The 8 Best Museums in the State of Washington!

It's quite the challenge to narrow down this list to just 8 fascinating museums in Washington, because the list should go on much further. From the Bug Museum to the Last Resort Fire Department, from a telephone museum to a pinball museum, the state has displays for every taste.

It is definitely hard to choose just 8, but here's a selection of art, history, tech and culture that have won kudos from every member of the family.

Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA

Bill Boeing started his company in a small red barn. That is now one of the many exhibit areas for the Museum of Flight in the south end of Seattle, close to Boeing Field and the company's Seattle workplace. The museum, which is the largest aviation museum on the West Coast, has hundreds of planes on exhibit, from biplanes to the latest in jets. It even has a replica of the International Space Station, full size. Beside planes, it has a flight simulator, hands-on learning areas and tours of Boeing Field.

Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA

The Seattle Art Museum includes the main building downtown, plus the Asian Art Museum at Volunteer Park and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront. It has numerous permanent collections, as well as major touring exhibitions. The Asian Art Museum, located in a park close by downtown, shows collections covering centuries of Asian works. The Olympic Sculpture Garden displays a wide variety of sculptures in an area spread out over nine acres along the Seattle waterfront.

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA

The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, located in Spokane in Eastern Washington, is run by the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. An affiliate of the Smithsonian, it shows off a wide range of Northwest memorabilia. The displays include regional history, American Indian culture and fine arts in the area.

Experience Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Seattle, WA

Sometimes called the Jimi Hendrix Museum, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a rock symphony of popular culture and alternative music. The museum uses music, interactive displays, oral histories and more to illustrate and bring contemporary culture to popular attention.

Children's Museum of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA

The Children's Museum of Tacoma is all about play for children under eight years of age. It's highly interactive, letting children pretend they are pioneers in the fort building, control the waterfall in the water area, or making works of art in the studio. At various times they have had a STEAM studio, a place to create objects that move through a wind tunnel, and a holiday Gingerbread Jamboree.

U.S. Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, WA

Located in Keyport, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum takes visitors on a tour of the Navy's undersea operations. These include torpedoes, diving and salvage, submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. Its wide range of maritime exhibits and military history collection are all related in some way to undersea operations. Exhibits include a Confederate mine and the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, built for the movie "The Hunt for Red October."

Museum of History & Industry, Seattle, WA

The Museum of History and Industry, located on Lake Union, offers ¬several floors of displays that illustrate the history of Seattle, Puget Sound and Washington State during the decades. It has numerous hands-on exhibits and an amazing collection of photos of early Seattle. The collections range from the Great Fire to the Klondike Gold Rush and the start of Boeing. It has a popular display of hydroplanes, an integral part of Seattle's annual Seafair celebration.

Pioneer Farm Museum, Eatonville, WA

The Pioneer Farm Museum in Eatonville is an interesting spot for kids and adults. It keeps the state's rural past alive with displays that show how people lived in the 1800s. Kids love the fact that they can dress like pioneers, do farm chores and even jump in a pile of hay. The museum also has the Ohop Indian Village that shows how Indians lived in times gone by.

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320 Bendigo Boulevard South, North Bend, WA
About Us The Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum is Operated by the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Th... Read More
735 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA
About Us: While the emphasis is on the antique nutcrackers, the museum also displays the nutcrackers of the current makers. The largest producer t... Read More
38625 South East King Street, Snoqualmie, WA
Mission:- To develop and operate an outstanding railroad museum that provides the public a place to experience the excitement of a working railroad... Read More
416 North Pearl Street, Ellensburg, WA
Mission : The mission of the Clymer Museum and Gallery is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the art and life of John Clymer, the art a... Read More
118 East Fourth Avenue, Ellensburg, WA
About Us: The Museum is a non-profit organization that gives kids and parents a safe place to interact, learn and play. The building is compris... Read More
32627 Railroad Avenue, Black Diamond, WA
About Us: The Black Diamond Historical Society was formed by a small group who decided to honor the nation’s bicentennial by preserving a li... Read More
130 North River Avenue, Buckley, WA
About Foothills Historical Museum is a 501c.3 non-profit. All staff members are volunteers. Your visit is free; donations are gratefully received.... Read More
78 First Avenue NE, Issaquah, WA
History:The Squak Valley was little more than a wide spot in a non-existent road when the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway, led by young a... Read More
921 Ferguson Road, Ellensburg, WA
Pull off fast-paced Interstate 90, and step back to a slower time at Olmstead Place Historical State Park near Ellensburg.In 1875, the pioneering O... Read More
207 East Main Street, Monroe, WA
The Monroe Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization that was founded in 1976.  The Society opened its museum in 1982 in Monroe&rsqu... Read More
127 South Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA
Mission: The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center gathers and educates people to celebrate and preserve the history, arts, sciences and r... Read More
1116 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA
Mission:Create learning through the power of play and exploration that connects children to their communities and the world.A hands-on, interactive... Read More
235 Mill Avenue South, Renton, WA
About The Renton History Museum holds collections donated from 1966 to the present. The Museum's primary collection consists of objects, photograp... Read More
918 H Street South East, Auburn, WA
Mission:The mission of the Museum is to preserve and share the history of the South King County area, known by pioneers as the White River Valley (... Read More
855 East Smith Street, Kent, WA
About Us:   The Greater Kent Historical Society (GKHS) is a nonprofit organization in the state of Washington that promotes the discovery, p... Read More
510 Bellevue Way NorthEast, Bellevue, WA
MissionBellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community throu... Read More
510 Bellevue Way North East, Bellevue, WA
Mission:- Bellevue Arts Museum is the Pacific Northwest's center for the exploration of art, craft and design through exhibitions, educational pro... Read More
2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA
Regional history comes alive at the Yakima Valley Museum, located in Yakima's beautiful Franklin Park.This 65,000 ft2 facility offers historical ex... Read More
5917 South 196th Street, Kent, WA
Mission:- The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is the nation's only public museum dedicated solely to powerboat racing. Formed in 1983, our mission ... Read More
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