From new exciting exhibitions to educational indigenous workshops, travellers have more reasons to visit Seattle than ever before. Below are 9 reasons every culture vulture should add the Emerald City to their bucket list in 2024.
Challenge your perceptions at the new Museum of Illusions
Set to open in downtown Seattle in 2024, the Museum of Illusions is set to take over the former Ben Bridge space in the historic Skinner Building. A new interactive museum, known for its unique approach to educational entertainment, the centre is designed to captivate senses and ignite imagination. Visitors can expect mind-bending exhibits and interactive installations, embarking them on a journey of wonder and discovery.
Spot the Northwest Trolls
Recently, acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo created an ambitious public art project titled Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King. The publicly accessible sculptures are located around the Pacific Northwest (six of the ten trolls are in the Pacific Northwest; five in the Seattle area) where each whimsical troll sculpture is part of an underlying environmental story. The project celebrates the human experience of art by amplifying the connections of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Scandinavian traditions. Unveiled in fall 2023, the trolls will be exhibited for three years.
Learn about indigenous canoe culture at Northwest Native Canoe Center’s new Carving House
The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation is developing a Carving House on South Lake Union to educate and inform about Pacific Northwest canoe culture and its links to Indigenous American culture. For thousands of years, the Coast Salish people were stewards of the land and water. The waterways were the highways between all which led to a vibrant and extensive canoe culture for the first peoples of this land. The Carving House aims to provide insight into distinctive varieties of Native American culture and hopes to be a place where Native carvers can feel deeply connected and welcome. Whilst also offering canoe carving programmes and canoe storage, Docents will also explain the Northwest Native American skills and beliefs used over generations in building canoes.
Channel ‘The Boys in the Boat’ with new exhibition at Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (Until April 2024)
In celebration of the anticipated premiere of “The Boys in the Boat” – George Clooney’s latest biographical sports drama based on the rowing team at the University of Washington – Pulling Together: A Brief History of Rowing in Seattle explores a selection of rare artefacts and photographs related to the 1936 Olympic gold medal-winning rowing team from the University of Washington. The exhibition educates on the legacy of the Pocoks, the universities men’s and women’s rowing programmes and the history of the sport in Seattle. The exhibition will be at the Museum of History and Industry until April 2024.
Challenge your views at The Henry Art Gallery’s LOVERULES (23 February – 21 July 2024)
Bringing together just under 100 works by well-known artist and activist Hank Willis Thomas, LOVERULES depicts the impact of corporate branding; the construction of gender, race, and race relations; stereotypes and exploitation, and the struggle for liberty and equality through photography, print, sculpture, neon, and mixed media. Thomas invites us to see and challenge systems of inequality and to explore important contemporary questions at The Henry Art Gallery from 23rd February to 21st July.
Get your cultural fix in one fell swoop at Museum Month (1-28 February)
For the whole of February, guests who stay at participating downtown hotels in Seattle will receive half-price admission to the region’s favourite museums and attractions. Immerse in history, discover the very best of pop culture and stroll through a garden of intricate glass with Seattle’s Museum Month. Travellers can choose from an array of venues including the Museum of Pop Culture, The Museum of Flight and Seattle Aquarium.
Discover the delicacies of Seattle at Taste Washington (6-12 March)
Taste Washington, one of the biggest and best food and wine festivals in the Pacific Northwest is back in 2024. From 6-12 March, the event will feature over 250 wineries alongside a large portion of the state’s best restaurants. New this year, the festival welcomes Pacific Standard – a highly anticipated dinner series – bringing wine lovers and makers together to enjoy a meal prepared by premier chefs. Travellers can expect talks, tastings and much more.
Bumbershoot Festival (31 August – 1 September)
Following a successful return and 50th anniversary celebration in 2023, the beloved Bumbershoot has re-emerged as a Seattle-celebratory arts & music festival. Music lovers are already eager for the Labor Day weekend festival’s 2024 return. Attendees can expect an abundance of culture including comedy, film, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts events. The lineup is heavy on music and has previously featured icons such as Bob Dylan and Mary J Blige. Part of the primary focus of the lineup is regional Pacific Northwest talent. Bumbershoot will be held over the Labor Day weekend – seeing out a very busy season of summer festivals.
Take a Nirvana pilgrimage for the 30th Anniversary of Kurt Cobain
May 2024 will mark 30 years since Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s death. As the birthplace of the band, Seattle is a spiritual destination for fans wanting to pay their respects to the king of grunge. The eclectic music scene is no better appreciated than at the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) where ‘Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses’ is a permanent exhibit offering an intimate look at the band’s storied past, with more than 200 rare artefacts, photographs, and oral histories. In the 90’s, The Crocodile was the hot spot for Nirvana and last year, the popular music venue moved location to a spot up the road from The Edgewater hotel, which Kurt once called home.
For more information and to plan a trip to Seattle, visit www.visitseattle.org.
