National Nordic Museum
National Nordic Museum, History museum in Ballard, Seattle, US
The National Nordic Museum is a history museum in Ballard housed in a spacious modern building that presents Nordic cultures from multiple perspectives. The collections span from early historical periods to the present day and cover crafts, design, and daily life across the Nordic region.
The museum was founded in 1980, beginning as Nordic Heritage Museum in a repurposed school building before relocating to its current home in 2018. This move allowed the institution to expand significantly and provide visitors with more space and improved facilities.
The museum reflects the importance of Nordic heritage to Seattle's community, particularly through the immigration stories that shaped the Ballard neighborhood. Visitors can see how traditional Nordic crafts and everyday objects became woven into the region's identity.
The museum is open most days from 10 AM to 5 PM, with extended evening hours on Thursdays until 8 PM. Access is fully wheelchair friendly, and the building layout makes it easy to navigate between different galleries and areas.
One of the museum's highlights is a specialized library holding thousands of books published in Nordic languages. Alongside this is a rare collection of traditional music recordings that preserve the sounds of Nordic folk traditions.
Location: Washington
Inception: 1980
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday,Friday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; Thursday 10:00-20:00
Phone: +12067895707
Website: http://nordicmuseum.org
GPS coordinates: 47.66833,-122.39250
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
Seattle stretches between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, offering a mix of urban architecture, public spaces and natural areas. This route connects more than thirty stops, from the Space Needle and Pike Place Market to less visited sites like the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or the Wing Luke Museum. The selection includes museums of contemporary and classical art, historic neighborhoods and waterfront parks. Pike Place Market sits downtown and has operated as a public market since 1907. Chihuly Garden and Glass displays the glasswork of local artist Dale Chihuly. The Museum of Pop Culture, designed by Frank Gehry, covers music, film and video games. Olympic Sculpture Park spans nine acres along the waterfront, combining outdoor sculpture with views across the bay. The Seattle Art Museum holds collections from different continents and periods. The Ballard Locks connect salt water to fresh water and include a fish ladder for migrating salmon. Discovery Park covers 534 acres with trails through forest and meadow, plus beach access. Gas Works Park preserves parts of a former coal gasification plant on Lake Union. The Museum of Flight documents aviation history with more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft. Mount Rainier National Park lies about two hours southeast and features the 14,411-foot (4,392-meter) glaciated volcano.
Washington holds far more than the well-known attractions of Seattle and Mount Rainier. Across the state, dozens of less-visited sites offer insight into the region's geological history, military past, and natural diversity. From waterfalls to ancient forests to historic lighthouses and military fortifications, Washington presents a substantial range of landscapes and cultural sites. Palouse Falls in Franklin County drops 198 feet (60 meters) into a basalt gorge, while Cape Flattery at the northwesternmost point of the continental United States looks out over jagged cliffs and the open Pacific. Ape Caves in Skamania County is one of the longest lava tube systems in the country, and Beacon Rock rises 848 feet (260 meters) above the Columbia River. The Trail of the Patriarchs leads through centuries-old Douglas firs and cedars, and Deception Pass Bridge connects Whidbey Island to the mainland via a 180-foot (55-meter) steel structure from 1935. Fort Worden in Port Townsend served as a coastal defense installation, and the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle documents the Asian American history of the Pacific Northwest. Dry Falls in Grant County shows the remains of an Ice Age waterfall that was once wider than Niagara Falls. Mima Mounds in Thurston County forms a field of hundreds of symmetrical earth mounds whose formation continues to be scientifically debated. These sites offer practical alternatives to the crowded main attractions and allow for deeper engagement with Washington's natural and historical features.
Fremont Troll
3.9 km
Mars Hill Church
1.5 km
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
425 m
Woodland Park Zoo
3.1 km
Discovery Park
2.3 km
Lake Washington Ship Canal
2.3 km
Golden Gardens Park
2.5 km
Fremont Bridge
3.9 km
Ballard Bridge
1.6 km
Green Lake Aqua Theater
3.7 km
West Point Light
3.3 km
Salmon Bay Bridge
742 m
Ballard Carnegie Library
715 m
Ballard Avenue Historic District
735 m
B. F. Day Elementary School
3.6 km
Taproot Theatre Company
3.7 km
Statue of Leif Erikson
1.6 km
Grace Gospel Chapel
998 m
Norvell House
1.5 km
Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist
3.4 km
Fremont Trolley Barn
3.5 km
Fremont Building
3.8 km
Visitor Center
308 m
1438 Northwest 46th Street
1.4 km
Ballard Sunday Farmer's Market
594 m
Fort Lawton Cemetery
1.3 km
Point Shilshole Beach
1.4 km
6th Avenue West Street End
2.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes