Museum · Seattle
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture: free entry days, tickets & hours
Washington State's natural history and culture museum on the University of Washington campus: dinosaurs and fossils, Northwest Native art and working labs you can see into.
Independent guide, not the official Burke Museum website. Official links are under Sources.
Burke Museum is next free on Thursday, 5 November 2026 (in 7 days).
- Free First Thursday: free for all visitors, open until 8pm.
- Also free: children aged 3 and under; Museums for All: free for SNAP/EBT, WIC, foster and kinship care cardholders and their family; University of Washington students, faculty, staff and retirees (one per Husky Card).
- Otherwise: general admission — $24.
Calendar
Free days at Burke Museum
- THU5NOVThursday, 5 November 2026 · in 7 days · 10:00–20:00
- THU3DECThursday, 3 December 2026 · in 5 weeks · 10:00–20:00
- THU7JANThursday, 7 January 2027 · in 2 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU4FEBThursday, 4 February 2027 · in 3 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU4MARThursday, 4 March 2027 · in 4 months · 10:00–20:00
- THU1APRThursday, 1 April 2027 · in 5 months · 10:00–20:00
12 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- On Free First Thursday the Burke stays open until 8pm; book a free timed ticket online because it gets busy.
- The N1 visitor lot next to the museum is paid by machine or app; you don't need to stop at the UW gatehouse.
- Members of NARM/ROAM reciprocal programs get in free.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free dayFree First Thursday: free for all visitors, open until 8pm · 10:00–20:00 | everyone | Parking on the UW campus is limited; public transit recommended. | No |
| Free forFree for children aged 3 and under | children under 4 | — | No |
| Free forMuseums for All: free for SNAP/EBT, WIC, foster and kinship care cardholders and their family | EBT cardholders (Museums for All) | Show ID plus the SNAP, EBT or WIC card at the front desk; no advance registration needed. | No |
| Free forFree for University of Washington students, faculty, staff and retirees (one per Husky Card) | uw students staff | Limit one per Husky Card holder. | No |
Official prices
Burke Museum ticket prices
| General admission — Seniors 62+ $22; non-UW students and youth 4-14 $16; children 3 and under free. | $24 |
| Military discount: $4 off per ticket, up to two tickets, with military ID — At the front desk. | $20 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (general admission). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Burke Museum
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last admission 4:30pm); first Thursday of each month 10am-8pm; closed Monday. New Year's Eve closes at 2pm.
4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
FAQ
Burke Museum: common questions
Is Burke Museum free?
Burke Museum is free for everyone first Thursday: free for all visitors, open until 8pm. Also free: children aged 3 and under; Museums for All: free for SNAP/EBT, WIC, foster and kinship care cardholders and their family; University of Washington students, faculty, staff and retirees (one per Husky Card). Otherwise the official ticket costs $24.
When is Burke Museum free?
Free First Thursday: free for all visitors, open until 8pm. The next free date is Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Who gets free entry to Burke Museum?
Children under 4. EBT cardholders (Museums for All) — show ID plus the SNAP, EBT or WIC card at the front desk; no advance registration needed.. Uw students staff — limit one per Husky Card holder..
How much is a ticket to Burke Museum?
General admission costs $24 on the official site.
What day is Burke Museum closed?
Burke Museum is closed on Mondays. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last admission 4:30pm); first Thursday of each month 10am-8pm; closed Monday. New Year's Eve closes at 2pm.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Burke Museum
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Sources
Where this comes from
- burkemuseum.org/visit/discounts · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- burkemuseum.org/hours-admissions · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.