The centerpiece of Volunteer Park is the Seattle Asian Art Museum (1400 E. Prospect St., 206/654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun., 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thurs., closed Mon., $7 adults, $5 seniors and students, free kids under 12) a 1933 art-deco building. Exhibits cover two spacious wings, including rooms with Japanese folk art, Native American Mughal art, Qing dynasty Chinese art, and Korean art.

Of particular interest at the Seattle Asian Art Museum are the beautiful Japanese screens, the bronze Buddhist sculptures, and the collection of intricate Chinese snuff bottles.

Free tours are offered daily, or borrow an audiotape for a do-it-yourself tour. Admission gets you in to both the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Seattle Art Museum downtown on the same day. The first Thursday of every month is just $3 per person, and first Saturdays are free. A small gift shop sells books and other items, and the Kado Teagarden Café (206/729-1070) serves light lunches and more than 55 different teas from around the world.