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.
Frye Art Museum at a Glance#
Address: 704 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 (Frye Art Museum)
Website: https://fryemuseum.org/
Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm (closed Mondays)
Admission: Free (museum admission may vary for exhibitions)
About Frye Art Museum#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 2° - 8° | 2° | 139 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 3° - 10° | 4° | 109 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 3° - 12° | 5° | 108 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 14° | 8° | 77 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 49 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 42 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 24° | 18° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 24° | 18° | 31 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 46 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 7° - 15° | 11° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 4° - 10° | 5° | 151 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 2° - 7° | 2° | 163 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
