You’ll find culture, entertainment, and endless things to do in Queen Anne, Seattle.
Home to the beating heart of Seattle—the 1964 World Fair’s home base, Seattle Center—Queen Anne is essentially two neighborhoods combined. Keep that distinction in mind as you read our guide to the Queen Anne neighborhood. You can easily drive between the upper and lower halves, but if you’re on foot you will be walking up Seattle’s second-tallest hill!
Lower Queen Anne is near downtown and is where you’ll find the Space Needle, Climate Pledge Arena, museums, and other entertainment options at the bustling Seattle Center.
As you make your way up (and eventually over) the hill, you’ll enter Upper Queen Anne. This area is more residential and relaxed. Here you’ll find stunning old houses, parks with birds-eye views, and cozy neighborhood haunts.
We’ve organized this list for your convenience, starting out with cafes and ending with the many entertainment options in Queen Anne. In between you’ll also find recommendations for restaurants, shops, parks, and bars.
Here are the top things to do in Queen Anne, Seattle:
Cafes and bakeries
Get fueled up with caffeine and a pastry before you start to explore Queen Anne (there’s a lot of walking uphill!). Here are some of our favorite cafes and bakeries in Queen Anne:
1. Byen Bakeri
Byen Bakeri is all the way at the top of Upper Queen Anne by the Fremont Cut, but if you find yourself up that way it’s worth a visit to try some of their classic Scandinavian baked goods such as Swedish Princess Cake.
Location: 15 Nickerson St
2. Cafe Hagen
Cafe Hagen is another Scandinavian bakery in Queen Anne that we love but this one is near Seattle Center. In addition to coffee and pastries they’re also open for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Location: 1252 Thomas St
3. Cafe Fiore
Cafe Fiore is a great coffee shop to visit in Queen Anne if you’re near Kerry Park or if you have little ones with you (it’s very kid-friendly).
Location: 224 W Galer St
4. Queen Anne Coffee Co.
Our favorite thing about Queen Anne Coffee Co. is its location. It’s right next to Queen Anne Book Company, so you can get a hot beverage and then browse the stacks.
Location: 1811 Queen Anne Ave N
5. Macrina Bakery
This cozy spot is one of our favorite bakeries in Queen Anne. They have excellent breakfast sandwiches and French toast.
Location: 615 W McGraw St
6. Moonrise Bakery
We love having coffee and a pastry in the covered outdoor space at this French bakery in Queen Anne. They also have a natural wine shop inside.
Location: 1805 Queen Anne Ave N
7. Top Pot Doughnuts
The best handmade doughnuts in Queen Anne!
Location: 325 W Galer St
8. Trophy Cupcakes
If you need cupcakes that will impress everyone at your next party, go to Trophy Cupcakes (and get som macarons too while you’re at it). They have vegan and gluten-free options as well.
Location: 223 W Galer St. Suite A
Restaurants
Queen Anne is an excellent spot for a meal in Seattle due to its convenient location near Seattle Center and downtown Seattle. Whether you’re looking for a quick, cheap bite or planning to make a reservation for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with one of these Queen Anne eateries.
9. Toulouse Petite
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to New Orleans at this atmospheric Cajun-Creole restaurant in Queen Anne.
Location: 601 Queen Anne Ave N
10. How to Cook a Wolf
Chef Ethan Stowell serves Italian-Mediterranean fare at this Queen Anne restaurant that is popular among Seattleites for date night.
Location: 2208 Queen Anne Ave N
11. Canlis
Canlis is Seattle’s most iconic restaurant, dating back to 1950. It has a mid-century modern design with an elevated view of Lake Union from atop Queen Anne. The dress code is mandatory and the bill will be high, but it’s worth it for special occasions.
Location: 2576 Aurora Ave N
12. 5 Spot
Looking for a more casual meal? Head to 5 Spot, which recently opened under new ownership while retaining its warm, cheerful ambiance and reliable menu of comfort food.
Location: 1502 Queen Anne Ave N
13. The Sushi Samurai
The Sushi Samurai could always be relied on for a great sushi meal, but after a pivot it is now Seattleite’s go-to spot for 100% vegan sushi that rivals the real thing.
Location: 1817 Queen Anne Ave N
14. Eden Hill
One of Seattle’s most beautiful restaurants, this chic Italian restaurant in Queen Anne is a lovely place to go for dinner with a date, friends, or your parents.
Location: 2209 Queen Anne Ave N
15. Bounty Kitchen
Bounty Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner while focusing on fresh, organic, and local ingredients. Go here if you want to feel nourished.
Location: 7 Boston St
16. The Masonry
The Masonry is the place to go for wood-fired pizza in Queen Anne. Unfortunately their Fremont location closed recently, so all the more reason to show some support. Make sure to try the meatballs.
Location: 20 Roy St.
Bars, breweries, and nightlife
You’ll find that the nightlife scene in Queen Anne is much quieter compared to other Seattle neighborhoods like Capitol Hill. The higher north you go from Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne, the more residential and less lively it gets. That said, Queen Anne does have some really wonderful cocktail joints and cozy neighborhood bars.
17. Bar Miriam
Bar Miriam is a chic, snug cocktail bar in Queen Anne that knows how to make a mean cocktail.
Location: 307 W McGraw St
18. Streamline Tavern
Queen Anne locals love this neighborhood tavern for its old-school vibes and friendly atmosphere.
Location: 174 Roy St
19. Bad Bar
Contrary to its name, this bar in Queen Anne is actually good. They have free pool, great drinks, and a cool ambiance.
Location: 819 5th Ave N
20. The Sitting Room
Go to The Sitting Room in Queen Anne when you want a moody, romantic vibe reminiscent of a European bistro.
Location: 108 W Roy St
21. The Tin Lizzie Lounge
The Tin Lizzie Lounge is a speakeasy in Queen Anne with a vintage bar and Prohibition-era drinks. Go here when you crave an escape from modern life.
Location: 600 Queen Anne Ave N
22. Queen Anne Beer Hall
Queen Anne Beer Hall brings an authentic European beer hall experience to Seattle. It’s a great place to go with a big group.
Location: 203 W Thomas St
Shopping
Queen Anne is home to many well-curated boutiques and small businesses, plus a weekly farmers market.
23. Queen Anne Book Company
Located right next to the Queen Anne Coffee Company, this cute and cozy bookstore is a great place to spend a morning.
Location: 1811 Queen Anne Ave N #103
24. Stuhlberg’s
Located in an old house in Queen Anne, Stuhlberg’s sells home decor, kids’ toys, gifts, and more.
Location: 1801 Queen Anne Ave N 100 #527
25. Millie
Millie is one of our favorite clothing boutiques in Queen Anne. They sell streetwear-inspired women’s clothing, so you know you’ll look on-trend if you shop here.
Location: 1622 Queen Anne Ave N
26. Mercer Street Books
We love browsing this snug used bookstore that is conveniently located close to Seattle Center and downtown.
Location: 7 Mercer St
27. Royal Records
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. this record shop is a great place to browse for some new and used tunes.
Location: 2 W Roy St
28. Light in the Attic
Locals call this record shop in Queen Anne “essential” and “small but mighty.” They’re open every day and located right by Seattle Center.
Location: 472 1st Ave N
29. Queen Anne Farmers Market
If you find yourself in Queen Anne on farmers market day, don’t miss out! The only independent farmers market in Seattle, the Queen Anne Farmers Market operates on Thursdays between June 1 and October 12 from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. In addition to food vendors there are also children’s activities, chef demos, and live music.
Location: Queen Anne Ave N & W Crockett St
Parks and outdoor spaces
Thanks to its hilltop position, Queen Anne is home to the Seattle park with possibly the most famous view: Kerry Park. That said, we think all of the below spots are worth a visit for various reasons.
30. Kerry Park
Yes, the iconic view at Kerry Park is worth the near-constant crowd of people. We recommend stopping at Molly Moon’s for some ice cream on your way there.
Location: 211 W Highland Dr
31. Parsons Gardens
No tourists are allowed in this secret garden. Just kidding! In all seriousness, Parsons Gardens is a beloved hidden gem that locals often use for proposals, small wedding ceremonies, and just relaxing in nature—so be sure to be quiet and respectful if you visit.
Location: 650 W Highland Dr
32. Bhy Kracke Park
Another hidden gem in Queen Anne, Bhy Kracke Park is often overlooked in favor of Kerry Park but has a wonderful view of its own (minus the crowd of people).
Location: 1215 5th Ave N
33. South Ship Canal Trail
The South Ship Canal Trail hugs the Fremont Cut on the Queen Anne side and is often populated by joggers, bikers, strollers, and geese. It’s particularly scenic in the fall. You can walk or bike along the trail and then cross the Fremont Bridge (pictured above) to explore Fremont.
34. Artists at Play Playground
This is possibly the most epic playground in all of Seattle. It’s always pretty lively, thanks to its location in Seattle Center.
Location: 305 Harrison St
35. International Fountain
Kids and adults alike love cooling off in Seattle Center’s International Fountain in the summer. It also gets lit up for nightly light shows during the holidays.
Location: 305 Harrison St
Entertainment and culture
It’s not hard to find entertainment while you’re in Lower Queen Anne, since that is where you will find Seattle Center and many museums and performance centers.
36. Museum of Pop Culture
Kids and kids-at-heart will find endless fun at MoPOP, Seattle’s homage to all things pop culture from movies and TV to video games and music.
Location: 325 5th Ave N
37. Seattle Center
Seattle Center is the home of MoPOP, the International Fountain, the monorail, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Climate Pledge Arena, a skate plaza, and the Artists at Play playground. Phew! It really is the center of Seattle.
We particularly like going to Seattle Center for its ongoing Festal series, during which you get to enjoy food and entertainment from a different culture every month for free.
38. Seattle Children’s Museum
Located on the lowest floor of the Armory at the Seattle Center, Seattle Children’s Museum is a must-visit for those with kids. It’s particularly geared towards ages 10 and under. They’re open every day except Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: 305 Harrison St
39. Pacific Science Center
Seattle’s science center is particularly known for its laser shows, IMAX theaters, and butterfly house.
Location: 200 2nd Ave N
40. Chihuly Garden & Glass
Prepare to have your mind blown by Dave Chihuly’s colorful glass artwork at this museum located in Seattle Center.
Location: 305 Harrison St
41. Space Needle
The Space Needle is worth visiting at least once, whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived in Seattle for years. You can’t beat the 360-degree view, especially with the new rotating glass floor.
Location: 400 Broad St
42. McCaw Hall
Located just north of Seattle Center, McCaw Hall is the home of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera. They also host other shows; for example, Ali Wong, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and RuPaul’s Drag Race are a few upcoming guests.
Location: 321 Mercer St
43. Climate Pledge Arena
Climate Pledge Arena is where Seattleites go for concerts, Kraken games, Seattle Storm games, and more.
Location: 334 1st Ave N
44. SIFF Film Center
Located on the Seattle Center campus, SIFF Film Center is the place to go in Seattle if you’re a film buff. They often have events such as film talks, summer camps, and more.
Location: 305 Harrison St
45. Seattle Repertory Theatre
Known as Seattle Rep, this theatre at Seattle Center is one of our favorite venues for seeing a play or musical.
Location: 155 Mercer St
46. Queen Anne Pool
Finally, a different sort of entertainment: the Queen Anne Pool. This heated indoor public pool is a great place to go for some fun and exercise year-round. It has a rope swing and a sauna!
Location: 1920 1st Ave W