Frye Art Museum

A private collection of 19th-century European paintings became the foundation for one of Seattle’s oldest art museums. The Frye Art Museum opened in 1952 through a bequest from Charles and Emma Frye, whose collection included works by German, Austrian and French artists. Today, the museum connects its historic European roots with modern and contemporary art. Its exhibitions explore a wide range of artists and ideas, while the original collection remains part of the museum’s identity. Admission is free, making the Frye an accessible stop for discovering both established and lesser-known artists.