Seattle is an exciting city to visit or live in if you love art. We have so many incredible museums here, from the Seattle Asian Art Museum to the National Nordic Museum. In the spirit of helping you navigate the sheer breadth of options, we put together this guide to some of the coolest exhibitions in Seattle. Whether you’re looking for an immersive experience, something creepy for spooky season this October, or a family-friendly exhibition, we got you. A couple of these exhibitions are even free of charge!
Make sure to save this post and check back regularly as we will update this list to reflect the most current options a few times a year.
Here are 10 of the best exhibitions in Seattle that you can view this fall:
1. Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience
See Van Gogh’s artwork like never before in this immersive exhibit. On October 29 there will be a Halloween session with candy and family-friendly activities! Tickets are also available for the regular Van Gogh exhibit throughout October and November.
2. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Want to see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel without having to travel all the way to Europe? You can see life-size replicas of these stunning works of art right here in nearby Bellevue. The Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition ends October 30 so make sure to grab your ticket now!
3. Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
This exhibition is fun for the whole family. You’ll be able to roam among life-size, moving dinosaurs in an immersive experience straight out of Jurassic Park. You can get tickets to Dinos Alive now through December.
4. GUM BABY
GUM BABY by Tariqa Waters is a new exhibit at the Museum of Museums (900 Boylston Ave) that runs from now until December 31, 2022. This immersive installation is described as “a subversive wonderland of glass sculptures, lighting and imagery.”
5. Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film
This exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture (325 5th Avenue N) is a must-see for horror fans this fall. You get to view more than 50 actual props and costumes used in iconic horror movies and TV shows such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s the perfect spooky season activity.
Note: this exhibit is recommended for ages 13 and up due to some graphic content.
6. American Art: the Stories We Carry
Seattle Art Museum (1300 1st Ave) is presenting American Art: The Stories We Carry starting on October 20, 2022. It’s more than just an exhibition; it’s a new installation of its American art galleries that came about after two years of collaborating with artists and community leaders. Go see it to explore the many possible answers to the question: What is American art?
7. Deities & Demons: Supernatural in Japanese Art
This is another exhibition in Seattle that is perfect for spooky season. You can view Deities & Demons, a new multimedia installation that “presents the rich visual culture of the supernatural in Japan,” at Seattle Art Museum starting on October 20, 2022.
(The image above is of Seattle Art Museum but not of this specific exhibit.)
8. Chloë Bass: Soft Services
This free exhibition in Seattle is entirely outdoors. Stroll through Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill to view the inscribed stones that make up Soft Services. You can read more details about this exhibit before you go.
9. Donna Huanca: MAGMA SLIT
This unique exhibition is described as a “complete sensory experience” in an “architecturally immersive environment.” You are invited to both find and lose yourself in the MAGMA SLIT exhibition at Henry Art Gallery (15th Ave NE & University of Washington, NE 41st St) now through February 2023.
10. Door to the Atmosphere
This upcoming multimedia exhibit assembles works by artists that explore “apocalyptic visions, celestial visitations, and mysterious rituals and manifestations.” It opens Halloween weekend, which is appropriate given its otherworldly content. You can go see Door to the Atmosphere at Frye Art Museum (704 Terry Ave) starting on October 29, 2022 through January 22, 2023. The best part is that admission to Frye Art Museum is always free!