At the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the University of Washington campus, kids can come face-to-face with dinosaurs, giant fossils, dazzling gems, and cultural treasures from around the world. What sets the Burke apart is that it’s a “working museum” — scientists and researchers are on-site, so families can watch real discoveries unfold in real time. With hands-on exhibits, visible labs, and plenty of opportunities to explore, the Burke brings science, art, and culture together in a way that captivates visitors of all ages.
What Parents Will Love
Parents appreciate how the Burke blends education and experience. Visible workrooms and “behind-the-scenes” windows let families observe paleontologists, archaeologists, and artists in action. The museum’s programming — from family craft days to cultural workshops — makes science approachable and engaging. Located right on the UW campus, the Burke is also easy to pair with a campus stroll, picnic, or coffee stop nearby.
What Kids Will Love
Dinosaurs are just the beginning! Kids can watch scientists at work, touch real fossils, peer through microscopes, and get hands-on with rotating discovery stations. Creative activities and play spaces throughout the museum invite exploration, while changing exhibits ensure there’s something new to discover on every visit.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 4303 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Monday)
- Cost: $0–$24
- Website: burkemuseum.org
- Free/Discounted Days: First Thursday of every month
- Special Events: Visit burkemuseum.org for current events and exhibits
- Summer Camps: Check website for the most up-to-date educational opportunities
- Family-Friendly Features: Interactive exhibits, visible research workrooms, birthday party options, play spaces, art and craft activities, and public programs
- Museum Café: Off the Rez Café — Native Indigenous food made from scratch, inspired by traditional recipes
Explore More Family-Friendly Museums
- Guide to The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA)
- Guide to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (Seattle, WA)
- Guide to KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Bellevue, WA)
- Guide to the Pacific Bonsai Museum (Federal Way, WA)
- Guide to the White River Valley Museum (Auburn, WA)
- Guide to Imagine Children’s Museum (Everett, WA)
- Guide to Hands On Children’s Museum (Olympia, WA)
- Guide to Children’s Museum of Skagit County (Burlington, WA)
- Guide to Spark Museum of Electrical Invention (Bellingham, WA)
- Guide to Rocky Reach Discovery Center (Wenatchee, WA)
- Guide to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) (Portland, OR)
Remember, some Seattle-area museums also participate in the First Thursday program, offering free or discounted admission. Check out exactly which museums offer what, and when at our Guide to First Thursdays.
