Queen Anne is one of the most well-known and noteworthy neighborhoods in Seattle. The neighborhood is the site of the iconic Space Needle and some of the most magnificent views in Seattle. Tourists and locals alike visit Queen Anne because of its rich architectural historylocal eateriesand compelling attractions. Let’s dive into some of what makes Queen Anne so special!
Killer Views
One of the most compelling reasons to live in Queen Anne is its breathtaking views. Queen Anne features striking views of the city and almost every natural landmark in the greater Seattle areaincluding Puget Soundthe Olympic MountainsMount Rainerthe CascadesLake Unionand Glacier Peak.
One of the best places to check out Seattle’s views is Kerry Parka small park located on a cliff. Kerry Park (also called the Queen Anne Hill) offers a postcard-perfect view of the Downtown Seattle skyline and Space Needle.
Things to Do
Belowwe’ll list some of the things to do in Queen Anne. Keep in mind most of these attractions are either near the Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne or along Queen Anne Avenuewhere all of the locally-owned shops and restaurants are located.
The Space Needle
While the walk to the Space Needle is strenuous due to Queen Anne’s hilly terrainit is incredibly rewarding. The Space Needle is one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle and offers a 520-feet observation deck that features 360-degree views of Seattle and some of Pacific Northwest’s natural landmarks.
The Space Needle also features an inexpensive monorail that connects directly to Downtown Seattle’s shopping district.
Lake Union
Queen Anne’s western border is adjacent to Lake Unionwhere you’ll find ample opportunities for watersports and boating. You can also check out many of the houseboats that Seattle is famous for along Westlake Avenue!
Meredith’s House
If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy fansyou should check out Dr. Meredith Grey’s house in Queen Anne. Keep in mind this house was only used for exterior shotsscenes weren’t actually filmed here! Here’s the address where you can check it out.
Seattle Center
The Seattle Center is a hub for entertainment and arts in Seattlewith over 30 cultural and educational attractions. For examplein Lower Queen Anneyou’ll find Memorial Stadiumthe Seattle Operathe Pacific Science Centerthe Museum of Pop Cultureand the Seattle Children’s Theatre. Many of the buildings at the Seattle Center were reused from when Seattle hosted the 1962 World’s Fairproducing a very unique mid-century aesthetic.
Cardio-Friendly Terrain
The typography of Queen Anne is incredibly hilly and is reminiscent of San Francisco. In factthe steepest hill in Seattle is located in Queen Anne. The upside is that the challenging terrain makes the neighborhood a challenging cardio experience! Remember to wear appropriate shoes!
Coffee
While Seattle is famous for its coffeesome of the best cafes are located in Queen Anne. Local favorites include Queen Anne Coffee CoMilesteadand Storyville Coffee Company.
Restaurants
There is a mix of about 30 restaurantscafesand bars on Queen Anne Ave North. This stip forms the commercial core of the neighborhood and includes some options such as:
- 5 Spot: A neighborhood diner that you can’t miss. The sign of a coffee cop filling up has long been a Queen Anne landmark. After closing briefly during Covid5 Spot has opened back up with new ownership. Stop in if you’re looking for an upscale diner experience that’s famous for its breakfast.
- How to Cook a Wolf: This Italian restaurant from famed Seattle chef Ethan Stowell has earned rave reviews. The house specialty is expertly plated pastas.
- Eden Hill Restaurant: Our winner for “most romantic” restaurant on Queen Anne. There are only 24 seats thoughso make sure to get reservations ahead of time! Eden Hill serves dishes ranging from roasted beetsto coho salmonto cod in carrot curry. Dishes are served with a rotating selection of seasonal vegetables.
If you want to go more in-depth on the Queen Anne dining scenewe recently published our Best Restaurants in Queen Anne Seattle dining guide!
Real Estate
Queen Anne features a plethora of truly magnificent historic bungalows and craftsman houses. The neighborhood was actually named after the Queen Anne architectural due to its many homes that resemble the .
Many people visit the neighborhood just to gawk at its notable architecture. Some of these homes also feature elaborate gardenswith neatly-trimmed walls of shrubbery that tower over those who walk by.
As you might expectmany of the homes in Queen Anne features sweeping panoramic views of Downtown SeattlePuget Soundand various mountain ranges.
Queen Anne has attracted an influx of affluent residents in recent decadeswith many of Seattle’s elite calling it home. As a resultmany of the early 20th-century bungalows have been replaced with contemporary mansions. Howeversome historic architecture still remains.
While most of Queen Anne is dominated by single-family residencesthere are apartmentstownhomesand condos within the neighborhood.
Queen Anne’s Sub-Neighborhoods
Queen Anne actually has distinct areas that could be viewed as “neighborhoods within a neighborhood”. The general rule of thumb is that Upper (northern) Queen Anne is more residential and Lower (southern) Queen Anne is more commercial. Let’s run through each part of Queen Anne:
- North Queen Anne is primarily residential but is a short distance from some of Queen Anne’s top shops and restaurants. It’s also the location of Seattle Pacific University.
- West Queen Anne is a sleepy also mostly residential and contains the SW Queen Anne Greenbelt park. The western portion runs along Queen Anne Avenuewhich is where you’ll find local eateries and shops. This part of the city is great if you’re looking to easy access to the neighborhood’s amenities without dealing with tourists.
- East Queen Anne is the largest chunk of Queen Anne and mostly contains single-family residences.
- Lower Queen Anne is where you’ll find most of the tourists and major attractionsincluding the Space NeedleSeattle Centerand Memorial Stadium.
Fun Facts
- Queen Anne used to be part of Downtown Seattle and was first named Eden Hill.
- Queen Anne is named after the popular architectural the bears the same name. This architectural was popular in the 1880sand many houses within the neighborhood are authentic 19th-century Queen Anne- homes.
- Queen Anne sits upon a 456-foot hill and features over 100 pedestrian staircases. There’s even an entire website dedicated to Queen Anne’s stairs!
Verdict
The good:
- The Seattle Freeze isn’t as pronounced in Queen Annepeople are friendly here and it is not uncommon to strike up conversations with strangers.
- No matter where you live in Queen Anneyou’re close to some of Seattle’s coolest shopsrestaurantsand attractions.
- Queen Anne is a great choice if you’re looking to own a classic or historical home.
The bad:
- Queen Anne attracts tourists from around the world. Seattle as a whole saw 41 million tourists in 2019and it is safe to assume that many of these tourists came to Queen Anne. If you plan on living herethe swarms of tourists in the southern portion of Queen Anne may be bothersome.
- Queen Anne is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Seattleas its fantastic amenities come at a cost!
- Street parking is pretty scarce in Queen Anneparticularly in the busier commercial areas.
- People have noted that the somewhat narrow and hilly terrain is frightening to drive on at first.
If you like Queen Annechances are you’ll also like Magnoliaa similar neighborhood that is nearby.