Located in the National Historic District and looking out onto Elliot Bay, this is Seattle’s oldest historic site in the heart of the city.
Pioneer Square is the historic district where Seattle’s origins lie. Once upon a time, it was on this spot that the first settlers established their camp here, before the city boomed when miners seeking to become wealthy came through during the Yukon Gold Rush. The square was also once known as “Skid Row”, as it was here that lumberjacks would famously skid logs right down Yesler Street to the wharf at the foot of the hill.
Nowadays, this area along the Elliott Bay waterfront is a fresh and thriving place, which has been well rejuvenated and modernised whilst still retaining its traditional look and feel. There are many cafes, bars and clubs here housed in 19th century Romanesque buildings, which are charmingly covered with ivy.
Standing in contrast to the nearby modern sports stadia Qwest Field and Safeco Field, the district once suffered bad press as a red-light district. Now, however, it has grown to be a popular and thriving place for all sorts of visitors. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the area with a local guide at the reins for a unique experience of the district.
Head to the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park to learn more about the city. Alternatively, to uncover the saloons and brothels that used to be found in these parts, take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. On a sunny day, the view from the top of Smith Tower towards Mount Rainier is captivating. Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, it now contains the only manually-operated lift on the West Coast.
At night, the bars and restaurants come alive, with parties going on until the morning. Some of the city’s oldest drinking establishments are here, as are the clubs where 90s grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains started out.
To the south of downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square can be reached easily by car, bus or taxi. Parking is available both in car parks and on the street.
