The MoPOP: What to See at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture
Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Kelly
The Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP, is one of Seattle’s most popular attractions. (Fun fact: My high school prom was held there!) The iridescent, curved exterior is one of the most unique buildings in all of Seattle. The MoPOP is covered with over 3,000 colorful panels arranged in a variety of shapes. The architecture is meant to evoke the rock’n’roll experience, and it certainly accomplishes its mission!
Inside, the MoPOP is home to a number of permanent exhibits that are a testament to Seattle’s impact on popular culture, as well as visiting exhibits that cover the latest glimpses into music, movies, and more.
My personal favorite exhibits are the Sky Church, Sound Lab, Fantasy section, and Nirvana tribute. I also really like to take portraits in front of the iridescent purple wall on the west side of the museum.
We’ve been to the MoPOP many times, and in this post my guide to Seattle’s MoPOP!
About the MoPOP
The MoPOP is a nonprofit museum in Seattle, Washington. It was founded by Paul Allen, one of the co-founders of Microsoft. The MoPOP was opened in 2000 as the Experience Music Project (EMP). In 2016, the museum was rebranded as the MoPOP.
One of the most stunning aspects of the MoPOP is its exterior. The building was designed by architect Frank O. Gehry. Using thousands of steel panels and aluminum shingles, the building’s appearance seems to constantly change and evolve based on weather and lighting conditions. The building covers a massive 140,000 square feet.
The MoPOP participates in a number of community events and educational offerings. These include sensory friendly programs, the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival, and Sound Off! (A youth music showcase.)
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Tickets can be purchased at the MoPOP website. At the time of this writing, timed ticketing is in effect. If you plan on visiting multiple Seattle attractions, you might want to look into purchasing a CityPASS.
| Fun Fact: Seattle’s monorail actually runs through the MoPOP. If you want a unique view of the building, try riding the monorail! |
Exhibits and Displays at the MoPOP
Please note that exhibits may change. Check out the MoPOP’s website for current exhibitions.
There are plenty of photos ops inside the MoPOP. On a previous visit, I even got to sit in a replica of the Game of Thrones iron throne!
Sky Church
The Sky Church is easily one of our favorite places to hang out at the MoPOP. The term Sky Church was created by Jimi Hendrix. He envisioned a place where people could come together and share community through the common bond of music. The Sky Church at the MoPOP consists of a an extremely large 33′ x 60′ screen and state-of-the-art acoustics. We like to sit down for awhile at the Sky Church and become totally immersed in the music.
Travel Tip: If you’re planning a trip to the MoPOP consider buying a Seattle CityPASS. You’ll be able to save money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions.
Tower of Guitars
Another one of my favorite displays at the MoPOP is the Tower of Guitars. It actually resembles more of a tornado of guitars! This is one of my favorite backdrops for photos at the MoPOP.
| See our guide The Best Hotels in Downtown Seattle to help you plan your trip! |
Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel
One of Seattle’s greatest musicians is undoubtedly Jimi Hendrix. The Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel exhibit is dedicated to his time on the road from 1966-1970.
Jimi Hendrix was the winner of three Grammy awards and recorded over 170 songs.
If you’re a big fan of Jimi Hendrix, you might also want to visit his grave and memorial in the nearby town of Renton.
Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses
Nirvana was one of the principle bands that drove the grunge movement to fame. You can’t visit Seattle without paying homage to Nirvana. The Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses exhibit features personal instruments from Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselić, and Dave Grohl, as well as memorabilia, photos, and interviews.
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
The Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop exhibit is dedicated to images of some of hip-hop’s most famous artists. You’ll see photos of Missy Elliott, the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Tupac, Queen Latifah, and more.
Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction
If you’re a Sci-Fi enthusiast, you will love the displays at the Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction exhibit. There’s displays dedicated to Star Trek, Men in Black, Battlestar Galactica, and more.
Indie Game Revolution
Interested in how video games are created? You’ll learn all about the creative process at the Indie Game Revolution exhibit. My husband and I really enjoy this exhibit, because we get to see how new video games are made. (And we get to try some out!)
Fantasy: World of Myth and Magic
The Fantasy: World of Myth and Magic exhibit was one of my favorite exhibits at the MoPOP. They have an awesome collection of fantasy, and my favorite pieces were from The Princess Bride. This exhibit also showcases pieces from the Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter. I especially liked seeing the hat the Wicked Witch of the West wore!
Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film
The Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film exhibit is dedicated to, you guessed it, horror films! This would be especially fun to visit during Halloween. I’m a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and was glad to see that show represented in the exhibit. Besides showcasing a lot of cool artifacts, this exhibit had some really neat lighting and effects. Bring your camera!
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame
Each year, the MoPOP inducts artists into its Hall of Fame. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame exhibit showcases their amazing accomplishments.
Guitar Gallery
Another one of my favorite exhibits is the Guitar Gallery. It’s filled with the personal guitars of famous artists. Although I’m not a guitarist, it was really cool to see the different styles of guitars and how they matched their artists’ personalities.
Sound Lab
At the Sound Lab you can try out a variety of instruments as you compose your own songs. It’s a fun place for both children and adults.
Traveling Exhibitions
The MoPOP also routinely features traveling exhibitions. At the time of this writing, the following exhibitions are visiting:
- Hidden Worlds: The Films of Laika
Sculptures Near the MoPOP
Outside the MoPOP, there’s also several sculptures. One of the most noteworthy is a bronze sculpture of Chris Cornell from Soundgarden.
Dining
There’s one restaurant at the MoPOP: Culture Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck. Admission is required to dine there. The menu serves grab and go offerings, pastries, snacks, and hot beverages. On the weekends, they serve flatbreads and pizzas.
Nearby Hotels
The closest hotel to the MoPOP is the Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown. It’s just 500 feet (a 2-minute walk) from the MoPOP. The hotel has free breakfast and a restaurant on-site.
The Seattle Marriott Waterfront has views of the water, as well as an indoor-outdoor pool. Every room has a view of the mountains and water. It’s located 1 mile from the MoPOP.
We wrote an article about our favorite hotels in downtown Seattle. You can check it out for more recommendations.
Summary
We recommend spending at least two hours to walk through the exhibits at the MoPOP. If you want to immerse yourself in all of the exhibits (and participate in some of the interactive ones), you might want to give yourself a few hours.
We hope you enjoyed this post about visiting the MoPOP in Seattle. We’ve personally visited the MoPOP at least half a dozen times. We frequently bring out-of-town guests there, and it’s one of my husband’s favorite things to do in Seattle. We hope you enjoy your visit!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
