Arts & Entertainment
Seattle is a city driven by creativity and innovation. With a mix of traditional and unconventional in art and performance, there’s something for everyone. As you explore the city, be on the lookout for public art works—Seattle has over 400 permanent works.
Museums
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Dedicated to Seattle’s heritage from early settlement to modern day, MOHAI maintains a collection of nearly four million artifacts. Permanent and temporary exhibits are housed at the Naval Reserve Armory in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Learn more at http://www.mohai.org/
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
Located in downtown Seattle and commonly referred to as “SAM,” the Seattle Art Museum has an impressive collection in its 312,000 square feet on First Avenue in the heart of downtown. The 48-foot tall Hammering Man sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky marks your arrival. In addition to the galleries on First Avenue, SAM also maintains the Asian Art Museum and the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park, which is always free.
Seattle Art Museum: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
Asian Art Museum: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/asian-art-museum
Olympic Sculpture Park: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Founded in 2000 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, MoPOP is dedicated to music and popular culture. The building was designed by Frank Gehry and features the monorail—built for the 1962 World’s Fair—running through the center. Inside are exhibits, interactive activities and rare rock and roll artifacts.
Learn more at http://www.empmuseum.org/
Burke Museum of Natural History
The oldest natural history museum west of the Mississippi, the Burke features a collection of 16 million artifacts on the campus of University of Washington. With temporary and long term exhibits, visitors can expect to see things like the giant ground sloth fossil found during the construction of the Seattle airport, a 140-million-year-old allosaurus and the world’s largest collection of spread bird wings.
Learn more at http://www.burkemuseum.org/
Frye Art Museum
Originally the private collection of Charles and Emma Frye, Charles set aside funds in his will to establish a museum to house their collection of paintings. The original collection consists entirely of representational works, with more adventuresome works added over the years. The Frye opened to the public in 1952 as Seattle’s first free museum—and admission and parking are still free today.
Learn more at http://fryemuseum.org/
Chihuly Garden and Glass
An addition to Seattle’s art scene is Chihuly Garden and Glass at the base of the Space Needle. Opened in May 2012, the indoor and outdoor facility is dedicated to the glass sculptures and art of Dale Chihuly.
Learn more at http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/
Performing Arts
5th Avenue Theatre
Dedicated to live musical theatre, the 5th Avenue Theatre is in the heart of downtown Seattle. First opened in 1926 with a vaudeville production, the theatre is an architectural marvel modeled after three of China’s most notable places: the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heavenly Peace. The 5th Avenue Theater features a large variety of works as well as touring shows from New York.
For information on shows and tickets, visit https://www.5thavenue.org/
Paramount Theatre
Opened in March 1928, downtown theatergoers have been delighted by performances and the theater’s architectural details for decades. Today, the Paramount hosts dance, jazz, live concerts, speakers, comedy, special events and family-friendly shows.
For information on shows and tickets, visit http://www.stgpresents.org/paramount/
ACT
In the heart of downtown, ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) is dedicated to producing contemporary work. Presented with intelligence, insight and humor, works are meant to touch on thought-provoking issues.
For information on shows and tickets, visit http://www.acttheatre.org/
Seattle Opera
Located among many of Seattle’s cultural icons in Seattle Center at the base of the Space Needle, the Seattle Opera makes opera accessible with pre-performance talks, English translations, post-show talks and no dress code.
For information on shows and tickets, visit https://www.seattleopera.org/
Cornish Playhouse
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Cornish Playhouse is the highest-profile venue for Cornish College of the Arts. The Playhouse presents a full range of performing arts from student works to professional productions in theater, dance, music and visual arts. Located at the Seattle Center, The Cornish is easily accessible.
For information on shows and tickets, visit http://www.cornish.edu/playhouse/
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Founded in 1972, the Pacific Northwest Ballet is one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States. The Ballet features a company of nearly 50 dancers and more than 100 performances each year. Also located at the Seattle Center in McCaw Hall.
For information on shows and tickets, visit http://www.pnb.org/
Seattle Repertory Theatre
Created in 1963 by a group of theater lovers, the Seattle Rep creates productions that surprise and entertain. Each season is diverse, combining new works and re-imagined classics. Located at the Seattle Center.
For information on shows and tickets, visit https://www.seattlerep.org/
Seattle is also home to numerous other theaters, independent movie houses, annual arts festivals and more. For a comprehensive guide visit Arts Crush, Seattle Met Arts & Entertainment, City Arts Magazine, or Seattle.gov for more information.
http://www.artscrush.org
http://www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-entertainment
https://www.cityartsmagazine.com
http://www.seattle.gov/living-in-seattle/arts/local-arts-and-community-organizations
Professional Sports
Seattle Seahawks
After back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, including one win, Seattle has an incurable case of Seahawks Fever! The Seahawks stadium, CenturyLink Field, is south of downtown, right next to T-Mobile Field. During particularly exciting games (for example “Beastquake” of 2011) the stadium celebration has registered on a nearby seismograph.
Current Schedule
Online Ticket Sales
Seattle Sounders
Major League Soccer has had a home in Seattle since 2009 and the city has embraced the team with Euro-level enthusiasm. The Sounders have set MLS records for average attendance, led the league in season ticket sales and enjoy a winning record. Also playing at CenturyLink Field downtown, it’s “scarves up” at game time!
Current Schedule
Online Ticket Sales
Seattle Reign
The Seattle Reign began to play in 2013 in the National Women’s Soccer League. The team plays at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, just 30 miles south of Seattle. The 2015 team featured two women who represented the United States in their Women’s World Cup victory: Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe.
Schedule and Online Ticket Sales
Seattle Storm
The WNBA team has qualified for the playoffs in twelve of its seventeen seasons in Seattle and hold three league championships. Home games are currently played at Alaska Airlines Arena at University of Washington, or at the Angel of the Winds Casino. Games are famously family-friendly and fun.
Current Schedule
Online Ticket Sales
Seattle Mariners
Playing in Safeco Field just south of downtown Seattle, the Mariners offer Major League Baseball play April through September. And if we’re lucky, October! T-Mobile Field has a retractable roof, so play continues rain or shine.
