Climbing the Counterbalance
A very steep stretch of Queen Anne Avenue North connects this lower district with the shops on top of the hill. Seattleites call it the Counterbalance, a nod to the cable cars that once climbed and descended the grade. Walk it if you want a real workout, or hop on a bus if you would rather save your legs.
At the bottom of the slope, pause at Counterbalance Park, 700 Queen Anne Avenue North. This small city park is ringed by several designated Seattle landmarks, making it a handy breather between sights.
Seattle Center, Right Next Door
Few people use either neighborhood name for the Seattle Center grounds themselves, yet most of the campus falls within Lower Queen Anne. That puts the area's biggest draws just a short stroll from its cafes and apartment blocks.
The Space Needle
Head first to the Space Needle, built in less than a year for the 1962 World's Fair and now a city landmark. The tower reaches 605 feet, and from its observation level at 520 feet you gaze out over mountains and water. Check the official site for current tickets and hours before you go, since they can change.
Pacific Science Center
Look for the white arches of the Pacific Science Center, which Minoru Yamasaki designed as a World's Fair pavilion. Step inside for IMAX theaters, a Laser Dome, dinosaurs, butterflies and hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Named a City of Seattle landmark in 2010, it makes an easy choice for families.
Landmarks for a Slow Wander
Take your time crossing the grounds, because Seattle Center is dotted with protected buildings and artworks. Keep an eye out for these:
- Seattle Center Exhibition Hall at 301 Mercer Street, home to trade shows, receptions and exhibits, which earned city landmark status in 2023.
- The Kobe Bell, a designated landmark on the grounds.
- The Horiuchi Mural, another recognized piece of the campus.
- The Armory, once known as Seattle Center House, along with the Northwest Rooms and International Fountain Pavilion.
Stages, Screens and Game Nights
Few neighborhoods pack in this much performing arts. On a busy night, opera fans, hockey crowds and theatergoers all share the same sidewalks.
Catch a Game at Climate Pledge Arena
Climate Pledge Arena is home to three professional teams: the Seattle Kraken in NHL hockey, the Seattle Storm in WNBA basketball and the Seattle Torrent in the PWHL. Game days bring heavy foot traffic, so arrive early if you plan to eat nearby.
Opera, Ballet and Theater
Settle in at McCaw Hall, home of both Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, or catch Seattle Repertory Theatre at the Bagley Wright Theater. The Cornish Playhouse hosts the Intiman Summer Theatre Festival and Cornish College of the Arts. Each company posts its own season, so check with them directly for show dates.
Film, Radio and the Avant-Garde
Film lovers can count on SIFF Cinema Uptown and its three screens. For something less conventional, On the Boards presents experimental theater and music. Radio station KEXP also calls the neighborhood home, having moved its headquarters in December 2015 into a building beside Climate Pledge Arena.
Views Up the Hill
Make the short trip uphill to Kerry Park, a small viewpoint on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. Here is the postcard Seattle skyline, framing the Space Needle and Elliott Bay, with Mount Rainier joining in on clear days. Pair it with the Counterbalance climb, or ride a bus partway.
Just below Kerry Park, Bayview-Kinnear Park adds another green stop on the slope. Ward Springs Park and the UpGarden sit in the wider area too, and gardeners can read more about community gardening in Queen Anne.
Dining and Business in Lower Queen Anne
With so many restaurants, the neighborhood is a natural spot for dinner before a show or a game. Menus and hours change often, so check individual restaurants before heading out, especially on event nights.
Lower Queen Anne is a working district as well. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer was once based here, and F5 Networks kept its headquarters in the area before moving to F5 Tower. Quicksoft, the first company to find commercial success with shareware, called it home, and the sales software firm Outreach moved in during 2018.
Getting There and Around
Arrive in style on the Seattle Center Monorail, the city's only monorail line, which runs between Lower Queen Anne and Downtown. King County Metro also runs several bus routes through the neighborhood, including the RapidRide D Line, so check King County Metro for current schedules.
Once you are here, stroll between most sights on flat ground. Save your energy for the hill if Kerry Park is on your list.
