The Perks of Being a UW Student

Free admission for students
A T-rex fossil unearthed in Montana, a hand-carved Quileute canoe, a whale skeleton “swimming” overhead — at the Burke, there’s so much to explore. Through strategically placed hallway windows, you can also view Burke staff preparing specimens. Admission is free for students, so drop by for a short visit or a long one.

Free admission and free membership for students
Enjoy free admission to the Henry’s thought-provoking art exhibitions. You can also sign up for a free UW Student Membership at the Henry for access to members-only previews and events, discounted tickets to special events, and more.

Discounted tickets for students
Attend world-class dance and music performances at Meany Center for the Performing Arts, as well as concerts and performances hosted by the School of Music, DXARTS, Department of Dance, and School of Drama, all at discounted prices. See what’s coming soon.

Free
American Indian Studies and Political Science alum Owen Oliver (BA, 2021) created a walking tour highlighting seven campus locations, with personal reflections on their significance to the Indigenous community.  Put on your walking shoes, download a PDF of the Indigenous walking tour or an abbreviated version with map, and gain new appreciation for places you pass every day. Or stay on your couch and view a virtual version of the walking tour. 

Free
The UW Planetarium offers engaging and interactive shows throughout the academic year. Stay updated on upcoming public events by following the Planetarium on Facebook and Instagram. Starting in Spring 2025, the Planetarium will be launching first-Friday-of-the-month evening shows — check the Planetarium website in February 2025 for information on tickets and more.

Free
The UW Biology Greenhouse, located on the Burke-Gilman side of the Life Sciences Building, is home to more than 4,000 plants from diverse habitats. The greenhouse is open for walk-in browsing on non-holiday Wednesdays from noon - 4 pm and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month (10 am - 2 pm). Free tours led by docents, many of them UW grad students, are also available but must be booked ahead.

TeenTix, a program for teens (ages 13–19), offers $5 day-of-show tickets at any of their 70+ partner organizations in the Seattle area. Partners include ArtsUW, MoPop, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle Rep, the Wing Luke Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, and many more!

Explore 12,000 years of Nordic history, enjoy contemporary music and film, attend special events and more at the National Nordic Museum, located in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood west of the University of Washington. The museum offers a reduced admission of $15 for students. 

Seattle Rep  collaborates with extraordinary artists to create theater productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of the Pacific Northwest. A single ticket discount of $18 is available to students for all performances.

The Seattle Art Museum, located one block from Pike Place Market, presents exhibitions and art from around the world and across the centuries. The museum offers discounted entry tickets for students ($20 advance, $23 day of visit), and annual membership for students is $45 — a membership discount of almost 50% .

Had enough of museums and events? Enjoy the great outdoors! Seattle's public parks and nearby trails are free to explore. Take a trip to Golden Gardens to watch the sunset or head up to the mountains for an adventure. UWild's Gear Garage rentals can help outfit you in quality outdoor gear whether you’re headed out for a week-long adventure or a quick day trip.