Free Admission at the Burke!

Free First Thursday

Admission to the Burke Museum is FREE and the museum is open until 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. We're expecting large crowds and strongly recommend that you reserve your free, timed ticket in advance.

Helpful tips for Free First Thursday

You can reserve your free tickets online
Reduce your wait time by reserving your free timed tickets on our website.

Late afternoons and evenings tends to be quieter times to visit.
First Free Thursdays keep us busy, and we love it! We’re open 10 AM – 8 PM, but the mornings and early afternoons are generally the busiest times. We recommend visiting in the late afternoon or evening since it is generally less crowded.

Parking is limited. Consider using public transportation!
Parking on UW campus can be challenging especially during the day when classes are in session. If possible, we recommend using public transportation to visit the Burke Museum.

Looking for parking next to the Burke? No need to stop at the UW parking gatehouse.
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 (there's no need to stop at the parking gatehouse) and pay by machine with a credit card or use the pay by phone app. Need to find other parking options? Stop by the UW parking gatehouse.

Parking / Bus Parking
On First Free Thursdays a limited number of bus parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have three bus parking spots available in the N1 parking lot next to the Burke. Additional bus parking may be available within the University of Washington, please reach out to UW Transportation Services.

Groups and schools
Large groups may want to consider reserving free timed tickets for the afternoon and evening (we’re open until 8 PM!) on Free First Thursdays, since it is generally less crowded. If you are a school group planning a field trip to the Burke, we recommend reaching out to the Burke Education team about our educator-led Field Trip offerings and cost assistance program.