A rainy forecast shouldn’t mean you should stay home like a grouch and be bored, especially in Seattle! Besides, it’s usually just a drizzle, so grab your jacket, get going, and enjoy these rainy-day activities in Seattle!
Seattle Aquarium
With its prime location along Seattle’s central waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is the perfect place to start a day—or several days—of water-themed fun, but out of the rain. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that caring for and conserving the Puget Sound 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. When you reach Pier 60, you’ll experience the Underwater Dome and see entertaining 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.
SAM / Seattle Art Museum
Visit the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to experience a museum that 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, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park—SAM has been the center for visual arts in the Pacific Northwest since 1933. The museums’ rotating exhibitions span continents and time, including modern and contemporary art, Asian, African, Meso-American, Ancient Mediterranean, Islamic, European, Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal art, American art, and the decorative arts. There’s always something new to see at SAM!
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 fluidity of music. It’s also a great place to hang out on a rainy day! Inside, make your way through immersive collections of artifacts and hands-on experiences celebrating popular culture. Exhibits range from Seattle’s ties to Grunge and Hip-Hop music to science fiction, horror, fantasy, film, gaming, and more. The MoPOP’s mission is to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities, and they invite you to visit. There’s something for everyone at MoPOP.
Seattle Children’s Museum
Beat boredom with THE perfect place for young kids on a rainy day…Seattle Children’s Museum! This must-visit, hidden gem nestled inside the lower level of Seattle Center’s Armory Building sparks kids’ creativity and curiosity through pretend play and hands-on exhibits. Kids 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 playscape. Pop in when you’re looking for rainy-day activities in Seattle, and let the fun begin!
The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight is a stunning aviation-themed air and space museum that’s the perfect place to spend a few hours if you’ve ever dreamed of flying, becoming a pilot, or are curious about the science and history of flight. This museum boasts an incredible collection of aircraft, including galleries of hanging and floor-parked WWI and WWII aircraft and an aerospace collection in the Space Gallery that is not to be missed with an Apollo Command Module 007A, Sputnik I engineering model, Mercury Capsule mockup, plus a Lunar Rover Vehicle mockup.
Outside, under the covered Aviation Pavilion (perfect for a rainy day visit!), you’ll find rare and unique commercial and military aircraft from the 1930s to now. You’ll see the first Boeing 747, a Boeing 787, and the West Coast’s only Concorde! Also, the first jet mode Air Force One, the first 727 and 737, and an air cargo exhibit. The Museum of Flight is conveniently located just south of Seattle in Tukwila, WA. Plan your visit today and book a tour for a custom experience.
Pacific Science Center (PacSci)
Explore the wonder of science at the Pacific Science Center (PacSci). This historic science and technology center has been educating and entertaining visitors for over 60 years, ever since it first opened as part of the 1962 World’s Fair, which Seattle hosted. With its commitment to educating generations of visitors about the scientific process, PacSci offers hands-on and interactive exhibits that spark curiosity.
Not to miss are the Tropical Butterfly House and Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time, or check out the Planetarium for a live, immersive presentation that blasts you to the universe’s outer reaches and the planets in our solar system. Visit the Laser Dome for fantastic laser shows, custom-programmed to all your favorite musical artists, or see an IMAX film on the largest screen in the region. At the PacSci, there is so much to do, see, and learn!
Gates Foundation Discovery Center
The Gates Foundation Discovery Center highlights the foundation’s mission and partnerships that work together to solve world-wide challenges in global health, gender equality, sanitation and more. The Discovery Center galleries are filled with interactive experiences designed to spark curiosity and inspire visitors to get involved in causes they care about.
You’ll see real-life innovations and technologies used to combat diseases like polio, malaria, and learn about cutting-edge solutions for sanitation challenges across the globe, and much more. The Discovery Center sheds light on these success stories and continued global challenges, showcasing the power of innovation and collaboration. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center is an all-ages, free space open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm with public tours at 2 and 3:30 pm.
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. On any given day, you can watch researchers and scientists prepare fossils and specimens, and repair and restore cultural items. Have fun in our interactive play space and go home with a craft. While you’re wandering the galleries, have fun with our scavenger hunt (Where is Harry the Husky hiding?!).
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. The Burke is located on the University of Washington campus in the University District. Pre-purchased tickets are recommended and can be purchased online at burkemuseum.org.
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. Explore permanent, rotating exhibits detailing maritime history, tech advancements, and important social movements. Get a deeper look at the region’s transformation from its early days of native cultures into the global business hub and tourist destination it is today. There’s something to interest everyone and spark curiosity when you visit. 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.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Brighten a rainy day with intense pops of color on a stroll through Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle Center. The renowned artist Dale Chihuly is a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of what glass could be, transforming a molten, delicate material into awe-inspiring, vibrant sculptures that will leave you wondering how they were created. The amazing glass art installations fill indoor galleries and a beautiful outdoor garden. One highlight is the massive hanging sculpture inside a unique 40-foot-tall glasshouse. Plan your visit today and walk away with a renewed appreciation of creativity and artistic ability.
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, films, guest speakers, and cultural performances. Plan your visit online and purchase your tickets today.
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.
Boeing Future of Flight
Journey into the world of aviation at Boeing Future of Flight, home to the Everett Factory Tour, located just north of Seattle in Mukilteo. No matter the weather, aviation enthusiasts and curious minds alike can tour the world’s largest building by volume (Boeing Everett Factory) and see where airplanes are built. Explore the Boeing Gallery with interactive exhibits on flight history and future concepts. Catch amazing views of airplanes from the Sky Deck and ignite a passion for flight in the Kids’ Zone filled with hands-on fun. Space enthusiasts can even explore a mockup of the U.S. Lab section of the International Space Station! So, whether you’re an airplane buff or simply looking for a fun and educational family outing, the Boeing Future of Flight promises an unforgettable experience. Plan your visit today and start by picking up your tickets online.
Tours at Climate Pledge Arena
Feel like a VIP as you explore Seattle’s eco-friendly Climate Pledge Arena on a 75-minute tour! This behind-the-scenes journey, a perfect rainy day activity in Seattle, includes the arena’s recent transformation story and sustainability commitment, like how the arena cuts waste, saves energy, and even uses rainwater for the plants and the 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.
No matter the weather, ditch the urge to stay cooped up and make a plan to adventure out. Embrace the rainy-day charm and discover this vibrant city!
