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    Pioneer Square

    3.3 (102 reviews)

    Pioneer Square Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Pioneer Square

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    Chris W.

    This neighborhood feels like stepping into a different time--cobblestone streets, elegant brick buildings, and a mix of Romanesque Revival and early 20th-century design that gives it a unique, old-world vibe you won't find elsewhere in the city. One of my favorite moments in Seattle was just strolling around these streets and admiring the architecture. There are also beautiful old façades that now house art galleries, cafés, and cool independent shops, blending the historic with the modern in a way that just works. Don't miss the Underground Tour--it gives you a fascinating look at the original street level of the city and how it all evolved after the Great Fire. It really made me appreciate the resilience and creativity of Seattle's early days.

    Pioneer Square Pergola
    Travis T.

    If you love Seattle and want to get to know more about its history, this is the place to hang out at. I have gotten to know this area well from doing the Underground Tour on many occasions. Pioneer Square was built in 1853, but was mostly destroyed by the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. It was rebuilt not too long later and is a popular destination for tourists today. A couple of historic things to check out in Pioneer Square include the Iron Victorian Pergola and a Tlingit Totem Pole. The Merchants Cafe is Seattle's oldest restaurant. You can see the "Sinking Ship" garage and the pencil-shaped Smith Tower from the plaza area. Pioneer Building is a cool old building that is one of over fifty buildings that were rebuilt in Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style after the fire. Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is located in Pioneer Square and is a popular tour that tells the story of the early days of Seattle. This was always a favorite thing for my Dad and I to do when he lived here. In addition to the Underground Tour, my favorite things about Pioneer Square are the cafes, bookstores and art galleries. Pioneer Park is the heart of Pioneer Square and a great place to hang out, play games and relax. Check out First Thursday Art Walk when all of the nearby art galleries open up for people to enjoy. My only knock is that a lot of homeless people camp out in the park.

    Ultima M.

    Nice open park with family friendly games to take part in There are tables and chairs for sitting Lots of store fronts and restaurants near Underground city tour is available Lots of history There are some sketchy parts and or vagrants laying around so be alert

    Magda G.

    We did it for the stroll. There are totem polls and a small park in the area. There is a firefighter sculpture as a photo op. Most spots were closed so not much to look at. There were a few sus people around.

    Totem
    Les R.

    We hung out in Pioneer Square before our Bill Speidel's Underground tour and again after lunch. Check out the park with the Totem Pole and Chief Seattle bust. There are some shopping options around the square and places to get some food. Pioneer Square lays claim to be Seattle's first neighborhood. It's really cool to learn of the history of the area and how the street and store fronts were originally one floor below. You can still check out some of the underground city and walk underneath Pioneer Square in some areas.

    Mei T.

    This is a nice park with jumbo sized games such as Chess and Connect 4 that were available for the public to use free of charge. There were lots of trees for shading and tables/chairs for sitting. It was clean and well kept.

    Signs near the square. 9/20/2021
    Rachel S.

    Do not come here, especially with children. As of 9/20/2021, the entire place is now a very unsafe homeless camp. It is completely unusable for the general public. Homeless people who are on drugs are so numerous, that they line the streets because the entire square is filled with tents. Do NOT go there.

    Decorated protective boards on a business - By Wakuda Studio
    Eva M.

    I really want to love Pioneer Square. Beautiful, old-style architecture, unique shops, used to be filled with galleries, used to be filled with restaurants and bars, etc. Then the drugs and the houseless gathered here, then it was all downhill with crime, violence, threats against the businesses and patrons. And then the pandemic and protests made things even worse, as if that was possible. When we visited back in April, the Seattle mayor had swept through these streets removing, I'll just say, "a lot of things." It was daylight at about 7pm on a Sunday, it felt safe enough, but it also had an eerie vibe. The city blocks felt void of life and sound, minus a bar or two that had outside seating. Many businesses had permanently closed. The store fronts are covered with the decorated boards that protected the businesses since 2020. In many cases, those businesses never returned. We wandered, taking photos of the art, sculptures, and the decorated boards. We visited businesses that were still open, such as Arundel Books. I think realistically, Pioneer Square is 2 Stars during the evening time. If you're there during the day time and enjoying the art and architecture, then it's 3+ Stars.

    Signs
    Andrea U.

    Beautiful brownstones, art galleries, coffee shops and trendy bars fill Pioneer Square's late-1800s Romanesque Revival buildings. Underground tours explore subterranean streets, and learn about Seattle's roots at the Klondike Gold Rush National Park. There are supposed to be Food Trucks in Occidental Square, but it looked pretty quiet.

    Seattle's Pioneer Square
    Bruce K.

    This is classic "Old Seattle" that dates back to the earlier days of development here. From the age of the buildings and streets, it's clear that this area was intensively rebuilt after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Brick and stone buildings for blocks surround the square. Smith Tower is nearby and you can't miss the tall totem pole in the square. Art galleries, cafes, sports bars and more are here. Other than a few homeless (who generally stay uphill at the City Hall Park), it's a cool hangout.

    Old arcade
    Desmond F.

    I had never visited this area of Seattle before but SO's family had organized a family photo shoot and they picked this place. For a weekday and coming off the tail of COVID restrictions it was pretty desolate. The only other people were other people doing photo shoots and the occasional *ahem* domicile challenged individual. There are art pieces, a jungle gym in a setting with historic buildings and trees that allow dappled light. I can see why people choose it for a backdrop for photoshoots the other photo group happened to be an engagement shoot and they were getting some good shots as well. I can imagine this place bustling after a game or during a weekend drinking night so the place does seem a bit rough if you're looking at it purely objectively....we did notice some "leavings" from the aforementioned bums or dogs...or both. Still, the pictures looked nice so mission accomplished there!

    Totem Pole in Pioneer Square
    Michael S.

    By day, Pioneer Square is a rain-soaked "playground" for tourists and underground tours. At night, it's a homeless haven where the word "skid row" actually originated. Much like Rudy Giuliani, this area gets old and scary quick. Little-known fact: The square is actually a triangle ... because the small plaza near 1st Ave and Yesler Way only has three sides. Of course, this is the section of town hyped as the main location that settlers settled in Seattle back in 1852. Nowadays, you'll settle for a discount hotel in Pioneer Square within walking distance of the Waterfront, Centurylink Field, Safeco Field, or even Pike Place Market. My wife and I have done the tours, gone to concerts and sporting events, eaten at many of the area restaurants, and stayed in hotels around Pioneer Square several times. At night, stick with Uber for transportation, otherwise, Pioneer Square is an ok part of town convenient to several better parts of Seattle.

    Wall of the underground.

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    Review Highlights - Pioneer Square

    They also have the outdoor market on saturdays with local artist selling their goods and mobile food vendors such as Skillet, Ram & Rooster Dumplings and Parfait Organic Ice Cream.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Fremont Troll

    Fremont Troll

    4.3
    (837 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    A fun experience, a bit off the beaten path in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle…read more We ventured from downtown to check out the troll. Very easy access via a city bus route. After a short stroll down a well-designed dirt path, we found the giant troll. The troll is great for photos and has a sign that describes the history of the troll. My kids enjoyed climbing around the area, too. Facing the opposite direction from the troll is a very cool bridge that creates some awesome cathedral-like architecture. There is lots to do in Fremont, and even though the troll is kind of a one-and-done deal, it's worth checking out simply to explore the rest of the neighborhood and awesome surrounding businesses. Enjoy your troll hunt!

    A visit to the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a fun and quirky Seattle stop. Sculpted in…read more1990 by four artists after a competition launched by the Fremont Arts Council to help combat the garbage and clutter that had been collecting under bridges, the troll has become one of the city's most iconic public art pieces. It's a great destination to bring out-of-town visitors--like me--to check out another troll! As a fan of the whimsical trolls created by Thomas Dambo, this was a must-see. Street parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop while exploring the neighborhood. I'd personally recommend not climbing on the troll due to safety concerns, although many people were doing so when we visited. Either way, it's a unique photo opportunity and a classic Seattle experience.

    Photos
    Underneath... by a turnaround...
    Underneath... by a turnaround...
    Fremont Troll
    Fremont Troll

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    Sky View Observatory

    Sky View Observatory

    4.5
    (560 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    My visit to the Columbia Tower Observatory on the 73rd floor was nothing short of amazing. The…read moreviews are absolutely breathtaking--truly one of those experiences where you find yourself stopping just to take it all in. Seeing Seattle from that height gives you a completely new appreciation for the city and its surroundings. What made the visit even more enjoyable was the staff. Every employee I encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and genuinely pleasant. Their warmth made the experience feel even more special, and it was clear they take pride in creating a positive atmosphere for visitors. One observation I did have relates to the elevator experience. It has been two years since my last visit, and unfortunately, the elevator's video system is still not functioning. I remember when the observatory first opened, and the video played during the ride up--it added an engaging and memorable element to the experience. Without it, the ride feels noticeably less enjoyable. Interestingly, others seemed to feel the same way. I mentioned how long the video system has been out of service while riding up, and a couple riding up with us--visiting from Australia--commented that it would have been nice to have something to watch during the ascent. As an alternative, it might be a wonderful opportunity for the elevator operator to share a few interesting facts during the ride up. A brief, engaging introduction--highlighting that this is the tallest building in Seattle, along with a bit of history about its construction and facts about its tenants--could really enhance the experience and help pass the time in a meaningful way. Additionally, with all three video screens currently not working and visibly cracked, addressing this issue would make a noticeable difference. Either repairing or replacing the screens--or even temporarily covering them--would create a much more polished and welcoming feel for visitors and help elevate the overall experience. You can't beat the view though!

    If you're deciding between the Sky View Observatory and the Space Needle, I'd strongly consider Sky…read moreView. The experience felt much more laid back, with fewer crowds and plenty of space to take in the views. It is also technically taller than the Space Needle. The observatory floor goes all the way around and has lots of helpful information and displays explaining what you're looking at, which made the experience more engaging than simply taking photos from an observation deck. There's also a café w/ bar upstairs, making it easy to relax and spend some time enjoying the scenery. One of the biggest advantages is that you get incredible panoramic views of Seattle including the Space Needle itself, which makes for some great photo opportunities. We got lucky and it was a beautiful afternoon and were able to watch the sunset from there. Between the views, the atmosphere, and the overall value, this ended up being one of my favorite stops in Seattle.

    Photos
    Ticket area, but can also purchase online
    Ticket area, but can also purchase online
    Vita-Tini
    Vita-Tini
    A Roy rogers

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    A Roy rogers
    Space Needle

    Space Needle

    4.0
    (3.6k reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I had a great time at the Space Needle, but for me, that was an event that I had to see once. It is…read moreindeed iconic, but the tickets are incredibly costly for what they're worth. After we arrived, we were put in line to go up to the top for more than an hour. The entire place has very tight quarters and was absolutely jam-packed with people. Actually, it was quite difficult to enjoy the view when there were lots of unsupervised children running around both overlook decks. If you do, I highly recommend booking one of the earlier or later times of the day to avoid the hordes. That said, the top view is quite lovely and it's cool to have two viewing platforms. Overall, I'm happy that I did, but I will never again return.

    The Space Needle has been the defining symbol of Seattle since it was built for the 1962 World's…read moreFair, and at 605 feet it still commands the skyline in a way that newer construction in the city has not displaced. I rode the glass sided elevator up, and it moved quickly, giving me a preview of the view before I reached the observation deck, which is worth being prepared for if heights give you pause. The observation deck itself has been substantially renovated, and the result is one of the more engaging viewing platforms of any major landmark in the country. I stood on the glass floor section, included with standard admission, and that element gets the most attention for good reason. Standing on clear glass with the city visible directly beneath my feet produced a vertigo that is different from simply looking over a railing. The rotating floor moves slowly and continuously, giving me a full 360 degree view of Seattle over the course of my visit without requiring me to move around the deck. On a clear day the view extends to Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and Elliott Bay, and the surrounding landscape puts the city in a geographic context that is genuinely striking. Sunset is the most popular time to visit, and the views in that window justify the demand. Buying tickets online in advance and reserving a time slot is effectively necessary during busy periods, and the time slot covers your place in line rather than your exact arrival at the top, so building in some flexibility is sensible. Lines can be long, particularly on weekends, but the operation moved efficiently once I was through the entry process. For an iconic Seattle experience that delivers on its reputation, the Space Needle is worth the trip.

    Photos
    Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle
    Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle
    Inside the observation deck
    Inside the observation deck
    The digital pics prior to going up top

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    The digital pics prior to going up top

    Pioneer Square - parks - Updated June 2026

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