Queen Anne is one of Seattle’s most notable neighborhoods. It has so much to offer, from quiet residential streets to the hustle and bustle of the most populated tourist areas in the state. This area brought in 41 million tourists in 2019!
History
In 1853, settler David Denny staked a claim to 320 acres of Duwamish land known today as lower Queen Anne. After this, the area stayed a lush and dense forest until 1875 when a wind storm blew through and flattened many of the trees. This made the land more appealing for development.
It wasn’t until around 1885 that this area was known as Queen Anne, before this it was called Eden hill, North Seattle, and Galer hill. It got the name based on the style of lavish homes that were popping up. They were inspired by renaissance style architecture that grew in popularity during the reign of England’s Queen Anne.
Attractions
The Queen Anne neighborhood is really the epicenter of Seattle tourism. It has the Seattle center, which occupies the site of the 1962 world’s fair. This area has the iconic Seattle fountain, the space needle, five museums, and 11 concert venues. There is also a food court-style dining building known as the center house.
Not too far from the Seattle Center is one of the city’s most distinct skyline features, the space needle. Just at the base of the space needle is the beautiful Chihuly garden and glass art museum. This showcases the beautiful blown glass artwork done by Washington native, Dale Chihuly.
Views
Queen Anne has two distinct areas, upper and lower. From upper Queen Anne – also known as Queen Anne Hill – you can catch some of the most breathtaking views of Seattle. The hill features striking views of the Seattle skyline, the mountains, and the sound. Head over to Kerry Park for can’t-miss views of the city!
There is so much to do and see in the Queen Anne neighborhood. If you are a Seattle native, play tourist for the day and stop by some of these must-see attractions. Make sure to send us photos if you do!