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Highest-rated museums in Washington by visitors

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Jon Rehg // Shutterstock
Jon Rehg // Shutterstock
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Museums are popular tourist attractions because they provide fun ways to learn about history, science, and culture. As stewards of our civilization, they collect and exhibit items of significant importance, typically based around a theme, topic, or place. Many cover areas like art, natural history, or science, but some museums dedicate themselves to highly specific topics like mustard, play, hot air balloons, and even funeral history. Ultimately, museums present a window into different eras of society so people can learn about the past.

Collecting, preserving, and displaying items is not a new idea. The world's first museum dates to about 530 B.C., a project of Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Babylonian who had a collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. The oldest public museums still in existence are the Capitoline Museums in Rome, a collection of art and archeology museums started in 1471. America's oldest museum predates our country's founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history, opened in 1773.

Museums are important not just because they preserve important elements of our history and culture but also because they can improve our well-being. Naturally, museums promote education and learning and can also bring joy. Researchers studying art museums found that they can reduce depression and increase people's sense of belonging. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits can reduce stress. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.

No wonder they attract nearly 900 million visits a year.

With over 30,000 museums in the country to choose from, there's something for everyone. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in Washington on Tripadvisor as of Aug. 11, 2025. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see what museums are in your own home state.

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#30. Feiro Marine Life Center

Tripadvisor

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#30. Feiro Marine Life Center

- Rating: 4.3/5 (126 reviews)
- City: Port Angeles Clallam County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

Tripadvisor

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#29. Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (351 reviews)
- City: Leavenworth
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Washington State History Museum

Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. Washington State History Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (246 reviews)
- City: Tacoma
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. The Whale Museum

Tripadvisor

9 / 30

#22. The Whale Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (782 reviews)
- City: Friday Harbor San Juan Island San Juan Islands
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

Tripadvisor

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#20. SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

- Rating: 4.5/5 (211 reviews)
- City: Bellingham
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum

Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (313 reviews)
- City: Everett
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. USS Turner Joy Museum Ship

Tripadvisor

18 / 30

#13. USS Turner Joy Museum Ship

- Rating: 4.6/5 (292 reviews)
- City: Bremerton
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Gates Foundation Discovery Center

Tripadvisor

19 / 30

#12. Gates Foundation Discovery Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (716 reviews)
- City: Seattle
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. LeMay - America's Car Museum

Tripadvisor

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#10. LeMay - America's Car Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,078 reviews)
- City: Tacoma
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Museum of History & Industry

Tripadvisor

23 / 30

#8. Museum of History & Industry

- Rating: 4.5/5 (887 reviews)
- City: Seattle
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Tripadvisor

27 / 30

#4. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,118 reviews)
- City: Seattle
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. Chihuly Garden and Glass

- Rating: 4.8/5 (25,193 reviews)
- City: Seattle
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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