Seattle has a great variety of fine museums running the gamut from a maritime discovery center to a doll museum. Find time to visit some of these wonderful treasures.

• Burke Museum: 17th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street. The museum features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest. Admission: $8, $6.50 seniors, $5 students and youth. Free for 4 and younger, University of Washington students/faculty/staff and museum members. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (First Thursday of the month: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.). 206-543-5590; University of Washington Campus.

• Center for Wooden Boats Museum: 1010 Valley St. The hands-on maritime museum features various styles of small boats, a photo gallery, marine library, sailing lessons and more. Daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Admission: free. 206-382-2628. South end of Lake Union.

• Coast Guard Museum: 1519 Alaskan Way S. Displays nautical items, ship models, Coast Guard memorabilia, and more than 15,000 photographs dating from the mid-1800’s. Admission: free. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Waterfront.

• Experience Music Project: 325 Fifth Ave. N. The music museum celebrates popular music with interactive and interpretive exhibits. Daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Liquid Lounge closed Mondays. Admission: $19.95; $15.95 seniors/students; $14.95 ages 7–12; 6 and under free. 206-770-2700; Seattle Center.

• Frye Art Museum: 704 Terry Ave. Admission: free. Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5 p.m. Representational art, with an emphasis on painting and sculpture from the 19th century to the present. 206-622-9250; Capitol Hill, within walking distance. A great café for lunch.

• Henry Art Museum: 15th Ave. N.E. and N.E. 41st St. Admission: $8; $6 seniors 62+; free for students with ID, and children ages 13 and younger; free Thursday, 5–8 p.m. Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. 206-543-2280; University of Washington Campus.

• Klondike Gold Rush Museum: 117 S Main St. Open daily. Admission: free. Take a step back into Seattle’s late 19th-century gold-digging routes through documentaries, artifacts, and more. 206-553-7220; Pioneer Square Area.

• Museum of Flight: 9404 E. Marginal Way S. Featuring interactive displays, exhibits, restored and replicated aircraft, and presentations documenting the determination and sacrifice of World War I and II fighter pilots. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Free first Thursday of the month, 5–9 p.m. Admission: $12; $11 ages 65+; $7.50 ages 5–17; under 5 free; group discounts. 206-764-5720; at Boeing Field Airport, take METRO bus #174 from downtown Seattle.

• Museum of History and Industry: 2700 24th Ave. E. Museum tours daily at 2 p.m. Open daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission: $7; $5 ages 62+ and children ages 5–17; under 5 free. Free first Thursday of the month (and open until 8 p.m.). Reservations/information: 206-324-1126.

• Nordic Heritage Museum: 3014 N.W. 67th St. Admission: $6; $5 seniors; $4 children. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, noon–4 p.m. 206-789-5707; in Ballard Neighborhood.

• Odyssey, The Maritime Discovery Center: Pier 66, 2205 Alaskan Way. Learn about the maritime world and its importance to the Pacific Northwest. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Tuesdays–Saturdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sundays, noon–5 p.m. Admission: $7; $5 students/seniors; $2 ages 2–4, free for under 2. 206-374-4000; Waterfront, within walking distance.

• Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art: 1116 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. More than 1,200 antique and modern dolls are on display, plus teddy bears, toys, dollhouses, miniatures, and more. Admission: $7; $6 seniors; $5 children ages 5–17; free for 4 and under. 425-455-1116; Bellevue, need car.

• Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame: 325 Fifth Ave. N. (adjacent to Experience Music Project). The museum combines artifacts, storytelling, and more to highlight the visions of the future crafted by authors, artists, and filmmakers. Daily 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Tickets: $12.95; $8.95 senior/youth; ages 6 and younger free. Museum and EMP combo packages available. 206-724-3428; at Seattle Center, within walking distance.

• Seattle Art Museum: 100 University St. Admission: suggested $5–$7; children under 12 free. Some exhibitions may have separate fees. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. First Friday free for seniors. 206-654-3100; Downtown, within walking distance.

• Seattle Asian Art Museum: 1400 E. Prospect St., Volunteer Park. Admission: Suggested $3; Seattle Art Museum members and children younger than 12 free (with adult). Admission is good for $3 off admission to Seattle Art Museum (within seven days). Free first Thursday and first Saturday. Adults age 62 and over admitted free first Friday of every month. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. 206-654-3100.

• Wing Luke Asian Museum: 407 Seventh Ave. S. Admission: $4; $3 seniors/students; $2 children 5–12; free first Thursday of the month. Hours: Tuesdays–Fridays, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; weekends, noon–4 p.m. 206-623-5124; International District.

— Dennis Parks is senior curator at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, and a member of the LAC.