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What to See and Do

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seattle nordic museum

A forward-thinking, look at the past

When you visit the National Nordic Museum, you’ll explore the history and stories of Nordic peoples. Instead of looking at the past in isolation, we invite visitors to explore the Nordic values and how those values can create a more open, sustainable world today.

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Five countries, twelve thousand years

At the Museum, you’ll visit five distinct galleries with selections from our permanent collection and more than 100 objects on loan from the national museums of all five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.) Whether you want to be transported to the Viking-era or explore twentieth-century modern design, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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Spotlights

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    Exhibitions

    Our museum’s permanent Nordic Journeys exhibit tells the story of Nordic life, culture, and immigration over 12,000 years. Find out more about this exhibit and our traveling exhibits.

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    Events

    Film, lectures, concerts, storytime, genealogy, and more are all happening at the Nordic Museum. Check out our full events calendar.

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    Freya

    Experience the world of Nordic Cuisine. Learn more about the food, baked goods, and coffee offered at Freya.

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    Collections

    Whether you’re working on a research project or need to dive deeper, our collections have more than 80,000 objects. Find out more about our collections.

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    School & Family Programs

    If you’re looking for school tours, crafts, virtual classroom programs, and more, we’ve got plenty to keep kids and old entertained. Discover our programs for schools and families.

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Membership

Members get more! A National Nordic Museum membership gives you unlimited free access to the Museum and early access to new, special exhibitions. Members also receive special discounted admission to programs, films and concerts. You’ll also love the members-only 10% discount at the Museum Store and Freya.

Planning Your Visit

  • Buying Tickets

    The best way to visit the Museum is to reserve your tickets online, in-advance. While walk-ins are always welcome, securing your ticket online will guarantee your entrance.

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  • Hours & Directions

    The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 10am – 5pm. Paid parking is available on the south side of the building.

    Details on Hours & Directions
  • Group Tours

    Group tours are available for schools, companies, organizations, and more.

    Contact Us for Group Tours
  • Accessibility

    Our facility meets ADA-certified accessibility standards. We also have options for wheelchair loans, magnifiers available for low vision guests, and more.

    Accessibility Information
  • What’s in the Neighborhood

    The Museum is located in Ballard, a Seattle neighborhood with a rich history of Nordic immigration. Today, it's a vibrant, diverse neighborhood located on Seattle’s working waterfront with plenty to explore–restaurants, shops, nightlife, breweries, and the Hiram Chittenden Locks.

    Explore Ballard, WA
  • Rent the Nordic

    National Nordic Museum offers private event space, available to rent for large gatherings and small groups.

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