If you thought museums were dusty and boring, think again. There are loads of museums in Seattle that bring history to life and will keep you fascinated for hours. Best of all, many of them have free admission days. Grab some friends or family of any age, and don’t miss out. We’ve done some filtering to make it easy to find a museum near you that offers free admission days, so let’s start exploring!
16 Museums in Seattle That Offer Free Admission Days
- Klondike Goldrush Museum
- Museum Of History and Industry
- Museum Of Flight
- Northwest Railway Museum
- Log House Museum
- Imagination Children’s Museum
- Seattle Art Museum
- Frye Art Museum
- National Nordic Museum
- And more…
16 Seattle Museums Offering Free Admission Days
No matter your interests – art, flight, boats, crafts, kid-friendly, cultural – Seattle has a museum you will love. Rainy weather never has to keep you cooped up indoors again. Our handy guide will let you know when you can immerse yourself in history absolutely free.
Tips about free admission days before we get started:
- Check your intended museum’s free admission hours before you leave, as they can change.
- It is worthwhile to have a Seattle or King County Library card as they can be used for free admission to some museums.
1. Klondike Goldrush Museum
319 Second Avenue S, Seattle, WA
https://www.nps.gov/klse/index.htm
Admission to the Klondike Gold Rush Visitors Center and Museum is always free. The attraction is open from Wednesday to Sunday each week between 10 am to 5 pm.
Be transported back to the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s and discover Seattle’s role in the quest for gold! A perfect outing for all ages. Kids can earn their Junior Ranger Badges, while adults enjoy the exhibits.
2. Museum Of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Free admission hours are on the first Thursday of the month between 5 and 8 pm. It is essential to reserve your tickets or register to attend special exhibits on these days in advance.
Children under 14 enjoy free admission every day, so you can bring all the kids. MOHAI contains more than 4 million artifacts and historic materials. It’s a great place to learn more about Seattle’s history.
3. Museum Of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA
https://www.museumofflight.org/
Free admission hours are on the first Thursday of the month between 5 and 9. Entry is always free for children aged four and younger.
The Museum of Flight will fascinate anyone interested in aviation. In addition to more than 160 static displays of aircraft, there are flight simulators and interactive exhibits that are sure to delight the entire family.
Seattle’s Museum of Flight is a massive facility, and you may need to dedicate a few Free Thursdays to see it all. There are vintage planes and modern aircraft and everything in between!
4. Northwest Railway Museum
38625 S.E. King Street, Snoqualmie, WA
Admission to the Northwest Railway Museum Snoqualmie Depot and grounds is free every day. Tickets to ride the train cost $35 for everyone aged 2 and over.
The story of the locomotives and the history of the railway will enchant kids of all ages. The attraction features everything from sturdy workhorses that helped shape Seattle to a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine.
5. Log House Museum
The Log House Museum has a pay-what-you-can policy. You can make a donation towards admission if you want to. This small museum is only open each Friday and Saturday afternoon from noon to 4 pm.
Guided tours cost $5 per person, but non-tour visitors are welcome to come in and look around. The tours are not only confined to the historic building but also include an exploration of nearby Seattle landmarks.
6. Imagine Children’s Museum
Imagine Children’s Museum offers free admission hours between 5:30 and 9 pm every 3rd Friday of the month. There is also a half-price admission option every Thursday from 3 to 5 pm.
Kids will love being able to explore the hands-on exhibitions made especially for them. Imagine Children’s Museum combines fun and education into one exciting outing – and parents will enjoy it, too.
7. Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-art-museum
The Seattle Art Museum offers free admission on First Thursdays. Entry is always free for children under the age of 14. Tickets are available onsite or online.
The art museum isn’t only about viewing traditional and contemporary pieces. There are activities for kids and even opportunities to create your own works of art.
Although it is not entirely free, it is also worth noting that SAM offers First Fridays for seniors over the age of 65. Entry tickets are discounted to $5 for this age group on the first Friday of each month.
8. Frye Art Museum
Admission to the Frye Art Museum is free every day it is open. Note that it is always closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but you can plan your trip between 11 am and 5 pm on any other day of the week.
Frye Art Museum is Seattle’s only entirely free art museum. It features contemporary art and offers loads of interesting interactive programs for visitors to take part in.
9. National Nordic Museum
2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA
You can visit the National Nordic Museum for free on the first Thursday of each month. Be sure to reserve your complimentary passes ahead of your visit. You can also use your library card for a free visit.
The National Nordic Museum houses exhibits about the culture and heritage of the Nordic region. It also explores the legacy of Nordic immigrants in the United States. Access to special exhibitions costs $5 on First Thursdays.
10. Museum Of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
MoPOP offers no general free admission days but is part of the Museums for All and free library pass program. Enter for free by showing your EBT card or library card. Kids aged 4 and younger never pay for admission to this museum.
Explore the contemporary world of science fiction, gaming, fantasy, and, of course, pop music. MoPOP also offers a variety of educational and summer programs. Note this museum is closed on Wednesdays.
11. Olympic Sculpture Park
https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/olympic-sculpture-park
Admission to Olympic Sculpture Park is always free. This outdoor venue is open daily from shortly after sunrise and closes before sunset.
Conveniently located on the waterfront near downtown, this outdoor installation is the perfect way to spend a lazy day when the weather is fine. It is a super outing that the entire family will enjoy.
12. Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum (FHCAM)
Paine Field Airport, 3407 109th St, S.W., Everett, WA
The Flying Heritage & Combat Armon Museum has a variety of admission options. Hidden among the paid options is the ‘Troop Carrier’ option. This will score a group of five free entries if they have a library pass.
Tickets for this concession must be booked in advance through Seattle Public Library. The collection includes numerous aircraft and tanks used in world conflicts. The museum is a must-see outing for anyone interested in military machinery.
13. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA
Admission is free on the first Thursday of each month. It is always free for children 3 and younger and the University of Washington staff, students, and faculty.
The Burke Museum was the first museum in The Evergreen State. It contains an impressive collection of artifacts, including dinosaur fossils. It also boasts the world’s most extensive collection of spread birds’ wings.
14. Center For Wooden Boats
1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA – Located in Lake Union Park
Admission to The Center For Wooden Boats is always free. They are open from Wednesday through Sunday, so it is a perfect budget-friendly outing for the entire family.
This charming maritime museum offers visitors the opportunity to experience life at sea from dry land and on the water. There is even a free rowboat rental program. Be sure to reserve your vessel from the fleet of beautifully maintained wooden rowboats in advance.
15. Seattle Asian Art Museum
1400 East Prospect St, Seattle, WA
www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-asian-art-museum
Free admission day is on the last Friday of each month. Children aged 14 and under are always free. The Seattle Asian Museum is open between 10 and 5 from Friday to Sunday.
The museum is situated in a scenic neighborhood park. The Art Deco building houses prints, paintings, and other works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Korea, India, and the Himalayas. Special exhibitions take place every six months inside a large gallery in the museum.
16. Wing Luke Museum
719 South King St, Seattle, WA
Although Wing Luke Museum does not participate in First Thursday, you can use your Seattle Public Library pass to get two free admissions. EBT cardholders can also get free access for up to 5 visitors. Kids under 5 are always free.
The Wing Luke Museum celebrates the role of Asian Americans in shaping the Seattle area. The attraction also offers guided tours of the surrounding Chinatown-International District. It is an exciting way to learn the significance of details you may not have noticed before.
Take Advantage of Free Museum Admission Days!
Rain or shine, there is never an excuse not to take a step into history and take in one of Seattle’s many museums. With some prior planning, it is possible to enjoy these attractions free of charge.
