Frye Art Museum
Museum Art museum focusing on modern and contemporary works
Seattle’s Frye Art Museum houses 19th- and 20th-century European and American paintings alongside rotating contemporary exhibitions; admission is free. Visitors come for the collection, temporary shows and public programs in the First Hill museum district.
The Frye Art Museum is a public art museum on First Hill in Seattle, Washington, founded by collector Charles H. Frye and opened in 1952. It operates as a non-collecting and collecting institution with a focus on education and public programs.
Collections emphasize 19th- and early 20th-century European painting with particular strengths in German Expressionism, alongside rotating contemporary exhibitions and artist projects. The museum programs include temporary exhibitions, gallery talks and community events.
Charles H. Frye donated his collection and the original gallery that became the museum; the institution has continued to expand its programming while keeping the core bequest. The museum building was renovated and expanded and reopened after that work in 2014.
Located on First Hill, the museum sits roughly one mile east of downtown Seattle and is within walking distance of nearby neighborhoods including Capitol Hill and the International District.
- Admission: Free general admission year-round; the museum also runs talks, tours and family programs.
- Founding: Opened in 1952 with the bequest of collector Charles H. Frye and his gallery building.
How to Get to Frye Art Museum #
The Frye Art Museum is on the south side of Seattle’s Capitol Hill/First Hill area, a short walk from Interstate 5 and accessible by several King County Metro bus routes. Street parking and nearby paid lots are available.
Tips for Visiting Frye Art Museum #
- Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and free events.
- Visit on Thursday evenings when admission and programs sometimes target younger crowds and locals.
- The museum is compact-allow 1-2 hours to see collections and rotating shows.
Best Time to Visit Frye Art Museum #
Indoor venue-visit during rainy months for a comfortable cultural alternative to outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Frye Art Museum #
Frye Art Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1026 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 25 mm.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (163 mm).
_in_front_of_the_Seattle_Kingdome_Stadium_on_6_October_1982_(6371846).jpg?width=600)