Indoor Activities in Seattle

Located on the lower level of the Armory at Seattle Center, this hands-on museum features interactive exhibits for kids from infants to age 8. Highlights include global village play areas, a construction zone, and art studios. Children under 1 are free. A 6% revitalization fee is added to all tickets.

A massive science museum on the Seattle Center campus with hundreds of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, laser dome shows, butterfly house, and rotating special exhibitions. All general admission tickets include unlimited planetarium and daytime laser dome shows. Uses plan-ahead pricing so ticket prices vary by date. Toddlers are free.

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, with over 175 aircraft and spacecraft including a Concorde, Air Force One, and space shuttle trainer. Features a kid-friendly aviation pavilion and flight simulators. Children 4 and under are free. Free admission on first Thursdays from 5-9pm.

Located on Pier 59 on the Seattle waterfront, the aquarium features Pacific Northwest marine life including sea otters, harbor seals, octopus, and jellyfish. Touch pools let kids interact with tide pool creatures. The Ocean Pavilion expansion added tropical reef and shark exhibits. Kids 3 and under are free. Prices vary by day and time.

The architecturally stunning Central Library by Rem Koolhaas has a dedicated children's floor with free storytime sessions, craft programs, and STEM activities. Weekly story times for ages 0-5 include Spanish-language sessions. All programs are free. The building itself is worth visiting — kids love the bright-red escalator spiral and the mixing chamber.

Washington state's natural history museum on the UW campus, with dinosaur fossils, live butterfly exhibits, Pacific Northwest cultural artifacts, and visible research labs where kids can watch scientists at work. The open-concept building lets visitors see behind the scenes. Children 3 and under are free. Free admission on first Thursdays.

A hands-on children's museum in downtown Bellevue designed for ages 0-8. Features a kid-sized grocery store, waterways exhibit, construction zone, art studio, and toddler-specific play areas. Friday evenings stay open until 7pm. Children under 1 are free. Discounted admission available through King County Library System museum pass program.

A historic 1,100-capacity art-deco music venue near Pike Place Market, open since 1939. One of Seattle's most iconic rooms, it has hosted everyone from Duke Ellington to Nirvana to Billie Eilish. The standing-room floor and balcony seating deliver great sightlines. A separate sister venue, Showbox SoDo, hosts larger shows in a converted warehouse south of the stadiums.

One of Rolling Stone's best clubs in America, The Crocodile is a multi-room music venue that helped launch the grunge era — Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M. all played here. The expanded space includes the main stage, a smaller back bar with free shows, and a pizza counter. Hosts indie, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and comedy across multiple rooms nightly.

A historic single-screen art house cinema in a former Masonic Temple on Capitol Hill, operated by the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). The cavernous auditorium with its iconic marquee screens independent, foreign, and repertory films alongside festival programming. All-in pricing — ticket prices include fees. Teen Tix members pay just $5.

Frank Gehry's wildly colorful building houses exhibits on music, sci-fi, fantasy, video games, and pop culture. Highlights include the Guitar Gallery, a Nirvana exhibit, horror film artifacts, and hands-on music studios where you can play instruments. Plan-ahead pricing means ticket costs vary by date — book online for the best rate. Kids 4 and under are free. Washington residents get 15% off.

A major art museum in downtown Seattle with collections spanning global art from ancient to contemporary, including strong holdings in Native American, Asian, and modern art. The hammering man sculpture out front is a Seattle landmark. Free on First Thursdays. Seniors pay $5 on First Fridays. Children 14 and under are always free. Note: south wing closed through December 2026 for renovation.

Seattle's dedicated comedy club in the heart of Pioneer Square, featuring stand-up from local and touring comedians in an intimate basement setting. Shows are all-ages Sunday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday are 21+ only. Two shows on weekends (8pm and 10:30pm). Box office opens 30 minutes before showtime.

A sophisticated dinner-theater venue in downtown Seattle with two stages: the Mainstage Theatre for ticketed concerts, cabaret, burlesque, and comedy, and the MQ Stage & Lounge with free live music from local and touring acts. Full Asian-fusion dinner menu served during performances. Located directly below the Wild Ginger restaurant.

A 650-capacity mid-size music venue in the Pike/Pine corridor known for excellent acoustics and an intimate feel. Hosts indie rock, electronic, hip-hop, and experimental acts in one of Capitol Hill's most vibrant blocks. The versatile layout works for both standing shows and seated events. Connected to Barboza, a smaller 200-capacity venue downstairs for even more intimate shows.

A grand 2,807-seat historic theater opened in 1928, now operated by Seattle Theatre Group. Hosts touring Broadway shows, major concerts, comedy specials, and special events in a beautifully preserved Beaux-Arts interior. The ornate lobby and auditorium are worth the visit alone. Box office open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and 90 minutes before showtime.

A beautifully restored 1,000-capacity Art Deco theater in the U-District, also operated by Seattle Theatre Group. Originally a movie palace, it now hosts concerts, comedy, film screenings, and spoken word events. The intimate-for-its-size layout gives every seat a good view. A neighborhood favorite with great restaurants and bars within walking distance.