If you're visiting Seattle, you will want to visit the excellent museums of this busting cultural and commercial hub of the Pacific Northwest. From an inspiring and educational visit to the Seattle Museum of Flight to the delicate crafts on display in a peaceful park setting at the Asian Art Museum, there is no lack of visual art, history, and culture in Seattle.

Seattle has a number of fine galleries and museums with world-class exhibitions. The Frye Art Museum has a smaller but well-known art collection that has been on display since 1952. While not as large or with as many exhibitions as the Seattle Art Museum, the Frye Art Museum has an excellent assortment of American and European painting from the nineteenth century. Artists from Alaska and the Northwest are well-represented in its over 230 works of art, making the Frye Art Museum a one of a kind experience. Set in the First Hill area, this historic part of the city is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle.

The Seattle Museum of Flight is unmatched on the west coast for air museums. 70 airplanes are on display, showcasing the history of aviation. From Boeing planes to the first ever Presidential jet, a visit to the Seattle Museum of Flight is an exciting and fun way to learn about the history of flight.

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One of the most well known public institutions, the Seattle Art Museum is rapidly expanding, with new construction currently under way. A new facility is expected to open in the spring of 2007. There will be lots more room for the over 21,000 art objects in the Seattle Art Museum and more frequent shows once the additional areas are built.

If you'd like to go to the museum, you can visit free of admission on the first Thursday of every month. The Asian Art Museum in the art deco styled building where the old SAM was. The park setting in the perfect environment for the delicate crafts showcased at the Asian Art Museum of Seattle.

The Seattle Art Museum is currently on First Avenue in Downtown Seattle. It has been at its present location since 1991, when it was moved from smaller facilities in the historic Volunteer Park. Also in the plans of the Seattle Art Museum is a sculpture park, steps from the waterfront. Set to open in Fall of 2006, this new venue will bring art to the forefront of pubic life.

In June of 2003, the Odyssey Maritime Museum reopened with exciting new exhibits. Located on Pier 66 at the Seattle waterfront, the Odyssey Maritime Museum prides itself on being one of the most fun and education maritime museums. Kids love the interactive exhibits like simulator rides and real equipment that they can play with. The Odyssey Maritime Museum also teaches visitors about the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard in its Water at Work display, which is a hand on exhibits that lets them control the water table in the area, from the headwaters of the Columbia River to a fish ladder.

For contemporary art lovers, Henry Art Museum has one of the most impressive collections of lectures, screenings, and exhibitions. The Henry Art Museum has long been known in Seattle, since it is the first public museum in Washington State to open. An auditorium built to hold 154-seats was opened in 1997, at which time the Henry Art Museum expanded to its current size of 40,000 square feet. Funding for and the original collection of art of the Henry Art Museum was donated by Seattle businessman Horace C Henry, who the museum was named after.

At the Seattle Center, the Childrens Museum is like heaven for kids. Include a trip up the Space Needle with your visit to the Childrens Museum for an unforgettable afternoon. Young people of any age will love the hands-on exhibits and galleries featuring everything kids want to know about. You can spend a fun afternoon exploring the over 22,000 square feet of interesting displays at the Childrens Museum.