Seattle Asian Art Museum

The basics

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is one of three principal outposts of the Seattle Art Museum, along with the flagship downtown museum and the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park. Its galleries are arranged by theme; rather than regions or historical periods, you can explore topics including nature, spirituality, and celebration. In addition to regular guided tours of the museum, there are free self-guided smartphone tours you can download before visiting.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is great for budding artists—sketching and drawing are encouraged in Seattle Asian Art Museum galleries.

• Strollers are allowed, and breastfeeding is permitted throughout the museum.

• This is a wheelchair-accessible attraction, and wheelchairs are available at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to get there

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is at 1400 East Prospect Street at Volunteer Park; free parking is available on-site. You can also reach the Seattle Asian Art Museum via public transit; bus routes 10, 48, and 49 stop nearby. Bike racks are available throughout Volunteer Park. To make use of Seattle’s scooter and bike share programs, download the Bird, Veo, or Lime apps.

When to get there

It’s less when to come and more when to book—buying Seattle Asian Art Museum tickets at least a day in advance can save you a few dollars on each ticket. It's also worth planning around the regularly scheduled tours of the art museum, and the cultural program that includes films, lectures, and musical performances.

The best art museums in Seattle

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is just the start of the Emerald City’s creative troves. The flagship downtown Seattle Art Museum has a far bigger collection, while the Olympic Sculpture Park enjoys a spectacular saltwater backdrop. Other favorites include the contemporary Frye Art Museum, the multi-disciplinary Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and the Asian-Pacific Wing Luke Museum.