The late 1800s Romanesque Revival buildings of Pioneer Square are now home to trendy bars and art galleries. A fun underground tour takes tourists into the past of Pioneer Square, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park offers a look at the history of the city. Office workers can unwind in the Waterfall Garden Park or take their lunch break at Occidental Square, which features bocce courts and bistro tables.
Occidental Square
Occidental Square is a small public park located in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle. It is also known as Occidental Park and Occidental Mall. The park covers about 0.6 acres and is a popular destination for people looking for a place to relax and exercise. The park features playground equipment and a variety of plants.
The park has undergone several transformations over its 160-year history, and the newest addition to its revitalization is a new multi-use public pavilion. The pavilion’s design, by Olson Kundig Architects, features a glass canopy 30 feet by 90 feet, and slender steel columns. The height of the canopy is meant to minimize its visual impact on the park, and it is scaled to reflect the surrounding historic brick buildings. A covered space is welcome, especially in rainy Seattle.
Besides being a place to relax and have a good meal, Occidental Square has many places for entertainment, including a Jenga set and play tunnels. The area also hosts regular live music and food trucks. Unfortunately, the area has lost many of its historic buildings, but there are still plenty of things to do.
There are many ways to spend a night on the city’s streets, and Pioneer Square is no exception. While it’s home to many trendy restaurants, it’s also a cultural center. For example, the Pioneer Square Community Association hosts free concerts every Tuesday at noon. This place offers a lively nightlife, and it is an excellent place to spend a night on the town.
The Occidental Hotel #1 opened its doors in 1865. Its location, near the intersection of Front Street, James Street, and Mill Street, was the center of commercial life in 19th century Seattle. Several different authors have claimed the exact date of the opening.
Smith Tower
If you’re looking for a place to stay near downtown Seattle, Smith Tower is a good choice. It’s an iconic 1914 office tower with a 35th-floor observatory and speakeasy cocktail bar. It also offers views of the city, including the Space Needle. This hotel is also a popular destination for weddings and other events.
The building was built at a time when Seattle’s business district was moving north. It was designed to anchor the lower part of Second Avenue and stabilize the value of Smiths’ Pioneer Square properties. The Smiths had spent little time in the Pacific Northwest before deciding to build the tower, but they were reluctant to do so.
The Smith Tower has an observatory and an open-air viewing deck. It is also home to the renowned Wishing Chair. Located on the observation deck, it offers sweeping views of Seattle. The tower opened to the public on July 4, 1914 and over 4,000 Seattleites rode the elevator to the 35th floor. The observatory deck also features a prohibition-style restaurant and speakeasy bar. Smith Tower also hosts private events.
While the Smith Tower is no longer the tallest building in the city, it is still a spectacular landmark in Pioneer Square Seattle. It once stood as the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The observation deck, on the 35th floor, is not as high as the Space Needle, but offers panoramic views of Pioneer Square, Safeco Field, and the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.
The Smith Tower is a historic building that offers a great view of the city. It costs around fourteen dollars to enter, and you can enjoy the views from its rooftop. Tickets are available during certain hours of the day, and are recommended for groups of two or more people.
Klondike Gold Rush Museum
Visit the Klondike Gold Rush Museum in Pioneer Square to learn about Seattle’s involvement in the gold rush of the 1890s. The museum also traces the local history of the area. The museum is free. While it is not particularly large, it covers a lot of information about the city’s history and its connection to the Klondike gold rush.
The museum is operated by the National Park Service and has two levels of exhibits. It also has a theater where visitors can watch a documentary about the city’s significance in the Klondike gold rush. There is also an elevator and restrooms located in the back. You can also fill your water bottle for free.
The Seattle Klondike Gold Rush Museum is located in the historic Cadillac Hotel building in Pioneer Square. The museum features hands-on exhibits and educational displays about life during the gold rush in the late 19th century. It was built in 1889 and has Victorian architecture. The museum is open on Fri-Sun from 10am to 5pm.
The gold rush changed Seattle’s history. Many of the miners who returned to Seattle invested their fortunes in local businesses. John Nordstrom, for example, invested $13,000 of his gold in a shoe store. He had met a cobbler while exploring the goldfields and later went on to build the Nordstrom department store chain. The gold rush also brought a wealth of opportunity for outfitters. Aside from Nordstrom’s, Bon Marche also grew into a major department store.
The Klondike Gold Rush Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the many people who found wealth in the Klondike. The museum has exhibits that highlight the personal stories of each gold seeker. One exhibit features Henry Daum, who made his fortune growing cabbages on the Yukon River and then trekked up the steep Chilcoot Pass. The museum also displays the work and sacrifice of the thousands of gold seekers who cut down trees and hauled their supplies.
Merchants Cafe
Merchants Cafe has a storied past. The building was damaged by the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. It was rebuilt three years later. The interior has been converted into an underground lounge and is still rumored to be haunted. Locals say it is the oldest bar in the city.
The ghost stories begin in the downstairs restrooms, where visitors report seeing an apparition of a woman. They also describe doors opening and closing and hearing a whisper. Several stories of ghostly encounters are reported by Merchants employees. In one account, a woman was sexually harassed by a male ghostly predator. Other stories report seeing ghostly children and shadowy figures playing games. The Merchants is located near Pioneer Square Seattle.
In 1890, Merchants Cafe was Seattle’s oldest restaurant. It was renovated in 2011, and today serves a variety of drinks. The menu features locally sourced food and drinks. The historic building was once a brothel that employed prostitutes as seamstresses. Despite its storied past, the Merchants Cafe has survived many changes and is still a vibrant and popular neighborhood hangout.
Flatstick Pub
Craft beer is the lifeblood of Flatstick Pub, and the beer selection here is second to none. This local pub focuses on beer made by independent Washington breweries. There isn’t a single corporate beer on the menu. If you are in the area, you should definitely stop by Flatstick Pub.
The pub is a historic building that was renovated to create a welcoming environment. It connects the Furuya and Corgiat buildings and is 120 years old. The building was completely redone in 2006, and Flatstick opened its doors in 2016. The space is comfortable and fun for everyone, and it feels just like your friend’s basement.
Flatstick Pub also has an indoor miniature golf course for people to play. It’s an unusual way to entertain yourself while sipping a beer. They also feature 36 rotating taps of beer made in Washington. You can even have a dog play with you, too. If you’re bringing your dog, you can get $1 off a pint on Sunday.
Flatstick Pub is a great place to grab a drink. In addition to a large drink menu, it has fun mini golf that kids will love. There are also games for adults, including a game of bowling. For a more laid back evening, you can also check out the Garage, the ultimate party venue in Capitol Hill. The Garage also features bowling and billiards, as well as an impressive selection of bar snacks.
