The site of 1962’s Century 21 Exposition, tagged
“America’s Space Age World’s Fair,” Seattle Center has survived decades
of massive growth all around it. The main attraction is still the Space
Needle, revealing the futuristic vision of 1960’s Seattle. Today, a
close second is the ultra-modern and controversial Experience Music
Project, Paul Allen’s monument to rock music. For the city’s residents,
the Center is synonymous with lavish presentations of art, theater,
dance, and music all year long.
Seattle Center
Space Needle
McCaw Hall listings
EMP
Monorail
KeyArena
Pacific Science Center
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200 2nd Ave N
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206 443 2001
Seattle Children’s Theatre
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201 Thomas St
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206 441 3322
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Century 21’s designers
demonstrated their vision of the future in 1962, only 50 years after
Seattle’s first World’s Fair, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition.
Modernity ruled, from the science-fictionesque Needle and Monorail to
the Sputnik-like Center Fountain. Nearly 10 million visitors came to
marvel at this ideal future. Even Elvis Presley made an appearance,
filming It Happened at the World’s Fair, (1963). Today, it is considered strictly retro, if not kitsch.
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While the Center
House contains many restaurants, walk along Queen Anne Ave for a wider
selection, including Thai restaurants. For baked goods and espresso, try
525 Queen Anne Ave N
(206 285 3757)
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Seattle Center used to be a favorite potlatch site for coastal Native Americans until the late 19th century.
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Head to the International Fountain to watch the jets of water pulsing to music and to see kids of all ages getting wet!
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Top 10 Sights
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Space Needle
This imposing structure
is recognized as the city’s architectural icon. Ride the vintage
external elevators to the observation deck for a majestic view, or
reserve a table at the revolving Space City restaurant for 360-degree
panoramic views while dining.
Space Needle, Seattle’s official landmark
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Opera House
The luxurious Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is home to the Seattle Opera. The site also contains Café Impromptu and the Boeing plaza.
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Experience Music Project (EMP)
Paul
Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and avid rock aficionado, commissioned
distinguished modern architect Frank Gehry to design this technicolor
performance venue . It also houses the new Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.
Experience Music Project
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Center House
This large building houses the wonderful Seattle Children’s Museum as well as an intimate theater. It also contains restaurants, cafés, and shops.
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Bagley Wright Theatre
The
anchor for the Seattle Repertory Group, the theater rose in 1963 to
become a Tony Award-winning playhouse. It is the largest of the three
stages the Rep operates for their performances.
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Monorail
Planners of the 1962 World’s Fair imagined the future of mass transportation might resemble this train. The Monorail
has been out of service since a train collision in 2005 and is due to
reopen in mid-2007. Plans to extend the route were shelved following a
public vote.
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KeyArena
The largest indoor venue in Seattle Center, with events ranging from heavy metal concerts to pro basketball games.
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Bumbershoot
Seattleites mark their calendars for the long Labor Day holiday weekend in September, when Bumbershoot
brings artists and imaginative literary arts programs, musicians,
independent films, ethnic food, and many surprises to Seattle Center for
the region’s largest festival of its kind
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Pacific Science Center
You’ll
find exhibits on topics such as electronic music making, robotics,
hydraulics, and natural history. There’s also a toddler area and two
IMAX theaters.
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Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT)
An
award-winning organization that entertains 260,000 patrons each year.
The Charlotte Martin Theater and the Eve Alford Theater are recognized
for innovative family-oriented programs.