Pike Place to the Space Needle Walking Tour

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Rising 605 feet high, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair and has been one of the leading landmarks of the Pacific Northwest and a symbol for the city of Seattle. The fair drew over 2.3 million visitors, and nearly 20,000 people used its elevators each day during the 1962 World's Fair to reach what was then the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. The fair was made possible by a 1957 bond that supported a new civic center and fairground development, while the federal government dedicated $9 million to build the U.S. Science Exhibit, which now serves as the Pacific Science Center. Marketing for the fair included space-age images of the needle and exhibits, along with a jingle that implored listeners to "Skidaddle to Seattle" for the fair. The tower was built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour and earthquakes of up to 9.1 magnitude and has 25 lightning rods. On May 19, 2007, the Space Needle welcomed its 45 millionth visitor. The guest received a free trip for two to Paris, along with a VIP dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Every year on New Year's Eve, the Space Needle celebrates with a fireworks show at midnight that is synchronized to music. In April of 2012, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the Space Needle was painted Galaxy Gold, the same color used when it was constructed for the 1962 World's Fair.

2. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition at the Seattle Center was established in 2012. Featuring the works of Washington State artist Dale Chihuly, the LEED-certified installation consists of a garden, central Glasshouse, and eight galleries next door to the Space Needle. The Chihuly Garden offers art education and events through partnerships with the Pratt Fine Arts Center, Pilchuck Glass School, ArtsFund, and Seattle Public Schools. Events include live music, yoga, tours, lectures, dinners, and theatrical performances [1].

3. Neototems Children's Garden

The Neototems Children's Garden is a maze of paths featuring whimsical sculptures of animals, which were created by the sculpture artist Gloria Bornstein. The animal sculptures include a whale's tail, an octopus, a seahorse, a family of blowfish, and a piglet with wings. Each sculpture appears nestled among decorative rocks and native plants in this designed landscape. There is also a plaque located at the site attributing the sculptures to Bornstein in 2002.

4. Pacific Science Center

Originally part of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the Pacific Science Center opened as the United States Science Pavilion, and is now a City of Seattle Landmark run by a private non-profit organization. Permanent exhibits range from toddler-age play areas to interactive exhibits on health and life sciences, Earth and environmental sciences, and physics and engineering. The museum also features special exhibits such as the Art of the Brick Lego exhibit and the International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes, as well as a wide array of programs and special events [1].

5. Chief Seattle Monument

Located at Tilikum Square, the bronze statue of Chief Seattle (the Suquamish man for whom the city is named) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Seattle artist James A. When in 1907 and unveiled on November 13, 1912 by Chief Seattle's great-great granddaughter, Myrtle Loughery [2; 3].

6. Belltown Station and Fire Bell No. 4 Historical Marker

Completed in 1921, the Seattle Fire Station No. 2 (Belltown Station) is the oldest operating fire station in the city. A fire station was established at this location during the late 1800s, prior to the 1907 annexation of Belltown by the city of Seattle. This station currently houses Engine Company No. 2 and Ladder Company No. 4, along with a medic unit and reserve medic unit. A historic fire bell from the station’s earliest days remains on display near the building’s entrance on Fourth Street. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the bell was sounded as a fire alarm, alerting the other stations nearby, as the firefighters rushed into action. The Belltown Station was listed as a Seattle Landmark in 1985, and a historical marker was placed on site by the Seattle Historical Society. A major renovation and expansion was completed in 2010.

7. The Crocodile Cafe

Originally located at 2200 2nd Avenue in 1991, the Crocodile Cafe has been an influential cultural site and club venue in Seattle. Under new management and operating as "The Croc" at the former site of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific lodge, the club continues to be at the forefront of Seattle's music scene. When the original Crocodile Cafe opened in 1991, it was the site of many performances by bands prior to mainstream success and even hosted surprise performances by Nirvana and other bands who wanted to return to their roots. The original club was one of the sites where Seattle's grunge scene was formed and one where performers often returned. The original club closed in 2007, but today, up-and-coming bands still perform at the Croc, a venue that has been located at a few different places in the city ever since new management re-established the iconic club in 2009. That club closed in 2020 owing to the global pandemic, and this location was selected for a 2021 reopening of this venue which offers several stages and even a small hotel.

8. Belltown Cottage Park

Built in 1916 by the Seattle developer William Hainsworth, the Belltown Cottages were originally a group of six Craftsman bungalows clustered around a shared courtyard. The cottages served as residences for fishermen, longshoremen, and other workers employed on Seattle's waterfront in the early 20th century. The homes were constructed after the Denny Regrade, which entailed leveling the Denny Hill area on the northern edge of the city between 1900 and 1910. Advertised as "modern living," each house was equipped with electricity and plumbing. Although half of the cottages were demolished in the 1960s, three still remain standing, and they were designated Seattle Landmarks in 2000. Until recently, the remaining cottages have each been used as accommodations for Richard Hugo House's Writers-in-Residence program. As of 2023, the City of Seattle is exploring options to maintain the Belltown Cottage Park as a historic site. The original courtyard, along with an adjacent vacant lot, is now a community garden known as the Belltown P-Patch.

9. Belltown Pan Historical Marker

From 1978 to 1982, the Belltown Cafe served the neighborhood as a "cultural hearth," preparing delicious homestyle food and contributing to civic projects, such as planting street trees along First Avenue and helping to establish the Belltown Co-op. The Cafe's Groundhog Day pie was locally famous, and it became part of an annual tradition in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. Because the Cafe sometimes swapped food for art, it also helped to foster the local arts culture, while supporting residents of the community who might not otherwise be able to pay. For Groundhog Day each February, the Cafe used a special bell-shaped silver baking pan to cook root vegetables for its pies. This unusual pan also doubled as a Cafe sign, which hung above the front door during the rest of the year. The bell-shaped pan was later repurposed as a historical marker and placed on the exterior of the building that housed the original Belltown Cafe, commemorating the history of a unique community gathering place.

10. Union Stables (1910)

Completed in 1910, Union Stables was commissioned by the Benjamin & Maddocks Livery Company to house and care for the three hundred horses that were part of the city’s early transportation and delivery industry. The decade after the building's completion saw rapid change as automobiles, considered a novelty by many when this building opened, went from gradually being used in place of horse-drawn street cars and wagons to replacing them in the 1920s. During that decade, the former stables building was converted into a furniture warehouse. The building later served as an automobile repair shop and parking garage. Almost a century later, the structure was fully renovated and given modern features that earned the LEED Gold certification in 2015. The property was designated a Seattle Landmark in 2005 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. The decorative terracotta horse at the top of the building's front facade remains as a reminder of the centrality of horses within Seattle and other cities until the 1920s.

11. Bell Street Pier Historical Marker (Pier 66)

This marker commemorates the history of Seattle's Bell Street Pier, while acknowledging the earlier presence of the Coast Salish native people who lived and fished in this area for millennia. Later renamed Pier 66, the Bell Street Pier opened in 1915 with a bay-front dock for large ocean-going vessels, as well as a wooden shed-style cold-storage warehouse for loading and unloading cargo. The Bell Street Pier also became the headquarters for the Port of Seattle, which was established in 1911, owning and operating the first public seaport in Washington State. A historical marker was placed at the site during National Maritime Week in May 1986 in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Port of Seattle. The marker was dedicated by the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Association and the National Propeller Club.

12. The Original Starbucks

In the center of the famous Pike Place Market sits the original Starbucks. The now ubiquitous coffee chain’s roots were formed in this downtown Seattle location in March of 1977. Today the shop remains a functioning retail location, open to the public. However the original vision and intention of the business is evident, along with a cultural status coffee lovers travel from all over the world to pay homage to.

13. Corner Market Building (1912)

Completed in 1912, the Corner Market Building is one of several buildings within Seattle's Pike Place Market and was designed by the architect Harlan Thomas. The market was established on the waterfront in 1907, and from its inception, it drew numerous customers seeking reasonable prices for fresh, local goods while directly connecting farmers with consumers. By the 1970s, however, the market struggled to compete with supermarkets in the suburbs accessible by automobile. The Corner Market Building was crumbling into disrepair until a group of community-minded preservationists fought to save it. In 1970, the Corner Market Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Pike Place Market Historic District, and in 1975, it was renovated and restored to its original appearance.

14. Rachel the Pig

The Pike Place Market is an iconic place in Seattle, Washington. The market would not be the same with one very important figure, Rachel the piggy bank. People from all over the world have taken pictures with Rachel as well as add their respective currencies to the bank. Rachel has a cousin named Billie (who is located on the west side of the market). Together they bring in around $20,000 annually and the money collected goes towards a foodbank, clinic, senior center, and preschool. Rachel has been through a lot in her 36 years of living in the market, she even withstanded a taxicab running in to her.

15. Pike Place Market Historical District

Established in 1907, Pike Place Market continues to serve as Seattle's public market. With over nine acres of fresh food, crafts, and entertainment, Pike's Place is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations. The market is located between 1st Ave and Western Ave and Pike St. and Virginia St. There is a parking garage at 1531 Western Ave.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Pike Place to the Space Needle Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on August 13th 2023, 12:25:17 am.

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Description

This short walk connects two of Seattle's most iconic landmarks with around a dozen stops along the way. The tour includes past and present Belltown landmarks, sharing stories of this unique neighborhood by exploring historical markers, public art, and historic buildings. The tour is easily reversible (just hit the reverse button within the tour), and the tour's midway point includes a stop at the original Starbucks to help fuel one's journey.

Entries on This Tour

Pike Place to the Space Needle Walking Tour

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