Burke Museum

Description:

• At the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum features exhibits on the natural and cultural heritage of the Pacific Rim and is the Northwest's foremost museum of paleontology, archaeology, and ethnology. Permanent exhibits include Life & Times of Washington State, which covers 500 million years of Washington history (and prehistory) with lots of fossils, including a complete mastodon. The second permanent exhibit, Pacific Voices, focuses on the many cultures of the Pacific Rim and their connections to Washington State. In front of the museum stand several modern totem poles that are replicas of totem poles carved in the late 19th century. Because this museum is fairly large, it mounts touring shows that often make only a few other stops in the U.S., so be sure to check the exhibition schedule when you are in town.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010