Seattle Art Museum 🇺🇸

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is a prominent institution in Seattle, Washington, offering visitors access to a collection of nearly 25,000 artworks. You can explore its three distinct facilities across the city: the main downtown museum on First Avenue, the historic Art Deco/Moderne Seattle Asian Art Museum nestled in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, and the 9-acre Olympic Sculpture Park along the central Seattle waterfront. Inside the main museum, you will find an expanded space featuring dedicated galleries, a museum store, a restaurant, and specialized research facilities like the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Library.

Outside the downtown facility stands Jonathan Borofsky's famous *Hammering Man* sculpture. Across its properties, the collection features notable pieces such as Alexander Calder's *Eagle*, Richard Serra's *Wake*, Lucas Cranach the Elder's *The Judgment of Paris*, Mark Tobey's *Electric Night*, and Kane Quaye's coffin in the shape of a Mercedes-Benz. The Asian Art Museum showcases historic and traditional works from China, Korea, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, while the outdoor waterfront park features large-scale installations against scenic views.

Whether you want to browse modern art downtown or enjoy sculpture outdoors, SAM offers a diverse visual arts experience.

What to see at Seattle Art Museum

• Jonathan Borofsky's *Hammering Man* sculpture outside the downtown building
• Outdoor installations like Alexander Calder's *Eagle* at the 9-acre Olympic Sculpture Park
• Asian art collections from China, Korea, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia in Volunteer Park
• Historic and modern masterworks including Lucas Cranach the Elder's *The Judgment of Paris*
• Research facilities including the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Library and the McCaw Foundation Library

Visiting tips

Plan your visit for the first Thursday or first Saturday of the month to take advantage of free admission to SAM's indoor facilities.

How long: 2-4 hours · Best time: First Thursday of the month

How to get there & what’s nearby

Seattle Art Museum is easy to reach on Seattle’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Museum of Pop Culture. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Seattle travel guide.