online and purchase your tickets today.
Seattle Children’s Museum
The Seattle Children’s Museum is a must-visit hidden gem in the city. Not only will a visit spark creativity and curiosity, but it will also introduce artistic and cultural concepts to your child, all through pretend play and immersive, hands-on exhibits. Visitors will enjoy touching, designing, building, acting, dressing up, imagining, and exploring all Seattle has to offer from mountain to sound in this authentic PNW-inspired larger than life playscape. Keep an eye out on their website for your opportunity to register for preschool classes and school break camps all geared to introduce your little ones to concepts rooted in art, science, math, and engineering while they play and explore the world around them using their senses and surroundings.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Seattle is well known for its innovative spirit. With a visit to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI,) you’ll uncover the past and present and see how that spirit shaped the city. MOHAI’s engaging exhibits let you explore the Pacific Northwest’s fascinating story with a deep dive into maritime history, groundbreaking inventions, and social movements. See how it transformed from a land rich in Native cultures to the thriving business and tourist hub it is today. Check out MOHAI’s calendar for special events like workshops and hands-on activities that help to bring Seattle’s history to life beyond the exhibit itself. Find tickets online and visit today.
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is a unique place showcasing one-of-a-kind scientific artifacts and cultural items. With windows that enable visitors to watch as our researchers and scientists clean and uncover fossils, restore cultural items, and prepare specimens, there is always something new to see at the Burke.
With three floors of galleries full of dinosaurs, fossils, Northwest Native art, plant and animal collections, and cultural pieces, the Burke Museum makes for a perfect outing for the whole family. It is located on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Tickets can be purchased online at burkemuseum.org.
Wing Luke Museum
A museum like no other, the Wing Luke Museum is dedicated to the experiences of over 26 ethnic communities sharing the dynamic history, cultures, and art of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) to advance racial and social equity. Wing Luke Museum exhibitions, tours, and programs are developed with community members, to ensure authenticity and a community-based perspective. Explore recreated spaces like a historic Chinatown store, the Yick Fung Store, which offers a glimpse into the lives of early Asian immigrants. The Wing Luke Museum is where history comes alive, sparking conversations about identity, immigration, and the ongoing contributions of AANHPIs to American society. Visit wingluke.org to make your visit even more engaging and learn about upcoming events – like JamFest, summer camps, Hai! Japantown, – and walking tours – like their famous Food Tours
Tours at Climate Pledge Arena
Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken NHL team connect to art and culture through “Art at the Arena,” a program of public art installations, collaborations with Pacific Northwest artists, and innovative sustainability efforts. This makes it a cultural statement within the sports and entertainment scene. All exterior art at Climate Pledge Arena is part of the Seattle Center Art Tour presented by Alaska Airlines.
Now, you can get a behind-the-scenes look and feel like a VIP as you explore Seattle’s eco-friendly Climate Pledge Arena with a 75-minute tour. See various interior art installations and get details on how the arena cuts waste, saves energy, and even uses rainwater for the and ice for Kraken games! Plus, peek into hidden areas like team locker rooms (not on game days) and concert dressing rooms. This tour is perfect for anyone curious about what goes on behind the scenes at the arena and those interested in modern sustainable practices. Remember to book your tour in advance since reservations are required.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium blends art and culture by creating a beautiful space for marine life, promoting conservation awareness, and offering educational programs and events. With its prime location along Seattle’s central waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is the perfect place to start a day—or several days—of fun exploring what lies just beneath the surface of the Puget Sound.
From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that caring for and conserving local marine life and habitat is core to the Aquarium’s mission. On Pier 59, discover the Life on the Edge touch habitat and get a snapshot of life on a Pacific Coral Reef, including a Giant Pacific Octopus habitat. When you reach Pier 60, you’ll experience the Underwater Dome and see awe-inspiring marine mammals and coastal birds. Be sure to check out the schedule of daily activities like feedings and expert presentations for additional opportunities to dive in and learn about Washington’s waters from the Aquarium.
MoPOP
The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP for short, is a hard-to-miss building in Seattle Center whose colorful and wavy design conveys all the energy and artistic fluidity of music. Inside, the good vibes continue with immersive collections of artifacts and hands-on experiences celebrating popular culture, ranging from Seattle’s ties to Grunge and Hip-Hop music to science fiction, horror, fashion, fantasy, film, gaming, and more. Check out the events calendar for film screenings, talks, and workshops featuring artists, musicians, and filmmakers. These programs provide opportunities to learn about different aspects of pop culture and engage with the creative community. There’s something for everyone at MoPOP.
SAM / Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is as much a part of Seattle’s landscape as the rain, coffee, and mountains. With three dynamic locations across the city—the Seattle Art Museum in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on Seattle’s waterfront—SAM has been the center for visual arts in the Pacific Northwest since 1933.
SAM is always brimming with activity! In addition to its stunning selection of rotating installations and exhibitions from across continents and time, the museum also regularly hosts public programs that encourage visitors to connect with, appreciate, and learn about art. The museum’s events calendar shows gallery tours, educational lectures, family-friendly programs, and community events taking place across all three locations nearly every day of the week. A few of our personal favorite recurring public programs include SAM Open House, SAM Remix, and the Saturday University Lecture Series. Check out visitsam.org to discover what’s happening this week at SAM and to plan your next visit.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
What could be more stunning than a stroll through Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle Center? The Exhibition features works from renowned artist Dale Chihuly, who is a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of what glass could be. He transformed the molten, yet delicate material into awe-inspiring, vibrant sculptures that will leave you curious about the method used to create them. The amazing glass art installations fill indoor galleries and a beautiful outdoor garden. One highlight is the massive hanging sculpture that changes throughout the day with the sunlight inside a unique 40-foot-tall glasshouse. Plan your visit today and walk away with a renewed appreciation of creativity and artistic ability.
Pro Tip: There are many opportunities to attend special events and activities throughout the year, so be sure to check the calendar on the website for the attraction to see what’s happening when you plan to visit.
