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Seattle Art Museum

1300 First Avenue · Seattle, WA

Why you should go…

The Seattle Art Museum, known as SAM, is the largest fine art museum in the Pacific Northwest and was founded in 1933. Its downtown building at 1300 First Avenue houses collections spanning ancient to contemporary art from around the world. SAM also operates the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park and the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park on the central waterfront.

  • #art
  • #museum
  • #culture
  • #downtown
  • #sculpture

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Seattle Art Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Waterways Cruises & Events

    $50+

    A family-run Seattle cruise company offering dining, brunch and event cruises on Lake Union, Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Woodland Park Zoo

    $25–$50

    A century-old zoo known for naturalistic habitats and a canopy-level gorilla exhibit.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Kerry Park

    Free

    The small Queen Anne hillside park behind that postcard skyline shot of Seattle and Mount Rainier.

    2.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Museum of History & Industry

    $25–$50

    Seattle's history museum on Lake Union covering the region's maritime, industrial and pop-culture past.

    3.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Date Night

    Chihuly Garden and Glass

    $25–$50

    Dale Chihuly's blown-glass sculptures fill an indoor gallery and a garden beside the Space Needle.

    3.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

    $25–$50

    Frank Gehry's swooping metal building houses exhibits on music, sci-fi, and pop culture icons.

    3.2 mi awayMore like this