Maps
Map, click here
Just north of Downtown is the ever-popular Seattle Center. This 74-acre (30-hectare) park and arts and entertainment center was developed for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition (World’s Fair) and contains many Seattle landmarks, including the Space Needle, the northern terminus of the Seattle Monorail, the Pacific Science Center, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, and the EMP Museum. It is also the place where the city’s biggest festivals are held.
The Space Needle was built in 1962.
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Space Needle ⁄ [map]
Address: 400 Broad Street, Seattle Center, www.spaceneedle.com
Tel: 206-905 2100
Opening Hrs: Mon–Thu 10am–11pm, Fri–Sat 9.30am–11.30pm, Sun 9.30am–11pm
Entrance Fee: charge
Transportation: bus 3, 4, or 16; monorail
Only one World’s Fair was the setting for an Elvis Presley movie (It Happened at the World’s Fair) and that was the one held in Seattle in 1962. However, most Seattle residents are proudest of the fair’s most tangible legacy: the internationally recognized Space Needle. Built in 1962, the 605ft (184-meter) Space Needle ¤ [map] was a marvel of design and engineering that cost $4.5 million. The centerpiece of the fair, the flying-saucer shape (an idea, according to local lore, first sketched on a placemat in 1959) was chosen from many designs. Construction was speedy, but the three elevators that transport visitors from the ground to the Needle’s restaurant and observation deck were last to arrive; the final one got to Seattle just a day before the fair opened.
The Space Needle is the city’s most famous landmark.
Nathaniel Gonzales/APA Publication
In 1993, two of the elevators were replaced with computerized versions that travel at 10mph (16kmh); the third, which is mostly used to transport freight, moves at 5mph (8kmh).
With a restaurant 500ft (152 meters) above ground and an observation deck just above, the Space Needle offers some of the city’s best views: to the east are Lake Union, the immensely larger Lake Washington and the distant Cascade Range; westward, Elliott Bay opens into Puget Sound in front of the Olympic Mountains; and southeast is the snowcapped peak of 14,410ft (4,392-meter) Mount Rainier, 60 miles (100km) away. The revolving restaurant, SkyCity, provides a 360-degree view. As diners enjoy tasty – if expensive – Northwest cuisine, the restaurant completes a rotation every 47 minutes with the aid of a 1.5 horsepower motor.
One floor up, the Observation Deck level has free-to-use telescopes on the outside deck, and a variety of graphic displays inside to help visitors orient themselves. Also inside is a coffee counter and bar to help warm up in cold weather.
Back on the ground, directly east of the Space Needle is the Seattle Center’s Sculpture Garden, which has four distinctive artworks by different artists. Perhaps the best known of the four is Olympic Iliad, a huge red-and-orange sculpture made of gigantic industrial tubes, designed by Alexander Lieberman, former editorial director of Condé Nast Publications.
Fact
In 1966, Bill Gates won a free dinner at the Needle by reciting the Sermon on the Mount from memory. He was 11 years old.
Northwest of the Needle is the Seattle Center Armory. Originally built as an armory in 1939, the building housed half-ton tanks and the 146th Field Artillery. It was remodeled in 2012 and now contains an impressive array of popular eateries like Eltana Wood-Fired Bagels, Pie, and Mod Pizza, as well as the Seattle Children’s Museum, and a performance area where 3,000 free public performances are held each year.
The Space Needle observation deck has telescopes which can be used for free to get closer views of Seattle.
Nathaniel Gonzales/APA Publication
Where
Skateboarders and music fans will want to check out the skate park at Seattle Center. Designed by skateboarders themselves, it was developed with the help of a $50,000 gift from Pearl Jam.
Address: Center House, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, www.thechildrensmuseum.org
Tel: 206-441 1768
Opening Hrs: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm
Entrance Fee: charge
Transportation: bus 1, 2, or 8; monorail
Of particular interest to families is the Children’s Museum on the first floor of the Armory. The 22,000-sq-ft (2,043-sq-meter) space features hands-on, interactive, and child-size exhibits on world culture, art, technology, and the humanities.
Enjoying the view at dusk.
Nathaniel Gonzales/APA Publication
Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
Address: Center House, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street; www.chihulygardenandglass.com
Tel: 206-753 4940
Opening Hrs: Sun–Thu 11am–7pm, Fri–Sat 11am–8pm
Entrance Fee: charge
Transportation: bus 1, 2, or 8; monorail
For an aesthetic escape, slip into the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum between the Space Needle and the Seattle Center Armory. The museum, chronicling the work and inspiration behind legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly, includes eight galleries, a magnificent 4,500-sq-ft (418-sq-meter) glass house holding a 100ft (30-meter) sculpture, a theatre, and a stunning garden featuring installations and major works.
The EMP as viewed from the Space Needle.
Nathaniel Gonzales/APA Publication
EMP Museum and Science Fiction Museum ‹ [map]
Address: 325 5th Avenue N, www.empsfm.org
Tel: 1-877-367 7361
Opening Hrs: Jun–Aug daily 10am–7pm, Sept–May daily 10am–5pm
Entrance Fee: charge
Transportation: bus 3, 4, 16, or 82; monorail
Downtown may have landmark buildings by Rem Koolhaas and Robert Venturi, but Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen brought the artistic eye of California-based architect Frank O. Gehry to Seattle Center with the EMP Museum. No one can ignore the structure clad in psychedelic shades of aluminum and stainless steel (for more information, click here). The rock ’n’ roll building houses an interactive music museum that combines state-of-the-art technology with a world-class collection of artifacts from Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, KISS, Usher, and many more.
For a small additional fee, MEGs (Museum Exhibit Guides) play recordings and narration synchronized to the exhibits through wireless headphones. For music fans, it’s easy to spend hours here looking around.
For something out of this world, visit the spooky Science Fiction Museum, the first museum dedicated to the genre. It’s in part of the EMP Museum building, but its separate entrance and outer walls are electric blue, unlike the dazzling red, purple, and silver of the music museum.
Like the EMP Museum, the SFM houses a collection compiled by Paul Allen. Here, the focus is on sci-fi memorabilia, with pieces on loan from private collections and movie studios. The museum covers everything from novels (gigantic stacks of hand-written pages from one author) to television series (Captain Kirk’s chair from Star Trek) to blockbuster movies (the alien queen prop from Aliens).
As you exit the EMP and head north, stop to admire The Reeds, an art installation by John Fleming. The 110 laminated orange and yellow steel rods stand 30ft (9 meters) tall and sway gently with the breeze.
Tip
One of around 20 monorail systems in North America, Seattle’s Monorail travels on its 1.3-mile (2.1km) single-rail elevated track between Westlake Center (at 5th Avenue and Pine Street) and the station next to the Space Needle. The trains depart every 10 minutes, can carry up to 450 passengers and pass through – yes, through – the EMP Museum.
Centers for the arts
Performance halls line Mercer Street between 4th Avenue and Warren. The $127 million Marion Oliver McCaw Hall › [map] covers 295,000 sq ft (27,406 sq meters) and includes a 2,900-seat auditorium, a glass lobby, a public plaza, and more. Home to the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, it often hosts concerts, festivals, conventions, and other events.
At Mercer and 2nd is the Intiman Theatre, whose Swedish name means ‘the Intimate.’ It seats 446 people around a 3,110-sq-ft (289-sq-meter) stage. One of the state’s oldest theater institutions, Intiman is recognized nationally for its programs and its fresh approach to classics as well as new productions.
The Monorail passing through the EMP.
nathaniel gonzales/APA publication
A little farther west on Mercer are the three theaters of the Seattle Repertory Theatre, known locally as ‘The Rep.’ The non-profit group is internationally recognized for its productions and also delivers workshops and educational programs. The best-known and largest of the Rep’s three stages, the Bagley Wright Theatre, seats 842; the Leo K and the tiny PONCHO Forum seat 282 and 133, respectively.
The Key Arena fi [map] (1st Avenue between Thomas and Republican) is a 17,000-seat arena which hosts big rock concerts as well as family shows and is also the home stadium for the city’s women’s basketball team, the Seattle Storm, and the city’s roller derby team, Rat City Rollergirls.
The playfully designed Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) produces family-friendly performances on two stages, the Charlotte Martin and Eve Alvord theatres. Performances have included classics such as Goodnight Moon and The Diary of Anne Frank. The theater company also develops and teaches educational programs in theater arts, including drama courses, residencies, and workshops.
Just east of the SCT is the Mural Amphitheatre, another great spot for a picnic. During festivals, the amphitheater features live musical acts. Its mural backdrop by Japanese artist Paul Horiuchi provides a lovely setting. In summer, the amphitheater hosts ‘Movies at the Mural,’ a well-attended series of free outdoor evening movies.
Enjoying a sunny day by International Fountain.
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Originally built in 1961 for the World’s Fair, the International Fountain is in an open area near the heart of the Seattle Center. Rebuilt in 1995, the fountain features a bowl with a diameter of 220ft (67 meters), a 10ft (3-meter) -tall dome and 274 nozzles spraying mist and shooting jets of water (the highest reaches 120ft, or 37 meters). The nozzles are also set to play 12-minute water shows, choreographed to different pieces of music. On sunny days, families picnic on the grassy area around the fountain, and children flock to the fountain bowl to dart and dance among the jets.
Address: 200 2nd Avenue N, www.pacificsciencecenter.org
Tel: 206-443 2001
Opening Hrs: Mon–Fri 9.45am–5pm, Sat–Sun and hols 9.45am–6pm; call for times of laser and IMAX shows
Entrance Fee: charge
Transportation: bus 1, 2, or 8; monorail
Under five white arches at the corner of 2nd and Denny is the nonprofit Pacific Science Center fl [map], the first US museum founded as a science and technology center. With the goal of advancing public knowledge and interest in science, the PSC’s five buildings contain interactive exhibits, two IMAX theaters, the Butterfly House, an excellent planetarium, and laser shows.
‘Rocky Mountain Express’ film showing at the Boeing Imax Theater in the Pacific Science Center.
nathaniel gonzales/APA publication
Hands-on math and basic science exhibits delight school-age children, and other exhibits excite the inquiring mind with demonstrations of virtual reality, computer science, and robotics. Two of the many exciting permanent exhibits are ‘Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time,’ which features eight full- and half-size robotic dinosaurs that roar; and the ‘Insect Village’, inhabited by live and robotic insects, and a beehive.
Interactive exhibits and games for all ages at the Pacific Science Center.
nathaniel gonzales/APA publication
Festival Time
Often called ‘Seattle’s living room,’ Seattle Center is host to many of the city’s biggest festivals. Major music events Bumbershoot and the Northwest Folklife Festival are the crown jewels in the lineup, but other favorites include the excuse for gorging known as Bite of Seattle, the Northwest’s largest PrideFest, and the many cultural festivals held throughout the year – with the Arab Festival, the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival, and the Irish Festival among the best offered. Eating and shopping are major components of every festival, with local craftspeople and mouthwatering food booths jockeying to lighten attendees’ pocketbooks. Do yourself a favor and give in – bring cash and an empty stomach – beer gardens, haberdasheries and Thai food await.