Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

A natural history and culture museum on the University of Washington campus with working labs, unique specimens and galleries exploring dinosaurs, fossils and Northwest Native art. Children ages 3 and under receive free admission and caregivers of visitors with disabilities are admitted free. Hands-on Experience Alcoves invite families to puzzle animal anatomy, craft a bat take-and-make and handle fossil replicas, while paleontology stations include encounters with prehistoric creatures, investigations of glowing minerals and cave geology. The museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of each month until 8 PM and participates in Museums for All. Family amenities include gender-neutral restrooms with changing tables on every floor, a private lactation room, free lockers, an on-site cafe, and a museum shop; education offerings include camps, youth programs, and school field trips.

Category

Museum

Where

4303 Memorial Way Northeast, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States

Hours

Ages

0 mo–14 yrs

Accessibility

Parking
Paid · Parking lot · Closest visitor parking is the N1 lot adjacent to the museum (pay by machine or pay-by-phone); accessible spaces available in N1; Central Plaza Garage (C1–C6) and Padelford Garage (N20–N21) are nearby; bus parking must be reserved in advance by contacting Visitor Services at burkevis@uw.edu or (206) 616-8616.
Restroom
Changing station

Rules

* Service animals welcome; no pets or companion animals. * No backpacks or large bags in galleries. Free lockers are available to store bags, food, and drink containers. * Food and drink are available from Off the Rez Café. Outside food is permitted inside the museum in the Cascade Room and Lower Lobby, or outside. Food and drink — including water bottles — are not permitted in the galleries. * Personal photos/videos allowed (no flash). For press/commercial photography or filming, including use of tripods, permission is required from [burkepr@uw.edu](mailto:burkepr@uw.edu). * Pencils allowed in galleries; no pens, ink, or paint. * Do not touch objects unless marked with a hand sign. * No harassment; follow staff instructions; keep hallways clear. * No weapons on campus (regardless of permits). * No smoking or vaping (except in designated areas). * Proper clothing required (shoes, tops, bottoms; no swimwear). * No helium balloons or plant material (flowers, leaves, etc.) in galleries. * Caregivers receive free admission. If you are a caregiver for a person with a disability, please let admission staff know during your visit. * Last admission at 4:30 PM.

Contact

Phone
206-543-7907
Email
burkevis@uw.edu
Website
https://www.burkemuseum.org/

Upcoming events