Description
The Seattle Art
Museum moved to its new Downtown building in 1991. Designed by
noted architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, this spectacular
addition to Seattle's architecture features detailed exterior stonework
and a spacious and colorful grand staircase adorned with ancient Chinese
sculpture. The Museum quickly became a familiar landmark with the
installation of Hammering Man, a 48 foot-tall, 13-ton sculpture
by Jonathan Borofsky that towers over the entrance.
Plestcheeff
Auditorium, which seats close to 300 people, enjoys a clear,
acoustical presence that speaks to music with a forward yet warm
sonority. Architecturally its sleek, modernist lines are balanced
and simple but powerful, with coloring that provides a soothing
accompaniment to whatever event is on stage.
Location
The Seattle Art Museum is located in the heart of downtown
Seattle directly across 2nd Avenue from the Benaroya Hall. The Seattle
Art Museum is bounded on the north by Union Street, and on the south by
University Street; on the east by 2nd Avenue and on the west by 1st
Avenue. The main public entrance to Seattle Art Museum and
Plestcheeff Auditorium is at the corner of University Street and 1st
Avenue.
Directions
Click here
for a map.
From
North - Heading South on I-5
Take the Union Street Exit. Continue on Union going west
(toward Puget Sound). Turn left (south) onto either 2nd or 1st
Avenues. The museum is on the south end of the block.
From
South - Heading North on I-5
Take the Seneca Street Exit (left-hand exit). Cross 6th Avenue and
continue west on Seneca (down hill toward Puget Sound) to First Avenue,
then turn right (north) onto First Avenue. Go one block and you
will see the Museum on the right after you cross University
Street.
From
North - Heading South on Aurora (Hwy 99)
Take the Denny Street Exit keeping to the right, which crosses Denny
onto Wall Street. Turn left onto 2nd Avenue and head south for
approximately 8 blocks. The Seattle Art Museum is located on 2nd Avenue
between Union and University Streets.
From
South - Heading North on Aurora (Hwy 99)
Take the Seneca Street Exit and turn left onto 1st Avenue. and you will
see the Museum on the right after you cross University Street.
Public
Transportation
For
transit information, see the Metro Transit website for bus schedules and route
map, or call Metro Transit at (206) 553-3000 (voice), or (206)
684-1739 (TDD). Community Transit can be reached at (425) 778-2185.
Parking
At
Seattle Art Museum
A two-level pay parking lot is located on the north side of the
museum. The 2nd Avenue entrance (right side of street) leads to
the top level open-air lot. The 1st Avenue entrance, on the
east side of the street. leads to the lower level covered lot.
Event parking is $8.00.
Wheelchair
Accessible Parking: Ampco’s recommendation is to use the lower
level garage (1319 1st Ave.) located adjacent to the Museum.
It is accessed from 1st Ave, on the east side of the street. Once parked
the patrons can easily access the sidewalk and the museum's front door.
Other
Parking
There are many pay parking lots and garages close to the museum: First
and Union, University between Second and Third, Union and Second
(Shopper's Quick Park Lot). Also, there are numerous curbside
parking meters downtown (no charge on Sunday).
Click here
for a list
of other nearby parking garages in downtown Seattle.
Click here
for a map
of other nearby parking garages in downtown Seattle.
