Museums, Seattle

In the heart of downtown, SAM wows with its light-filled galleries housing everything from Australian aboriginal paintings and ancient Mediterranean sculptures to Native American house posts. Plus, its lineup of rotating special exhibits continues to draw arts-lovers season after season. http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/

Known for boundary-pushing exhibitions, Henry Art Gallery aims to inspire original thinking. Visit this University of Washington museum to see a sizable collection of contemporary art, photographs, costumes, and textiles. https://henryart.org/

Enjoy the wonder of flight in one of Seattle's most spectacular settings. This 15-acre campus includes over 160 air and spacecraft, the original Boeing Aircraft factory, flight simulators, and dozens of fun, interactive exhibits and family activities. From the world's oldest fighter plane to the supersonic Concorde, the only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer and the beautiful Boeing 787 Dreamliner, you'll see the machines and experience the stories of those who flew them. The unique, 3-acre Aviation Pavillion offers the dramatic development of large aircraft in an open-air gallery with a cafe and children's playground. Relax on the cafe patio -- spectacular views of Mt. Rainer no extra charge! http://www.museumofflight.org/

Explore on your own or join a docent-led tour for an interactive and unique adventure into the world of contemporary glass. Explanatory commentary in the form of interpretive text panels, interactive technology and gallery guides are provided to ensure your experience is meaningful and engaging. The galleries at Museum of Glass are dedicated to both temporary exhibitions, as well as works from our Permanent Collections that feature twentieth and twenty-first century glass. The exhibitions span a wide range and convey the meaning and motivations of the artists with the help of Curatorial Team of Museum. On the third Thursday of every month, Museum of Glass is open late, 5-8pm, with no admission fees. Stop in to see Hilltop Artists in the Hot Shop, explore our current exhibitions, and discover special hands-on projects in the Education Studio. https://museumofglass.org/

You might feel like a kid at heart when you spot the dozens of pinball machines inside the Seattle Pinball Museum, which includes old classics and brand-new prototypes. Best of all, no quarters are necessary—just pay a flat admission fee and pinball your heart out. Bonus: Seattle Pinball Museum sells soda for the kiddos and beer for adults. http://www.seattlepinballmuseum.com/

Open since 1952 on Capitol Hill, Frye Art Museum is always free. Alongside the permanent collection from the Fryes, who amassed more than 230 paintings—primarily late 19th- and early 20th-century German art—you’ll find cutting-edge rotating exhibits on offer. http://www.visitseattle.org/partners/frye-art-museum/

Music, science fiction, and pop culture all come together at the fascinating Museum of Pop Culture. The Frank Gehry-designed building looks like a smashed guitar from above, while inside, its colorful exhibits cover everything from the history of indie video games and horror films to Nirvana, the Seahawks, and more. http://www.visitseattle.org/partners/museum-of-pop-culture-mopop-pd/