Neighborhood Spotlight: Queen Anne

The vibe

With roots dating back to pioneer days, Queen Anne Hill was originally called Eden Hill by its first settler, Thomas Mercer. Renowned for its picturesque Queen Anne–style architecture, this charming neighborhood offers stunning water views and a rich history. Its development into a bustling residential suburb was driven by its early connection to Seattle proper via public transit in the late 1880s. This led to a boom in residential construction, transforming the area into a cozy, community-focused neighborhood.

Today, Queen Anne is a gem, especially for families with young children. The endlessly entertaining Seattle Center, with its magical International Fountain and its array of year-round family-friendly events, adds to the neighborhood’s allure. Luckily for adventurous families, you don’t have to buy property in Queen Anne (let’s be real) to take advantage of its riches. Whether you’re visiting the iconic Space Needle or giggling as colorful wings tickle you as you wander through the tropical butterfly house at the Pacific Science Center, there’s no shortage of activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Play and explore

Start your neighborhood adventure at Blue Highway Games, on Upper Queen Anne. Blue Highway specializes in screen-free fun, such as board games, puzzles and trading card games. The nearly limitless selection of no-tech games — from classic favorites, such as cribbage, to newer options, such as the Unicorn Glitterluck board game and the Seattle-made card game Morels, for fungi enthusiasts — is located at the front of the store. In the back, kids and families crowd around big tables playing one of many free games available for in-store play. Blue Highway also sells drinks and snacks, and every second Sunday of the month is Family Game Day. You can earn 20% off one kids game or puzzle if your family plays a game at the shop.

After an afternoon of gaming, run around at West Queen Anne Playfield, a short walk from Blue Highway. This 6-acre park, with a play structure and two sports fields, is next to the Queen Anne Community Center, a neighborhood hub that includes a pool, gym, pottery studio, teen room and preschool room. Family-focused activities abound here! The free toddler playroom is open during the center’s business hours, and Family Gym Day is 1–5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Walk, bus or drive down to Lower Queen Anne to discover the incomparable world of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). From its Sound Lab, where budding rock stars and audio designers can experiment with drums and soundboards, to an exhibit exploring the evolution of Barbie fashion and an immersive spacecraft that whizzes museumgoers through the history of science fiction, this can’t-miss destination will provide hours of fascinating fun for the whole family.

Eats and treats

Family-friendly options for food on Queen Anne are abundant. The Vietnamese cafe Queen CàPhê on Upper Queen Anne serves delicious pho, bánh mì and bubble tea. If parents are looking for a boost, I highly recommend the My Khe Beach, a specialty drink of Vietnamese coffee blended with condensed milk, coconut powder and cheese crema.

Also on Upper Queen Anne is Big Max Burger Co. Founded by Queen Anne parents Maximillian and Jennifer Petty, this gourmet-casual spot is a hit with kids and adults. All burgers are made with house-ground beef patties and come with the option to add bacon from local ranchers.

On Lower Queen Anne, McMenamins has a great kids menu featuring favorites such as its signature burger junior-sized on a Hawaiian sweet roll, and even a mini hummus plate. Also in the shadow of the Space Needle is the all-ages Dos Chamucos Taqueria. In addition to cheesy plates of nachos, tacos can be ordered one at a time for smaller eaters. And of course, there’s always Armory Food & Event Hall at Seattle Center, offering a vast selection of eats and treats from Cool Guys Fry Bar to Seattle Fudge.