Queen Anne Boulevard

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HOURS

24 Hours

ABOUT THE PARK

Queen Anne Boulevard comprises many different streets as it curves and zigzags around the top of Queen Anne Hill, offering views in every direction. Although sidewalks come and go along the tree-lined streets, the boulevard is used by many pedestrians---runners, people pushing baby strollers, dog walkers---as well as by drivers and by a large population of Eastern gray squirrels. The boulevard also offers some of Seattle's most interesting houses and gardens, and many possibilities for urban exploration: numerous alleyways, little side streets, "hidden" stairways, and dead end streets with views.

HISTORY

"Enjoying success in their quest for thoroughfares, in 1906 the Queen Anne committee appeared before the Seattle Parks Board proposing the development of a scenic route at the top of the hill to be called Queen Anne Boulevard….

"The Seattle Parks Board opposed the idea of the boulevard, since it was not a part of the new Olmsted Plan for Seattle's boulevard and parkway system. The proposed route followed ordinary city streets, which did not meet the 150 foot minimum width called for by the Olmsted Plan to provide space for tree plantings and other amenities. The Parks Board finally agreed to the plan with the provision that the community pay some of the costs of development of the scenic route.

"Constructed between 1911 and 1916, the boulevard was the only route by which commercial vehicles could reach certain sections of Queen Anne Hill. Queen Anne residents were happy with the boulevard for a time, but by the 1930s the complaints began pouring in and have not stopped since…."

Excerpted from Queen Anne: Community on the Hill, published by Queen Anne Historical Society, 1993.

DIRECTIONS

BY BUS

The #1, #2, and #13all intersect Queen Anne Boulevard at various points.

Bus Routes brought to you by King County Metro Transit

BY CAR

I-5 Southbound

• Take EXIT 167 toward AQUARIUM/SEATTLE CENTER (0.5 mile)
• Turn RIGHT onto FAIRVIEW AVE. N (<0.1 mile)
• Turn LEFT onto VALLEY ST. (0.2 mile)
• VALLEY ST. becomes BROAD ST. (0.4 mile)
• Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto HARRISON ST. (<0.1 mile)
• Turn RIGHT onto 5TH AVE. N (0.4 mile)
• Turn LEFT onto PROSPECT ST. (0.2 mile)
• End at Bigelow Ave. N and Prospect St.

I-5 Northbound

• Take EXIT 167 on the LEFT toward AQUARIUM/SEATTLE CENTER (0.6 mile)
• Turn RIGHT onto FAIRVIEW AVE. N (<0.1 mile)
• Turn LEFT onto VALLEY ST. (0.2 mile)
• VALLEY ST. becomes BROAD ST. (0.4 mile)
• Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto HARRISON ST. (<0.1 mile)
• Turn RIGHT onto 5TH AVE. N (0.4 mile)
• Turn LEFT onto PROSPECT ST. (0.2 mile)
• End at Bigelow Ave. N and Prospect St.