This guide to Chihuly Garden and Glass gives you verified details: opening hours, ticket prices, tips for cheaper booking, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and best times to visit. It was updated in October 2026 to reflect ticket price increases.
History and overview of Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass opened in 2012 near the base of the Space Needle in Seattle Center. It is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. The attraction comprises eight indoor galleries displaying decades of his artwork, a striking Glasshouse with a long, colorful suspended sculpture, a lush garden where glass and plantings interplay, and other installations such as drawing walls, a theater, and live glass-blowing demonstrations.
The design intent is immersive: artworks are displayed with natural light, landscaping and architectural space in mind. Visitors move at their own pace between Galleries, the Glasshouse, Garden and Plaza. The Bar at Chihuly offers food and drinks, and there is a bookstore on site. Gallery talks and free audio tour (via smartphone) are included with the admission.
Because of its location and scale, Chihuly Garden and Glass combines art, nature, and architecture into a relatively gentle but visually intense experience. It’s not a large museum in footprint, so many visitors can see it comfortably in about 1 to 2 hours. It works well as a half-day activity, especially when paired with nearby Seattle Center landmarks like the Space Needle or MoPOP.
It is, however, up there with the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, the Morse Museum in Florida and the Moser factory in Czechia as one the world’s greatest places to see glass art.
Opening hours and ticket prices
Opening hours: Hours at this grandiose American art museum are a little inconsistent vary depending on day of week and time of year. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it opens at 10:00 AM, but the rest of the week it’s 10:30 AM. Closing time varies, too – between 5 PM and 7.30PM. Check the official site before setting off.
Ticket pricing (official site):
| Category | Price range (USD) |
|---|---|
| General Admission (Adult) | $40-$45 |
| Senior | $35-$40 |
| Youth (5-12) | $35-$40 |
| Children (under 4) | Free |
Note that these are the prices cited on the Chihuly Garden and Glass website. The cheaper $40 tickets were only available on the same day when I checked, and only for late afternoon visits.
These opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in October 2026.
Five of the best things to do in Seattle
- 🍴 Take a chef-guided food tour of Pike Place Market.
- 🕳️ Discover the hidden streets beneath Pioneer Square on an underground tour.
- ✈️ Go on the Boeing Factory tour and see how planes are made.
- 🚢 See the city from the water on a harbour cruise.
- 🏔️ Take in mountains and waterfalls on a Mt Rainier National Park day trip.
How to get there and parking
- Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
- By public transit / monorail: Take the Seattle Center Monorail from Westlake Station; the terminal is close to the exhibition entrance. Bus service and other transit options also serve the Seattle Center area.
- By car / parking: There are several parking garages nearby. The Fifth Avenue N. Garage at Fifth Ave N & Republican Street is one of the closest. Mercer Garage (Third Ave N & Roy Street) is another. Valet parking is available through the Space Needle valet services next door.
Accessibility and visitor facilities
- Wheelchair access: Chihuly Garden and Glass is wheelchair accessible. The paths, galleries, garden and Glasshouse are designed for universal access.
- Restrooms and amenities: There are restrooms, coat/bag check, bookstore and café-style food (The Bar) on site.
- Audio tour: Included with admission. Delivered via smartphone.
- Photography: Non-flash photography is generally allowed; large tripods may be restricted.
Why book a Seattle CityPASS?
- 🗼 Space Needle included: Enjoy timed entry to Seattle’s most recognisable landmark, with panoramic views over Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier on clear days.
- 🐠 Seattle Aquarium admission: Get up close to local marine life, including sea otters, harbour seals and colourful tide-pool species.
- 🎨 Choose three more attractions: Pick from favourites such as Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture, Argosy Cruises harbour tour, Woodland Park Zoo or Pacific Science Center.
- 📱 Mobile pass with flexible sightseeing: Your CityPASS is delivered digitally and stays valid for nine consecutive days once activated.
- 💰 Save on entry fees: Bundled pricing offers significant savings compared with buying tickets separately, making it ideal for first-time visitors.
Best times to visit and how long to allow
Best times of day: Morning after opening tends to be less crowded; late afternoons also quieter (and sometimes cheaper). Avoid peak midday and early evenings when group tours often arrive. Weather doesn’t affect indoor galleries, but garden and glasshouse will be more enjoyable on pleasant days.
Best days: Weekdays generally offer more calm than weekends. If visiting in summer, try early or late hours to avoid both crowds and high midday sun in the garden.
How long to allow: Plan for about 1 to 2 hours to explore all galleries, the garden, the Glasshouse, watch live glass-blowing demo, and enjoy the outdoor plaza. More time needed if dining or taking photos at leisure.
FAQ: practical visitor questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to reserve tickets in advance? | Yes. Time-specific tickets are required; it’s best to book in advance, especially for weekends or busy evenings. |
| Are there discounts for children or seniors? | Yes. Children under 4 are free; youth (5-12), seniors have reduced rates. |
| Is the venue wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Most areas (galleries, glasshouse, garden, restrooms) are accessible for wheelchairs. |
| What are parking options and costs? | Nearby garages include Fifth Avenue N. Garage, Mercer Garage, Space Needle valet; parking cost depends on location and demand. Metered street parking is also available. |
| Approximately how long will most visits take? | About 1 to 2 hours for most visitors; allow extra if staying for dinner, attending events, or taking photographs leisurely. |
| When is it least crowded? | Weekday mornings after opening or late afternoons are generally least busy. Weekends and early evenings are busiest. |
Things to do near Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Space Needle – Seattle’s landmark observation tower stands beside the exhibition, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas offering panoramic views over the city, Elliott Bay and the surrounding mountains.
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) – This nearby museum explores popular music, science fiction, film and gaming through interactive exhibits, memorabilia and themed displays.
- Pacific Science Center – This science museum has hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and an IMAX theatre within the wider Seattle Center complex.
- Seattle Center – The surrounding campus has landscaped grounds, public art, fountains and performance venues, providing space to explore between the main attractions.
- Kerry Park – On Queen Anne Hill, this small park offers the classic Seattle skyline view, with the Space Needle in the foreground and Mount Rainier visible on clear days.
Alternative attractions
- Seattle Art Museum – Downtown, this museum has collections spanning many cultures and periods, including painting, sculpture, photography and contemporary art.
- Olympic Sculpture Park – This free waterfront park displays large-scale contemporary sculptures along landscaped paths overlooking Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
- Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – On Lake Union, this museum explores Seattle’s history through exhibits on local industry, innovation, transport and culture.
- Museum of Flight – At Boeing Field south of downtown, this aviation museum displays historic aircraft and spacecraft, including a Concorde and a Space Shuttle trainer.
- National Nordic Museum – In Ballard, this museum explores Nordic history, art and culture, including the experiences of Nordic immigrants and their descendants in the Pacific Northwest.
More Seattle travel
Other Seattle travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry.
- A practical guide to visiting the Seattle Aquarium.
- How the Seattle weather plays a major part in your experience.
- A practical guide to visiting the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.
- Watch the salmon run at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.
