Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Wing Luke Museum

    4.4 (209 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Wing Luke Museum Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Wing Luke Museum

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Wen C.

    I stopped by on a rainy Saturday and I went on the tour of the Kong Yick Building, which includes the Yick Fung Store, Freeman Hotel, and Gee How Oak Tin Family Association. The docent was excellent and painted a vivid picture of how life was back then for Asian immigrant and Asian Americans. I learned about hot bedding, which involves sharing a bed with a stranger while sleeping in shifts, so that the room rental could be split to save money. I would budget about 3 hours to see everything. They have a gift shop on the first floor that sells books and other items. It's worth checking out if you like tchotchkes. I'll be back for their food tours!

    Ciara L.

    Phenomenal tour from Mimi and the Wing Luke Museum of the history of the International District and Asian American immigration to Seattle. I had an impactful tour that made me understand a lot more of the city. Thank you so much to everyone who makes it possible

    1st floor conference room.
    Gilbert G.

    Superb museum on immigration history and the Asian-American experience in the Pacific Northwest! I came here in mid-November 2024 to take an afternoon break while in town for a conference. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Chinatown/International District (CID) light rail stop. If you have a National Park Pass, a $2 discount is applied. Be sure to sign-up for a historic hotel tour which is the highlight of visiting the museum. The tour is led by knowledgable docents who will guide you through each room and reveal a lot of interesting details about the history of Asian-American immigrants to Seattle (especially Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino immigrants). The main exhibit hall also has a nice display on Wing Luke's political career and the Bruce Lee story which presents a more intimate perspective of his time growing up in Seattle. Some content you'll hear from the docent will be disturbing. For example, I learned about the 1924 Immigration Act which banned all Asian immigrants. It was not until President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the 1965 Immigration Act that Asian immigrants were allowed to enter the U.S. Also, the museum discusses the devastating impact on the community in 1942 of FDR's Executive Order 9066 which led to the forced relocation of all Japanese Americans into internment camps. You'll learn about how the neighborhood of Japantown (Nihonmachi) was thriving over 72 city blocks, but shrank to 2 blocks as many families did not return to their homes. A few Japanese American families were lucky to have neighbors who looked after the empty properties during the internment. However, real estate speculators "took over" many properties and flipped the land for development (i.e., gentrification). You can see gentrification today on the far side of the interstate highway (I-5). Overall, this is a superb visit if you enjoy history (be sure to allocate 2 hours or more including the historic hotel tour).

    Scott R.

    A great museum, very interesting exhibits. I'm a Bruce Lee fan, so I really enjoyed that exhibit as well.

    Exhibit
    Paul R.

    Great exhibit of a Kung Fu master that was Bruce Lee. The place was great and had clean restrooms.

    Jessica S.

    Continuing the tour of places I'd missed on my previous trips to Seattle, my friend walked me down the street a few blocks from Tai Tung to the Wing Luke Museum. We didn't have much time, but we were able to hang out in the exhibits for about an hour before having to move on. He brought me here specifically for the Bruce Lee exhibit, which was thoughtfully-crafted and thought-provoking. I loved the quotes on the walls, the interactive exhibit in the back (though it didn't work exactly as planned, it was still fun spinning in circles to get the sensor to notice I was on the circle and to play a new scene.) I most of the time in the non-Bruce Lee part of the museum, though. I was fully immersed in learning about the city's fights for equality, the deep musical roots, the different forms of activism and entertainment, and how they melded together into something truly beautiful and powerful. There's so much to see and read here. From the zoning of the neighborhoods to the fights for justice to the acknowledgement of talent, it's all there for you to witness, if you have the time. I easily could have spent half a day in this museum, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. It's definitely on my list for my next trip to the city, though. Highly recommended.

    Jean-Luc L.

    An informative, impactful museum. It's not huge, but the value and culture it holds is great. I particularly enjoyed the Bruce Lee section, as well as the section dedicated to the Japanese internment camps. It's an important, beautiful contribution to society and I'd recommend anyone interested in Asian culture (or really anyone) to give this museum a visit!

    Bruce Lee Exhibit
    Wendy K.

    This is probably my third visit to the museum. I'm a member and definitely need to take more advantage of my membership. This trip was specifically for the exhibit "Resisters: A Legacy of Movement fromthe Japanese American Incarceration-explores the deep cultural aftershocks left by Executive Order 9066 on tens of thousands of Japanese American families during WWII, with a look to the present and future of Asian American justice movements and activism". I had forgot to renew my membership but was able to do it day of. I really wanted my dad to attend this exhibit with me it's running through September of 2023. As a Japanese American this exhibit was very impactful to me and what my dad and mom's families went through being incarcerated in Minidoka. I was familiar with three of the Japanese American artist works and had been to individual exhibits of theirs. It was nice to see them in one location and discover new activist artists. Was a wonderful exhibit and we went though the rest of the museum as my dad had only been years ago when it was in it's tiny previous location. The most touching experience for us was seeing a photo of my uncle and his name among the exhibit. My dad was quite touched Imm sure. Staff is always friendly. Always love walking up the stairs to the second floor.

    My favorite room at Luke Wing Museum.
    Mary Jeneverre S.

    We walked a mile from our hotel to visit this amazing museum of Asian American history in Seattle. It was worth every step. It also included archives and history of Bruce Lee, which i didn't expect so it was a nice surprise. The exhibits were emotional. My favorite, of course, homage to Filipinos. It so nice to see voices speak up about the Filipino American experience in the US. Of course, the exhibit included the Japanese incarceration, which is so difficult to understand and high emotions were visible throughout the exhibit. I wish we could participate in one of their history tours but with limited time, it was hard to fit it in our busy schedule. I'd love to see more museums including Asians and Asian Americans.

    Who's your favorite APA hero?
    Jen W.

    I can not say enough good things about this museum. Just go. So much information presented so well. During our visit they had a Bruce Lee exhibit. We learned quite a bit about this man and were able to read letters, see photos and watch videos from and about him. They also had an exhibit on beauty, how we define ourselves based on what society expects of us and how difficult it is to break free of these constraints. A very thoughtful display with beautiful and historic imagery. The upper level has an exhibit on the expulsion of Japanese Americans from the west coast during WWII to 'camps'. Heart wrenching and informative. Lessons from history that we need to remember. There are displays of other Asian cultures on this level as well curated by the communities themselves. There was actually more than I could see in one day, and I have every intention of stopping by again on our next visit to Seattle. Included with admission is a tour of items only available with a docent. I had to miss that because of a previously scheduled appointment and hope it's still available when I return. Affiliated with the NPS, this museum has so much information to offer. I really appreciate the exhibits and the staff were excellent and informative. I wasn't sure if this would be one of my stops, and I am so very, very glad we made it here. I hope you do too.

    Laura M.

    A museum with rich history on minority heritage. Located in the heart of China town in Seattle this venue is a must see if you are intrigued with the different races that are a part of Seattle. What brought us here was the Dragon Exhibit of Bruce Lee and his Green Lantern collection. I was in awe of what Wing Luke brought to the Emerald City and I was delighted to see and read about what the different minority races contributed to Seattle. Bruce Lee impacted my life and it was a honor to see actual items in Bruce's lifetime like Ruby's menu and the actual cost of food items. Cards, contracts and correspondences from his business and personal life. There were several interactive items that made my experience more rich and memorable.

    Sarah O.

    Museums like this is a rarity and a gem to those who walk through these walls. There's a lot to absorb walking through the exhibits. So much history that is not taught or even mentioned in history classes, you can get a glimpse into that past from the well- thought- out exhibits here.

    See all

    Photo of Shy A.
    261
    1033
    158

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob G.
    145
    658
    144

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tina A.
    316
    1215
    1766

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cathy L.
    134
    63
    1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Me H.
    131
    925
    1017

    18 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joy N.
    284
    322
    1015

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lexi P.
    5
    40
    11

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janine A.
    43
    196
    7

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of F. L.
    7
    1043
    21

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C W.
    0
    194
    63

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mille C.
    213
    809
    4479

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bernie C.
    14
    179
    0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Belle M.
    54
    255
    0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shannon M.
    101
    122
    22

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley Y.
    469
    110
    104

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Albert H.
    31
    43
    26

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - Wing Luke Museum

    Review Highlights - Wing Luke Museum

    He brought me here specifically for the Bruce Lee exhibit, which was thoughtfully-crafted and thought-provoking.

    Mentioned in 74 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Museums 2,587 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Beneath the Streets

    Beneath the Streets

    4.7
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Our local family of 3 brought out-of-town relatives on the Beneath the Streets tour with guide…read morePatti, and we all enjoyed it. I felt Patti was the best thing about it. She was very skillful at using her voice, gestures, personality, and humor to create an engaging narrative that helped us understand what we were looking at and to visualize what went before. Very entertaining and interesting. Highly recommend Patti.

    The Seattle underground tour with Beneath the Streets was one of the most interesting things I did…read moreduring my trip. I'd heard about the city's underground passageways before visiting, but seeing them in person gave me a much better appreciation for Seattle's history and how the city was rebuilt after the Great Fire. The tour struck a nice balance between history and storytelling. Our guide kept things engaging, and there were plenty of opportunities to stop, look around, and imagine what the original streets would have looked like more than a century ago. The pace of the tour was comfortable, and by the end I felt like I had learned so many interesting facts about Seattle's early history while also getting to explore a part of the city that most people never see. If you're visiting Seattle for the first time, I'd definitely recommend adding an underground tour to your itinerary. It's a fun way to learn about the city's past and offers a completely different perspective on Seattle!

    Photos
    Take the tour and find out!
    Take the tour and find out!
    Beneath the Streets
    Beneath the Streets

    See all

    Spooked In Seattle Ghost Tours

    Spooked In Seattle Ghost Tours

    4.4
    (484 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    It was my last full day in Seattle and was trying to decide how I'd end my night here. I…read moreremembered seeing this ghost tour on tiktok and right away I booked tickets. The tour started much later in the evening so bring a coat! We got there a little early so we were able to browse the museum, which was fairly tiny but interesting. Our tour guide was Kim and she was a joy to be around. She really knows how to tell a story and keeps you involved in the tour. (Listening to evps, watching videos, asking questions) Our tour group was small but it made the whole experience feel much more personal. We walked all around Pioneer Square and visited haunted locations. My favorite stop was at the "Merchant Cafe". We actually entered and sat in their underground lounge. It was very spooky and took a few pictures to see if I could spot anything. The whole tour was made even spookier by the actual buildings around us. The mixture of older historical buildings and closed/abandoned buildings. Beware it is rundown and many homeless people but they keep to themselves. And I also felt something push my back during one of the stops. The guide was telling us about a specific spirit that was known for being "grabby" with women. Haha yikes. 4th ghost tour I've been on and excited to do more. Surprisingly I'm still a skeptic!

    My kids and I did the underground tour before this and loved it. Booked this online. We're told to…read morearrive at a bar on a rainy night. No signage, no coordination. I texted our guide, who arrived late. Poor guy was a retail worker who did this gig on weekends for extra cash. The "tour" turned into a two+ hour STANDING in the rain. He showed us some photos and played an audio recording on his phone of some sounds that were supposed to be a ghost? We left early, it was disappointing, cold, wet, and generally unpleasant. Add to this experience the homeless high on fentanyl in downtown Seattle at night - don't do it

    Photos
    Definitely underground
    Definitely underground
    University District on foot
    University District on foot
    Haunted Pub Tour

    See all

    Haunted Pub Tour
    Underground Tour

    Underground Tour

    4.0
    (105 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    One of the best things to do when n Seattle! Adam, our tour…read moreguide was funny and kept things lively and moving. It is amazing to see things and learn about the city's history and to walk underground - even though technically, it was the original floor. Very highly recommend!!

    John had done this tour about 10 years ago while in Seattle for work and has been saying for a…read morewhile that we need to go- so we finally had the time to go for it. I'm still in shock over the tour- Seattle was a literal crap show from the very beginning. Building a town on a beach, with no understanding that "waste" should be far enough from the water at high tide. They did not understand and apparently the crappy situation plagued the city for decades. I heard the story of Seattle ordering "crappers" from London- the latest in new technology- which took 10 years to full the order, but the city didn't know about "plumbing". The logging town at the time build wooden pipes..... and still were trying to send the crap out into the water. tides go out, tides come in resulting in backpressure in the toilets closest to the waterfront. Meaning, if you flushed during high tide, about 6 feet of sewage water would catapult you off said John. Ohhhh- did I mention the horrific rat problem too. Eventually said logging city burned to the ground. A blessing in disguise so they might have the chance to build better. The vivid storytelling of our guide really painted a noxious, rough road of Seattle. Years ago, I had a rat run across my foot in the middle of the day, in a park, next to the Space Needle- this tour really explained a lot, lol.

    Photos
    An old bathroom
    An old bathroom
    Underground Tour
    Craper

    See all

    Craper
    Seattle Under the Radar Tours

    Seattle Under the Radar Tours

    5.0
    (4 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    Lynn was amazing. Reopening after a long forced hiatus from Covid, Bill and I felt as though Lynn,…read morethe owner operator of Under The Radar Tours had so much to share and we were the benefactors of her enthusiasm and information. My back is always an issue so a long walking tour was out of the question but Lynn took us through beautiful historical districts, Capitol Hill, the site of the riots, Volunteer Park, a local gayberhood and a terrific shop called Retail Therapy and it was. We felt like Lynn could have been a long lost cousin who wanted to share her love for her city with us. We will be back to catch the rest of the Seattle story. Thank you Lynn a hundred times over.

    REVIEW OF OUR SEATTLE LOCKS, GASWORKS PARK & HOUSEBOATS TOUR--ONE OF THE SEATTLE UNDER THE RADAR…read moreTOURS My wife and I visited Seattle for the first time in April 2022. As part of our visit, we booked a tour titled "The Locks, Gasworks Park and Houseboats Tour." The tour is one of "The Seattle Under the Radar Tours" and was billed as a chance to see Seattle "through the eyes of a local." For us, that "local" was Tour Guide Lynn Curtis, who (if I remember correctly) said she had lived in Seattle for 11 years. Our tour with Lynn took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 22nd. It was a beautiful, sunny day and perfect for a tour of Seattle. Twenty-four hours before the tour, Lynn emailed us to confirm we knew where to meet, what to expect on the day of the tour and to answer any pre-tour questions. That was much appreciated and helped assure us we we're working with a professional. The tour rendezvous point was in front of a bakery within walking distance from the Seattle waterfront and marketplace district where we parked our car. Lynn arrived a little early and after introducing herself, invited us to accompany her into the bakery for a complimentary pastry and beverage. Afterwards, Lynn directed us to her personal vehicle--a spacious and clean SUV parked just outside the bakery. To our pleasant surprise, we learned we were her only guests for this tour. Our more than three-hour private tour began with a drive to the Seattle Ballard Locks to see and learn how the locks work to permit the movement of small and large boats. The locks are located at the west end of Salmon Bay, in Seattle Washington's Lake Washington Ship Canal, between the neighborhoods of Ballard to the north and Magnolia to the south. On the drive to the locks, Lynn pointed out various points of interest and once there, shared her wealth of knowledge about the locks. A highlight of this stop was seeing the salmon swimming up the salmon ladders and watching the boats enter and leave the locks. Next, it was on to "Gas Works Park." The park sits on the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. What makes the park so appealing and a must see for tourists like us, is its location: the north shore of Lake Union at the south end of Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. It offers breathtaking views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. A highlight of this part of the tour, was getting there. On the drive over, Lynn once again shared interesting facts and stories about the neighborhoods we passed through, as only a local could do. Another highlight of the tour was a surprise stop at Ivar's Salmon House restaurant. The restaurant specializes in American and Seafood cuisine and is located on the north shore of Lake Union. Lynn said she personally recommends it to her tour guests who love American and Seafood cuisine, but we learned the food is not the only reason it's a tour stop: its stunning Northwest native art, décor and historical photographs, including a full cedar replica of a Northwest Native American longhouse, are the other reasons. We were so impressed with Ivar's, that we came back that evening for dinner. With the exception of a challenge finding nearby parking, it was a wonderful experience. Our final destination was a visit to a secluded Seattle neighborhood where many residents live in beautiful multilevel houseboats--some valued in excess of $1 million--with their own private docks. This neighborhood is not on your typical Seattle tourist's itinerary and would be difficult to find and traverse without a local like Lynn. If you're looking for a Seattle tour that's well worth your money, this is it. We highly recommend it and highly recommend Lynn. She was great. Thank you Lynn! Tim Roberts Vella Black-Roberts Hayward, California

    Photos
    The boots
    The boots
    Volunteer Park Water Tower
    Volunteer Park Water Tower
    Capitol Hill

    See all

    Capitol Hill
    Savor Seattle Food Tours

    Savor Seattle Food Tours

    4.9
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I thoroughly enjoyed Savor Seattle's Pike Place Market Food Tour. Our tour guide Frankie was…read moreamazing! I love her enthusiasm, knowledge, historical facts, and information she shared with us regarding Pike Place Market and its vendors. The curated food samples around the market were well-organized, generously portioned, and delicious. I highly recommend this tour for both locals and tourists alike. I am a local Seattleite. I did this tour for the first time over 10 years ago and was pleased that it wasn't exactly the same places we stopped at before. Plus, it reminded me to go back and support businesses that I had forgotten about and to continue exploring the market and to come back often because this place is truly a gem and worthy of our support for being 100% local and run by small business owners. Today was a perfect afternoon well spent :-)

    Kayce's Insider's Breakfast and Culture tour was great! I'd done a similar tour as part of a…read morecooking class awhile ago, and I've been to Pike Place a few times, but I still saw new places and learned new facts! Loved most of the food we tried, but a smoothie or juice drink option would be a nice addition! :) I also wish sharing pronouns was part of the introductions. I realize folks are from all over and might not understand, but you can make it optional! It would have made me feel more comfortable in the group as a non-binary person.

    Photos
    Tessa handing out the ginger beer while we take in the view!
    Tessa handing out the ginger beer while we take in the view!
    Savor Seattle Food Tours
    Seattle Fog at Hellenika.

    See all

    Seattle Fog at Hellenika.

    Wing Luke Museum - museums - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...