Frye Art Museum
Museum · First Hill ·

Frye Art Museum

Museum · First Hill ·

Free admission museum featuring rotating contemporary and classic art

Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by Alamy
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null
Frye Art Museum by null

Information

704 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Get directions

Reserve a table

Information

Static Map

704 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Get directions

+1 206 622 9250
fryemuseum.org
@fryeartmuseum
Reserve a table

Features

restroom
parking paid street
wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Dec 6, 2025

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@travelleisure
27,057 Postcards · 5,402 Cities

10 Cheap Winter Vacations in the U.S.

"A small but well-regarded art museum that provides free admission and a quiet environment to enjoy curated exhibits in winter." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/winter-vacations/affordable-winter-vacations
Frye Art Museum
@cntraveler
41,178 Postcards · 5,521 Cities

The 16 Best Things to Do in Seattle

"The Frye is a sleeper gem, with a convenient central location, no admission fee, and creative exhibitions and events. The building's bold, attractive entrance leads visitors through to the galleries full of modern and contemporary art with a natural flow and plenty of natural light. Founded with a private collection of more than 200 oil paintings from the late 19th century and early 20th century, from Europe and the US, the museum has since greatly expanded and enriched its collection by expanding into later artists and pursuing works by under-represented people in the same time periods. The result is a well-rounded, excellent selection of art, curated into informative exhibits." - Naomi Tomky, Jenna Scatena

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-seattle
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Frye Art Museum
@eater
391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

The Frye Museum’s Café Frieda Is Turning Into a MariPili | Eater Seattle

"After a fairly robust search for a new chef and a series of cook-as-a-tryout interviews, the Frye has taken a big step forward in the museum-food arms race by reopening its long-closed Café Frieda under Chef Grayson Corrales; new Frye director Jamilee Lacy said that "Chef Grayson and MariPili just brought the 'wow!' factor," and the cafe — closed since the beginning of the pandemic — is slated to reopen in late October under the MariPili at Café Frieda name." - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/2023/8/29/23849077/frye-museum-maripili-bar-announce
Frye Art Museum
@cntraveler
41,178 Postcards · 5,521 Cities

Tickets for Smithsonian's Free 'Museum Day' Are Now Available

"Other participating venues include the Frye Art Museum in Seattle."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tickets-for-smithsonians-museum-day-are-now-available
Frye Art Museum
@postcardnews
20,018 Postcards · 1,279 Cities

Seattle’s free art museum pairs a historic collection with adventurous contemporary shows in an Olson Kundig–designed space. Highlighted by National Geographic and praised by local critics, it’s a community hub with talks, performances, and rotating exhibitions.

https://fryemuseum.org/visit
Free Attractions in Seattle (2025)
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Frye Art Museum

Elo H.

Google
I had a fabulous day in here. The collection and display are well managed in the right place under perfect lighting. It’s really a lovely gallery so that you can relax yourself in slow paces in this gallery. The staffs are amazing as well. They are friendly and willing to help. Recommended!!!

Trevor P.

Google
A gem of an art museum with a friendly staff, a well curated giftshop, beautiful architecture, and incredible art- and it's free. We enjoyed our time here. There was some construction and updates going on, and it was still well worth a visit.

Srividhya V S

Google
Nicely arranged. Nearly labelled. Good collection of art . Warm reception. Clean rest rooms and a cafe too. I liked this place Only suggestion, please put pointers and name boards along near by streets and bus stops so that people can find this place easily. Do put a bigger board outside. Entrance is too subtle with a ramp and small name board.

Joshua F.

Google
Seattle, perhaps fairly, does not have a reputation as a Mecca for the visual arts. As a relatively new city that did not exist until the middle of the 19th century, it does not have the great art historical heritage as a New York or a Philadelphia or a Boston, let alone the much older cities in Europe. Nonetheless, the fry offers quite a lovely collection of 19th century American and European art displayed in the style of the old salons, with the pictures all together. This is a way of display that is rather vintage and was already starting to fall out of style by the time some of these later paintings were made in the end of the 19th century, But it provides a kind of classical enlightenment elegance to the space. There are also collections of newer art displayed, and they seem to be relatively well chosen and a tasteful, and there is little that is ridiculous or fatuous, though they largely lack the care and the devoted artistry of the earlier pieces. This is not a large museum, and 1 hour is enough to see basically everything here, but I would recommend staying longer or making several trips to really spend more time with the art and appreciate it. The museum is free admission, so that should not be particularly hard. As a professional scholar and amateur art historian, I deeply admire that a place like this exists.

Anjuli W.

Google
Art should be accessible to everyone and a free museum in Seattle that houses both classic and contemporary art is a win for me. Paid street parking could be a challenge but I was visiting in between medical appts at Swedish and parked there then walked to the Frye. Parking garage in between Marion and Madison at the Nordstrom Medical Tower is a good parking option if you need it. It’s an 8 minute walk to the Frye. Was happy that this space was small (but spacious) enough for me to visit and see everything within an hour so I wasn’t late to my appt. Wheelchair accessible, clean bathrooms, cute gift shop and welcoming staff.

Mason C.

Google
This was an incredible experience! The gallery is beautifully curated, with each exhibit perfectly lit, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere. It's a space that encourages you to take your time and really immerse yourself in the art. The collection offers a thoughtful mix of both classic and contemporary works, making it a great place for art lovers of all tastes. The staff were exceptional – welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to share insights about the pieces. The museum strikes a great balance between historical art and modern pieces, giving the space a sophisticated yet approachable feel. Even though it's not a large museum, the quality of the collection more than makes up for it. I would definitely recommend spending a little extra time here to fully appreciate everything on offer. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore great art in a relaxed and welcoming environment!

ellen W.

Google
This great Art Museum is free. So many great artists… is also close to St.James cathedral. You can visit both at same time

Royal

Google
I actually came here when they were rotating out lost of their previous exhibits, so I really only got to see the Frye Salon and the gift shop. However, I still had a great time. The Frye Salon has one of the most well-curated and interesting collection of art I’ve ever seen. Every piece was so striking yet contemplative. The museum architecture is pretty well-design, and the gift shop was well-curated with neat postcards of the artwork. There’s also a cute cafe and patio area in the back. The museum os free, which is amazing in this day and age. Hope to be back to see the new exhibits.
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Abbey O.

Yelp
Frye Art Museum is a small art museum located in the pill hill area of Seattle. It is FREE and truly, who can complain about the ability to share the arts with anyone at no cost? So wonderful they are able to do this. Things to know: it's small, so don't go expecting something like the metropolitan. Just keep in mind that the price is right. There is a cute little cafe there if you get hungry (bistro type bites), and it's also close to the international district for other food options. There is a standing historic display, which is seen in my pictures. When you enter the room, head to the back left corner to get a guide with all the painting captions/info. There are also several areas for local art, unfortunately this time I didn't care for these displays (art is subjective so you can take or leave that), but the main gallery room made the trip worth it. The gift shop is cute too and features local art for purchase as well. In all, it's a great way to burn a few hours, especially with the kiddos for no cost.
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Meg T.

Yelp
Frye Art Museum is free thankfully. We made a special trip over after it was recommended to us, but beyond a few of the woven Amazon pieces, it wasn't worth the trip. Designing a museum is an art unto itself. Take the Seattle Art Museum, their curation and styling of the porcelain room makes you care about the pieces. It's so well designed that it makes you more interested in what they're showcasing. Frye Art Museum was not well designed. There were poor choices made for where to place each piece - which when added to the under utilized wall space created an extremely minimalistic room that came across as empty. Even the placards were placed far apart from the art in an attempt to fill up the eggshell walls. Which weren't painted brown to match Amazon packaging or black to evoke the emptiness of space. Very much a missed opportunity for the installation, especially since 'Rising Temperature Casualty' would have been much more evocative against a brown, red, or black wall. All in all, I didn't like the curator's style or editing choices and we don't plan to return.
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Jenny C.

Yelp
A beautiful museum, with optional admission payment (donations welcome!). The place is super clean, the bathroom is nice, and there aren't too many people. Its a cute hole in a wall! Very close to other museums around the area, although like rest of downtown Seattle, parking is hard to find. But transit commute is super easy. This place is small but big enough to explore for an hour or so. If you aren't actively looking for a museum, you probably wont have noticed that this was a museum. They also have a cute gift shop that my friend and I stopped by for a while.
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Pooja S.

Yelp
I was in the area and I had time to kill, so I decided to stop by this art museum that I often walk part. As I walked in, I was excitedly greeted by a front desk worker who let me know the museum was free, and said I didn't need to check in my small drawstring bag as long as I wore it in front. And off I went! There were two major exhibits on display, and both were really well put together and done well. There was also a permanent collection that largely appeared to be closed. They also have a cute gift shop, and a cafe that was open but I didn't stop by. Overall, small and cute museum! I wouldn't go out of my way to visit at this time (maybe once some of the spaces open up again!) but if you're around, it's a good way to spend 45-90 minutes!
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Diana C.

Yelp
For a free art museum, this place is really pretty cool and very much worth a paid entry - I highly suggest donating. There was a pretty diverse range of mediums and artists on display. The building itself is also really interesting architecture. All the exhibits flowed well and were accessible. My favorite room was almost easy to miss because it's all the way in back and is the historical collection that's pretty much always on display. They have free bag check and lockers and the bathrooms were super clean. The signage for the exhibits is also helpful and they have free tours occasionally too for more context. My only critical feedback is that it would have been more helpful to have more visible signage indicating which areas were ok for photos or videos. Generally I don't think video of any kind is allowed in most exhibits (again I didn't see any signs indicating either way), but I was not sure until I asked the docents in each area. Would definitely come back to see more exhibits.
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Sophia D.

Yelp
Free admission, but donation is encouraged! Intimate museum with lots of wonderful pieces to view. The outdoor courtyard was spacious and lovely!
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Jeffrey Y.

Yelp
Free admission, size and exhibits on the smaller end. Well displayed and quaint. Takes about a half hour to experience the five small exhibits.
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Kai C.

Yelp
Highly recommend The Frye. It's a semi-kept secret in the heart of First Hill and really should be more well-known. For one thing, it's free to visit. Which cannot be said about other, larger museums in Seattle (except for one day a week). Their talks are also free, so far as I can tell. Thus, the diversity of those who visit The Frye is much vaster, imo. They present a multitude of different artists, recently, on the contemporary spectrum, and the works of people of color are becoming more prominent there. You can become a member and support them but you don't have to in order to visit. It's also a relatively peaceful spot. I love the water feature in the front. Enjoy and Learn!
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Terri N.

Yelp
Small, lovely museum. Definitely suggest stopping by if you are in the area. Admission is free and lots of metered parking nearby. Can easily see everything in an hour. We stopped by the café and found it lovely, but disappointing. Coffee tasted like instant and $8 churros & chocolate were tiny.
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Joey G.

Yelp
Art is meant to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. And this place definitely disturbed me. I had no idea that I had become so comfortable. This is a great free admission museum. They specialize in abstract paintings and agricultural paintings. The museum is really small. However, it is worth stopping by if you're in the area. Abstract art is not my favorite but it certainly made me reflect. The video exhibit really disturbed me. It was about this sect that was using many different meditation methods to alter their states of consciousness. It was really weird and reminded me of adult swim's show 'off the air'. Overall, I am glad I came here. The art truly made me experience many different emotions which is all I could ever ask for.
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Celina S.

Yelp
Free admission, free street parking, clean spot, nice staff - can't lose! The exhibits on display when we went we're pretty interesting, and apparently they rotate what's out every 6 months or so. If you want to kill a rainy afternoon or walk off your lunch this is a perfect activity. You probably just need an hour if you look at everything.
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Grace A.

Yelp
My daughter and I visited the Frye Museum in Seattle in a recent trip. There was no street parking available so we had to pay for parking. The museum is free ! If it's free, it's for me. It's a small museum, but worth a visit ! We went on a weekday, so there were a only a few visitors. It's a hidden treasure. There were German artists as were as local artists
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Olivia L.

Yelp
In the late 1990s, I walked inside Frye Art Museum two or two and a half hours before closing. I was told there were classes when I walked in each time. I asked on the final visit about the classes. Back then, there was an Artist In Residence who helped younger museum goers to create art while their parents were looking around. I watched as another person inside tried to touch one of the pieces of art. That person was scolded or reprimanded by a staff person... a docent. I was asked what pieces of art I was working on during my second visit.. I mentioned to the person at the front part that I was looking for "inspirations" as I walked inside. I was then asked how much my latest art piece was going to sell for. I told her... that I would probably give it to my spouse. I did do that. I have a few other pieces of art which I was told wouldn't be able to be on display at the Frye Art Museum until they were officially submitted to the Board. I asked if any of the Board member were present on that afternoon. I suggested to the person at the front that the applications be readily available... because not everyone has access to a printer on demand.
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Denise J.

Yelp
After being new to Seattle and needing to do activities I can afford (yay for Frye being free). Frye quickly became my happy place! I am an art lover and the exhibits here are always great. I love that they rotate them out, so coming here doesn't get old! This is a great spot for a date or just to go clear your mind alone while admiring some unique pieces of art. The gift shop is also fun to go through and a great place to buy a unique gift.
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Tabitha H.

Yelp
Frye Art Museum is a small, free, enjoyable art museum. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon and was able to find free street parking around. There weren't many rooms (maybe 3-4) and one video playing. As someone who reads all the signs, the museum must have taken me around 1 hour to complete. I enjoyed the diversity of art available for the public for free. Would highly recommend for a short afternoon activity.
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Alana K.

Yelp
The Frye Art Museum is the perfect thing to do if you're looking for free things to do in Seattle. With only a few galleries, the entire museum is doable in a few hours. When I visited in May 2021, the main exhibit was "Black Refractions." The only other exhibition I viewed was "Unsettling Femininity." Both displayed thought-provoking and beautiful work. Due to Covid, the museum requires timed entry slots that can be reserved online, and the cafe and gift shop are currently closed.
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Mandi F.

Yelp
Free museum that I was expecting to be a tiny one gallery joint. Honestly we came here because we thought it'd be a great indoor activity before we hop our flight home. Especially since it was raining out. Art was great, space was really nice too, they have a nice cafe and a small store. For a free museum, I was really impressed.
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Jill S.

Yelp
What a beautiful museum. I recently moved from Portland area and am lucky enough to live close to it. The recent Katherine Bradford show is wonderful.
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Saira K.

Yelp
I really enjoyed my visit to the Frye Art Museum. The museum inside located in Seattle's First Hill area. The museum has the art collection of Charles and Emma Frye, who were business leaders and enjoyed collecting art. The admission is always free. They also have free tours. The collection is wonderful. There are also contemporary exhibits. There's a nice little cafe in the museum. The building is really cool. The main collection has mostly German art from the late 19th centuries and early 20th centuries. Charles Frye died in 1940 and donated his collection to the city. The museum opened in 1952. The building was designed by Rick Sundberg. The tour is great. They help you to appreciate the art, and it was almost like a class. We got to talk about our favorite works and analyze art like an art history class. The guide was great. The museum is free because Charles Frye wanted it that way.
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Jamie C.

Yelp
Great modern at museum and free. Right now, Feb 22 they have a great abstract figures artist and a whole section dedicated to animals which I loved. Great descriptions as well. They offer tours of some sort. Worth visiting, moving work. Probably second fav museum with the BAM. Norwegian museum is also great.
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Mojdeh S.

Yelp
Our first visit to the Frye, we got lucky with front tow parking on the street, but be prepared to drive around in search of a space, especially due to the high-traffic areas just blocks away. Beautiful inside, with high ceilings and tastefully displayed works of art, the museum is large, though feels cozy and manageable. There for a story time and art activity, our time perusing the galleries was limited, but it's definitely on our list for a future visit! The story time was vibrant and engaging; the craft time afterwards was fun and relevant to the story heard. (Make sure you RSVP ahead of time to ensure space.)
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Robin Y.

Yelp
Very small art museum but its free admission! Just fyi, yelp states that they're open on tuesdays but they are not. They are open starting Wednesdays. I know because I walked 22 minutes from my hotel in DT all the way up there but they were closed so I walked again the next day. I enjoyed the art museum!
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Mateo G.

Yelp
Nice lil local museum, I would definitely recommend this place hands down. It's free! I don't know what else to tell you. They come up with great exhibits. This alone should deserve 5 stars. Support local art! Go out and check it for the greatness it is. I actually preferred it over SAM, and plan on going on a regular basis. Bonus, the shop is really great and has some great stuff.

Megan L.

Yelp
Wonderful free museum. Had a nice blend of modern and classical art. Lots to read and take in. There's a cute cafe and courtyard attached which was awesome.
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Samantha L.

Yelp
so sick. free, people are so nice, beautiful art but not too long, also in a quiet area, little shop is nice too!
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kelly c.

Yelp
I am relatively new (returning) to Seattle after 25 years in LA. The arts are a large part of my life. Discovering the well curated sophistication of The Frye in addition to it's incredible architecture has been truly uplifting. Highly recommend a visit. The gift shop is exceptional too. Admission is free but donations encouraged.
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lily f.

Yelp
Um yes. Get off your phones and stop shipping at Amazon. Art changes your mind. Find a pathway to something new. Go look at cool shit!

Bill L.

Yelp
A Surprise Exhibit of Matter~Spirit dimensions! Tertia Avis and many aliases! EST-(SER) is worth your time.

Doc G.

Yelp
Mason Frye was not there when I was at the building. Art was beautiful though. Would recommend.
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Annie F.

Yelp
Very good, more modern art than I expected (a huge plus for me). Surprisingly free, large enough to be comprehensive yet small enough that you can actually enjoy all of the exhibits before your brain or feet get tired. Highly recommend.
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Connie S.

Yelp
Frye Art Museum has Free Exhibits all the Time. But you can donate a few dollars. It's located on First Hill near a few Medical Bldg Garages. St Parking can be $5/ hr during weekdays. There's a nice water pond outside that is very calming. You can sit in the Cafe area to watch it. They serve sandwiches, soup, coffee, tea in the Cafe. On occasion they offer free art and community lectures. In the Giftshop are modern style jewelry, Tarot cards, Cards, Kids' Games, Magic books, and an Ouija Board.
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
Free Art Museum! The museum showcased work from Cris Bruch, which consisted of an exhibit about the artist's roots as farmers during the earlier half of the twentieth century. There were also Soviet Political Posters. The posters were produced to form opinions and to communicate a message for peasants who were illiterate. The Frye Salon was my favorite exhibit in the museum. It features a collection of paintings hung from ceiling to floor. I could probably spend hours in that room alone. The gift shop had fun and interesting items.
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Kim L.

Yelp
What a find! I happened upon this museum having invested in an impromptu mini vacation with my daughter and her boyfriend. Having learned JUST how expensive the Seattle art Museum, space Needle and Chahule museums were - we yelped for free museums. It was awesome!!!!!! Powerful (and interactive) exhibit on discrimination from the gender, sexuality and race perspectives. Impressed. I'll be back.
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Alden C.

Yelp
I love the Frye! This museum is always free! That is a huge perk! I love taking advantage of the free days that museums offer but sometimes it takes some coordinating and it doesn't always work out with schedules that you may have. Admission rates to museums can be expensive so it's great to see an art museum that is free all of the time! I have been to the Frye Art Museum twice now. Both times I enjoyed the exhibits and found them very informative and beautiful! My last trip here was for the Storme Webber exhibit which showed a reimagining of some of Seattle's history with emphasis on LGBTQ in Pioneer Square in the pre-Stonewall era. This exhibit was very interesting but in some ways got a bit muddled as to what direction was intended... perhaps no direction was intended as history, family history, poetry and archival history seemed to be going in all kinds of directions as far as the subject matter goes. There was a film projector exhibit that was also here which I actually enjoyed a lot more. There was another room filled with all kinds of 19th and 20th Century paintings which also proved to be very enjoyable. Photography is not allowed in or around the exhibits. Sometimes some art museums allow you to take pictures in some areas but it isn't allowed here. Only in the gift shop and outside the building and lobby is it permitted. I look forward to upcoming exhibits the Frye has to offer and always make a pint to keep an ear and an eye out for what may be coming through!
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Alenis O.

Yelp
First time here in Seattle and I had to pass by this free admission museum to see the creative exhibit various artist created. It was a rainy day and the calming indoor envirornment was very much needed.
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Mei Y.

Yelp
Actually it is a pretty average museum. I came for the salon because i saw very beautiful photos online. I thought it would be wonderful if i could be in that salon. However, when i do come here today, emmmmmm it is very average. Oh also it is a very very small place, but is free to the public. It is a good place to visit, however I just dont feel anything. Dont get me wrong, im a huge fan of various classic painting, and i paint too. It is a good salon, but it is not a salon that people can discover Theodore Gericault. I guess this is just personally because i was so looking forward to visit this place. Ha.
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Ariel J.

Yelp
Walking past, the building caught my eye, with a cute cafe and a beautiful water feature. I was happy to know that the museum was free and that alone makes it worth it. Upon entering, I was told that I couldn't have my bag hanging from my shoulder and would have to carry it (this was slightly inconvenient, but not altogether annoying). I'm glad I walked through the Impressionist section first, because it is just "Meh". Next, I went to the Ko Kirk Yamahira exhibit, which was amazing! Then last, I visited the Frye Salon. Wow! The walls are covered with framed art of all sizes. It is really impressive. The museum took an hour (at most) to walk around and see everything, including the gift shop. A short, fun visit and definitely worth it if you have some extra time.
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Christy G.

Yelp
Love love love the Frye! This was my favorite art museum to visit when I lived in Seattle. The museum is rather small, however, the exhibits are generally well-curated. There is one permanent exhibit, The Founding Collection, which is a collection of paintings. The other exhibits tend to be very contemporary and installation-based. If you don't like modern art, then you won't like this museum, but if you like seeing new interpretations of what formats art can be communicated in, this is your spot! Great if you can't make First Thursdays or want to skip the crowds, as admission is always free, as is parking (in a lot across the street), although a donation is recommended. Alternatively, you can support the museum by shopping at their equally well-curated, artist-driven gift shop. There are many delightful gifts to be found there for even the most discerning of art snobs. My most recent visit, on a return trip to Seattle, was rather disappointing, however. Part of the museum is (or was) undergoing some sort of construction at that time, which drastically reduced their floor space and therefore the number and variety of exhibits. Hopefully, it means better things to come on my next visit! Anyway, I highly recommend checking this museum out if you are a modern art lover visiting Seattle, even for a day. It's much less of a commitment than trying to see the SAM and equally rewarding.
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Marie B.

Yelp
Another brief Yelp post for a hidden gem in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood. Been going here for ages, but most recently last month to see Jim Woodring's exhibition. Free parking and admission. Decent onsite café and gift shop. Permanent and rotating art installations.
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Karen S.

Yelp
Loved the Frye Art Museum especially the exhibit done by Alaskan Alison Marks called One Gray Hair. All her pieces really just spoke to me. The collection of work from the Frye founders are just displayed amazingly! Take your time and just absorb. I was there for a good 2 hours (one of the other exhibits was still under construction unfortunately and so was the gift shop). The 2 hours included me stopping by their cafe. Get their veggie/nut bread or whatever it was if you need a quick snack. Really moist! The front staff were really friendly and inviting :) I wish I still had my instastory pictures to show on here:(
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Masil M.

Yelp
I have been to the museum several times and enjoy the collections they have. It is beautiful, smaller space that I find easy to navigate. Some of the lighting can make viewing some paintings difficult. They rotate collections with many artists native to the area. They have live art. It is free to get in and is a nice thing to do if you are in the area. There is a cafe that is quite good. And a small gift shop.
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Amy L.

Yelp
One of the best museums in the city. First off, it's always free. It's also wheelchair accessible. Secondly, it's well-curated. They show contemporary artists from around the world whose work challenges institutions - of art, politics, gender, etc. You might see full-room installations, unusual video pieces, or become part of the piece yourself. It's always fresh and exciting. The Group Therapy show, for instance, featured workshops and events for the public like Cindy Mochizuki's Fortune House tarot readings and monster exorcism, Pedro Reyes' Sanatorium, and even a sound bath - all free "therapy" events open to the public. For the duration of the show, the gift shop matches the theme. The Frye salon, an impressive collection of paintings hung salon-style, is always up, a great way to experience that fascinating chapter of our visual culture. The Frye also puts on regular community events like a movie series, art history talks, art classes, a weekly group meditation sit, performances, and a wonderful Creative Aging program that uses art to help patients with Alzheimer's. Many of these are free or donation-based. They have a free tour every day at 1 where a member of the staff takes you through the work they have on display. This museum clearly believes in making art engaging and accessible to all. Don't miss it. If you're hungry, stop by the Frye's Cafe Frieda, which is very reasonably-priced and delicious.
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Corinna S.

Yelp
The Frye Art Museum feels like an Oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Surrounded by endless construction sites you enter the museum through an interesting rotunda and can go and explore great art. They have a pretty solid collection of classic art in addition to their ever changing exhibitions that range from landscape art to street art. Wander through the quiet hallways and get lost in wonderful art before you need to head out again. This museum doesn't charge any admission fees, but think about supporting them with a donation for all their great work and their programs!
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Inna B.

Yelp
I just can't think of anything bad! It's free, there's a lovely collection of older and more modern, and there is free parking right next to the museum. The first time I went, I was surprised to find that a couple of twenty-somethings covered in tattoos and piercings (and smelling of smoke & booze) would go here. I was also surprised to stumble onto a special exhibition featuring some rather familiar works that were there on a special exhibit from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (lived a train ride away- in a suburb, I guess- of that city until I was 8 years old). This time around I enjoyed the more classic art and at least one of the media (movie) pieces. One of them was about creation myths and that was a little odd. We did not see the sign right away, so we were rather confused at first because all we saw were cut-outs (both male-shaped) attempting "baby-making." It was.... odd, to say the least. The sign made it make a whole lot more sense. It was not my personal preference when it comes to art in a museum, but it was... interesting. Hopefully I'll start going more frequently! I still need to check out their Happy Hour sometime...
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Dean L.

Yelp
Free. Also, the permanent gallery is great! It's one high-ceilinged room jammed with fascinating paintings that I see new things in with each visit. The temporary exhibits are often worth paying for, even though they're free. Did I mention that this museum is free? That said, it's free because people make donations--so enjoy a visit, and make a small donation.
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Sherill Y.

Yelp
Free admission and free parking? Well, why not, right? A branch of the Seattle Art Museum, this small modern museum is sponsored by the Frye family who mandated this to be a free museum. What more is there to say-free art, great vibe with a full spectrum of creatives to consume. Great little spot for art appreciation. The building is cool. The permanent collection is interesting, but not a must-do in Seattle. Not so great for kids. Perfect for a rainy day. I think there is a cafe on site but we did not go there. The amount of time you spent here varies on how extensive you look at the details but you can probably finish within an hour because of the small size. If you have a spare hour or even less, I'd definitely suggest checking out the Frye! Free admission, and free parking (in a city where the usual cost of parking can be crazy) round out the big plusses. Like I said though, it's free so why not!
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Lawrence B.

Yelp
This is one of the jewels in the crown of the Seattle art scene. After 35 years of living in the area I finally made a trip to the Frye as part of the Seattle Art Fair experience. The focus of my visit was a presentation of the current exhibition by Walla Walla artist Juventino Aranda, who spoke eloquently about his work and inspiration. http://fryemuseum.org/exhibition/6852/ The museums mission statement is: "The Frye Art Museum is a living legacy of visionary patronage and civic responsibility, committed to artistic inquiry and a rich visitor experience. A catalyst for our engagement with contemporary art and artists is the Founding Collection of Charles and Emma Frye, access to which shall always be free." They certainly live up to that! There is a delightful cafe on site that is worth visiting. I will be back!
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Tami A.

Yelp
This was definitely worth the drive to see. Small museum with only a few rooms, but there was so much to see and revel in I ended up spending a good 90 plus minutes in the one room alone. I visited the museum between exhibits so I only had one room to visit, but it was incredible. Can we talk about the price please? Free. Yes, free admission and free parking. Sold. Cute little cafe inside, that smelled delicious but I wasn't hungry when I was there. Will definitely go again to check out the other exhibit when it opens.
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Teresita C.

Yelp
Love Frye, with it's ever changing exhibits and beautiful, tranquil space. It's small, you can do it 30-45 minutes top to bottom, and like others have mentioned it's FREE, which makes it a great place for budget dates, students or those trying to save some dough. Great little gift shop too, I always find something, and their jewelry collection, while small, is creatively thought out.
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Becky M.

Yelp
I really like visiting this museum whenever I stop in Seattle. It's local and exhibits more alternative works. It's also privately funded, which gives it a niche on its own. Today, I saw the Russian display of propaganda posters. They were quite stellar. There were also a few paintings by Russian painters who fought for their freedom to aim for innovation. This was not an easy feat in Stalin run Russian or in communism. There was also a display or recycled church Windows. I find the works always unique & uniquely gratifying. Visit & support this awesome museum.