Seattle is known to have tons of water, mountains and forestland. It is such a beautiful canvas that leaves everyone in awe and is a place that you should definitely visit at least once in your lifetime - or maybe more! Seattle is also known to be home to four major museums in Washington, namely Frye Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum. To which, some of them have free entry, be it every day or on certain days. So, to those who would like to explore the culture or check out budget-friendly activities to do in Seattle, this article is for you! Keep reading to find out more about the best entry-free museums in Seattle!
1. Center for Wooden Boats
Center for Wooden Boats is a living museum where you get to explore a traditional wooden boat collection on one of the exhibits itself! Through such an interesting way of displaying their exhibits, the museum aims to promote the heritage of northwest maritime and the hard work that went into building and maintaining the historical small craft. On top of free admission, Center for Wooden Boats also provides various free activities such as toy boat building and Sunday sail where they take you out for an unforgettable voyage every Sunday!
Center for Wooden Boats
Address: 1010 Valley Street Seattle, WA 98109
Website: Center for Wooden Boats
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Free
2. Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is located at West Marginal Way overlooking the Duwamish River Valley. The museum aims to promote authentic Native American and pioneer heritage through their wood-panelled interior which is said to reflect Duwamish cultural and aesthetic traditions. Immerse in their culture as you enter the museum and have the tribe members say the name of their ancestors as a way of honouring them, or indulge in their traditional food which will be prepared for you!
Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
Address: 4705 W Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Website: Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
3. Frye Art Museum
Frye Art Museum displays local and global artists’ art pieces that convey a message of current issues of the modern days or historical subject matters. Through the pieces being displayed, the museum hopes to highlight and reflect social dialogues that are relatable to many. The museum was first started as a platform for the Frye family to showcase their art pieces. However, as time went by, they turned it into a space to reflect Seattle’s ever-changing identity through various artists’ impressions. This museum, without a doubt, is a spot that will make an enjoyable afternoon trip.
Frye Art Museum
Address: 704 Terry Avenue Seattle, Washington 98104
Website: Frye Art Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 5pm; Thu: 11am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
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4. Klondike Goldrush Museum
Klondike Goldrush Museum is a historical park that is operated by Seattle’s National Park Service. The museum displays Seattle’s involvement in the 1890s Klondike Goldrush, a historical moment that transformed the lives of many. You can expect interactive exhibits and artefacts such as videos, park’s collection and photographs which will help you dive deep into Seattle’s history and better appreciate the hard work that was put into building this beautiful city.
Klondike Goldrush Museum
Address: 319 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104,
Website: Klondike Goldrush Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Olympic Sculpture Park
A combination of a park and a museum, Olympic Sculpture Park is an award-winning 9-acre (3.6 hectares) sculpture park and Seattle’s largest downtown green space. An amazing space for a stroll where you get to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while admiring a variety of modern sculptures. Even if you’re not one who enjoys sculptures, this place is a great place for an afternoon stroll as well!
Olympic Sculpture Park
Address: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121,
Website: Olympic Sculpture Park
Price: Free
6. Northwest Railway Museum
Northwest Railway Museum is the oldest and largest railway museum in Washington. The museum aims to spread awareness of the importance of railroads in the development of the Pacific Northwest and allow people to experience travelling on a railway. Through the exhibition, you will be told stories of how these railroads were built. The museum also displays a huge collection of railway artefacts and equipment, as well as restored vehicles. Attracting nearly 90,000 visitors yearly, it is clear to say that this is one of the must-visit attractions in Seattle.
Northwest Railway Museum
Address: 9320 Stone Quarry Road, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Website: Northwest Railway Museum
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
Price: Free
Museums that are free on certain days
7. Museum of Flight (from USD 26.0)
Located at the southern end of King Country International Airport, Museum of Flight is the largest non-profit air and space museum in the world. Home to more than 175 aircraft, innumerable artefacts, millions of rare photographs and exhibits, Museum of Flight brings aircraft history to life through their virtual reality and 3D activities. The museum also allows you to have an experience of piloting an aircraft with the help of their flight simulation activity or “step into” their preserved artefacts with the use of virtual museum technology! The possibilities are endless at this awe-inspiring museum.
Museum of Flight Admission Ticket 3D with Air and Space Movie
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
8. Henry Art Gallery
Henry Art Gallery is a museum by the University of Washington in Seattle and is the first public art museum in Washington. Opened in 1927, the museum focuses on contemporary art and the history of photography. They have also partnered with various renowned international artists and made their collections available for research, allowing artists to have a platform to explore and generate new ideas. What a meaningful museum it is.
Henry Art Gallery
Address: University of Washington, 15th Ave NE &, NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98195
Website: Henry Art Gallery
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 4pm; Thu: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 6 - 10 USD per person (free entry every Sunday and first Thursday of the month)
9. Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum was founded in the 1930s by a collector of Asian art. While the museum, located in Volunteer Park, is home to most of the Asian collection, it also houses collections from all over the world and even includes artwork that dates back to the Roman empire. This beautiful space is definitely a must-visit for artists and art lovers where you can draw tons of inspiration and be at peace among these engaging art pieces.
Seattle Art Museum
Address: 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Website: Seattle Art Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 9pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
Price: 20 - 30 USD per person (free entry on every first Thursday of the month)
10. Museum of History and Industry
Located at the South Lake Union, Museum of History and Industry records every milestone of Seattle since its birth. From the first time that Native Americans came into contact with the Europeans, to how the city was rebuilt after it was burnt down by a devastating fire, as well as how the city got through both World Wars, explore their various award-winning and mind-bogging exhibits, and get ready to be absorbed into these historical moments!
Museum of History and Industry
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
Website: Museum of History and Industry
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 17 - 22 USD per person (free entry on first Thursday of each month)
Seattle got you covered
Regardless of what your interests are, be it wanting to have a better understanding of history, looking for new inspiration or appreciating these gorgeous artworks, Seattle has it all! Museum trips are also a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones and an amazing chance to gain more knowledge! What’s more when it’s free entry - an amazing way to budget your trip!
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