Museum of Pop Culture
Art museum · Lower Queen Anne
325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Highlights
Interactive exhibits on music, sci-fi, fantasy, video games, and more
Interactive exhibits on music, sci-fi, fantasy, video games, and more
"A striking Frank Gehry-designed building dedicated to music, science fiction, and broader pop-culture themes, forming part of the concentrated set of attractions that can be toured on foot in a single short outing." - Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler is a journalist with a decade of experience, half of which has been dedicated to covering the way we travel. From interviewing former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to digging into Amtrak customer complaint data, Opheli has developed a deep well of knowledge about what shapes our travel experiences. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"After a $2.5 million renovation, the Museum Of Pop Culture recently unveiled this new upstairs bar serving cocktails that go with the museum’s theme, like the Purple Haze (vodka and pomegranate juice) and the Velvet Underground (whiskey, vermouth, and chocolate bitters). Snacks include tempura squash blossoms, salmon mousse, and koji-aged beef burgers. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Gabe Guarente
"After a $2.5 million renovation the museum cafe has reopened as a new restaurant led by head chef Athan Pixler; the menu emphasizes elevated, inventive dishes such as tempura squash blossoms, dry-aged salmon with dashi, and a koji-aged burger finished with bone marrow butter, reflecting a broader trend of museums upgrading their dining offerings." - Harry Cheadle
"So much is offered in one space, it's hard to know where to begin. In our opinion, the main features are: 1) Seattle-centric music exhibits that offer glimpses into the life of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Nirvana, and a massive infographic web that shows how all are connected. 2) The Sound Lab, where attendees can play with instruments and receive mini lessons. 3) Rotating exhibits on anything from graphic and comic art, science fiction and horror movie props. 4) Photo opps 'a plenty." - MINT
"In Seattle, where art seems to spring from the ground like weeds from sidewalk cracks, it takes a truly audacious project to generate as much attention as Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s contribution to the local art scene. The 140,000-square-foot building of shimmering sheet metal designed by architect Frank Gehry resembles a smashed electric guitar and is called “the Blob” by locals. It contains the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, is a place where music, science fiction, and many other things meet. Opened in 2000 as the Experience Music Project, with a special emphasis on legendary rock guitarist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix, it struggled at first. In an attempt to bolster attendance, Allen added the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame to the south wing of the building in 2004. Originally treated as separate museums, they later merged to become EMP|SFM, attracting a curious mix of music lovers and sci-fi aficionados. In 2011, the Science Fiction Museum was de-installed while a new sci-fi hall of fame was introduced and the entire venue changed its name to EMP Museum. Finally, in 2016, EMP Museum rebranded itself as MoPOP with a new vision for “curating, exploring, and supporting the creative works that shape and inspire our lives.” Today, MoPOP features exhibits spanning such diverse areas as science fiction, fantasy, horror, fashion, sports, video games, and music." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
