Best Arts and Culture Places in Renton

"Exhibits here explore American pop culture, from David Bowie to Jim Henson to Star Trek. Bring the kids, because The Museum of Pop Culture truly has a little bit of something for everyone. The Museum of Pop Culture: 325 5th Ave N; 206-770-2700www.mopop.org/"

"The Museum of Pop Culture’s Frank Gehry-designed building is stunning, and older kids will love this museum’s focus on contemporary culture. Don’t miss the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and the temporary exhibits."

"The Museum of Pop Culture, established by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in the year 2000, has tons of exhibits that focus on preserving and promoting contemporary popular culture."

"With an extensive collection of world art, from Ancient American to Modern Art to Mediterranean to Islamic to Oceanic to Native American, The Seattle Art Museum, located downtown near the Pike Place Market, is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. They’ve also got a sister Seattle Asian Art Museum in Capitol Hill and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront, which are equally worth exploring. But if you find yourself in Seattle for a day and pressed for time, a visit to Seattle Art Museum is a safe choice, as it’s the most all-encompassing collection you’ll find in Seattle."

"The Seattle Art Museum’s sleek and contemporary digs are as artful as the works that inhabit it. As an institution of Seattle’s art scene, it’s a must-see for any visiting art lover. And while it's not uncommon that a museum’s exhibits play second-fiddle to the permanent collections, here they are one of the main attractions."

"The Seattle Art museum manages a sculpture park with over a dozen works of art!. From dusk until dawn, visit the Olympic Sculpture Park to see captivating pieces for free. This outdoor exhibit art walk is a perfect way to kill some time in Seattle (as long as it’s not raining!)"

"The serene park is also a top destination for photography in Seattle. Apart from providing lovely greenscapes with sculptures in the background, the view of Elliot Bay and Puget Sound is stunning from here. You can also see Mount Rainier beyond the Puget Sound in clear weather."

"The University of Washington’s recently remodeled natural history museum has all the wonders and exhibits you’d expect from one of the largest mammal collections in the Pacific Northwest, but it has also reimagined the entire museum experience. Nearly all the archives and artifacts have been pulled out of storage and put on display, as have the folks who tend to them: The museum includes a dozen labs and workrooms so that visitors can see how the research and curation of a museum happens. Watch artists at work before touring the Northwest Native art and see how dinosaur fossils get prepared for display so you can truly marvel at one of the best-preserved T."

"The collections at Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture reflect groundbreaking research in biology, geology, paleontology, and cultural studies. Within those collections, visitors will find 16 million objects from across the globe and specifically from the area around the Pacific Northwest. Visitors will be able to see Northwest Native Art, flora, fauna, minerals, anthropology and natural resources of Washington and beyond."

"The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is the state of Washington’s oldest public museum which has been open for over 130 years. At this amazing museum, you’ll find some astonishing natural collections, like their giant artifacts of dinosaur bones, stunning fossils, and more!. This museum also offers a ton of other exhibits to check out such as their “Northwest Native Art” exhibits, “Culture is Living” exhibits and more."

"Seattle has so many galleries that choosing just one might be a little tough, but that’s when a place like ’57 Biscayne comes in. With 13 artist studios located in a single building, ’57 Biscayne is the perfect way to jump on into the art scene. Artists include a bit of several art media, so you might see painters, printmakers, a book maker, jewelers, a videographer, photographers or others in residence or with work displayed."

"On the Southern end of Lake Union, this 12-acre park is undoubtedly a unique find, very close to Seattle's downtown. Designed to optimize access to the waters and greenery of the City, Lake Union Park includes both water activities and access to green spaces for one to enjoy amidst nature. Here, one can experience the City's maritime heritage by enjoying the restored shoreline, launching boats, and water sports."

"Walk to Yale Avenue for some quick shopping at REI or follow Terry Avenue north to Lake Union Park and the Museum of History and Industry to learn the story of Seattle and its high-flying, computer-inventing ways. Look for the seaplanes taking off and landing on Lake Union just outside."

"A wonderful place to take a walk, a boat ride or simply relax while surrounded by grass and fresh air. The location is incredible, as it’s just a stone-throw away from Downtown Seattle and you can reach it by foot if you live or are staying in the heart of the city."

"If you’re looking for some fairytale vibes, this is the place for you. Visit from May to August, and experience the most fragrant garden filled with beautiful blooms."

"Interlaken Park is proof that one does not need to leave the city to get some nature and a great workout. The park is densely wooded with well-maintained ravine trails, located on the northern end of Capitol Hill. Owning to the well maintained and thrilling trails, which offers excellent opportunities to witness wildlife up close, this park is frequently visited by hikers and joggers."

"The Covid-era heaped extra challenges on Evan Leichtling and Meghna Prakash, who had chosen a tiny space into which they planned to adapt their popular pop-up Fowl and Offal. But seared foie gras and rhubarb Dutch babies can always find away, so the pair adapted their local, seasonal menu to restricted capacities, offering three nights a week with the original tasting menu concept, plus lunch service on Sundays and operating as a bottle shop on Wednesdays."

"Simply adding to the list of noteworthy Seattle museums, the city is also home to the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history of Nordic immigrants, the National Nordic Museum. There, visitors can explore the culture of the five Nordic countries both at home and how they changed and evolved in the United States, shown through artifacts, photos, and videos. You’ll even find a fully functional 1910 sauna in the museum garden, which an immigrant built to recreate their favorite aspects of home here in the Northwest—just a few feet from a Viking boat, also out back."

"If there’s a Viking in your family, check out the Museum's Nordic Journeys exhibit which is a hands-on, kid-friendly display about the immigration story from the "old country” to the United States, then to Seattle and on to Ballard. For your preschooler, he or she will delight in the free Nordic Stories programs which involves a Nordic story and a related craft. Check out more fun events here. What's New:Family Fun Thursday happens the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. Drop in for special activities."

"Learn all about Nordic immigration to Seattle, Swedish folk tales, and even rosemaling—a traditional form of decorative folk art that originated in the rural valleys of Norway. An inquisitive mind is a must, donning a lusekofte sweater is optional. Nordic Heritage Museum: 3014 NW 67th St.; 206-789-5707"

"Show the kids what computers were like back in your day, further back, or even what they might be like well into the future. Started by someone who knows a bit about them—Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen—this museum holds everything from room-sized computers that can do a tiny amount to tiny computers that can do almost anything. And in the lab, you can learn how to use a computer for all sorts of programs—whether it’s digital art, video game design, or even 3-D printing self-driving cars."

"Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10am to 5pm, First Thursdays: 10am to 8pm. Let your inner geek run free at this museum backed yet again by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Living Computers: Museum + Labs celebrates technologies past, present and future, allowing visitors to get up close with vintage mainframes and video games, or explore modern advances on artificial intelligence and how computers and technology shape our world."

"Another Paul Allen special, this technology museum covers the history of computing in all its forms—from giant mainframes to self-driving cars. Robotics, video games and all the latest and greatest in VR and AI are on display and in working order. Ready to dive a bit deeper?"

"To truly feel as if you have stepped back in time, head to Fort Nisqually where you will find a working museum that will show you a slice of life from the 1850s. As you wander around the museum you will find staff members in period garb who are happy to reenact scenes from life in the fort in the days of old. As a result, you can expect to see reconstructions of things such as arts and crafts as well as period professions such as the work of blacksmiths in the 19th century."

"Established in 1833, the Hudson Bay Company used Fort Nisqually to manage its trade program with Indigenous tribes, fur traders, and others in the Pacific Northwest. The Fort Nisqually Living History Museum has reenactors perform daily tasks related to the time period, including broom making and blacksmithing. Self-guided tours take you through authentic buildings at the fort, including guard posts, barracks, and the commander’s home."