06.30.2023

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Today’s Forecast

Meet me at the Space Needle

Seattle’s most iconic landmarks

A view of the Seattle skyline on a cloudy day with the Space Needle in the foreground displaying its Astronaut White paint at the top

Remember this Space Needle look? It’s coming back. | Photo by Josh Fields via Pexels

We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 12 of the most recognizable Seattle landmarks — from towers of power to pink pachyderms. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.

Space Needle
Address: 400 Broad St.
Nearby: The Pacific Science Center, MoPOP, the Monorail (all landmarks in their own rights)

What is perhaps the most famous Seattle landmark is now over 60 years old and got a new paint job, going from Galaxy Gold back to Astronaut White. Fun fact: there have been six parachute jumps from the Needle — two unauthorized.

The Fremont Troll in Seattle, WA under the SR-99 highway — The Fremont Troll remains one of the quirkier landmarks in the city.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff

Fremont Troll
Address: N. 36th St. + Troll Avenue N.
Nearby: Troll’s Knolls Park, the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library, Schilling Cider

Embodying the creative spirit of the surrounding neighborhood, the troll sculpture was created in 1990 after four local artists won a design competition to spruce up the freeway underpass. The base is actually an old Volkswagen encased in concrete.

Smith Tower
Address: 506 Second Ave.
Nearby: City Hall Park, Pioneer Square Light Rail Station, Tat’s Delicatessen

Though it’s dwarfed by other buildings in the Seattle skyline now, the 1914 office tower was once the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River. It now hosts a variety of events and has a cocktail bar at the top.

The front of Pike Place Market on a clear, sunny day. — Be sure to read those signs carefully, no matter where you park.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff

Pike Place Market Sign + Clock
Address: 86 Pike Pl.
Nearby: Pike Place Fish Market, the “Original” Starbucks, Three Girls Bakery

The more-than-a-century-old farmers market is timeless, and the neon clock installed in 1927 helps preserve those vibes — particularly after the entire sign recently got a restoration. It also makes for an easy rendezvous if you need to meet someone among the throngs.

8 more landmarks

Asked

Which is your favorite Seattle landmark?

A. The Space Needle
B. Fremont Troll
C. Smith Tower
D. Pike Place Market sign

Let us know

Events

Friday, June 30

BreakBook Tour Seattle | Friday, June 30 | 6-4 p.m. | The Beacon, 812 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle | $30 | Looking to pop ‘n’ lock like a pro? World-renowned breakdancer Wicket heads hosts an open session workshop while spinning tunes, too.
A Funny Finish: Mike Coletta | Friday, June 30 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Warr-King Wines, 19501 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville | $25 | Sip on a glass of wine or two as this Seattle-based comedian brings the belly laughs.

Saturday, July 1

Skyway Art in the Park | Saturday, July 1 | 12-3 p.m. | Skyway Park, 12098 71st Ave. S., Seattle | Free | Families can let the creative juices flow in this outdoor event with a variety of supplies on hand and local artists around for guidance.
OL Reign vs. Racing Louisville FC | Saturday, July 1 | 12:30 p.m. | Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle | $15-$175 | Enjoy the OL Reign’s last home game before Megan Rapinoe and other stars jet off to compete in the Women’s World Cup.

Sunday, July 2

Small Dog Meetup | Sunday, July 2 | 9-10 a.m. | Dog Yard Bar, 1546 NW Leary Way, Seattle | $16 | Yippee-ki-yay — any dog under 30 pounds can join the party, whether they’re pure bred or a mix.
SAM Gallery Presents: Upswing | Sunday, July 2 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., Seattle | Free with admission | This group show highlights new works from artists Carolyn Cole and Ryan Molenkamp, who will be on hand at the opening reception 2-4 p.m.

Monday, July 3

Low Tide Beach Explorations | Monday, July 3 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fort Ward Park, 2241 Pleasant Beach Dr. NE, Bainbridge Island | Donations suggested | IslandWood educators and certified naturalists help you search for sea stars, urchins, marine worms, and other intertidal zone critters.
Seattle Chamber Music Society Summer Festival | Monday, July 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle | $25-$60 | Enjoy the soothing sounds of works from legendary composers Dohnányi, Bartók, and Ravel.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Cause

The City of Seattle is awarding $545,000 in grants to 18 local nonprofits that support digital literacy and expand technology access. Among the organizations benefiting from the Technology Matching Fund are Friends of Little Saigon and the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. (GeekWire)

Transit

Just floating this out there — Washington state transportation officials said ferry delays are likely over the Fourth of July weekend due to the volume of travelers and recent staffing shortages. You can sign up for rider alerts in order to stay on top of any schedule changes. (Seattle Times)

Arts

Whoa, we’re getting serious 80s flashbacks right now. Local artist Yelahneb has repurposed old floppy disks (remember those?) for a Capitol Hill street art project. Colorful retro mosaics using the disks are placed on the outside of the old QFC building at 416 15th Ave. E., scheduled to be demolished soon. (Capitol Hill Blog)

Traffic

One block near Pike Place will be part of a pedestrian pilot program that tests to see how areas functions as no car zones. Pike Street between First and Second Avenues — currently under construction as a “shared street” — will remain closed to vehicles after work is done. (The Urbanist)

Open

New coffee and pastry shop Panterelli is now open in West Seattle. The spot at 4210 SW Alaska St. bills itself as the first patisserie in the US dedicated exclusively to choux creations like cream puffs. It’s open Wednesdays-Sundays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (West Seattle Blog)

Sports

The Seattle Kraken were busy getting young talent during the NHL Draft over the past two days. With their top pick at No. 20 overall, the team selected 18-year-old forward Eduard Sale from Czechia, then had nine more picks.

Stat

Duuuude — looks like there’s a bit of a gender gap in King County among younger adults. In 2022, there were ~35,000 more men than women in the 25-to-39 age group, according to recently released Census data. That’s the third-highest disparity in the US.

Trending

Who wants to star in a real-life romcom? The Space Needle is teaming up with the Empire State Building on a sweepstakes to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Sleepless in Seattle.” The winner will get a two-person, six-night trip in Seattle and New York City.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Biz

Chewing over the big Theo news

Theo Chocolate announces factory closure and other big changes

Theo Chocolate often posts recipes online. | Photo via Theo Chocolate and brownies from @themindfulhapa on Instagram

This is bitter news for local sweets lovers. Beloved Seattle brand Theo Chocolate announced this week that it will merge with the larger American Licorice Company later this year and close its Fremont factory in the fall.

Theo’s flagship shop and confection kitchen at 3400 Phinney Ave. will remain open, however. Plus, you’ll still be able to find the candymaker’s delicious candy bars throughout the city. Whew.

Still, this is a big change for the company founded in 2005, which built a solid rep for its fair-trade sweets in a variety of creative flavors. About 60 members of its team will be let go during the restructuring process as the Seattle manufacturing operation ends.

The factory tours will shut down on Wednesday, Aug. 30 — so if you haven’t gone on one of them already, we highly recommend you do so ASAP.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

I’m really sad that Theo is closing down its factory — those tours are always fantastic (seriously, Willy Wonka would be impressed). But Seattle’s lucky enough to have many great chocolatiers, so not all is lost.

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