The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) is one of Seattle's most distinctive landmarks, with its flowing metal exterior designed by Frank Gehry creating an instantly recognizable silhouette against the city skyline. Inside this architectural marvel, you'll discover an impressive collection spanning music, science fiction, fantasy, gaming, and horror that celebrates the profound impact of popular culture on society. From legendary rock artifacts to cutting-edge interactive experiences, MOPOP offers something for every visitor seeking to explore how entertainment shapes our world.
Currently featuring five standout exhibitions, MOPOP showcases both permanent installations and rotating displays that highlight different aspects of popular culture. Whether you're drawn to Seattle's musical heritage, fascinated by science fiction worlds, or eager to experience interactive gaming displays, the museum provides an engaging journey through the artifacts and stories that define modern entertainment.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Seattle's most famous musical export receives a fitting tribute in this comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Jimi Hendrix's revolutionary career. The display features an extensive collection of stage outfits, including his iconic psychedelic jackets and headbands that became synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The guitar collection is the centerpiece, showcasing several of Hendrix's actual instruments alongside detailed explanations of his innovative playing techniques that forever changed rock music.
Multimedia galleries throughout the exhibit allow you to experience Hendrix's music in new ways, with rare concert footage and studio recordings that demonstrate his evolution as an artist. The exhibition connects Hendrix's Seattle roots to his global impact, showing how a young musician from the Pacific Northwest transformed popular music and influenced countless artists who followed. Interactive listening stations let you hear isolated guitar tracks and compare different versions of his most famous songs, providing insight into his creative process.
Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music
This powerful long-term exhibition explores how Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul music served as forces of resistance and identity throughout American history. The display highlights legendary artists including Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, showing how their music transcended entertainment to become vehicles for social change and cultural expression.
Multiple listening stations throughout the exhibition allow you to experience the evolution of these musical genres firsthand, while archival media provides historical context for understanding their cultural significance. The striking vinyl wall display showcases hundreds of influential recordings, creating a visual timeline of African American musical achievement. Immersive films transport you to different eras and venues, from rural churches to city concert halls, demonstrating how these musical traditions spread and influenced popular culture worldwide. The entire exhibition is included with general admission, making it accessible to all MOPOP visitors.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Realms
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame transports you into beloved fictional universes through an impressive collection of props, costumes, and artifacts from iconic productions. This permanent installation features authentic items from the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, including original uniforms, weapons, and spacecraft models that appeared in the films and television series.
Legendary Costumes and Props
The exhibition showcases elaborate costumes from The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, allowing you to examine the intricate craftsmanship that brought these fantasy worlds to life. Dorothy's dress from The Wizard of Oz and Darth Vader's imposing costume from The Empire Strikes Back represent just a portion of the 80 artifacts displayed as part of the “Massive: The Power of Pop Culture” collection.
Cultural Impact Gallery
Interactive displays demonstrate how science fiction and fantasy genres shaped popular culture, influencing everything from technology development to fashion trends. The exhibition explores how these seemingly fantastical stories often reflected real-world concerns and aspirations, serving as both escapism and social commentary.
Gaming, Horror, and Sound Lab
The Museum of Pop Culture's gaming section provides hands-on experiences with both classic and contemporary video games, featuring playable demos that span decades of gaming history. Independent game developers receive special attention, with rotating displays that highlight innovative gameplay mechanics and artistic achievements in the medium. The horror section complements this interactive approach with memorabilia from influential horror films, including masks, props, and behind-the-scenes materials that reveal the artistry behind fear.
The Sound Lab is a particular highlight for interactive experiences, allowing you to experiment with various musical instruments and recording equipment. You can create your own compositions, learn basic techniques, or simply explore how different instruments produce their distinctive sounds. This space encourages creativity and provides insight into the technical aspects of music production that you may find surprisingly engaging.
Maximizing Your Time at MOPOP
Consider visiting MOPOP during weekday mornings for smaller crowds and optimal viewing conditions for exhibits. Dedicate three to four hours at MOPOP to fully appreciate each exhibition without feeling rushed.
Begin with the permanent installations, such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Science Fiction Hall of Fame, and then explore the interactive areas in the afternoon when energy levels are naturally aligned with hands-on activities. The Sound Lab works particularly well as an afternoon experience, allowing you to unwind while experimenting with instruments and recording techniques.
Plan Your Visit With Seattle CityPASS® Tickets
Seattle CityPASS® tickets grant access to MOPOP and other iconic Seattle destinations like the Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium. CityPASS® tickets help you save up to compared to individual admission prices while ensuring you experience Seattle's most popular attractions. The convenience of pre-purchased admission means you can focus on exploring more of what you want to see, and the validity period allows flexibility in planning your itinerary across multiple days.
Purchase your Seattle CityPASS® tickets today and start planning your journey through the fascinating world of popular culture at MOPOP.