Your Favourite Seattle Museums?
 

I'm going to Seattle for the first time ever next month (from eastern Canada). While I hope to spend my 4 days there mostly exploring various neighbourhoods and cycling, I always like to have as backup in case the weather is disagreeable some museum activity. I'll be staying in Capitol Hill without a car (but happily will wait for local buses).

Are there any museums in Seattle you believe are unique to Seattle (worth even going to if it's sunny every day?)? I enjoy anthropology, history and natural history museums most, especially if there's a LOCAL focus, such as an emphasis on Pacific Northwest First Nations (e.g., two of my favourites are the Museo de antropologia in Mexico City and Anthropology Museum in Vancouver). Burke Museum?

If you think an art museum if special (Seattle Art Museum?), I will make an effort to go there too.

Thanks in advance, DAN

The Frye Museum (First Hill)
Seattle Art Museum (downtown)
SAM Asian (Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill)
The Henry (UW campus)

I live on Capitol Hill myself. It's very easy to get around by Metro bus and on foot.

Any specific questions, please post them I'm happy to help if I can.

<<worth even going to if it's sunny every day?)>> I had to laugh because you must really be an optimist about the weather in Seattle :-) Suze

For history and anthropology, I would suggest the Burke Museum near the Arboretum, and the Klondike National Historic site in Pioneer Square. The Museum of Flight has many exhibits relating to local aeronautical history, of course. The Washington State Historical Museum is also interesting, with a lot of interactive exhibits, but it's in Tacoma: still do-able by bus.

Consider a trip to Tillicum Village.

We enjoyed the Seattle Art Museum and it has a wonderful museum store.

I know it's not a true museum, but Pike Place Market is sort of a "food museum" and I think you'll enjoy a visit there.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Best wishes, DAN

I think the Museum of Flight (Seattle) and the Museum of Glass (Tacoma) show local-interest items off very well indeed. The MoG is a bit of a pain to reach via public transport, but not impossible.

www.museumofflight.org
www.museumofglass.org

Seattle Art Museum is going to have a new Impressionist show opening around that time.

Also, if you're interested in museums with local focus, the Northwest African American Museum recently opened and might be of interest to you as well.

Hey, Gardyloo, isn't the Wing Luke reopening this summer?

NAAM is an excellent suggestion, because (besides seeing the museum exhibits) it is out in an interesting Seattle residential neighborhood, and housed in the historic Colman School building.

Thanks for the extra suggestions... I'm still listening and am coming up with a general "museum plan of attack" in case of inclement weather.

Daniel, If you make it to the Asian SAM branch in Volunteer Park, also be sure to stop into the old plant conservatory. It's very beautiful. There's also a water tower you can climb to get a 360 degree view of Seattle. Museum has admission but the other two are free.