Photo: Lempel Ziv
Photo: Seth Sawyers

Queen Anne

Really two appealing neighborhoods in one, this expansive and hilly swatch contains iconic attractions, tree-lined streets, and eye-popping viewpoints.

By Malia Alexander
A photo depicting the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture behind a tall sculpture that resembles reeds of grass. Seattle Center 365 Focus Photography / Shutterstock

Explore

Easily walkable from downtown, Uptown (a.k.a. Lower Queen Anne) is home to the many beloved attractions of Seattle Center (305 Harrison St), including the famous Space Needle (400 Broad St), where you can sip cocktails atop the world’s only revolving glass floor. A short walk leads to the artful delights of Chihuly Garden and Glass (305 Harrison St) and the colorful exhibits inside MoPOP (325 Fifth Ave N), with its tributes to famous films and Seattle musical legends like Jimi Hendrix. Take a tour of Climate Pledge Arena (334 First Ave N), where you can venture into the Seattle Kraken’s Lair, walk the same halls as Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird, and sip coffee and watch DJs at work inside the KEXP Gathering Space (472 First Ave N). Trek up the hill to Kerry Park (211 W Highland Dr) for the panoramic downtown and Elliott Bay views.

Eat and Drink

Queen Anne offers an edible history of Seattle favorites. Beginning at the bottom of the hill in Uptown, grab one of Bill Gates’s favorite meals—cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke—from long-time local favorite Dick’s Drive-In (500 Queen Anne Ave N), or sip on a margarita paired with flavorful tacos at Agave Cocina (100 Republican St). At Queen Anne Beerhall (203 W Thomas St), check out the vast selection of European and local brews, not to mention the delectable bratwursts. Continue uphill to satisfy your sweet cravings at Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream (321 W Galer St), or grab a brioche egg sandwich at Macrina Bakery (615 W McGraw St). On the neighborhood’s northeastern edge, not far from Lake Union, renowned Canlis (H2576 Aurora Ave N) restaurant takes inspiration from both Pacific Northwest and Japanese flavors while offering warm and refined service.

Shop

No trip to Seattle is complete without venturing into a record or bookstore. Royal Records (2 W Roy St) and Queen Anne Book Company (1811 Queen Anne Ave N) are musts along Queen Anne Avenue. On the same strip, Blue Highway Games (2203 Queen Anne Ave N), a local favorite for more than 20 years, specializes in board games, trading cards, and puzzles, and Stuhlbergs (1801 Queen Anne Ave N) contains a delightful array of fanciful toys and gifts for the home.

Queen Anne Partners

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) Queen Anne

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

  • Address 325 Fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Phone (206) 770-2700
  • Connect
Seattle Center Monorail Queen Anne

Seattle Center Monorail

  • Address 370 Thomas St, Ste 200, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Phone (206) 905-2600
  • Connect
Seattle Opera Queen Anne

Seattle Opera

  • Address 321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Phone (206) 389-7676
  • Connect
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center Queen Anne

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center

  • Address 440 Fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Connect

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST

Seattle’s best every month in your inbox

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Book Your Trip

Partner Advertisements