6 Best Sights in Seattle, Washington

Sculptor Jonathan Borofsky's several-stories-high “Hammering Man” greets visitors to SAM, as locals call this pride of the city’s art scene. SAM's permanent collection surveys American, Asian, Native American, African, Oceanic, and pre-Columbian art. Collections of African dance masks and Native American carvings are particularly strong. SAM's free floors have the best attractions for kids, including an installation of a massive tree-like sculpture hanging from the ceiling and the Chase Open Studio. If you're interested in checking a special exhibition, consider buying tickets in advance as they can sell out. The listed admission price to see the museum's general collections and installations is suggested pricing, though the museum charges fixed pricing for tickets that include special exhibitions.

The imposing art deco building that’s the centerpiece of Volunteer Park was built in 1933 to house the Seattle Art Museum, and that’s what it was until the museum expanded into its current primary location Downtown. The original building was dedicated to the museum’s Asian collection, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) was born. The permanent collection includes works from China, Japan, India, Korea, and Southeast Asian. It fills 13 galleries with rooms dedicated to pottery, images of nature, illustrated scrolls, and clothing. Six of the galleries focus on aspects of spirituality, including sacred texts, divine bodies, and sacred journeys. All in all, SAAM strikes a balance that makes it an especially enjoyable museum going experience: there’s a wide range of beautiful, engaging art, yet it’s small enough to keep you from feeling overwhelmed or getting bored.

This gallery presents thought-provoking shows by contemporary artists that often often bend or defy tradition. The star attraction of the permanent collection is Light Reign by James Turrell, an elliptical chamber sitting separate from the main building that allows visitors to contemplate the sky through a large hole in its ceiling. It's a quiet, meditative experience in the midst of the university hubbub. The Henry's location—steps away from the Burke Museum and Red Square—and its free admission make it an easy stop while exploring the UW campus. The café, open even when the gallery is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, is a peaceful spot for a coffee and a bite to eat.

Seattle's newest museum is also its largest and most outlandish. Cannonball Arts opened its doors in August 2025 in Belltown and has made a splash since its debut. This 66,000 square foot space is a mecca for contemporary arts, embracing the eclectic and experimental essence of Seattle's modern art scene and featuring everything from experiential sculptures and VR exhibits to an indoor garden and live canoe carving by Native artists.

Just steps from the base of the Space Needle, this museum celebrates another Seattle icon—the Pacific Northwest’s own Dale Chihuly. Since the 1970s, Chihuly has redefined glass as an art form, crafting vivid, fluid sculptures that have been exhibited around the world. Eight immersive galleries showcase his mastery of color, light, and form, revealing how he uses glass’s translucence to mesmerizing effect. Throughout the day, visitors can watch live glassblowing demonstrations or step into the theater for short films that illuminate the artist’s life and creative process. If you're also planning to visit the Space Needle, a combination ticket will save you some money.

In addition to its beloved permanent collection—predominantly 19th- and 20th-century pastoral paintings—the Frye hosts eclectic and often avant-garde exhibits, putting this elegant museum on par with the Henry in the University District. No matter what's going on in the stark, brightly lit back galleries, it always seems to blend well with the permanent collection, which is rotated regularly. Thanks to the legacy of Charles and Emma Frye, the museum is always free, including parking, and its café MariPili at Cafe Frieda serves Galician-inspired sandwiches, salads, and soups.