The Wing Luke Museum is engaging, full of life, and thoroughly enjoyable. I was enthralled by every single exhibition and spent several hours exploring the various sections. I left having learned so much, and I cannot wait to go back again soon. I would recommend visiting the museum early, because you will want to take your time and engage with everything. I promise you will not want to skip anything. Visit this museum, and support AAPI storytelling and artistry! read more

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. read more

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This place is powerful and ignited memories and stories of the past. It highlights the struggles of Asian immigrants that is often neglected in textbooks. As my boyfriend and I walked through the exhibits, we shared stories from the past that are often buried and locked away from memories and conversation. The past is something Asian parents do not like to talk about but the museum provided a supportive and safe environment to revisit the past. It brought an overwhelming sense of appreciation for what the previous generations had endured to get us here today. I originally visited the Wing Luke Museum for the Bruce Lee exhibit but other exhibits made a lasting impression on me. The second floor showcased the chilling reminder of the Khmer Rouge, the genocide in Cambodia, which displaced many families and affected a web of Asian countries including China and Vietnam. It displayed pictures of the camps and detention centers which I have never seen before. There were also pictures of Khmer Rouge leaders and details of daily lives. It was truly a powerful experience. The main room on the second floor had a mixture of Chinese and Japanese history capturing the struggle of immigrant workers in America including the Chinese Exclusion Act, one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in US history. This place is recommended for everyone because of the rich historic content and unfolds untold stories from the past. read more

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I highly recommend the Wing Luke Museum for and experience and education about the Asian American experience. Due to COVID restrictions I wasn't able to experience the full tour. The museum offered to conduct this tour virtually after my visit. The museum has an exhibit on Bruce Lee given his connection to Seattle and one one the museum's namesake. A few of the other exhibits were quite good and touched upon various modern and historical topics. I just wish they took a deeper dive in their exhibit of Southeast Asian history. It seemed as if I was reading a history book and wished to see more on personal experiences. I partook in the virtual tour with 3 members of the museum who took me through the hotel and the general store. We also had a discussion of daily life in the Seattle Chinatown. It was so nice of them to offer this service to guests of the museum! There is a small gift shop offering some nice and unique items for sale. Parking is available at metered spots on the street and in various parking lots in the area. I would recommend 1 hour on average to see everything in the museum. read more

I'm not sure why it took me so long to get here. Actually it's because there are so many places to explore in Seattle and I just hadn't quite gotten to this little gem. It is beautifully designed and doesn't give off that sterile museum feel. The choice of materials that were used to built this place really enhances the overall feel. This place stands out even though it's nestled amongst all the eateries, herbal shops, grocers, meat markets and bits and bobs of the International District it's a modern beacon of history. I got $2 off by checking in to the Yelp app, got my map of the place and headed out. They have optional tours that run every hour as well as other tours of Chinatown and spots key to Bruce Lee. I think the entrance fee is well worth the sights and sounds of the museum as well as the tour. One thing I noticed is that all the artifacts are in pristine condition and are well maintained. As I walked up the stairs I was instantly drawn to the letters hanging from the roof not unlike paper cranes but instead as if sending messages to the heavens of whatever woes the writer endured or even moments of happiness they chose to share with us all. Really a nice installation. There was also a nice fabric piece in the Tsutakawa gallery called "A Hair's Breath, The Unfurled Sea". Really really beautiful how the piece was just like the sea in scale and in movement and in texture. The Bruce Lee exhibit was closed so I went thru the other galleries. One other thing I noticed is that the museum isn't just about Chinese or Japanese but it also tells the tales of Pacific Islanders, Cambodians, Filipinos, Koreans, Indians, and so many others. Tales that indicate how much industries like textiles, agriculture, railroads, and food as well as the military owe a lot of credit to the hard work of so many who immigrated here from war torn countries or just to find a better way of life. Such is the tale of the fabric of the United States. A long road that started from the beginning. I also noticed how when people fear the unknown and do not attempt to understand that fear, they enact laws to deny others privileges & rights that are basic human rights OR they do everything in their power to destroy or rid the world of that which they fear so that it's no longer a source of personal fear. It's an injustice to the world as we will never get a chance to understand what caused the fear and gain understanding to ultimately welcome that which we previously fear. I saw this as evident in the exhibit about the years of killings in the Khmer Rouge and the exhibit regarding the forced removal of the Japanese to internment camps. This museum is just as it's name says, an experience...unlike none you've ever had before. read more

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I really wanted to like this museum. Telling the stories of Asian Americans who helped shape Seattle, the West Coast, and America is important work. However, aside from the exhibits on Wing Luke, which were well done, the museum lost the thread on the story they wanted to tell. Every ethnic group had a room, and the information shared was poorly curated - it felt like a random assemblage of stuff with some dated information that only the most avid local historian would care about. Additionally, the tour guide declared everything she showed us as the product of racism (rooms recent immigrants stayed in were small = racism, people who knew Wing Luke as a highschooler returning to the museum = undoubtedly racist people, etc.). I 100% don't dispute that Asians and Pacific Islanders experienced clear racism, and managed to overcome it via their grit and determination, but the tour talk-track was lazy and off putting in its tenor and (lack of) analysis. read more

Wow! What a cool museum! Much, much more than expected! Make sure you go to every nook and cranny area on every floor. I loved the area where it was windows and you heard random noises from apartments to give you a feel of times past. The Bruce Lee area on 3rd floor was cool. A hidden Seattle Gem! Must see! read more

I'd read about the Wing Luke Museum while working at a cultural museum in another city and was intrigued. So when I had a visit to Seattle planned, it was at the top of my list of things to do. It did not disappoint. Similar to the Tenement Museum in NYC (which I love), the museum is more than just exhibitions you read. There are tours of places in the city to help you better understand the Asian American experiences they describe. We saw a former store and a former hotel for new immigrants who came to labor in Seattle. There are also oral histories and first person accounts that make the personal stories even more impactful. There was art by Asian Americans, a look at science fiction, the story of Bruce Lee--one of the city's favorite residents, and a frank look at redlining and the efforts of activists like Wing Luke to assist people of color in Seattle. Highly recommended. And be sure to leave time for one of the tours in order to get the full experience. read more

Normally my husband and I spent hours in museums but this one we were in and out of in less than a hour. Several rooms were closed which was a bummer. For 17 a person I figured it would be bigger and more activities to do. The lady at the counter even told us about donations.....(I already paid 34 to get in, why would I donate?) Parking was a pain, the area was dirty and not a safe place to walk around. Eh wouldn't reccomend. read more

Definitely a must-see if you're in Seattle! So happy my bf did a bit of research and found this place. Apparently, it's the biggest Pan-Asian museum in the nation?! Not sure, but we both definitely had a great time! We learned so much, and the exhibits were so informative. We got to learn about the life of Wing Luke, how this museum came to be, and we saw the Bruce Lee exhibit. I loved the individual rooms that focused on the history of certain ethnic groups and their journey to the U.S. We seriously spent hours here, and I wished it was open a little later so we could have spent more time there. The tour to the hotel and the small shop next door was fantastic as well. Some of the rooms you were not able to touch the items in, completely understandable, but still awesome to be able to stand and just be in a room with so much history. There was so much to see here in so little time. I appreciated that they even had a room full of different toys for kids to hang out in. In addition to that, they had a little section of children's books written by or focusing on the lives of Asian Americans. That's great to start showing Asian American kids that there are books written by and about them! They even have gender-neutral restrooms! That was nice, and they also had places where you can sit and just take breaks from standing. The gift shop was a fantastic touch at the end. While small, there were lots of things to browse through. I had a wonderful time. There is a student discount on admissions and you can check in on Yelp for $2 off as well! Will definitely be back the next time I'm in Seattle! read more

Wing Luke Museum - Old school mahjong set! Love this! - Museums Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Note to self: the museum moved into a new remodeled location. I like the place. Nice sculpture, clean, appealing design. This is certainly not you're all-around all-out asian history 301 course. But it does great on local history and historic people here. I started to... tear up... when i saw an elderly man crying on one of the vids of deportation somewhere [i forgot]. Worth a visit for sure. read more

Wing Luke Museum - Upstairs in the newer location. - Museums Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Took a tour today yesterday of the hotel and grocery area that tour alone was worth the admission fee the guide has done this several times and could answer every question as best he could and was acting like it was his first time as far as enthusiasm was concerned I wish I remembered his name but I was having issues with having to having a mask on again I gave it four stars for this issue. I been to Moe high Museum of history Seattle art museum flight Museum and no one is having to mask that would be my only issue read more

Wing Luke Museum - Beekeeper me - Museums Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Fascinating history in this museum. Respectable art work and displays unique to the culture: very impressed. Visited with a friend in October 2022: slightly annoyed by the mask requirement at the time but we sucked it up. I also thought the admission fee ($17) was a bit pricy but we managed. Overall, it was a good experience because we got a stamp for the U.S. National parks book, and we received friendly service in the gift shop before we left. read more

I can't say enough good things about this museum! I randomly found this on Yelp while we were preparing for our Seattle trip and wanted to make SURE we came. It was a little on the smaller side, so make sure you really explore every corner! We came in right when the hotel and store tour (included in your admission! make sure to go!) was about to begin. It was really intriguing to see how our Asian American ancestors came to the west coast as laborers and how they managed. I found myself a little emotional at times seeing how difficult it was and it gave me a much greater appreciation for our history. I would say the museum mostly focused on Chinese Americans in Seattle, but there were sections for most other Asian ethnicities as well. Honestly, any person would enjoy this beautiful space, regardless of race. There was also a Bruce Lee exhibit where photos were not allowed, but it gave a cool glimpse of his life before acting. This was neat and they also have a Chinatown Bruce Lee tour that takes you around his old spots in Seattle. The gift shop is super cute and have a lot of Asian American books, toys, and jewelry from local artisans as well. One of the staff was super friendly and recommended a few other local shops to check out as well. Definitely a great place to spend a good hour and a half to two hours and you get to learn something! :) read more

First visit to the museum new site. Impressive that the museum represented multiple Asian and Pacific Islanders communities Really liked the retention of the original Chinese Grocery store with products and the Freeman Hotel accommodations. Look forward to the museum's continued progress of telling the history of Asian and Pacific Islander communities read more

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this museum, although I'm certainly no museum fanatic, as are some of the more critical Yelpers here. We initially came for the Bruce Lee exhibit, but I loved learning about the rich history of Wing Luke and the Asian community in Seattle. It was pretty cool to see the remade grocery store (all the items are still original) and the hotel. After that tour with Mimi who was pretty good, we got to roam the actual museum. I enjoyed the Bruce Lee exhibit, especially seeing all his personal notes and schedules. The replica of the mirrors scene was fun. Overall, this was worthwhile, as I learned a lot. Space wasn't huge, but bigger than expected. Wished I looked on Yelp first for the check-in discount! read more

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I was able to to tour this museum via Zoom since Snohomish library offered a talk and tour. I would like to visit one day.

Some of the museum displays and exhibits rotate, while others are permanent. I highly recommend leaving time to take the guided tour, as it visits places behind doors that are marked "Staff Only", and behind those doors lie some of the treasures of this museum. The museum is located in one of the buildings that once first housed Asian immigrants upon their arrival in Seattle. The old Asian grocery store on the lower floor is another treasure that you can explore on this tour. There are art displays, history displays, and an auditorium for special speakers. The photography policy is that it is generally acceptable to take photographs with handheld cameras, except in areas where there are art displays or otherwise exhibits are marked to not permit photography. Wing Luke was born in 1925 in China, to a family that had earlier emigrated to the USA, and then returned to China. They came to the Seattle area when Wing Luke was very young. He became a political figure, military hero during World War II, and early civil rights leader, but died in a plane crash in 1965. Forming a museum like the Wing Luke Museum was a stated goal of his, and thus the naming of this museum in his honor. Do You Know Bruce? at the Wing Luke museum in Seattle explores the many facets and contributions of martial arts great Bruce Lee. This special exhibition features interactive multi-media displays and never-before-seen personal belongings and movie memorabilia from Bruce's time in Seattle with his family, as well as his global influence, film legacy, and contribution to martial arts. With the full support of the Lee family. The Wing will be the only museum in the world, outside of Hong Kong, to present an exhibition about Bruce Lee. The Bruce Lee Exhibit in Seattle will run through 2017, with new items showcased each year. I am so glad that I took the time to visit this gem. Great experience. Very informative. read more

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100% recommend checking out the Wing Luke Museum, regardless of your ethnicity! It's a surprisingly large museum and the U.S.'s only Pan-Asian museum! On average, a visitor spends about 2 hours here, but my boyfriend and I stayed for 3+! There's currently a Bruce Lee exhibit for those martial arts fans out there. My boyfriend LOVED this part of the museum and proclaimed that it was his favorite part of Seattle! There are also exhibits on Sports, Politics, different Asian cultures and traditions, Japanese Incarceration, as well as a good handful of art installations! All the exhibits had a mixture of artwork, artifacts, memorabilia, text, and videos - appealing to all types of learners! Plus, included with your general admissions ticket is a 1-hour long historical tour of the tenement-hotel that was here before the Wing Luke museum. Super informative and insightful and time well spent! We walked through the old rooms, which were all quite well-preserved still! I highly highly recommend a visit here!! read more

Wing Luke Museum - Interior! - Museums Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is a fantastic museum. The exhibits are interesting with lots of information, and fun ways to interact. And the space itself was one of my favorite parts - the historic hotel part is an immersive look back in time, and the rest of the museum makes such good use of the space. It's just beautiful and enjoyable to be there. Tip: you have to do the historic hotel tour. You can't see this part of the building on your own, and it was one of the highlights for sure. read more

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I feel terrible about giving a low rating to a museum about immigrants, the immigrant experience, and majority prejudice against an ethnic group or groups. Especially when I am not a member of any of the ethnic groups and nationalities which the museum is about. But please hear me out. I apologize to anyone who feels offended by my review. I am a museum geek. I love museums, all kinds of museums. I read every label and explanation. The Wing Luke Museum is trying to be all things to all people. It says it is a museum to, if I am not mistaken, 34 different Asian nationalities and their struggles in the U.S. Most of the displays are about what a particular group experienced in the U.S. Except the Cambodian section -- one small wall -- examines what happened in Cambodia during the Pol Pot regime. It's moving, but it's both too little about that genocide and stands out for ignoring Cambodians in the U.S. I wish this museum had taken one or two ethnic groups and gone in greater depth. The experience of the Japanese and Chinese in Seattle would have been a natural. I wanted to know more about the internment of Japanese Americans from Seattle during WWII, And more about how they reintegrated into Seattle after that traumatic, rending experience. I want to know more about the generations of Chinese in Seattle. By trying to cover too much material in a very small physical space, Wing Luke does a disservice. There's a little bit about everyone and not enough about anyone. (BTW The Museum of the American Indian in DC does the same thing by trying to cover every nation in the US, Canada and Latin America.) read more

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! read more

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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. read more

Gorgeous space. Perfect spot to learn about the Asian American history and even lovelier venue for an event! I had been here before with my dad to check out the different exhibits a few years ago, and it was a nice experience. Everything was very organized and the exhibits were super interesting and informative. My nonprofit board recently held a wine tasting event here in June and it was a total success. The museum has a large space for mingling and the vendors to set up tables for pours and what not. The theater space was the perfect spot for the photo booth too and the seats in the auditorium were nice for people wanting to take a break from walking around. The museum staff was super helpful too. Overall, the museum is versatile, historical, and very interesting. If you're not interested in the exhibits, you should come check out the architecture and interior design inside anyway. read more

So one of my classes this quarter (at UW) is in the Comparative History of Ideas department and it's called Secret Histories of the City. The teacher is all about having speakers and taking field trips. First trip was to the Underground Tour and the second was here. The Immersion Tour is very heavy on information and visits two different spots (right next door to the museum). One is a re-creation (using all the original bits) of a Chinese store and the other is a Hotel. We spend most of the time in the hotel. They have several artifacts in each room we visit, and most of the rooms have cool new audio/visual displays. My absolute favorite one was the one in the kitchen. I won't ruin it for you ;) I love how at the end of the hotel tour we step through the old door and into the modern section of the museum. We got wristbands so we could come back to check out the displays any time today (if we did not want to do it right away), but I was hungry and had things to do, so I only got a chance to wander around the Native Hawaiian special exhibit. Some notes: + They have a place for you to hang your coats before you start the tour, as well as lockers. The lockers for your purses/valuables take a a quarter (that you get back at the end). + Know that if you are reserving your tour as a group, it automatically counts everybody as adults. This was kind of a bummer because each of us could have saved $2 by paying the student price. + The museum also houses the Gary Locke library, which is apparently a research tool for the public. Cool! read more

Very well-organized and interesting museum............................................................................................................................... read more

We went to the Wing Luke Asian Museum because it was FREE - First Thurs of the month. That was nice. It's in Seattle Chinatown which isn't very big. It's small and just ok. I liked the hanging sculpture in the lobby area. Too political my friend said. read more

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. read more

Wing Luke Museum - Selfie with Bruce Lee! How cool is that? - Museums Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Pretty great running into the Wing Luke Museum; didn't know it was here! Any institution that pays homage to the plight of the shared immigrant experience gets a thumbs up for me. Albeit bit small in size, important to the ID (International District) area, commemorating the legacy left behind. When I read Jamie Ford's Hotel on Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I thought of this area in vivid detail----I know...TMI. Sorry. read more

Important history to be learned at The Wing Luke Museum. I've lived in Seattle for more than 30 years, and didn't know it existed. Learnings about Asian American experience in Seattle, and more. We took the associated 1910 hotel tour - an opportunity to be surrounded by the past and gain an appreciation for the hardships people lived through. Important messages also, about the immigrant experience all-up. Very worthwhile to visit. read more

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! read more

Great museum with a great tour that lets you really step in to the moment with history. From an old general store, to migrant laborer hotel rooms, to creative exhibits, Wing Luke is excellent. I wish we had more museums like this. read more

Love this museum! I've seen two of the Bruce Lee exhibits in person here, and they are top notch and beyond compare. A MUST for any Bruce Lee fan. Also this museum has a very warm, cozy modern feel to it and is a great community centerpiece to Seattle's Chinatown. The gift shop has some great items, especially around the holidays as stocking stuffers. Proud supporter and donator! read more

I'm torn on my rating. I did find some of it really interesting and some of the art was swell. However, it was much smaller than I had thought. To be honest, I thought there would be more exhibits and the inside would be larger. We skipped the tour of the entire building, which might have been also fun, but i think we were thinking the exhibits would take longer to go through. They have large community rooms in the back for events and maybe to rent out. Seems like they could have used the space for other things, but maybe the rooms generate more income for them. There is a tiny little library upstairs and we poked around in the gift store, but all in all, it didn't take us very long. It was good to do once, but I think it will be awhile before I'm back, depending on new exhibits. read more

One of the most comprehensive museums I have ever seen! The space is beautiful and ever room is full of unheard stories. If you want to see history from another point of view, you MUST come here. It's the history if people who aren't in our American history books. I understand the criticism saying that the museum covers too much so the content becomes overwhelming, but I personally LOVED seeing the stories of so many people, showing that the Asian American community is diverse. The staff is nice and very helpful. I also went on the tour to see what it was like to live in Chinatown when immigrants first started rolling into Seattle. Check out their schedule because they have a lot if events! read more

I find it hard to believe those who say they thought the museum had too much or they couldn't see it all. I found the museum very lacking for the price and with the displays. I took the time to see and read everything and I was done in under 2 hours, this is excluding the tour which is the best part of the museum and is worth the each price. The museum is confused as there are two halves to the museum. They say "Asian Pacific American Experience" which is a lie. They try to be everything so while the exhibit space is large they devote the space of an 8x8ft space to about 10 ethnic asian region. It's a disservice. They would better serve these groups by using their space to focus on a single asian culture and rotate throughout the year. I would come back regularly if this was case but not for the generic cultural experience. The best way to describe it would be to take say the history of Vietnam and US-Vietnamese and tried to explain it with a post card. They also seem to a lot of oral histories which I would have love to have seen or heard. However, the small ipod touch displays must have been on battery save mode because they looked like moving shadow images which you couldn't hear. Talking about the displays the curator here is clearly biased in his writings. He should go work for Texas textbook commission because the curator is very good at telling one sided stories, know how to edit facts and which words to use to provoke the "truth" that they want the reader to believe is true. What I'm saying is the next time you need someone to write propaganda hire the writers of this museum. (Note: this is something that all of Seattle museums have a problem with not just here but it was bad here.) The Bruce Lee exhibit is disappointing in how small it is. It is fascinating and you get to see personal life through items and pictures of this legend. Yet again the small space does more of a disservice than it does to honor him. I was on on top of people at times to either see or read something and the room had less than 20 -people in it. The space also lacked a logical path to take. The second half of the museum is the history of the International District with fully preserved rooms and a shop. This is the saving grace of the museum price. The Tour Guide knew most of the standard questions. He said he was going by a script so when he was given a question to explain why he believed something to be true he rarely could. My guide is clearly a fan of Malcolm X with a similar look, speaking style and he used the same kind of hand gestures. The only disappointing room was a room "staged" to represent "the japanese internment." It was just an empty. The other rooms show a lot about the people that lived in the International District. I wanted to see and learn more about the history and the feel of life in the International District. Which is the problem with the Wing Luke Museum. It wants to be both a history of the International District and the Smithsonian of Pan Asian in America. They don't have the space to do both so they do both rather poorly. read more

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. read more

First museum I've ever been to that focuses on Asian American history. As a Chinese-American growing up, you are never directly told the struggles of those before you. It really made me appreciate the sacrifice and hardship that my ancestors went through to give me the opportunity to grow up in the States. I would say the museum is a little bit on the smaller side, however, I heard that the museum does a ton of outreach programs and I'm assuming that is where the money is funneled into. It is a community-driven museum. read more

My friend and I were here yesterday because it was open til 8pm (normally closes at 5pm) and it was free (first Thursday of the month). The Chinatown/International District is filled with so much history and cultural stories. It is more than just a district of good restaurant/grocery store. Here at Wing Luke Museum, you get to know a bit better of who Wing Luke is and his legacy. This museum puts on collections and exhibits on pan-Asian art, cultural histories and stories with youth space and child-friendly room. The third floor has some original tables/rooms on display. I wish there could be more explanations of those rooms and their functions. It seems like it was originally a hotel offered as a community space for many young Chinese singles to stay and social when they first came to the U.S.. It seems like lots of cultural events take place here, too. Last night when we were here, there was an event for educators. I am not too sure what it is. The reception staff is really friendly. For a quarter, you can rent a locker and leave your jackets/purses/belongings there. After your visit, you get your quarter back. The gift shop is really neat! I really enjoyed my visit here! read more

The best museums are those where you can still feel the living element to the dusty archives of stuff around you. Either this is achieved by the docents who accompany you around to share the stories of the past, or you see these stories in first person narratives. The Wing Museum does a fantastic job of providing a balance of passionate storytelling with reverence. It is a converted old building with the typical shop and gallery downstairs, yet the upstairs gives you the most visceral experience of the era that presented. It was an effort to find the place, but if you want to be a more well rounded human being and increase your knowledge of those who came before you--appreciate the struggles of an often ignored part of American history. Take the time to visit. You will not be disappointed. There are a few creative elements in the upstairs quarters portion of the guided tour that make a lovely colorful contrast to the serious nature of the exhibits. read more