Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

I have visited twice in the past two years. Not often enough since the museum features new exhibits in its beautiful facility along with its permanent collection. The museum does a wonderful job recognizing Asian history as it relates to the northwest immigration and the importance of the Asian people to the development of commerce and culture.
It is moving and inspiring.
Very nice staff and the tour guides are so knowledgeable.

Visited here a few weeks ago and I have to say that it’s not all that.
I came in on what seemed to be a really busy day at around 2:20. There was a huge line when I came in and I almost left because of it. The woman up at the counter seemed nice, but she was talkative. She chatted with the every person for what seemed an eternity. Finally when it came to me it was already around 2:35. I had been in line for 15 minutes! I decided to pay the steep price of $ 15.00 anyway since I already wasted 15 minutes. She described all the galleries and how a tour was included and how the tour just left. Actually, I saw it leave with a small number of people when I was standing in line. I could have taken the tour at that time, but had to wait for the next one an hour away because she was so talkative. I don’t understand why only one person was sitting there, who continually talked, when there was another chair and computer available. I’m guessing they can’t spend the extra money on 2 people.
I took the tour and it was what almost gave this review another star. Unfortunately, it was not how I expected it. The docent seemed very passionate about history, but did not share anything about the artifacts. I asked him a few times when, where, and who created certain items in the old hotel, but he only gave general dates, places, and generic answers. Really? I don’t know how they train their docents, but not knowing the basics about the artifacts is beyond me. In fact, aside from the mah jong set that he seemed to know quite a bit about, he never addressed the artifacts, unless questioned by me. It was all a history lesson. It was a nice history lesson and after probing him, I realized he was a graduating senior studying history at the local college, but he was vague on art history. I wanted to learn more in depth about the architecture, the pieces placed in (for example, who bought the camera? where do the beds come from? how was it restored?). Again, it was a good history lesson, but it seemed more fitting in a class than on a tour. He attempted for engagement, but I don’t care much for that. Rather than asking me why I think a community created a certain room, why not just tell me how the room is furnished and where the museum got these pieces?
The museum isn’t that great. The tour which everyone raves is merely okay. And the exhibits seem highly fabricated. Actually, it seemed that the only people coming were Bruce Lee fans. The exhibit was nice, but I felt that the museum sold out. They seemed to promote Bruce Lee to the extent that the other exhibits became unimportant to everyone, even the workers. At the end of the tour for example, the docent addressed Bruce Lee and the woman at concierge addressed where I can find the Bruce Lee exhibit, but nothing else. So in the end, the museum sold out from talking about Asians in America to just getting money from Bruce Lee. It seems fairly commercial to say the least.

I came to the Wing Luke museum to check out the Bruce Lee Part 2 exhibition. According to my relatives, the Part 1 exhibit was more focused on Bruce’s earlier life growing up. The Part 2 exhibit seems to focus on Bruce’s rise to stardom in movies. There were some inspirational quotes on the wall, photos, various videos, movie posters, and handwritten letters. Not a whole lot of props in the exhibit area, but there was cool unique, adjustable dumbbell that was designed by Bruce to focus on forearm strength. The gift shop also has a bunch of Bruce Lee souvenirs.
The museum is pretty tiny and at times felt a bit stuffy. I highly recommend not wearing that thick jacket you might have to ward off Seattle rain showers. I actually wished I had more time to check out the rest of the museum.

Came on the first of the month, for the free day with Bank of America card. Got to also take the base level tour with the hotel and import/​export shop.
Overall, a great experience. Definitely the highlight and initial interest for me was the Bruce Lee exhibit, but their exhibit on Cambodians was also pretty good. The tour was great! We had a very informative tour guide who gave us history of the hotel and import/​export shop and also let us have time to explore.
Definitely plan to return. I ran out of time to look at the stuff upstairs, will be back to check it out!

Such a fun time and well designed space!
I went on Saturday, March 19. We caught a free walking tour that went into some otherwise closed-​off rooms that recreated historical shops and boarding rooms. The tour guide was super fun, charismatic, knowledgable, and engaging. There was only one kid in the group but he loved it.
The Bruce Lee exhibit is very cool and interactive.

I’m not a museum person but being chinese and my daughter wanting to go, off I went. Had no pre-​conceived opinions so I had an open mind. There is a Bruce Lee exhibit so that was pretty cool, really cool. Who doesn’t love «Enter the Dragon?»
They had a student discount and if you remember to check in, they give you a $ 2 discount :) We took advantage of the tour (included in the price of admission) and saw a store front that looked like something I used to see when I was a kid (ok, guess I could be in that museum too). Funny how that stuff creeps up on you.
Really was horrified to read about all the atrocities that have been perpetrated against Asians. There was one area of the museum that really mad me feel sick to my stomach. How could we as a country treat an ethnic section of people as sub-​par? How can we as a global community stand for that? We have history that we should have learned from but for some reason, we still have these issues today.
Beautiful, informative, but hard look at our history. A must see for all that want peace for our world.

Caught the 2^nd exhibit on Bruce Lee focusing on his TV and film career. Really appreciated the museum more this time around. To make the most of your visit, I recommend taking a tour. We took the basic tour that is included with admission, not the Bruce Lee tour.
Our docent, John, was very knowledgeable, funny and passionate about history. He took us through locked portions of the museum like the storefront that used to serve as a grocery store, import/​export business, travel agency and housing for new immigrants. We also saw the original hotel on the upper floor complete with peeling paint and creaky wooden floors.
This museum is more about sharing the stories and experiences of Asian immigrants to this country rather than ancient objects and artifacts. Don’t expect to see Ming Dynasty vases and terra cotta warriors. We spent about 3 hours here and while I just browsed through some of the exhibits, most of them were engaging. I think this is the first time in a long time that I was actually interested in looking at all the exhibits and not just rush through.

I REALLY enjoyed going to the Bruce Lee Museum! So cool to see videos of him & his display of work that he did! They even had letters displayed that he wrote to his wife, he has great penmanship! Also displayed was outfits from his movie «The Green Hornet»! I enjoyed learning about his life & his amazing legacy! The only con is that they do not allow pics to be taken. But you can buy a souvenir as memory at the store.

We had a fantastic time there! So much so, we decided to be members! We weren’t able to see everything and will definitely be back. I would highly recommend going on the tour. This museum is built into an old tenement hotel. If you go on the tour (may was a great tour guide), they actually walk you through the «unrestored» portions of the building. If you are the sort that likes to read everything displayed, be prepared from a spike in blood pressure. We found it extremely educational about the history of various asian groups as they settled in Seattle, and the evolution of their struggle to gain equal footing and respect.

They offer walking tour with docent and stop at his practice dojo and sample favorite dishes at local restaurant

Very good place for people who wants to feel the history. You could know a lot for that time. And the staffs here are really nice. Worth to visit!!!

Earlier I was turned off by the pandering or privileging of mixed race children at the website. However it was a shame I had not thought of visiting this place earlier. There’s a staggering amount of history and details not to be missed, and it deserves either a membership or repeat visits. The tour by knowledgeable docents is also not to be missed.
Wing Luke was a charmer, and so were the hoteliers who provided immigrants transitional housing and entry work opportunities.
It’s also quite an accomplishment how the IBD has transformed itself into a 21^st century multi generational mixed-​use neighborhood with planning rivaling authentic historical planning elsewhere. The parking is a problem particularly during football games, but there are plenty of options for arriving via alternative transportation time allowing.
Finally you really don’t have to be a somebody to donate. Many of the somebodies have made humongous sacrifices for their community and that’s the most important takeaway.

This is a great little museum in Chinatown celebrating our diverse Asian American history, experience, and culture. Was impressed with the quality and mission of this museum. We were also there for the Bruce Lee exhibition which was quite special.

We took a group of college students. We were split into two groups, and each group thought that the tour was one of the best ones they had ever experienced. Obviously, this is just not one guide but a pattern of institutional excellence.

Visited: JUNE, 2015
This museum is a great museum for American Asian history and culture. Located in Seattle Chinatown, it a pretty cool place to hang out. Coming down from Vancouver Canada, we went because of the Bruce Lee exhibit. We took the walking tour of Bruce Lee’s hangouts — The tour it self wasn’t what I expected. A few hours of walking to some places where Bruce Lee hung out and trained. The guide was a nice guy, but lack the speaking volume. We ended the tour with a meal at Tai Tung (Bruce’s favourite restaurant).
Back at the museum, camera weren’t allowed in the exhibit. The exhibit was an excellent one with powerful and inspiration meaning. I’m not a huge Bruce fan, but my friend was — I still learned a few things of him.
The other exhibit of the museum is all right. There is a second level with more exhibits and areas.

I am a huuuge Bruce Lee admirer! I loved learning everything about him that i didnt know or that you can’t see online. I thought it was going to be a lot bigger than it was; but am in no way complaining! Seeing the things he personally trained with and how he did it was amazing. Seeing his best friend Taky Kimura talking about him and knowing that intrain with him makes me feel like I’ve almost met Sifu Bruce. Can’t wait till they open the Bruce Lee Action Museum! Highly recommend if your a fan of Bruce Lee.

Me and my friend visited Wing Luke for the Bogagi Korean American exhibit. It was both our first times here. Despite the fact that it was a Friday afternoon, the museum was fairly empty. If you are a student, make sure to ask for student discount! Like many people have said, the 4 star is mainly for the fact that this place is an attribute to respecting and honoring the international district and overall asian Americans in PNW. It’s small, but you learn a lot about the history of different ethnicities in the PNW.
The Bogagi exhibit was interesting but you definitely lack to understand the exhibit if you don’t really know the history of korea or is a korean American yourself. I found myself a bit lost but still very appreciative of the photographs, paintings, video clips and way more.
It’s not a bad place to swing by if you are in ID, maybe grabbing lunch and coming here. You can reenter the museum once you’ve bought your ticket. But overall, memorable museum.

So I absolutely loved this museum. It made me almost want to stay up in Seattle. The Bruce lee exhibit was epic, and the rest of the Asian culture that the museum displayed was also very interesting and good.

Was a good learning experience about seattle and Wing luke. If your looking to come here expect to be here for an hour or so. Our tour guide knew Bruce Lee.

This place is rare and special for many reasons. The quality that most impressed me is the attention to detail, intense respect and joy this museum exemplifies to honor and depict the Asian Pacific Islander immigrant experience to the Seattle region and their story since. What a gem!
The Bruce Lee exhibit is temporary but it was powerful and inspiring in a way I did not expect. Then again, this entire place is full of delightful and even sobering stories that will open up a new world for you.

We came here for the «Do you know Bruce?» exhibit but I was very disappointed to find that there were no cameras allowed. The exhibit was interesting, but much smaller than I thought it would be.
The rest of the museum was also small and somewhat forgettable. There was a station to make crafts at a Korean exhibit, which we did. mostly to kill time. If not for the Bruce exhibit, I might have to say the gift shop was the most interesting place.
— we did skip the tour of the grocery store next door that was offered in the price of admission but I don’t think we missed much.
The museum was pricey for what you get and I won’t return except for additional installments of the Bruce Lee Exhibits.

Although the museum isn’t very large, it does a great job of displaying and sharing the Asian American experience and perspectives. The exhibits were interesting and thought provoking. Currently, there is a Bruce Lee exhibit going on in which I’m sure any fan of his would enjoy. Included in the admission price was a guided tour through the old Chinese grocery store next door and an old modest hotel where Chinese men lived in days past. I found the stories and history pretty fascinating. The tour guide was excellent and knowledgeable.
This museum reminds me of the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles although this museum had a wonderful gift shop with cute and interesting books, goods, souvenirs, and do-​dads related to the Asian culture and Bruce Lee.

I love this place!
Before arriving to Seattle, I researched and read a little about the Bruce Lee exhibit and as a huge fan, I had to check it out. Arriving to the museum, the first thing I notice that it is not a huge place. The thing is though, it doesn’t have to be because of all its history and importance to the community.
The Bruce Lee exhibit was everything I hoped for and MORE! I cannot wait until they switch out to the other themes as I will definitely be going back to see. We attended the tour with our guide, Don. It was by far the best tour I have ever been to! We learned so much about Wing Luke, the museum, and the history of Seattle and all the amazing contributions made by Asian Americans. The third floor hotel as well as the old school herbal storefront was just breathtaking. I truly appreciate how they kept everything true to how it was with very minimal modifications.
I am so happy I got the opportunity to spend time here. For a little over ten bucks, you can really gain a whole lot from this amazing museum.

Absolutely one of the finest museum experiences I’ve ever had. I needed to kill time before a flight and ended up staying for four hours. As someone with a normal limit of two hours for museums, they are doing it right! I came in for the Bruce Lee exhibit and thought this was a tiny place, but it’s maze-​like and they use the space beautifully. Everything is well spaced and comfortable while still being packed. Not only was the Bruce Lee exhibit more than I was hoping for, I hit the Korean-​American experience exhibit and was blown away. All the art gallery spaces are lovely and well laid out. But, the star is the guided tour of the historic spaces, included in admission. Our guide was the very best I’ve ever had in any museum, I wish I could remember his name. Plus, the staff in general were just the bees knees. Super friendly, super helpful, super at everything. I’ll definitely be back.

A must-​see museum for visitors & locals alike. Reasons:
1– they saved a wonderfully historic building
2– design/​architecturally beautiful repurposing
3– its focus is PAN Asian, not just one group, so no matter how well informed you are, you’re bound to learn something significant
4– captivating multi-​media exhibits– artifacts, music, oral story, art, etc
5 wonderful gift shop
6– highly informative docent tour– a MUST DO because you gain access to locked parts of the building
7– warm welcome
8– fun neighborhood to wander around
9– lots of inexpensive eating options nearby
10– short walk from light rail
Go there! And take your children!

Went here today for the Bruce Lee exhibit. It was super small but it is the only one outside of Hong Kong so I’m not really complaining. They did a good job on displaying his writing and work I just wanted more. More pages of his ideas to read would be cool. After wondering another exhibit I wish I had more time to go through all their exhibits. I only got to see two today. Next month maybe I’ll see the full set.