Queen Anne

 

 

Queen Anne was among the last areas in downtown Seattle to be developed because of its steep incline. In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad connected the city to the rest of the U.S. When wealthy newcomers began building their mansions around the hill, they followed the famous Queen Anne architecture popular at the time. One such home was built in 1905 and featured as the Intern House in Grey’s Anatomy. Today, Queen Anne includes a mix of historic bungalows, Craftsman-style houses, and large modern homes with beautifully manicured gardens. It remains one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Seattle.

 

Rising 456 feet, Queen Anne Hill has 100 pedestrian staircases. Residents have spectacular views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, Mt. Rainer, the Cascades, Lake Union, the Olympic Mountains, and Glacier Peak, depending on the side of the hill on which they live. North and West Queen Anne are closer to restaurants and retail shops. East Queen Anne is primarily residential. Lower Queen Anne has the Space Needle, Seattle Center, and new luxury condominiums.

 

 

• Views of the water and the mountains
• Historic Queen Anne mansions
• Locally-owned eateries and boutique stores

 

 

Queen Anne residents are amiable and like to strike up conversations with neighbors and visitors. Lower Queen Anne is closer to downtown and has an urban vibe. It can also get a little touristy at times, but don’t let that deter you from the fun. Upper Queen Anne is more residential. For a quieter area, North Queen Anne is a great choice and is also home to Seattle Pacific University.

 

 

Queen Anne has many incredible restaurants, local bakeries, and cafes. Eden Hill serves refined American dishes in an intimate setting that only seats 24 people. How to Cook a Wolf features shareable plates and pasta dishes using Northwest ingredients. For Mediterranean cuisine, head to Grappa. The Masonry serves wood-fired pizzas and craft beers. Cocina and Tequila serve modern Mexican dishes, cocktails, and over 150 tequilas.

 

For a social get-together, Queen Anne Beerhall hosts trivia and open mic nights. Some of Seattle’s best cafes are right in Queen Anne, including Storyville Coffee Company, Milstead and Co., Queen Anne Coffee Co., and the Other Coast Cafe. For groceries, there’s a Trader Joe’s, a Safeway, the more upscale Metropolitan Market, and the locally-owned Ken’s Market. You’ll find boutique shops, stylish home goods, and other retail stores along Queen Anne Avenue, including Queen Anne Dispatch and Stuhlbergs. The Queen Anne Book Company hosts author readings and book club discussions. Blue Highway Games specializes in classic and new board games; some you can play in-store before buying.

 

 

The Seattle Center hosts a variety of entertainment year-round, including concerts and sports. The Seattle Children’s Theatre and Cornish Playhouse have shows and educational programs. McCaw Hall and Seattle Opera have ballets, opera, and comedies. The Seattle Center also hosts the annual Folklife Festival with 6,000 musicians and over 200,000 attendees. If you’re a fan of independent and foreign films, SIFF Cinema Uptown is an arthouse cinema with special events and festivals. The Queen Anne Farmers Market has local produce, artisanal products, food trucks, and live music from June to October.

 

If you’re looking to spend time outdoors, Kerry Park has spectacular views of downtown and Elliott Bay. It can get crowded with photographers at sunset as they try to capture the light changing over the landscape. On the south end is the forested Kinnear Park with a tennis court, hiking paths, and an off-leash dog park.

 

 

Seattle Public Schools serve Queen Anne.