10 Seattle museums and gardens you can visit free the first Thursday of the month (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Museums in Seattle open their doors for free the first Thursday of the month, creating an opportunity for those who can’t afford to visit (or those who just like to save money).

A total of 10 Seattle museums and gardens participate in the Free First Thursday event.

Photo: Deposit Photos

Seattle Free First Thursday Participating Museums

Seattle Art Museum (SAM): Free all day (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) for its main global galleries downtown.
Seattle Asian Art Museum: Free admission during its regular hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Volunteer Park.
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI): Free admission to core exhibits during extended evening hours (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
The Museum of Flight: Free admission during extended evening hours (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) to the main campus, Simonyi Space Gallery, and Aviation Pavilion.
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture: Free all day and evening (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), though booking a timed ticket online in advance is highly recommended.
National Nordic Museum: Free general admission all day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in Ballard; online reservations are required, and special exhibits may have a small $5 fee.
Wing Luke Museum: Free admission during extended evening hours (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) for their indoor cultural exhibits in the Chinatown-International District.
Holocaust Center for Humanity: Free admission downtown during its special afternoon/evening window (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
Seattle Japanese Garden: Free admission during its afternoon slot (12 p.m. to 5 p.m., varying slightly by exact season).
Volunteer Park Conservatory: Free admission all day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to explore the historic greenhouse structure.

The Frye Art Museum is always free to the public every day it is open, not just on First Thursdays.

Seattle Japanese Garden origami

Museums to visit on First Thursday

Museum of Flight events and tours in Seattle and Everett - The Museum of Flight (MOF) is the largest independent, non-profit, air and space museum in the world. The museum features over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, and a world-class research library. During your visit, you can wander the galleries and talk with the docents—expert volunteers who can… Read more »
All about visiting Seattle Art Museum and free days - Seattle Art Museum features world-class exhibits and though-provoking visual arts. The museum includes three major facilities in the city: Seattle Art Museum (SAM) in downtown Seattle Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill Olympic Sculpture Park on the Seattle waterfront Each of these locations is described in detail below. History of… Read more »
Free Admission to the Wing Luke Museum - The Wing Luke Museum is an art and history museum in Seattle focused on the "culture, art and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders" and is the only museum of its kind in the continental United States. It was established in 1967 as the first Smithsonian affiliate in the region, and has… Read more »
National Nordic Museum free and discount admission - National Nordic Museum in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood presents history, art, and culture from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and their immigrants to America. Their vast collection of artifacts displayed in permanent and rotating exhibits provide insights about Nordic history, culture, and values to inspire new perspectives for visitors to the museum. History of the Nordic… Read more »
Free Admission to The Burke Museum first Thursday of the month - The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is an institution dedicated to preserving natural and cultural collections and educating the public on their importance to understanding both the past and the present. Their collections include fossils, Northwest Native art, and international cultural pieces. Because they are located on the campus of the University of… Read more »
Free Admission to the Holocaust Center for Humanity - The Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity was founded in 1989 to educate the public about the realities of the Holocaust through permanent and rotating exhibits and a range of educational events throughout the year. They host speakers, train teachers, and offer virtual Lunch & Learn programs with survivors as well as many… Read more »
Free Admission first Thursdays to the Volunteer Park Conservatory - The Conservatory has been a core part of the Volunteer Park landscape since 1912. It has undergone major restoration efforts over the years, but maintains its original Victorian charm as well as some of its original elements like the "peacock" window over the entrance and the Carnegie Steel frame. This historic greenhouse provides a truly… Read more »
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden - The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in Madison Valley within the Washington Park Arboretum. Over 100,000 people visit every year, including locals as well as visitors from around the world. It is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America. About Japanese Gardens Gardens in Japan are much more than a collection… Read more »
Free Admission to MOHAI - The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) showcases the storied history of Seattle and the rest of the Puget Sound Region. With carefully curated exhibits and a variety of special classes and events every month, MOHAI is the place to be for families looking for a fun but still educational day out together. MOHAI is… Read more »