Museum of Pop Culture 🇺🇸

Welcome to the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) in Seattle, Washington, a dynamic nonprofit museum dedicated to contemporary popular culture. Founded by Paul Allen in 2000, this striking destination occupies a 140,000-square-foot building designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry on the Seattle Center campus, right next to the Space Needle and the Seattle Center Monorail. When you visit, you will encounter diverse galleries exploring fantasy art, horror cinema, video games, science fiction literature, and screen costumes.

Music fans can admire the world's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix artifacts, including hand-written lyrics, personal instruments, and original photographs, alongside IF VI WAS IX, a massive guitar sculpture composed of more than 500 musical instruments and 30 computers. You can also explore the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, or step into the Sky Church gallery to view its impressive Barco C7 black package LED screen. For an immersive experience, check out interactive activity stations inside Sound Lab and On Stage.

Here, you can get hands-on with rock and roll tools, test out real instruments, and perform music live before your own virtual audience.

What to see at Museum of Pop Culture

• World's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix lyrics, instruments, and artifacts
• Interactive Sound Lab and On Stage galleries where you can play instruments and perform
• IF VI WAS IX guitar sculpture featuring over 500 musical instruments and 30 computers
• Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame honoring iconic creators and works
• Frank Gehry-designed building with a unique sheet-metal exterior

Visiting tips

Catch a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail, which runs directly through the Frank Gehry-designed building as you arrive.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

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