Whether you’re looking to entertain your kids without toting them from one end of Seattle to the other or an all-adult group seeking ample entertainment, Queen Anne has got you covered. If you love the buzz and bright lights of the city, this community northwest of Downtown Seattle is sure to be a hit.
In fact, a handful of Seattle’s most popular attractions lie within the Queen Anne neighborhood. From the Space Needle to the Pacific Science Center, the list of things to see & do in this popular central Seattle area is neverending.
Ready to plan the Pacific Northwest holiday of a lifetime? Launch an epic vacation with this complete Queen Anne neighborhood guide, including what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Seattle Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Why Treksplorer? Founded in 2011 by Ryan O’Rourke, Treksplorer provides travel recommendations and advice to millions of readers every year. Our content is rooted in our writers’ firsthand experiences, in-depth research, and/or collaborations with other experts and locals. Read more about our editorial policy.
What to see & do in Queen Anne, Seattle
Kerry Park
If you’re looking for a great greenspace to unwind or enjoy a picnic with a view, Kerry Park should be the first place that comes to mind. Located on West Highland Drive in the heart of Queen Anne, this urban gem offers a panoramic look at Seattle, all the way from the skyscraper-laden skyline to Mt. Rainier off in the distance.
Want to stay at Kerry Park awhile? Grab a coffee or a snack on your way over from one of the many surrounding cafes, and bring a pair of walking shoes to do some exploring.
Kerry Park is located in one of the cutest little corners of Seattle. You won’t want to pass through this lovely urban space in a rush!
Space Needle
In the heart of Lower Queen Anne is the most identifiable feature of the Seattle skyline: the Space Needle. Since 1962, when it was first unveiled for the World’s Fair, this iconic landmark has been a tourist magnet. Even if you’re only visiting Seattle in one day, seeing it is a must!
These days, the most popular way to experience the Space Needle is to ride the elevator up to the 73rd floor and check out a bird’s-eye view of Seattle from the observation deck.
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The observation deck soars over 520 feet from the ground below and isn’t for the faint of heart. Those unafraid of heights (or willing to tackle them) will be treated to an incredible memory-making experience.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
So you love music, TV, and all things trendy? If so, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is the perfect Queen Anne attraction for you. Since opening its doors in 2000, this gallery of interactive exhibits has been considered the most fun museum in the city, filled with nostalgia, pizazz, and prestige.
Have you ever wanted to be a rock star? Now you can! In the Museum of Pop Culture’s most popular exhibit, you’ll take the stage and rock out in front of a virtual audience.
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Once you’ve felt the bright lights and heard the fans chanting your name, browse your way through exhibits on movies, musical legends, and more!
Chihuly Garden and Glass
A brilliant combination of art and flora, the Chihuly Garden and Glass is the place to go in Queen Anne for a quiet, reflective stroll. Here, you’ll find eight galleries of work by artist Dale Chihuly, interspersed with a garden oasis of plants and sculpture. It’s a gorgeous photo op, of course, but you may want to put the camera down and focus on taking it all in.
What is the most popular attraction at Chihuly Garden and Glass? The Glass House, of course! This 40-foot building is known for twinkling under the light. You’ll get a different experience depending on the time of the day, with the sunrise and sunset changing how the glasswork glows.
Seattle Children’s Museum
Want to plan an outing that’s just for the kiddos? Look no further than Seattle Children’s Museum. Founded in 1979, this interactive museum has evolved to include 11 different exhibits where kids can play their way through lessons on art, science, and the world around them.
Whether your kids want to take the Bijou stage as a grand performer, throw on a lab coat and cure a sick patient or climb a mountain like a great explorer, you can let their imaginations take flight at the Seattle Children’s Museum.
Pacific Science Center
Whether you’re traveling with kids or just an 18+ group of museum lovers, the Pacific Science Center is an excellent choice for your Seattle itinerary. Located in the Seattle Center complex, this museum is highly interactive. It even has an IMAX theatre where you can enhance your learning experience. (Or catch one of the newest Hollywood blockbusters in 3D. Don’t worry: We won’t judge!)
After browsing through exhibits on prehistoric giants and the inner workings of the human body, stop at the Pacific Science Center’s Butterfly House or planetarium. Whether you choose to stroll the lush gardens and maybe even make friends with a few winged beauties or immerse yourself in a space-bound look at our solar system, you’re sure to have a great time here!
International Fountain
Even fantasized about reading by a relaxing water fountain in a big city? If you’re visiting Seattle, make sure to kick up your feet at the International Fountain. The nautilus-shaped steel fountain is quite a spectacle, featuring 274 water jets spraying over a metal dome. Kids will love running through its spray, trying to beat the timer before it goes off again.
Occasionally, the International Fountain runs with a colorful light show after dark. If you want to try your luck, be sure to stroll past after the sun sets.
Seattle Center Monorail
Not only is the Seattle Center Monorail one of the fastest modes of transportation for zipping around the city, but it’s also one of the top things every tourist needs to do in Seattle before they leave. Riding the speedy elevated train is practically a right of passage.
Riding the Seattle Center Monorail is also one of the most affordable tourist attractions in Seattle. For less than $4 per passenger, you can ride from the Seattle Center in Queen Anne to the Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle—and get have a fun time watching the city center blow past your window!
McCaw Hall
Love the theatre? McCaw Hall is Queen Anne’s hub for all things live entertainment. You can almost always find an Opera or Ballet performance here, but there are also occasional concerts and lecture series if you’re looking for something a little peppier.
McCaw Hall is a truly world-class theatre with high-end productions and gorgeous architecture. If you really want to enhance your experience, swing for a private seating box and watch the performance the way the rich and famous do: sipping champagne high up in the sky!
Where to eat & drink
Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner out or a splurge-worthy meal with friends in Queen Anne, Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge needs to be on your radar. After choosing a pour from the extensive wine list, check out their “French Quarter Classics” menu featuring dishes like Jambalaya, Creole Blackened Rockfish, and housemade Andouille Sausage.
Really feel like treating yourself? Try their Top Sirloin Wagyu or a Local Duck Confit. Just as impressive as the menu at Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge? The atmosphere. Between the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, historic stone facade, and 250 candles lit each evening, it doesn’t get more charming than this restaurant!
Hey there, craft beer lovers! The Masonry is about to be your new favorite microbrewery. As one of two pubs owned by Fast Fashion, known for its mega-hoppy flavors, this brewpub offers an opportunity to try something on tap that you’ve never seen before. Be sure to arrive with an appetite: The Masonry has a wood-fired pizza oven and some famous spicy meatballs that you’ll definitely want to devour!
Looking for the best pitas and platters around? The Golden Olive serves all your Mediterranean favorites, from falafel and gyro to Dalma and baba ganoush. Whatever you do, don’t forget dessert: The Golden olive makes three different kinds of Baklava in-house—and diners can’t stop coming back for it.
For the freshest seafood around, head on down to the Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar. Right across from many of Seattle’s greatest attractions like the Space Needle, Climate Pledge Arena (home of the Seattle Kraken NHL team), and the Seattle Children’s Theatre, this restaurant & bar could be a great appetizer for happy hour before an event—or a fantastic meal to end your day of adventuring.
The Queen Anne Beerhall is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience unlike any other in Seattle. For a chilled-out night on the town, this should be your go-to. Alongside a massive selection of European brews, you’ll munch on brewpub staples like wings piled sky-high, smash burgers, soft pretzels, and chili cheese fries.
The communal tables, a defining characteristic of a classic beerhall, make the Queen Anne Beerhall a perfect place for mingling and making friends with the locals. Visit on trivia night or enjoy a performance from their neverending rotation of live music for a built-in chatty icebreaker.
Welcome to Queen Anne’s best dive bar: Streamline Tavern. This is the place you want to be at the end of the night when you start winding down and need that one last drink and mountain of food.
When they’re not slinging bar rail classics and cheap pours, the Streamline Tavern is focusing on the kitchen to satisfy your craving for hot dogs, chicken strips, or a basket of nachos. There’s even a giant barrel of free peanuts to snack on while you wait.
Want to sip inventive cocktails as you sink into a big leather couch? Solo Bar & Eatery is exactly the type of lounge you’re looking for. Though the drinks alone are reason enough to visit, you just might want to come hungry. Solo Bar & Eatery has plenty of Charcuterie-style share plates, plus some incredible sandwiches like blackened chicken, classic Cubano, and flat-iron steak.
The Tin Lizzie Lounge is where all the cool kids go to drink in Queen Anne. This prohibition-style speakeasy is tucked away in the MarQueen Hotel. Just look for the lineup of vintage cars out front, and you’ll know you’ve found it.
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Amidst the sultry lounge of mood lighting and crystal chandeliers, set to the tune of live jazz, you’ll feel like you’re living the life of Jay Gatsby at the Tin Lizzie Lounge. Be sure to try some of their old-school cocktails like Sidecars and French 75s, classics reimagined (with a modern bartender’s flair), and even a few specialties that are served flaming.
Where to stay
Staypineapple, The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center Seattle
Want to treat yourself to something quirky and cool on your next vacation? Book a few nights at Staypineapple, The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center Seattle. This unique hotel is decorated with splashy, bold colors and, of course, tons of pineapples. They also have tons of great amenities to amp up your experience. They’ll greet you with a welcome drink to celebrate your stay. After that, you can help yourself at the unlimited coffee and pineapple treats stand in the hotel lobby. They also have an indoor pool with giant tropical floaties for that perfect Instagram photo.
The Mediterranean Inn
The Mediterranean Inn is best known for its iconic rooftop lounge. From this perch high in the sky, you’ll have panoramic views of the entire skyline, harbor, mountains, and more. What a beautiful place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or end-of-the-day nightcap! Oh, and there’s no need to hire an expensive rental car during your stay. This hotel offers complimentary bikes and helmets for hotel guests to zip around the city from attraction to attraction.
Hyatt House Seattle Downtown
Need a hotel that feels like home? Lay down your head at the Hyatt House Seattle Downtown. It’s also the closest hotel to the Space Needle, nestled right underneath it; talk about amazing views! Plus, each guest room comes equipped with a personal terrace, a kitchenette, free breakfast, and access to a 24-hour gym.
