National Nordic Museum - Plan Your Visit

A few practical details will help your visit to the National Nordic Museum in Seattle go smoothly.

Ticket Information for the National Nordic Museum

Purchase Options: Walk-ins are welcome, and tickets can be bought at the Admissions desk during open hours. Booking online in advance secures your entry, which is especially useful for special events.

Types of Tickets: General admission covers the permanent exhibitions, including Nordic Journeys, and the rotating special exhibitions. Events and camps are ticketed separately. Drop-in docent-led tours run on select Fridays and are included with admission.

Free First Thursdays: On the first Thursday of every month, general admission is free for all visitors. Special exhibitions need a separate ticket on those days.

Visitor Guidelines

Bag Policy: Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the museum. Pens and markers, firearms and other weapons should also stay at home.

Photography: Personal, non-commercial photography is welcome, as long as you don’t use flash.

Food and Drink: Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries. Freya Cafe, inside the museum, serves food and drinks.

Animals: Only service animals are allowed inside. Pets, therapy, emotional support and comfort animals are not permitted.

Re-entry: Admission is good for the whole day. You can leave and return to the galleries with proof of purchase.

Amenities at the National Nordic Museum

Dining: Freya Cafe serves espresso drinks, fresh pastries, a light seasonal lunch and handcrafted cocktails. It is open to the public, and you don’t need a museum ticket to visit.

Museum Store: The store sells Nordic art, design and cultural mementos, both in person and online.

Visitor Services: Two manual wheelchairs can be borrowed at the Admissions desk, first come, first served. The desk also lends magnifiers and EnChroma glasses.

Accessibility

The museum building meets ADA accessibility standards. Ramp entrances are on the west side (28th Ave NW) and the south side (from the parking lot), and the first-floor galleries are reachable from the ground floor. Two elevators serve the second-floor galleries. The parking lot has four ADA spaces, free with an ADA pass displayed. Service animals are welcome.

National Nordic Museum - Location

The National Nordic Museum is at 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107, in the Ballard neighborhood.

Ballard has a long history of Nordic immigration. The museum sits on NW Market Street, steps from the shops, restaurants and bars of central Ballard.

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as the Ballard Locks, are about a five-minute walk away.

National Nordic Museum - Opening Hours

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and until 8:00 PM on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Freya Cafe is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and until 7:00 PM on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays and the same four holidays.

Thursday evenings are a good time to see Project Aurora, the museum’s light installation in Fjord Hall, after dark. On the first Thursday of each month, general admission is free.

Good to Know Before Your Visit to the National Nordic Museum

The museum has five distinct galleries, including the permanent Nordic Journeys exhibition and rotating special exhibitions.

Freya Cafe is on site, and the Museum Store sells Nordic art, design and mementos.

Ramps and elevators connect the galleries, and the Admissions desk lends wheelchairs, magnifiers and EnChroma glasses.

National Nordic Museum - Plan Ahead

Booking ahead secures your entry. Events and camps have their own tickets and dates, so confirm them early.

FAQs about Visiting the National Nordic Museum

What types of tickets are available for the National Nordic Museum?

General admission covers the permanent exhibitions and the rotating special exhibitions. Events and camps are ticketed separately. On Free First Thursdays, special exhibitions require their own ticket.

Are there any free admission days at the museum?

Yes. On the first Thursday of every month, general admission is free for all visitors, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Special exhibitions require a separate ticket on those days.

Can I purchase tickets in advance?

Yes. Booking online in advance secures your entry, especially for special exhibitions and events. Walk-ins are also welcome, and tickets can be bought at the Admissions desk during open hours.

Are guided tours available?

Yes. Drop-in docent-led tours run on select Fridays and are included with museum admission. They meet near the entrance, outside Osberg Great Hall.

What are the museum’s opening hours?

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Is the museum suitable for children and families?

Yes. The museum welcomes visitors of all ages and offers family programs, including summer camps for children.

Is there on-site dining available?

Yes. Freya Cafe, inside the museum, serves espresso drinks, pastries and a light lunch. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and until 7:00 PM on Thursdays.

Where is the National Nordic Museum located?

The museum is at 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107, in the Ballard neighborhood, on the corner of NW Market Street and 28th Ave NW.