SAM's downtown museum, with a social narrative and a Sensory Map that marks louder, quieter and crowded galleries, disposable earplugs at Coat Check and the Ticketing Desk, a third-floor Family Room the map calls a great place to take a break, and free admission for caregivers.
Sensory supports. Sensory Map, earplugs, Family Room.
Hours
Wednesday 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday 10 am to 8 pm; Friday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Open Native American Heritage Day, New Year's Day, Juneteenth and Independence Day, and 10 am to 3 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 (enter at First Avenue and Union Street)
“Disposable earplugs are available at Coat Check and the Ticketing Desk at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.”
“Some parts of the museum are quieter while other parts are louder. Some of the art includes an audio component, and some of the art has colorful lighting.” seattleartmuseum.org (Social Narrative)
“If I need to have a large bag or backpack with me for medical or health reasons, I can tell the museum staff that I need an accommodation.” seattleartmuseum.org (Social Narrative)
“Health aides and caretakers receive free admission when accompanying their care recipients.”
SAM's social narrative and Sensory Map are on its maps page (seattleartmuseum.org/map), with a large print map. The narrative walks through the light rail ride, the entrance, Coat Check, the ticket scan at the escalators, the galleries and the way out. Tickets let you back into the galleries on the same day.
Renovation: through early February 2027 the south wing is closed, with no access to the Grand Staircase, the Art Studio and some family spaces, so the Family Room may not be open; ask at the Ticketing Desk when you arrive.
Ticket prices: SAM gives two answers about buying on the day you visit. Tickets may cost $3 more that day, or, since July 2026, the same online and at the museum. For questions, call 206.654.3210 (daily, 10 am to 5 pm) or email customerservice@seattleartmuseum.org.
SAM's other sites have their own supports: the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park also has earplugs at Coat Check and the Ticketing Desk, and its own social narrative and Sensory Map; the Olympic Sculpture Park has its own Sensory Map.
A Sensory Map and a social narrative to read before you go; the map names louder, quieter and crowded galleries on each floor.
Disposable earplugs at Coat Check and the Ticketing Desk, and a third-floor Family Room the map calls a great place to take a break (some family spaces are closed through early February 2027).
Free admission for health aides and caretakers with the person they care for, and free admission for everyone on the first Thursday of each month, when the galleries get very crowded.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Seattle Art Museum
Louder, in the museum's words
Australian Art (third floor) (loud sounds from projected video that can be heard across several of the other galleries)not stated
A Room for Animal Intelligence (fourth floor, on view through Jan 31 2027) (can be very crowded and loud)not stated
African Art (fourth floor) (a loud space with variable lighting throughout)not stated
Rotating exhibitions (fourth floor) (can be very crowded and loud)not stated
Modern & Contemporary (third floor) (brightly lit; can be loud and crowded)not stated
The Knight Lawrence gallery (third floor) (includes a work with flashing lights and visual intensity)not stated
Main entrance and Ticketing (second floor) (bright lighting at the entrance, which can be crowded and loud; Ticketing can be loud depending on crowd size)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
European Art (fourth floor): generally quieter; the Italian Room is small, dark and less crowdedquiet zone
Japanese & Korean Art (third floor): darker lighting, often less crowdedquiet zone
Family Room (third floor): dimly lit, with various seating and tables; a great place to take a break or move aroundquiet zone
American Art (third floor): dimmer lighting throughoutquiet zone
Admission: adults $29.99, seniors (65+) $24.99, military (with ID) $24.99, students (with ID) $19.99, teens (15 to 19) $19.99, children 14 and under free, members free. Free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month; seniors pay $5 on the first Friday.
Free and reduced routes: caregivers with the person they care for (verified in person); Museums for All, free for up to five people with a SNAP, EBT or WIC card shown in person; King County Library, Seattle Public Library, Kitsap Regional Library and Pierce County Library museum passes (up to two people each); Highline Public Schools students and families; Blue Star Museums, free for military families of up to six from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day; Bank of America cardholders, one free ticket on the first full weekend of each month; employees of other museums; AAM and ICOM cardholders; TeenTix $5; Gold Card and FLASH Card $5; PCC Community Markets members 10% off; Seattle C3 saves up to 28%; free educator tickets with one to two weeks' notice; groups of 10 or more. While supplies last, people who buy general admission online 24 hours ahead get free transit credit for a round trip.
Loans at Coat Check (leave an ID): single strollers, courtesy wheelchairs, lightweight foldable stools, and smart devices with wired headphones for the verbal descriptions. Strollers and breastfeeding are allowed everywhere; bottle feed in the Brotman Forum or the third floor Knudsen Family Room. Benches and other seating are on each floor.
Rules: stay at least 12 inches from the art, with no running or rough play. Photos and video for personal use are welcome except where you see a No Photography icon, with no flash, tripods or selfie sticks. Pencils only for sketching. SAM asks visitors to keep voices low and use headphones with phones in the galleries.
Getting there: the light rail stops at University Street Station, and from there you walk a few blocks down a steep hill to the museum. The 1301 Garage (formerly Russell Investment Center Garage), on Union Street between First and Second Avenues, has accessible parking, first come, first served; weekends are $12, with a $2-off voucher from the Ticketing Desk, and weekday rates run up to $20 for two hours. The 3rd & Stewart Garage, four blocks away, is $10 for up to four hours with a Ticketing Desk voucher, Wednesday to Sunday. Drop-off zones on Union Street and on First Avenue near Union work 9 am to 3 pm.
