Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Address:	1413 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
Phone:	+1 206-543-7907
Site:	burkemuseum.org
Rating:	4.2
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 32

A Private User

Im from Chicago and visited the Burke museum this week. I understand it is a small, university-run museum but the value proposition is just not there. Its ~$40 for a family of 4 with two children over 5 to see two small levels; by contrast, the 20x larger Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is $50. Dont forget the $15 charge to park, which became a $35 parking ticket for me because I didnt realize I had to pay to park in a near-empty lot. Seattle is a wonderful city with great attractions but my sense is that this museum should either reform its business model (my sense is its administratively not well-run, or that admissions subsidize other things) or go the way of the dinosaur.

Jessica Tupper

The Burke is a place I want to love more. It has wonderful touring exhibits, but there are issues in its quest to be user friendly. For example, a whale type specimen is on display, but without a genus species printed or notice of when it will get taxonomic reference. (For those not in biological research, this is fairly unusual.) The research facilities are beyond stellar, and I highly recommend signing up for a behind the scenes tour. Its definitely worth a trip, though, so give it a shot.

Tiffany Dunn

This is a neat little museum. We came for the Kids Activity (which is free once a month). Down stairs is the indigenous peoples exhibit, and upstairs is were the bones and books are. The staff is helpful to those who have questions, and they have a military discount. The reason it isnt a 5 star is because the place is a bit smaller then initially expected. But they did do a great job with the artifacts they have.

Jack Mudge

The Burke Museum itself is fairly small (I would estimate that three or four visits would allow someone to thoroughly take in the main gallery), however they host activities and events fairly regularly, and so far every one Ive been to or participated in has been exceptional. Two that I highly recommend are Bug Day and Creepy Crawly Cocktails, which are yearly events here.

Herakles Li

Been here twice, if youve never been, its a fun little museum with quite a few displays on the history of this region and the people of the pacific. If youve been here before, its unlikely the displays have changed much. Expect to spend an hour here, two if you like to read everything.

Camila Matamala-Ost

Fun little museum. It takes about two hours to go through the whole thing. This is a good place to take kids because plenty the displays of kid friendly and interactive. A good place to educate yourself about Seattles diverse cultures and the native flora and fauna of Washington.

nick ramsey

For the cost to get in, the exhibits are really minimal, comparing it to really any other natural history museum around the country (even those that are free to get in) and it falls really short. Compare it to natural history museums in other major cities, and it is just abysmal.

David Warren

This is the UW museum specializing in collections of ancient animals and historical cultural objects. If you are a member you can get inexpensive early entrance to their special events. These often let you go back into the research areas to see what they are working on.

Jordan Barr

Its nice having it right here at UW! The exhibits are pretty cool, but you should go for the special exhibits since they are the only thing reallyyy worth it. The cafe downstairs is a nice place to hang out and study; and it is free to go in there!

Lori Phipps

This museum is always fun and plenty of hands on things for the kids to look at. There are native american artifacts, Asian artifacts, and dinosaurs, and volcano displays. Go on a dinosaur day and the kids can dress up with a T-Rex tail.

David Branson

I hadnt been to this museum in a few decades, and it was smaller than I remembered, but I enjoyed it, and it wasnt overwhelming to take a five-year-old to. It definitely has different types of exhibits than any other museum in the area.

Carleigh Vollbrecht

Small museum, good value for the money. The exhibits have interactive components, perfect for kids. Excited to see the upcoming changes with the planned expansion/remodel/rebuild. Plan about an hour if you like to read all the signs.

Luan Roberts

You can spend and hour to an hour and a half here if you read and do everything in the museum. Stays very warm inside on hot days. The museum does a nice job of making local connections. The exhibits are small but well thought out.

A Private User

Its kind of sad for a city like Seattle to have such a pathetic Natural History museum. I wish it were better, but its not. Go to it if you have a discount coupon, I found full price to be a bit high for what you get.

M. Merryman

Nice display, hands on stuff for groups of kids. Onsite cafe has only ready made stuff, walk to restaurants on the Ave. Parking across the street during construction isnt so bad, gate guards are helpful.

Timothy Shelsea

For what it is, its pretty good. University ran museum. Keep in mind, the is NOT Seattles natural history museum! The much larger MOHI (museum of history and industry) is downtown on Lake Union.

Noah Rouleau

We spent about 2 hours enjoying the natural history/ethnography exhibits here. The museum isnt very large, but the exhibits are all interesting, and the museum provides a nice overview.

Tobias Gelston

Small but excellent natural history museum. Make sure you get a parking pass on the way in and if you only stay part of the time they will give you a partial refund on the way out.

Cody P

Ive been here a few times and its great. The staff is very friendly and they have lots of cool exhibits. If youre interested in taking groups here they do a great tour of the museum.

Phil Morris

This is a fantastic museum. You might think that other museums are good but this museum is the best. Ive talked to the smartest people and they all agree this museum is fantastic.

Alicia Aurarius

While the objects exibited were interesting, it felt as if the museum as a whole was meant for five-year-olds (in terms of the way the information was presented).

Bruce Englehardt

Small and cozy museum, with some cool exhibits from time to time. Not really worth making it the centerpiece of a trip, but a good add-on to a campus visit.

Kiyokazu Kurosawa

そんなに広いわけではないので、展示物も多くなく、長くいられるわけではありません。

So_Family

Great place if you have kids. My son enjoyed his time here, but it is kind of small. I would recommend that it morr fore the kids than adults. Have fun

Jake Lemberg

Great museum! They are in the process if building a new one, but the current one is great. A lot of very cool historcial artifacts and exhibits.

David Carli-Arnold

A very cool museum with a variety of exhibitions. The cafe downstairs is also very good, and makes for a nice place to sit and talk.

Will Bigelow

Nice museum to check out. Free to college students so I recommend everyone check it out at some point. Not that large though.

Jeanne L.

Interesting stuff about the region. 1st Thursday of the month is free admission sobif your on a budget definitely go then.

Ellany Kayce

Beautiful and huge selection of Coast Salish and authentic Native American artists of multiple types of collections.

rabya shahid

So much fun and activities for kids at Dino day , and so cool to see million of year old fossils of dinosaurs!!