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Things to do in Seattle

Seattle Art Museum

Downtown's big art museum, a block from Pike Place Market: Northwest Coast Native art, a Japanese tea house, a porcelain room and art from around the world, with Hammering Man on the corner.

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The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Art lovers, and anyone who wants a big indoor stop downtown, especially on a wet day near Pike Place Market.
Time to protect
Allow two to three hours for the collection and one exhibition. An hour covers a few highlights.
Cruise-day fit
SAM is downtown, well under a mile south of the Pier 66 cruise terminal, so it fits the day before or after a Pier 66 sailing. Big bags aren't allowed in the galleries, so drop your luggage first: the Port lists same-day luggage storage at Pier 66. From Pier 91, take a ride.
From the terminals
Pier 66 is the close one: a walk south along the waterfront and up Union Street, or a few minutes by car. Pier 91 is a few miles north at Smith Cove, so ride there.
Before a flight
Link light rail runs from SEA straight into downtown, and Symphony Station is a few blocks from the entrance. With no timed tickets it's an easy flight-day stop, as long as you leave plenty of time to get back to the airport.

Pair SAM with the waterfront

The museum sits between Pike Place Market and the water, so it's easy to build a half day around it.

  1. Pike Place Market, one block north

    Do the Market first for breakfast or lunch, then come inside when the crowds build.

  2. Down to the water

    Union Street drops down to the waterfront and Waterfront Park, and the public elevator at Union Street gives you a step-free way down.

  3. The Olympic Sculpture Park

    SAM's free outdoor park is about a mile north along the water. Walk it, or take a short ride.

Read the Olympic Sculpture Park guide →

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    SAM's downtown museum is one block from Pike Place Market. The collection runs to more than 25,000 works from around the world and across the centuries.

  2. 02

    Galleries to look for: Art and Life Along the Northwest Coast, American art, Impressionisms: The Global Nineteenth Century, Cosmic Beings in Mesoamerican and Andean Art, the Porcelain Room, the Italian Room and a Japanese tea house. Special exhibitions change through the year.

  3. 03

    Go in at First Avenue and Union Street. The giant Hammering Man sculpture stands at the other corner, First and University.

  4. 04

    There's no timed ticketing for the current exhibitions, so you can just walk up. On the first Thursday of the month, admission is free for everyone.

  5. 05

    Coat check is free, but backpacks, large bags and anything bigger than 11 by 15 inches can't go into the galleries. Leave cruise luggage somewhere else.

  6. 06

    Photos are welcome without flash, except where you see a no-photography sign. Strollers are allowed everywhere, and you can borrow one at coat check.

  7. 07

    Bar Dojo is the museum's new restaurant, mixing Chinese and Latin flavors with Northwest ingredients, and the SAM Shop sells local art, jewelry and books.

  8. 08

    Getting dropped off? Use the south side of Union Street or the east side of First Avenue near Union. The 1301 Garage on Union Street, between First and Second, has an elevator straight to the museum's second floor.

  9. 09

    SAM also runs the free Olympic Sculpture Park, about a mile north on the waterfront.

When we checked, the south wing and the First and University entrance were closed until December 10, 2026. Check SAM's site for current hours, closures and exhibitions before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for the Seattle Art Museum

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near the Seattle Art Museum.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the Seattle Art Museum visit page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Avenue

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: the Seattle Art Museum between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Pier 66 is the close one: a walk south along the waterfront and up Union Street, or a few minutes by car. Pier 91 is a few miles north at Smith Cove, so ride there.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit the Seattle Art Museum

    Allow two to three hours for the collection and one exhibition. An hour covers a few highlights.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    Link light rail runs from SEA straight into downtown, and Symphony Station is a few blocks from the entrance. With no timed tickets it's an easy flight-day stop, as long as you leave plenty of time to get back to the airport.

    Seattle Art Museum to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep the Seattle Art Museum on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

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