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Jonathan Borofsky’s 48-ft (15-m) tall, black metal Hammering Man stands at the entrance of Seattle’s largest art museum (see Seattle Art Museum). SAM’s permanent collection of approximately 23,000 objects includes European, Asian, African, and Northwest Coast Native American works.

The historic 1933 Art-Moderne structure in Volunteer Park houses Seattle Art Museum’s Asian art collection, primarily works from China, Japan, and Korea.

Wealthy industrialists Emma and Charles Frye’s extensive collection of 19th–20th century representational art is on view at this elegant gallery. Exhibits include works by American masters such as Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Andrew Wyeth.

This is a gem for anyone interested in the region’s work and workers over the last 150 years. Key features include 1.5 million online photographs, a rich catalog of oral histories, and educational programs.

This modern art museum at UW presents work by cutting-edge artists. It also offers imaginative programs and exhibits, and promotes experimental art by encouraging dialogue on contemporary culture, politics, and aesthetics.

Founded in 1885, the Burke is a natural history buff’s dream. View dinosaur and dragonfly fossils, hand-carved Native-American cedar canoes, and gems and minerals.

One of Seattle’s lesser known attractions opened in 1998. The center offers a perfect rainy day escape for families with children, as hands-on exhibits give kids a real feel of a maritime city. Captain a ferry, container ship, or a tugboat, or learn about the fishing industry.

The museum at Boeing Field provides insightful programs and great aerospace artifacts. Walk through a model of the Space Shuttle, tour the first Air Force One, designed for President Kennedy, climb into the cockpit of a mint-condition SR-71 Blackbird or F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet, or come see the latest addition, a Concorde.

CWB advocates the history and craftsmanship of boats by presenting maritime heritage activities and classes. During their annual July festival, you can tour relic sloops and tugs. For an in-city adventure, try sailing one of the historic boats.

Named for a dynamic civic leader who lobbied for Asian-American rights, this museum fulfills Wing’s dream to showcase the culture and history of Asian immigrants. Artifacts include Chinese lanterns and a 50-ft (15-m) dragon boat.