Wing Luke Museum Tours

The Wing Luke Museum, at 719 South King Street in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, tells the stories of Asian Pacific American communities, and its guided tours are one of the best ways to understand the neighbourhood. The museum runs two main types of tour: Historic Hotel Tours inside its own building, and Chinatown Discovery Tours of the surrounding area, alongside private, virtual and school tours.

The Historic Hotel Tour stays inside the main museum building, taking you through the historic spaces of the building. Tours run from Wednesday to Sunday at 10:30am and 3:30pm, and they are free with general admission. Places are limited to 15 guests per tour and are first come, first served; phone reservations are not taken, so arrive early to secure a place. The museum suggests calling on the day to confirm tour times.

Chinatown Discovery Tours take you out into the neighbourhood with a guide who explains its history and culture. Private tours, virtual tours and reduced admission for groups of ten or more can be requested through the museum's online form. Staff may limit group sizes of six or more on public tours, so larger groups should request a private tour.

The museum itself is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Tours can be cancelled on hot days if the historic spaces reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and staffing can affect availability, so check before you travel. Questions can be emailed to the museum's visitor team.

The tours suit history lovers, families and anyone interested in the communities that shaped Seattle. Allow at least an hour for a tour and more time to see the museum's galleries. The neighbourhood is also a good place to eat, so plan lunch or dinner nearby. If you would like to visit with a larger group, such as a family reunion or a society outing, send the request form well ahead of time, as private tours depend on staff availability. School groups have their own field trip enquiry form, and Lunar New Year tours are available for younger school children.

The Chinatown-International District is just south of downtown and Pioneer Square, and it is easy to reach by light rail or on foot. King Street Station and the stadiums are close by, and Pioneer Square, where the Underground Tour starts, is a short walk away.