The first thing you see in a visit to the Seattle Art Museum (1300 1st Ave., 206/654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Wed. and Fri.–Sun., 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thurs., closed Mon., $7 adults, $5 seniors and students, free kids under 12) is Jonathan Borofsky’s 48-foot-high Hammering Man sculpture, pounding relentlessly away on the corner of University Street and 1st Avenue.

Step inside the dramatically modern building to find three stories of gallery space, a large auditorium and lecture hall, a gift shop, and a café. The permanent collection is filled with works from Asia, Africa, and Native American cultures. You're also guaranteed a look at well-known American and European art, including one room with avant-garde works that range from the frivolously fun to the freakishly foolish.

Your ticket gets you into both the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. The first Thursday of every month admission is just $3 per person, and first Saturdays are free. Free docent-led tours of SAM are offered daily; see the information board in the lobby for the next tour.