The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop Museum in Seattle) is located in the center of Seattle’s downtown. This eccentric museum honors the narratives and artistic creations that have shaped popular culture over time.
Exhibitions feature timeless books, TV series, and films that have become part of our culture, and music genres that influenced entire generations.
Amazing artifacts, interesting interactive displays, beautiful photographs, and engaging experiences are all available. The best way to visit Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture can be found below.
The museum was founded in 2000 by Paul Allen, a Microsoft co-founder. Originally termed the Experience Music Project, it has evolved over the last two decades to encompass all facets of pop culture.
The structure was created by renowned architect Frank Gehry, well known for his work on the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Thousands of stainless steel and painted aluminum tiles cover the gigantic structure, giving it a stunningly futuristic aspect. It’s just as wonderful outside as it is inside.
The Structural Design of Mopop Museum in Seattle
Depending on your pop culture preferences, the time it takes to go through MoPOP will vary. I recommend allotting at least 2 – 3 hours to enjoy each exhibit. As an ardent fangirl and music enthusiast, I spent a little over three hours at the museum. During that time, I was able to fully tour all of the exhibits.
There’s a lot to see within MoPOP, but you shouldn’t go without first admiring the stunning architecture, which makes MoPOP as appealing on its outside as it is on the inside.
The 140,000 square-foot Frank O. Gehry-designed structure is covered in 3,000 wavy stainless aluminum and steel panels that are cut and sculpted to wrap around the building like metallic tablecloths.
The colors change based on the lighting and angle, allowing you to see the museum differently every time you visit.
How to Get To MoPOP Museum in Seattle
The Seattle Museum of Pop Culture is located in the Seattle Center complex. One of the most convenient ways to travel to the museum is by using the Seattle Center monorail, which connects downtown Seattle’s Westlake Center to the Seattle Center. Trains leave every ten minutes, every day.
The Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Chihuly Garden, and Glass Museum are just a few of the Seattle Center attractions that are close to several all-day parking lots.
If you are driving into town and intend to visit other museums and attractions in Seattle before or after the Museum of Pop Culture, on-street parking is not always free.
How Long Does It Take to Walk Through MoPOP?
If you want to maximize your time and beat the crowds, come early in the day or closer to closing, especially if you’re hoping to secure a spot in one of the sound lab’s studio pods.
Generally, you should plan to visit the museum for one to three hours. You may easily spend five hours here if you’re a fan of pop culture in general, including sci-fi, music, and other media.
You can see everything in one day if you’d like to and make the most of your parking if you choose all-day parking at any of the surrounding lots. You’re conveniently close to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Space Needle, and the Pacific Science Center.
Sensory-Friendly Mornings At MoPOP
MoPOP provides Sensory-Friendly Mornings, which allow adults and families to explore the museum with reduced loudness and light levels. Sensory-Friendly Mornings welcomes all families who would benefit from a low-sensory museum experience before the museum opens to the public. Here are some examples of sensory-friendly accommodations:
- Free early entry before the museum opens to the public.
- Advanced notification about what to expect during your visit.
- Reduced noise and brightness in galleries and Sky Church.
- Art activities from 8 to 11 a.m., as well as low-sensory break places.
- Noise-cancelling headphones are also available.
Museum of Pop Culture Exhibits
1. Guitar Gallery
Before becoming the pop culture museum that it is now, MoPOP was dedicated to everything Rock N’ Roll. While the museum has developed over the last decade, the impact of rock music on mainstream culture remains an important component of its collection.
You must not miss the well-known two-story tornado sculpture made of more than 500 guitars at MoPOP; it has gone viral on Instagram.
But there’s more to the guitars than that. About twenty guitars played by well-known artists are on display in the guitar gallery. A history of guitar milestones is also included in the gallery, showcasing the instrument’s noteworthy development over time.
2. Jimi Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel
Born in Seattle, Jimi Hendrix is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He had a significant influence on popular culture even though he passed away too soon in 1970 at the age of 27.
His songs “Purple Haze” and “All Along the Watchtower” have made him famous today. Handwritten lyrics, Jimi Hendrix clothing, and countless instruments and recordings are all on display in this permanent show.
This unique collection of mementos comes from a well-known musician. Even the guitar that Jimi Hendrix used to play the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969 is featured in it.
3. Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses
When you think of music and Seattle, the first thing that springs to mind is undoubtedly Nirvana. Rightfully so because in the early 1990s, Nirvana established not only grunge as a music genre but also Seattle as the epicenter of this new music revolution.
The Nirvana exhibit at the museum, which includes over 200 objects and images, delves into the history of one of the most important rock bands
Kurt Cobain’s Fender Stratocaster and Dave Grohl’s Tama Rockstar-Pro Drum Kit are two examples of these amazing instruments.
Hits that are still in rotation today attest to Nirvana’s influence on a whole generation. It’s an amazing experience to see the journey of a band that helped establish a musical genre in this well-curated museum.
4. Sound Lab
At MoPOP, their highly interactive sound lab exhibit allows anyone to be a musician. Since guests are encouraged to experiment with the entertaining installations to generate sound and music, no prior musical experience is required.
All ages can listen to the large drum, record their own songs in the jam studio, experiment with instruments in soundproof rooms, and check out the turntables in the DJ lane. Everyone is welcome to play at this entertaining display, but children will especially love it.
5. Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame Exhibit
People are drawn from reality and into a world unlike any other by the science fiction and fantasy genres. Whether you’re an Indiana Jones devotee or a follower of Star Trek, you’ve made the decision to follow tales of discovery and adventure both on and off Earth.
Through films, relics, and interactive kiosks, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame Exhibit honors 108 creators and their works. View the severed hand of Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’s The Empire Strikes Back up close.
See the renowned hat that Indiana Jones never lost or abandoned during his travels. Inductees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame include Terry Gilliam, Guillermo del Toro, Jim Henson, Margaret Atwood, George Orwell, and many more.
6. Indie Game Revolution
With the stories of over forty independent video game creators and developers and how they are reshaping the industry, the Indie Game Revolution exhibit is sure to captivate gamers.
There’s always something fresh to find when exploring this unusual space because the games change every couple of months.
An artwork in the main gallery that mimics the pixelated landscape of video games is composed of more than 3,000 cubes. Enter this interactive display, immerse yourself, and raise your game.
7. Scared to Death: Horror Exhibit
If you can’t get enough of horror movies, the Scared to Death exhibit is the perfect place to get scared.
This exhibit, which features over 50 artifacts and costumes from films and television shows such A Nightmare on Elm Street, Pet Sematary, Bride of Frankenstein, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dawn of the Dead, will definitely thrill and chill.
Take a peek at the gruesome detail of the prop heads used in The Walking Dead, or wander inside a vampire chapel. In addition to some intriguing items, this show features the oral histories of the genre’s most significant directors.
8. Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic
We might find happiness and solace in great tales of magical and fantastical places when real life gets too challenging or complex. The fantasy-themed collection at MoPOP examines the works, movies, and television series that have influenced popular culture over the last 100 years.
A number of the most well-known fantasy films are on display, including The Princess Bride, The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones.
It’s a fully immersing encounter into the magical stories that we are told. The first White Walker head from Game of Thrones and the costumes from the Harry Potter movies are two of my favorites. A dragon that is securely confined is also visible!
9. Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-hop
If classic rock and Seattle grunge aren’t your cup of tea, MoPOP’s Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop exhibit delves into the history of the genre.
With numerous images, flyers, and costumes, you can follow the journey of the legendary musicians who defined the hip-hop genre from the 1970s to the present.
The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Wu-Tang Clan are among the featured musicians. You will discover not just about these pioneering musicians’ experiences, but also about pivotal moments in the genre that influenced music forever.
Tips for a Better Visit to MoPOP
MoPOP’s exhibits evolve in lockstep with pop culture. Always check the website before organizing a visit to ensure that an exhibit is still available.
For example, the Bowie by Mick Rock exhibit commemorates Ziggy Stardust’s emergence through a collection of images, performance footage, and interviews, although it is only open until March.
Other displays, such as the Jim Henson and Star Trek exhibits, have a restricted time frame.
1. Tickets and Prices
MoPOP tickets are cheaper when bought online through the MoPOP website, but Seattle CityPASS® tickets will save you on admission to the city’s top five attractions, including MoPOP.
2. Hours of Operation
Please visit the attraction’s website to find out the current hours of operation.
3. Nearby Lodging
To make the most of your trip in Seattle, we recommend staying near Seattle’s main attractions, such as MoPOP. Use a map to find the ideal lodging for you.
Final Words
The various interactive displays and one-of-a-kind exhibitions at MoPOP are guaranteed to delight pop culture enthusiasts as well as casual fans of the TV series, movies, and music that influenced it.
Though, as major fans, we must admit that we may be a little biased—this was our favorite thing to do in Seattle—everyone can enjoy something at this entertaining museum.
Also, one of the best things to do in Seattle on a wet day is to visit the Museum of Pop Culture. Whatever your hobbies, you should definitely check out this Seattle location; it’s not to be missed.
