Washington State museums range from world-class art to hands-on history and aviation. This guide highlights the best museums in Washington State for travelers and locals, whether you’re planning a weekend in Seattle, a Tacoma day trip, or a visit to Olympia, the state capital.
To make planning easy, many of these stops cluster naturally: Seattle Center (MoPOP + Chihuly), downtown Seattle (SAM), Tacoma’s museum district, and Point Defiance Park. Most offer online ticketing, but prices and hours can shift for holidays, special events, or seasonal schedules. Make sure you confirm details before you head out.
Culture & Art Museums in Washington State
From bold architecture to glowing glass, these museums in Washington State turn creativity into an experience you can walk through and feel. Explore the art and culture of the Pacific Northwest at these top attractions.
Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle) – One of the Most Iconic Museums in Washington State
Fans of music, film, gaming, and other forms of media will find something to love at the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP. It’s one of the most visited and recognizable museums in Washington State, with striking architecture designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. Engage your senses and imagination with immersive exhibitions that harness the transformative power of pop culture.
The museum’s permanent collection preserves more than 85,000 pieces with hundreds on display at any time. Current exhibits include the Guitar Gallery, Indie Game Revolution, Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction, and Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film.
Hours: Open seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Pricing fluctuates by day and time, typically starting at $35; Washington residents receive a 15% discount
Address: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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Chihuly Garden and Glass (Seattle) – Collection by Glass Artist Dale Chihuly
Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of the best museums in Washington State for art lovers. It features galleries of radiant glasswork, a dramatic Glasshouse, and an outdoor garden where colorful sculptures blend with plants and light, all highlighting work by Dale Chihuly.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10 am to 5:30 pm; Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7:30 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Admission: $35 to $42.50 for adults and $30 to $37.50 for children (5-12) and seniors
Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
Seattle Art Museum – Exhibitions From Around the World & Regular Special Events
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is one of the most famous museums in Washington State, with three locations. Along with the main location, the museum includes the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park. SAM boasts global collections and changing exhibitions that can take you from ancient works to contemporary installations in a single visit. Their collection of 25,000 works includes everything from paintings and sculptures to porcelain and baskets.
Hours: Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Admission: $33 general admission; $28 for seniors (65+) and military; $23 for teens (15-19) and students with ID; free for kids 14 and under. Save money by purchasing tickets in advance. Admission is free for SAM members and for everyone on the first Thursday of every month. Seniors get $5 admission on the first Friday of the month.
Address: 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Tacoma Art Museum – One of Several Tacoma Museums in the Downtown Museum District
Located in the Museum District of the city, the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) is one of the top attractions in Tacoma. It features exhibitions that often highlight the region’s artists and stories with collections that include Japanese prints, European Impressionist art, and Chihuly glass works.
Hours: Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Admission: Adults $18; Seniors (65+) $15; Military $15; Youth (6–18) $10; free admission on Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm
Address: 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
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Local & Natural History Museums in Washington State
Here are the best museums in Washington State to learn about the people and natural history of the region through fossils, artifacts, immigration history, tribal heritage, living history, and educational programs.
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Seattle) – Impressive Collection of Dinosaur Fossils
The Burke Museum is a flagship among museums in Washington State for natural history and local culture. Learn about dinosaurs, Northwest biodiversity, and culture through collections with more than 16 million artifacts. The oldest Washington State museum, it’s known for its fossil collection and collection of Northwest Native art.
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm, closed Monday
Admission: Adults $18; Seniors (65+) $16; Youth (4–17) $11; children under 4 free
Address: 4303 Memorial Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98195
National Nordic Museum (Seattle) – History of Nordic Immigrants in the Pacific Northwest
In Ballard, the National Nordic Museum is one of the most distinctive museums in Washington State. It’s dedicated to Nordic culture and the Nordic-American experience in the Pacific Northwest. It tells the story of the Nordic immigrant community in the region through design, craft, and personal stories. Exhibits include the myths and sagas of the Viking culture, Nordic cuisine, the Northwest Trolls, and more. Be sure to visit during special events like Nordic Jul and the Northern Lights Auction.
Hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm with extended hours on Thursday until 8 pm; closed Monday
Admission: Adults $20; Seniors (65+) and college students $16; youth (5-18) $10; free for tribal members, children 4 and under, museum members, and through Museums for All
Address: 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
Colville Confederated Tribes Museum (Coulee Dam) – One of the Best Tribal Museums in Washington State
Operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, this tribal museum shares the history of the Colville Confederated Tribes through a collection of artifacts, crafts, murals, and photos. There’s a gift shop on the ground floor too. Look for the diorama showing traditional salmon fishing in the region and the mural that shows Kettle Falls before the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam.
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 512 Mead Way, Coulee Dam, WA 99116
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum (Tacoma) – Step Into the Past at Point Defiance Park
Experience what life was like in the past at Fort Nisqually, one of the most immersive museums in Washington State. This living history museum uses interpreters and historic buildings to bring the mid-1800s to life inside Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park. Their heritage skills workshops even help you learn skills like butchering, leatherworking, and basketry!
Summer Hours (May-Sept): Daily 11 am to 5 pm
Winter Hours (Oct-Apr): Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults (18-64) $13.50; active military and seniors $12.50; youth (4-17) $10; families $40
Address: 5519 Five Mile Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407
Washington State History Museum (Tacoma) – Highly Rated Museum Exploring the State’s Unique History
The Washington State History Museum is one of the most popular history museums in Washington State, with exhibits that explore the state’s history. Permanent exhibits cover topics like Boeing, the Clovis culture, and maritime history. There are regular special exhibitions that change throughout the year, and the Annual Model Train Festival is held every year from December to early January.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; closed Monday; third Thursdays, 10 am to 8 pm (free from 3 pm to 8 pm)
Washington State History Museum tickets: Adults $17; military and seniors (65+) $14; students (6-18+ with current high school ID) $11; free for members and caregivers of people with disabilities
Address: 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
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Children’s Museums in Washington State
The best family-friendly museums in Washington State are built for movement, discovery, curiosity, and wonder – perfect for rainy days or high-energy afternoons.
Hands On Children’s Museum (Olympia) – 150+ Exhibits and an Outdoor Discovery Center
A go-to for families, this is one of the most popular museums in Olympia. Hands On Children’s Museum features over 150 exhibits plus an outdoor discovery center and STEM-focused play areas that foster learning through exploration of nature, art, and science.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: $20 general admission; $19 for seniors (65+); $18 for military adults and kids; $3 for Access EBT tickets
Address: 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, WA 98501
Imagine Children’s Museum (Everett) – Designed for Kids 12 & Under
The Imagine Children’s Museum is one of the best museums in Washington State for families with young children. Designed for kids 12 and under, the Everett museum has hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to experiment, role-play, and create with a water play area and rooftop playground.
Hours: Daily 9 am to 4 pm with extended hours to 7 pm on Thursday; 9 am to 10 pm for members only
Admission: $22 for adults and kids 2 and up; $19 for active duty military and seniors (65+); $5 for EBT cardholders
Address: 1502 Wall St, Everett, WA 98201
Space, Aviation & Car Museums in Washington State
With deep aerospace roots and strong car culture, Washington is home to some of the most exciting museums in Washington State dedicated to transportation and exploration.
Museum of Flight (Seattle) – One of the World’s Largest Air & Space Museums
The Museum of Flight is one of the premier aerospace museums in Washington State. It’s home to one of the world’s largest air and space collections with 175+ spacecraft and aircraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, and countless photographs.
See hangar-scale displays and galleries that connect innovation to real missions and people, and be inspired by exhibits like the first public display of the rocket engine that launched the Apollo to the moon.
Hours: Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Adult $29; senior $25; youth (5-17) $21
Address: 9404 E Marginal Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108
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Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum (Everett) – Rare Military Aircraft and Tanks
Explore three hangars of vintage, rare military aircraft, tanks, and equipment at one of the best military museums in Washington State. The collection features 26 aircraft and more than 30 vehicles across nine acres, with amazing displays like a Focke-Wulf 190 with a V12 engine.
Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 3407 109th St SW, Everett, WA 98204
LeMay – America’s Car Museum (Tacoma) – Ranked One of the Best Automotive Museums in the Country
LeMay – America’s Car Museum isn’t just one of the best car museums in Washington State; it’s one of the best in the U.S. This four-level facility features 12 rotating exhibits across 165,000 square feet plus five Signature Events every year. Permanent exhibits include British Invasion with models from Austin-Healey, Jaguar, and Lotus; Legends of Motorsports; and Custom Coachwork with upscale vehicles from the 1930s.
Hours: Thursday to Monday, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Adults $24.50; seniors and military members $22.50; youth (5–12) $17.50; free for members
Address: 2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421
Other Washington State Museums
Here are a few other unique museums that should make your list of places to visit in Washington State.
Pacific Bonsai Museum (Federal Way) – Impressive Collection of Bonsai Trees
Not far from Tacoma in Federal Way, the Pacific Bonsai Museum is a peaceful retreat in nature where bonsai is treated as living art. There are more than 100 bonsai trees from Korea, Japan, China, and other countries. Visitors are encouraged to take their time to admire the small details of each bonsai. It’s one of the best free museums in Washington State!
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; closed Monday
Admission: Free; suggested donation of $12 per adult
Address: 2515 South 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
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Museum of Illusions (Seattle) – One of the Best Museums in Seattle for Teens, Couples & Families
The Museum of Illusions isn’t a traditional museum. It’s one of the most unique and photo-friendly museums in Washington State, with interactive exhibits focused on perception – rooms and displays that make your eyes (and brain) question what’s real. Step into the illusion rooms and experience optical illusions – pictures are encouraged!
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am to 9 pm, Wednesday, 10 am to 5 pm
Admission: Walk-in tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for kids (ages 5-12), $32 for seniors (60+) and military members, and free for educators with a school ID; discounted ticket prices are available online or with a family bundle
Address: 1330 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
The Whale Museum (Friday Harbor) – Exhibits, Educational Programs & Group Tours
The Whale Museum is a mission-driven natural history museum and a favorite among museums in Washington State. The organization is focused on the Salish Sea and interpreting and protecting the wild whales. Guided tours are available if reserved in advance.
Hours (winter schedule): Friday to Monday, 10 am to 4 pm, closed Tuesday to Thursday
Admission: General $12; Seniors $8; Students $6; children 5 & under free
Address: 62 First St N, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Best Museums in Washington State Map
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