Ride a Piece of World's Fair History
Built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the monorail was the first full-scale commercial monorail system in the country, and it carried more than 8 million riders in its first six months. Two trains, one red and one blue, still glide along the line today, each with more than a million miles behind it.
Film fans can picture Elvis Presley singing aboard the Red Train in the 1963 musical It Happened at the World's Fair. These days you'll be one of about 2 million passengers who ride each year.
Explore Seattle Center
Seattle Center grew out of that same 1962 fair, and its 74-acre campus at 305 Harrison Street serves as both a public plaza and a place to gather. Beyond the museums, wander past a food hall, open lawns, ornamental trees, fountains and public art.
First-time visitors often underestimate how much is here, so give yourself more than a quick stop. For the campus's best-known landmark, read up on the Space Needle before you go.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Step into an indoor and outdoor exhibition of Dale Chihuly's glasswork that feels almost dreamlike. Inside the Glasshouse, inspired by Victorian conservatories, look up at the Persian Ceiling sculpture, which stretches about 100 feet overhead in twisting color. Outside, glass forms rise among the plants as if they had grown there, and you'll spot echoes of Native American basketry, Northwest waters and his mother's gardens throughout.
Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP)
Look for the curving metal shell designed by architect Frank Gehry and you've found MOPOP. Inside, permanent and rotating exhibits dive into science fiction and horror films and trace Seattle's music history from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana.
Pacific Science Center
Spend a few hands-on hours at this nonprofit museum, where more than 200 interactive exhibits are built for kids and adults alike. The Tropical Butterfly House draws crowds, while IMAX theaters, laser dome rock shows and planetarium programs round out the visit. Learn more on the Pacific Science Center page.
Spots for Kids and Curious Minds
Head below the food hall in the historic Armory to find a children's museum aimed at pre-teens. Kids can hear traditional stories and see Indigenous art in Tribal Tales, climb into a giant whale's mouth in Orca Cove and join a show at the Bijou Theatre, either onstage or backstage.
Nearby, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center sits beside the foundation's campus. Its exhibits explore global health and inequality in economics and education, and prompts along the way ask what you would do to change the world.
Catch a Show, Game or Concert
Seattle Center holds many of the city's most respected stages, which makes a performance one of the top reasons to come. Check each venue's official site for current schedules and tickets.
McCaw Hall and the Theaters
Settle into McCaw Hall, which dates to 1927 and reopened in 2003 after a major renovation and expansion. It's home to Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, which takes the stage more than 100 times a year. The mid-century modern Cornish Playhouse hosts dance, music and visual arts with community partners, and Seattle Rep, the largest nonprofit theater in the Pacific Northwest, focuses mostly on contemporary plays with some classics in the mix.
Climate Pledge Arena
Billed as the world's first carbon-neutral sports arena, Climate Pledge Arena hosts big concerts and serves as home for the Seattle Kraken, Torrent and Storm. On game days, a lively crowd fills the surrounding streets.
Climb Queen Anne Hill to Kerry Park
Once you've taken in Seattle Center, set off uphill. The climb up Queen Anne Hill is steep, so drop off any bags first. At the top, Kerry Park rewards you with the postcard view of the city that so many photos are built around.
Map out the walk with the Kerry Park guide, and browse more Seattle parks if you'd like another viewpoint or green space.
Where to Eat and Drink
Queen Anne's food scene runs from bakery stops to pre-game pizza. Hours and menus can change, so confirm before you head out.
Bakeries Up the Hill
Fuel up for the climb at two good bakeries. Grab flaky pastries and inventive coffee drinks at Moonrise Bakery, or lean Scandinavian at Byen Bakeri, with Swedish rye, other breads and buttery Danishes.
Pizza, Beer and Oysters
Before a game, join the crowd at The Masonry and its brewery Fast Fashion for wood-fired pizzas and starters. Pair very fresh oysters with sparkling wine at Taylor Shellfish, or keep it fast and classic at Dick's Drive-In, where burgers, fries and shakes come the old-fashioned way.
Wander north into Interbay and Fast Penny Spirits invites you to explore amaro, the bittersweet herbal liqueur.
Shop Neighborhood Favorites
Two longtime anchors set the tone for local shopping. Browse the staff picks and catch an author event at Queen Anne Book Company, then pop into Stuhlbergs for curated home goods, playful gifts and whimsical toys.
For clothing, the boutiques MILLIE and Foundation carry streetwear and polished everyday basics. Gardeners can also look up the Queen Anne community garden.
Plan Your Day
A simple route works beautifully. Start downtown, ride the monorail to Seattle Center and pick one or two museums. After lunch, climb to Kerry Park for the views, then browse the shops and bakeries on the hill before ending your evening with a show at McCaw Hall or a game at Climate Pledge Arena.
To keep exploring, see the full list of things to do in Seattle or compare other Seattle neighborhoods.
