Directions & Parking

Photo: Burke Museum
Photo: Burke Museum

We look forward to welcoming you to the Burke Museum!

The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is located on the northwest corner of the University of Washington (UW) campus in Seattle. 

How do I get there?

The museum is accessible by light rail, bus, bike, and car. If you take public transit to travel to us, be sure to mention it at the admissions desk to receive discounted admission. You can find more information about public transit and parking options below.

Parking is limited, so plan for alternative options when possible. You may be able to find pay-by-the-hour parking in the University of Washington N1 lot directly adjacent to the museum or in the University’s Central Plaza Garage. Alternatively you may also find street parking along 15th. There are 5 designated accessible parking spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis in the N1 lot. There is a vehicle drop-off on the south side of the N1 parking lot in front of the museum’s main entrance.

There will be increased traffic and limited parking on campus on Husky football game days. 

We recommend using public transit on these days: September 9, September 23, October 14, October 21, November 11, and November 25.

 

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An illustration of a train

By Train

The U District light rail station is located just down the street from the Burke—only about a 3 minute walk! For schedules, visit the Sound Transit Link light rail website.

An illustration of a bus

By Metro Bus

Many buses serve the University District and can drop you within a block or two of the museum entrance. For timetables, routes and help, consult King County Metro’s trip planner tool.

An illustration of a bike

By Bike

Plan the safest route by with the City of Seattle's Interactive Bicycle Map. The museum is just a half-mile north of the Burke Gilman Trail, and there are bike racks near the front entrance of the museum.

An illustration of a car

By Car

From I-5, exit east onto NE 45th St. Travel east to 15th Ave NE. The museum is on the Northwest corner of UW campus between 15th Ave NE and Memorial Way NE.

A view of the Burke Museum from the corner

Address

Burke Museum
4303 Memorial Way NE
Seattle, WA, 98195

Get Directions

Map data ©2019 Google

Visitor Parking

aerial map showing burke museum and surrounding N1 lot

The closest visitor parking is the N1 lot located next to the Burke Museum. Visitors can drive straight to the lot from Memorial Way NE and pay by machine with a credit card or use the pay by phone app.

Parking in another lot on campus? Stop by the north University of Washington (UW) parking gatehouse near the corner of NE 45th St and 17th Ave NE/Memorial Way NE to ask what parking is available near the Burke. Other than N1, the next closest visitor lots on campus are C1-C6 Central Plaza Garage (entrance at 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St) and N20-N21 Padelford Garage.

UW campus parking

UW Parking Rates:

  • Weekdays 6 a.m. – 4 p.m., $4/hr or $18.75 all day; $6.25 flat fee after 4 p.m.
  • $6.25 flat fee on Saturdays until noon., except C1-C6 Central Plaza Garage, where the flat fee is $12.50. 
  • FREE parking after noon on Saturdays and all day Sundays.

View 2022-2023 UW campus parking rates

Effective July 1, 2023
University of Washington parking rates will increase July 1, 2023.

  • Weekdays 6 a.m. – 4 p.m., $4/hr or $19.50 all day; $6.50 flat fee after 4 p.m.
  • $6.50 flat fee on Saturdays until noon., except C1-C6 Central Plaza Garage, where the flat fee is $13.00. 
  • FREE parking after noon on Saturdays and all day Sundays.

View 2023–2024 UW campus parking rates

Other Nearby Parking

There are several public pay-to-park lots within a few blocks of the Burke. City of Seattle street parking available near the Burke with parking limits between two and four hours. The closest street parking is found along 15th Ave NE, 16th Ave NE, and 17th Ave NE. 

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in all UW parking lots. The closest accessible spaces are in UW lot N1 adjacent to the Burke Museum. Visit the UW Transportation website for more information.

Bus Parking

Bus parking at the Burke Museum is limited and must be reserved in advance of your visit. Please contact Visitor Services at burkevis@uw.edu or 206.616.8616 to arrange bus parking ahead of your visit.

If we are unable to accommodate your parking request or you would like to book additional bus parking, please request free bus parking from the University of Washington.

Land Acknowledgement

The Burke Museum stands on the lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, whose ancestors resided here since time immemorial. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong.

two women paint on a giant canvas on a wall

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Photo: Andrea Godinez/Burke Museum
Photo: Andrea Godinez/Burke Museum