ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEATTLE MUSEUM MONTH | EXPLORE WASHINGTON

Seattle, the Emerald City, is a beautiful mesh of coastal shore and vibrant skyline nestled on the west coast side of Washington. Seattle is a destination full of a variety of things to do, places to see, and much to learn. A city rich with culture, imagination, and innovation. With creative exhibits and a cultural explosion of information, the best museums in Seattle are the perfect way to explore the Emerald City in the winter months.

Whether you are looking to brush up on your Pop Culture, a huge MineCraft fan, or you have an interest in Nordic Culture, Seattle Museum Month is the perfect opportunity to explore the plethora of options that the Seattle Museum scene has to offer. This guide details everything you need to know before you visit Seattle this Winter Season.

WHERE TO STAY: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEATTLE MUSEUM MONTH

February is Seattle Museum Month. When visitors stay in downtown Seattle at a participating Hotel, you can get half-priced admission to all of the partnering Museums. With plenty of options at your fingertips, finding the perfect place to stay is a great start.

How it works: When you check into a participating downtown Seattle hotel, simply request a Seattle Museum Month packet. This packet contains a helpful map of participating museums and a guest pass, valid for up to 4 guests. Present this pass at participating museums and receive HALF-PRICE ADMISSION during Seattle Museum Month, February 1-29.

KIMPTON ALEXIS HOTEL

We had the privilege to stay at the newly transformed Kimpton Alexis Hotel on First Street in downtown. The hotel’s historic architecture takes your breathe away, with high ceilings and beautiful decor, the sophisticated renovated spaces reflect the vibrant present of the boutique hotel. They are pet friendly, which allowed us to bring our little dog Honey Bear along for the ride, which made the trip so much easier for us to enjoy. With a WOOF box, treats, and water in the lobby, we could pick out a special toy for her to have while in town. We stayed in one of their Spa Suites which had an amazing Spa bathroom with soaking tub and walk in shower. With large windows and comfy furniture, we could enjoy views of the city and waterfront from the comfort of our room. They have a Full Service Spa, a Hosted Evening Social Hour, Valet Parking, and the wonderful Bookstore Bar & Cafe attached. We highly recommend the Kimpton Alexis if you are looking for a a great place to stay in the heart of the city with a laidback luxury feel. Plus, it is only a couple blocks away from one of the partner museums, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM).

Additional Information:

Wine in the lobby at 5 each evening.
Bookstore Restaurant is great for food.
Valet Parking is $48 a day.
ADDRESS: 1007 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

For a list of all the participating Hotels, click here.

SEATTLE MUSEUM: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEATTLE MUSEUM MONTH

SEATTLE CENTER

Our trip exploring the Seattle Museums started at the Seattle Center. Nestled in the heart of downtown Seattle, and a short distance from Pioneer Square, the Seattle Center is an active civic, arts and family gathering place with over 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations residing on the grounds. It is home to the world-famous Space Needle, as well as two of our most favorite museums, the Chihuly Garden & Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture.

Additional Information:

Parking is limited, but they have lots that you can pay to park at (which is what we did).
You can easily take a LIFT to the Center as well.
Admission to the Seattle Center area is FREE.
ADDRESS: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS

Chihuly Garden and Glass is one of the must see museums in Seattle. Walking through the halls, you could imagine the creativity and inspiration that Dale Chihuly felt as he created all of the beautiful pieces of art. It is a delicate and beautiful reminder of the creative mind of a talented artist. Exploring the galleries, we turned every corner like excited children to see each new glass sculpture which was more breathtaking than the last,. The beautiful colors shone bright through each gallery. It was one of the most magestic art displays that we have ever seen. Once we made our way through all of the galleries we found ourselves in the glasshouse where we could spend hours taking in the beautiful colors. The Space Needle watching over you as you ponder the splendor around. The Glass House is home to a 100 foot long sculpture in a color palette of oranges, red, yellows, and beautiful amber. This floral glass sculpture is breathtaking in the 40 foot tall glasshouse, and serves as the centerpiece of the museum.

Additional Information:

ADMISSION: $32 **They also have a Chihuly + Space Needle Ticket for $59
Chihuly Garden and Glass is included if you buy a Seattle City Pass
Parking is limited, but they have lots that you can pay to park at (which is what we did).
ADDRESS: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MoPOP)

One of the most unique and fun museums we have ever set foot in, the Museum of Pop Culture is an absolute must while you are in town. The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder, Paul G. Allen, MoPOP is dedicated to exploring the creativity and innovation in American popular music and pop culture. We love the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which included actual costumes from the sets of movies like the Lord of the Rings and The Princess Bride, two of our all time favorites.

We felt like children again, quoting lines from the movies as we explored the different rooms and exhibits in the Hall of Fame. A Special touch, and highlight of Seattle Museum Month is definitely the MineCraft Exhibition. With full-scale creatures and props, you feel like you are in the game, walking through your starting bedroom all the way to the Nether, it is an experience like no other. At the end, if you feel like playing Minecraft, grab a controller and immerse yourself in the game that has taken hold of our culture. This exhibit is a great option if you are looking for a unique and fun experience for the whole family.

Additional Information:

ADMISSION: $28 (not including Minecraft)
Admission to MoPOP + MINECRAFT: $34
MoPOP is included if you buy a Seattle City Pass
Parking is limited, but they have lots that you can pay to park at (which is what we did).
ADDRESS: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM

A hidden gem in the North West part of town in the Old Ballard is The National Nordic Museum. The Museum shares Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experience, and serving as a community gathering place. They had many different collections which provided a unique look at Nordic History. We loved being able to explore the Nordic Journeys exhibition and compare the different cultures of the Nordic region. Stefanie really enjoyed being able to sit in the Nordic Region area watching a film which showed beautiful video of the Nordic region today. With soft stones (pillows) to sit on and with trees all around, It was as if we were sitting in a forest theater.

We recommend going to this museum and then seeing the Hiram Chittenden-Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens Park. These are all on the Northwest of town and within 5-10 minutes of each other. This was a great escape from downtown Seattle, and a great reminder of cultural heritage and significance.

Additional Information:

ADMISSION: $18
Check your coat at the door, it gets warm inside.
Parking is limited, but they have a lot in the back that you can pay to park at (which is what we did).
ADDRESS: 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

SEATTLE AQUARIUM

One of our favorite things to do while in town was take a daily and nightly stroll down to the Seattle waterfront. Each day we couldn’t hold in our excitement about being able to visit the Seattle Aquarium. Stefanie and I are huge fans of animals, and we could not wait to explore, touch, and experience the sea-life at the Seattle Aquarium. The Aquarium is located on pier 59 on the waterfront, with beautiful views of Elliott Bay. The Seattle Aquarium features a stunning 40-foot, 55,000 lb. viewing window into a 120,000 gallon aquarium filled with all kinds of sea creatures, fish, and even divers who interact with you as you view through the glass. We practically ran to the touch pools so that Stefanie could stick her hands into some sea anemones, touch some sea stars, which are some of her favorite things to do. We then made our way to the outside exhibits where we got to look at our favorite sea animals, which are sea otters. They have a beautiful facility which makes it incredibly easy to view all of the different exhibits, and it is enjoyable for people of all ages.

Additional Information:

ADMISSION: $32.95
The Seattle Aquarium is included if you buy a Seattle City Pass
Parking is limited, but they have lots by the street that you can park at. Or if you stay at the Kimpton Alexis like we did, its a 10 minute walk away.
ADDRESS: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101

For a full list of the partner Museums, click here.

WHERE TO EAT: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEATTLE MUSEUM MONTH

ZEEKS PIZZA

If you are a pizza lover like us, Zeeks Pizza was a great stop very close to the Seattle Center. It is one of the best places to eat in Seattle, with many options to choose from. We loved that they had Gluten-Free Pizza for Stefanie. We both got a full pizza which we enjoyed at the restaurant, and we were able to have some left-overs for the plane ride home. Also, their breadsticks are amazing as well.

Additional information:

MENU
ADDRESS: 419 Denny Way, Seattle WA 98109

MELROSE MARKET - HOMEGROWN

Homegrown at Melrose Market is a great option for a light, yet taste-filled meal on Capitol Hill in downtown Seattle. Stefanie got the grass-fed steak salad, and I got the steak sandwich. Both were delicious, and we got to enjoy an intimate and satisfying meal that was light enough to allow us to get some treats later on that night.

Additional Information:

MENU
ADDRESS: 1531 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

8oz BURGER & Co

A wonderful find for us after a long day of walking. The 8oz Burger & Co was a perfect fit for our burger craving. Another place with great gluten-friendly options, we were both able to enjoy their signature burger, the 8oz Burger. They were extremely friendly and welcoming. It was definitely an atmosphere where you could tell regulars would come for what they knew was going to be a great meal. This gave us a perfect idea of what a night out in Seattle would look like.

Additional information:

MENU
ADDRESS:1401 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122

CONCLUSION: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEATTLE MUSEUM MONTH

No matter what museums you decide to check out, we hope that you enjoy your time as much as we did in Seattle. There are so many options for fun things to do in Seattle that are great for any type of Museum that you would like to see. We think that Seattle Museum Month is a must do in Seattle if you are coming to town for a visit.