This guide to Olympic Sculpture Park contains the key details visitors need: hours and admission, how to get there, parking costs and options, accessibility, and the best times to visit.
Overview of Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park is an outdoor sculpture museum of about nine acres managed by the Seattle Art Museum. It opened in January 2007 on a formerly industrial and underused stretch of waterfront in downtown Seattle. Designed to combine art, landscape restoration, and public open space, it offers both monumental contemporary sculptures and views across Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
The park includes varied landscaping representing Pacific Northwest ecosystems: there are forested “valley” and “grove” zones, wildflower meadows, restored shorelines, a beach, and a planted terrace. In addition to sculptures by artists like Alexander Calder, the park features the PACCAR Pavilion, a restored indoor/outdoor pavilion for displays and shelter, and the Neukom Vivarium which offers a walking habitat exhibit of a nurse log for part of the year.
Admission is free and the park is open every day. The layout invites both casual walks and art-focused visits; because it is outdoors, weather, daylight, tides, and seasons affect the experience.
Olympic Sculpture Park hours and admission
Hours: Olympic Sculpture Park is open 365 days a year. It opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.
Admission: Free. There is no general admission fee to enter the park.
How to get there
- Address: 2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121.
- By public transit: Many King County Metro bus routes stop close by, including routes 1, 2, 13, 15, 18, 22, 36, 56, 57, and 99.
- Walking: From downtown areas such as Belltown and the Waterfront, the park is within easy walking distance.
- By car / taxi / rideshare: The PACCAR Pavilion garage offers paid parking; the entrance is at Broad Street and Western Avenue.
Olympic Sculpture Park parking costs
On-site parking: Paid parking is available in the PACCAR Pavilion garage. Entrance to the garage is on the southeast corner of the park at Broad Street & Western Avenue. The garage is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm daily, but there’s no overnight parking.
Garage rates & other parking options:
| Parking location | Approximate rate |
|---|---|
| PACCAR Pavilion garage | $6 for 0-2 hours; up to $22 for all-day, depending on time & demand. |
| Street parking on Western Avenue & nearby streets | Metered; rates vary by block and time of day; often limited. |
Facilities and accessibility
- Walkways: Paths are paved and largely wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The park is designed for outdoor access.
- Restrooms: Available in the PACCAR Pavilion during its open hours.
- PACCAR Pavilion: Indoor space for shelter, exhibitions and shade. Exhibits and the pavilion exhibit hall have seating and sheltered areas.
- Marked beach and shoreline: The park includes a redeveloped shoreline with a small beach area and restored tide-zone habitat. Note: lookout and shore access points may be slippery or wet.
- Pets allowed on leash: Leashed dogs permitted. No bicycles, skateboards, scooters unless walked; no climbing on sculptures.
Best times to visit and how long to allow
Best times of day: Early morning (shortly after sunrise) or late afternoon before closing tend to be quieter. Light and views may be best in early morning or golden hour. Weekends are especially busy around midday.
Best seasons: Summer offers longer daylight, more activity, and nearby events; spring and autumn are less crowded and often more pleasant weather-wise. Rain can affect comfort but many sculptures and the landscape shine in misty Pacific Northwest light.
How long to allow: For a full walk around with stops to read sculpture descriptions, enjoy viewpoints, visit the beach, and rest in PACCAR Pavilion, plan for around 1 to 1.5 hours. Allow more if wanting sunrise/sunset photos or pairing with other nearby attractions.
Suggested itinerary and nearby attractions
- Start with the walk down Western Avenue toward the park to enjoy waterfront views.
- Enter at the PACCAR Pavilion; explore the sculptures closest to the pavilion first, then move through the meadow, grove, and shore landscapes.
- Pause at the shoreline or beach area; if weather and tides allow, enjoy the views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
- Visit nearby attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and the waterfront piers, or take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Consider sunset from the viewpoint terraces in the park.
Olympic Sculpture Park FAQ: practical visitor questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there an admission fee? | No. Admission to Olympic Sculpture Park is free. |
| When is the park open? | Open daily, 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. |
| Is there parking? | Yes. The PACCAR Pavilion garage offers paid parking; entrance at Broad St & Western Ave. Street and private garages nearby; all day and short-stay rates apply. |
| Are there restrooms and shelter? | Yes. Restrooms are available in the PACCAR Pavilion during its hours; the Pavilion provides both indoor shelter and places to sit. |
| Is it wheelchair-friendly? | Yes. Walkways and paths are largely accessible; the park is designed for wheelchair users and strollers. |
| Can I visit at sunrise or sunset? | Yes. Because hours open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset, sunrise and sunset are possible times for visit; light is often especially beautiful then. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Yes. Leashed dogs are permitted. |
