Speciality Museums
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Admission tickets from $26.00
THE 10 BEST Seattle Specialty Museums
Specialty Museums in Seattle
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25 places sorted by traveler favorites
Speciality Museums
Queen Anne
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Ballard
Speciality Museums
University District
Speciality Museums
University District
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
SoDo
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Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
Downtown
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Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Belltown
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
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Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
SoDo
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What travelers are saying
- Nazimul HDubai, United Arab Emirates127 contributionsOne of the best places to visit. It takes around 2 hours to complete. Best part is we happen to watch the "Blue Angels" flying and view their landing. History of planes from world war 1 upto the present day Boeings can be evident.Written August 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ValleyblueSacramento, CA406 contributionsI think I need to set a bit of context for this review. The particular aspects of pop culture that are found in this museum, rap and hip hop, horror, fantasy, and such are not my cup of tea. So it says a lot when I, a person that just doesn't care for most of the stuff, really enjoyed the Museum of Pop Culture. Even though my interest in these things is minimal, I found the museum very interesting and I learned a lot about these genres.
The museum itself is extremely well organized and laid out. The exhibits are explained well and overall, it was a lot of fun. It's located conveniently in the Seattle Center right next to the Space Needle. If you're visiting Seattle, the MoPo (as it's called) is worth your time,Written September 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Trent Crimm33 contributionsThis is one of my favorite Seattle attractions based on its location on Lake Union with a view across Gas Works Park plus the remarkable attention to detail provided on Seattle ‘s history. There is a section devoted to the chronological history of Seattle which is refreshingly candid in its discussion of the remarkably one-sided treaty the early Americans signed with the Indian tribes.
There are several valuable items on exhibit, such as the Supersonics NBA championship trophy, and some of the early personal computers. There is also a section which collects ideas to improve Seattle which are written by guests on post-it notes.
In addition to the exhibits on early settlement history, there are excellent exhibits on the gold rush, early lumber industry, bridge construction, plus the Ballard Locks.
It seems there is a high level of giving from the Gates Foundation and Bezos that keeps the exhibits up to date.Written July 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PGK6 contributionsIf you are the least bit curious, this place draws you in immediately. My 18 and 16 year olds were very engaged. Highly recommend catching the 2pm tour, but it looked like the staff were very available to answer questions. Extremely well done. Maybe not for kids under 14, unless you are prepared to answer questions about contraceptives, childbirth, child marriage, etc.Written July 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kev1963Vancouver, Canada793 contributionsWas encouraged to go by my daughter and her husband who went last year. We didn’t commit to the morning of. Very pleasantly surprised. Took the free one hour tour (our guide Hon was awesome). Need at least two hours there. Nice little gift shopWritten August 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BobiTychynskiShimodaOakville, Canada335 contributionsThis experience is free to do with an optional donation. I really liked the painted representations of real-life coast guard experiences/rescues. You can also observe people working in the wood shop where they offer training programs (if there is one going on). The facility also offers boat rentals of several types. There is a small man-made pond where you can sail your miniature boats. It was fun to watch the ducks — they are not afraid of people!Written June 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TLG056Kansas City, MO390 contributionsThis museum was a short walk from our AirBnB. It was more than we were expecting and a nice way to spend a few hours. Very informative.Written September 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BarryandJackieBerkeley, CA1,085 contributionsNot on everyone's schedule but there was actually quite a lot to see about natural history and local cultural influences. Well-organized, plenty of free parking, and a cafe available. Not inexpensive to visit, however.Written August 30, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jason HennigRenton, WA318 contributionsIf you have any doubts about this museum, banish them now. Go in ready to listen and learn, and you'll be blown away. Their curation of the artefacts is stunning, and I don't have enough words to describe the experience I had. There's so much history jammed into such a small space it can be overwhelming.
It's a little hard to find because it's up some stairs between buildings, but there streetside parking and a little sign.Written March 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mike OEdmonds, WA305 contributionsI had no idea this was hear and i drive by it 3 or 4 days a week but i am glad i did as they have a great collection of phones and equipment of all kinds.
i got a one on one tour by someone how knows his stuff and is happy to pass his knowledge on. Many of the phones i have used or owned including a switch board that was a antique when i operated it over 50 years ago .Written November 3, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - IA Seattle GuySeattle, WA10 contributionsIncredible museum with a breathtaking story of activism and perseverance. I love this museum and I can't wait to see it grow. It's worth stopping at Jimi Hendrix Park right outside as well.Written June 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeff SWasilla, AK9 contributionsI stumbled across this gem during a few hours layover in Seattle, and was glad for the time spent here. That day it was staffed by a retired Battalion Chief from Bremerton, who was always available to answer questions. Between the stories documenting the toughest/biggest fires, the equipment used over the years, and finally the wide array of apparatus in the bay, there's plenty here for the fire and/or history buffs.Written January 19, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelinSuzChandler, AZ947 contributionsThis is a small museum, but packs a punch to the curious. To be honest I never thought about law enforcement over the decades, just took it for granted. There’s some really nice exhibits and intriguing stories behind some of the artifacts. Depending on your interest it’s a 30 min to 1/2 day long visit.Written August 18, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Room 52809 contributionsLoved it! Loved it! We had a great time there while visiting Seattle with family. Definitely super fun for kids and teenagers. The place is pretty big with two floors filled with different rooms, installations, and places to take pictures at. Just make sure your phone is fully charged before you enter ha ha.Written December 30, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BeginsInWonderSeattle, WA409 contributionsThe Henry Art Gallery is on the campus of the University of Washington. The gallery runs exhibitions of contemporary art. Often different rooms are used for whole installations. An interesting feature is that the gallery is built in the collegiate Gothic style and there are quotations about beauty on the walls, which kind of give a canonical backdrop to the more contemporary installations. When I visited, the "In Plain Sight" exhibition was on. I found the art really thought-provoking, often attractive, sometimes garish, and aligned to progressive ideas. My favorite was Mika Rottenberg's film about Chinese restaurants on the Mexico-US border and the plastics market in a Chinese city. It was a really interesting film about the Chinese diaspora, alienation of workers and where all the plastic throwaway stuff that gets bought comes from. Unless you are a major fan of one of the exhibiting artists, I wouldn't make a special trip just to visit this gallery - instead it's something that is nice to do as part of a wider visit to the University of Washington campus. There is a student-y coffee shop in the basement. Entry is free to everyone on Sundays - on other days it is free to UW faculty and students only.Written March 1, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seattle
- These places are best for specialty museums in Seattle:
- The Museum of Flight
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Museum of Pop Culture
- Museum of History & Industry
- National Nordic Museum
- These are the best places for kid-friendly specialty museums in Seattle:
- The Museum of Flight
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Museum of History & Industry
- Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
- These are the best places for couples seeking specialty museums in Seattle:
- The Museum of Flight
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
- The Center for Wooden Boats
- Museum of Pop Culture
- These are the best places for groups seeking specialty museums in Seattle:See more specialty museums for groups in Seattle on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly specialty museums in Seattle:
- The Museum of Flight
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Museum of History & Industry
- Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
- These are the best hidden gems for specialty museums in Seattle:
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
- The Center for Wooden Boats
- National Nordic Museum