Seattle Art Museum is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

1. Seattle Art Museum

9.0
1300 1st Ave (btwn Union & University), Seattle, WA
Art Museum · Seattle Central Business District · 125 tips and reviews

Lauren A.Lauren Albrecht: love the 2nd level of rotating contemporary art...last time i was there i found david robbin's 'talent' from 1986 #fabulous.

James B.James Bates: Hoped for more contemporary art

Andrew J.Andrew J: This is an absolutely beautiful museum. It is very spacious and the art is awesome!

National Nordic Museum is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

2. National Nordic Museum

8.5
2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA
Museum · Ballard · 12 tips and reviews

Milton J.Milton Jones: Wonderful contemporary Nordic art.

Virginia U.Virginia Ullrich-Serna: Beautifully designed with a thought for the look of Fjords.

Denise F.Denise F: Small, but very interesting.Free admission on Viking days, during this fest they have a 👍 fair with smoked 🐟, trad. food from Nordic countries, 🍻 garden and lots of activities.Such a great day!

UW: Henry Art Gallery is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

3. UW: Henry Art Gallery

8.1
NE Pacific St (at 15th Ave NE), Seattle, WA
Museum · University District · 11 tips and reviews

Kurt X.Kurt Xyst: One of Seattle's contemporary art gems. Free for UW students.

Betsey B.Betsey Brock: Free for all students, all the time - anyone with a student ID, anytime they're open. (Um, also --admission is a suggested donated. You can suggest that you pay less if you need to.)

Irene M.Irene M: There is a permanent installation by Turrell called 'Light Reign' which is worth the trip alone.

Inn at the Market is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

4. Inn at the Market

8.5
86 Pine St, Seattle, WA
Hotel · Pike Place · 25 tips and reviews

Diane L.Diane Liah: A fabulous contemporary modern styled, clean boutique hotel

Bobby J.Bobby Johnson: Awesome service and very swanky rooms. Had a great valentines weekend here.

Kseniya S.Kseniya S: Check in and get wine bottle as a gift! 

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

5. Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

7.9
719 S King St, Seattle, WA
History Museum · International District · 12 tips and reviews

Eric T.Eric Tigre: Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience shares living oral history, contemporary art, documentary narrative, and a vital living context of Seattle's Chinatown and Asian-Pacific communities. Read more.

eric b.eric bornemann: The tours of the private rooms is by far the most captivating part of the museum - well worth it.

HISTORYHISTORY: This museum depicts the story of the Asian-American experience through historic photographs, artwork and text. The museum store sells photographs, documentaries & books on Japanese-American culture.

Seattle Asian Art Museum is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

6. Seattle Asian Art Museum

8.1
1400 E Prospect St (in Volunteer Park), Seattle, WA
Art Museum · Capitol Hill · 26 tips and reviews

Mouni R.Mouni Reddy: I was pleasantly surprised by the Korean Contemporary Art exhibit.

joshua l.joshua lumsden: Great art, but the Art Deco architecture is a treat too.

Rebecca B.Rebecca Bush: Don't miss "Deco Japan" May 10th - October 19th 2014

Elliott Bay Book Company is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

7. Elliott Bay Book Company

9.6
1521 10th Ave (btwn Pike & Pine), Seattle, WA
Bookstore · Capitol Hill · 113 tips and reviews

foxfox: check out the amazing greeting card collection - some really great letterpress and contemporary artists in the mix.

L. T.L. T.: Super knowledgeable staff! Looks like a great spot for reading and grabbing a coffee with a friend or two.

Rachel C.Rachel Chambers: I love this place-everything to love about a local bookstore. They also have great gifts. Locally made Torch candles and a ton of fun, handmade cards are perfect for anyone.

Tilikum Place Café is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

8. Tilikum Place Café

8.0
407 Cedar St (at 4th Ave.), Seattle, WA
Breakfast Spot · Belltown · 92 tips and reviews

The Seattle TimesThe Seattle Times: An inviting spot where a European vibe meets a contemporary American menu that segues smoothly from baked beans and Dutch babies to house-made pastas, savory tarts and chicken with dumplings. Read more.

Sunshine M.Sunshine Mugrabi: Breakfast and brunch here is incredible. Reco the Dutch babies and fresh made pierogies.

EaterEater: Largely underrated, the lofty ceilings and large windows create a bright and airy space perfect for the seasonal dishes that comfortingly reflect the best Northwest ingredients. [Eater 38 Member]

Olympic Sculpture Park is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

9. Olympic Sculpture Park

8.8
2901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA
Sculpture Garden · Belltown · 140 tips and reviews

Ryan W.Ryan Waggoner: This is a must when visiting Seattle. Featuring an impressive collection of contemporary sculpture and stunning views of the city and the water.

Steve S.Steve S: Look at the big metal.

CheapismCheapism: An impressive sculpture garden featuring art from the SAM’s collection. Stroll through in late afternoon, then stay to enjoy the sunset. Open 365 days a year and always free. Read more.

On the Boards is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

10. On the Boards

8.2
100 W Roy St (at 1st Ave W), Seattle, WA
Performing Arts Venue · Lower Queen Anne · 10 tips and reviews

Seattle MetSeattle Met: Teeth /Using video and live-generated music, the Portland troupe takes contemporary dance to a technological level in Make/Believe. Mar 1–3. Read more.

SiannfairSiannfair: General seating, so arrive early. Also, check out their website for OtB.tv -- you can pay to see videos of performances that you missed or that you loved so much, you just have to see them again! Read more.

mike b.mike burek: the performances here are unforgetable

Art of the Table is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

11. Art of the Table

8.7
3801 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA
Wine Bar · Fremont · 22 tips and reviews

The Seattle TimesThe Seattle Times: Contemporary American-style comfort food two ways: "Supper Club" Th-Sat is like a private party, with a single seating for a four-course, prix fixe menu; and "Happpy Mondays" featuring small plates. Read more.

Connie L.Connie Lu: Really small place, so make reservations. Great array of farm to table entrees and awesome wine pairings. Get the Tasting Menu.

EaterEater: For a more casual vibe, try the small plate, no reservation menus on Mondays and Thursdays. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.

Can Can is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

12. Can Can

8.8
94 Pike St (at 1st Ave), Seattle, WA
Cocktail Bar · Pike Place · 23 tips and reviews

Noel R.Noel Rodriguez: Such a great place to grab dinner and a show. Definitely worth placing on your list of places to hit up while in Seattle.

Celeste T.Celeste Thayer: Always a cute little venue, if a bit dark. Service teens towards good, if a little slow.

Jae G.Jae Glenn: Come try some of the all new happy hour cocktails !!

Nishino is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

13. Nishino

8.6
3130 E Madison St (at 31st Ave E), Seattle, WA
Sushi Restaurant · Madison Park · 44 tips and reviews

Sarah N.Sarah Nelson: My favorite Seattle sushi spot. A more contemporary take on sushi. Be sure to sit @ the sushi bar, & let the chef make some choices.

Kate K.Kate K: love arboretum roll & tara saikyoyaki (black cod)!! :)

BravoBravo: If you like Japanese cooking & sushi you should try Nishino in Madison Park. True, good Japanese food done by Master Tatsu Nishino. -Thierry Rautureau, Top Chef

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

14. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

8.8
325 5th Ave N (at Harrison St), Seattle, WA
Museum · Lower Queen Anne · 281 tips and reviews

DailyCandyDailyCandy: Dedicated to contemporary pop culture, music, and science fiction, exhibits here are largely interactive — the Sound Lab allows visitors to explore the latest in musical gear and audio technology.

Lana V.Lana Ventura: A must if you are in Seattle even for 24h!

HISTORYHISTORY: The museum takes you through music history by immersing you in nearly 80,000 artifacts including photos, sound archives, costumes and musical instruments from notable artists.

Vito's is one of The 15 Best Places for Contemporary in Seattle.

15. Vito's

7.4
927 9th Ave (at Madison St), Seattle, WA
Lounge · First Hill · 42 tips and reviews

Seattle MetSeattle Met: Vito’s now offers 18 specialty cocktails, among them popular oldies (the Corpse Reviver No. 2) and contemporary options like the Red Hook, a rye-based mixture invented on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Read more.

Ariel D.Ariel Dos Santos: Terrific food and amazing drinks. Great place. Try the novo fogo daiquiri.

Shalimar G.Shalimar Gonzales: Ask to check out the cougar room!