Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is home to much of Seattle’s history and many of the city’s oldest parks and museums. Lakeview Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Seattle’s famous and infamous, including Bruce and Brandon Lee. Visitors from around the world come to pay homage to Bruce and Brandon.
Capitol Hill’s Broadway area is one of Seattle’s most eclectic and trendy area as well as the home of the grunge music movement.
Why Capitol Hill & What Makes It Special.
Lake View Cemetery
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1554 15th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 322-1582
Free
You might ask why we include a cemetery as an interesting and fun place to go… well, read on. A visit to Lake View Cemetery is like taking a walk through time. Located on Capitol Hill, Lake View Cemetery was founded in 1873 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery. Today, many of Seattle’s most famous, and infamous, are here. Stop by and pay your respects to Bruce and Brandon Lee, two of Lake View’s most visited graves.
You’ll find most of Seattle’s early movers and shakers here, the Dennys and most of the Denny Party, Henry Yesler, Doc Maynard, Lou Graham (one of Seattle’s most successful Madams), Princess Angeline (Chief Seattle’s daughter, the princess who spent much of her life as a washer-woman), Dutch Ned (who built his own mausoleum and hosted picnics and parties there before his death) and a bunch more.
You might want to purchase the pocket tour guide book, “The Pioneers of lake View” (We bought ours at “Elliott Bay Book Store”), to help you find your way around and it gives you a little history on the 60 to 70 memorable folks laid to rest here. All in all, it makes for an interesting and informative few hours. And best of all, it is free, well, there is the cost of the book. By the way, Robert L. Ferguson (the author of “The Pioneers of Lake View”), is buried next to Lou Graham. His tombstone reads, “The Tour Stops Here”.
Volunteer Park
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1400 E Galer St
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 684-4743
www.volunteerpark.com
Hours: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Free
Volunteer Park was acquired by the city of Seattle for $2,000 in 1876 and In 1885 designated a cemetery, but two years later named "Lake View Park." In 1901, it was renamed "Volunteer Park" to honor the volunteers who served in the Spanish-American War. The park includes a conservatory, completed in 1912; a water tower with an observation deck; a fenced-off reservoir; the Seattle Asian Art Museum (a designated city landmark[2]); a statue of William H. Seward; and a sculpture, Black Sun, by Isamu Noguchi, as well as several meadows and picnic tables. The wading pool is operational in the summer months and operated daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Located in Volunteer Park
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seattleasianartmuseum.org
1400 E Prospect Street
Seattle, WA 98112–3303
Phone: 206 654 3100
Free Parking
Free 1st Thursday and 1st Saturday of each month.
Free to Seniors 1st Friday each month
For those interested in the historical study of the development, over the centuries and down through the various dynasties, of bronze, stoneware, porcelain, ceramics, pottery and the like, a stroll through the Seattle Asian Art Museum is like a walk back through time. These items comprise only one of many wonderful Asian art exhibits available for your enjoyment. There are also world-renowned collections of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, East Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan art. There are approximately 23,000 art objects on display -- the Bearded-One was fascinated by the statue of the Monk at the Moment of Enlightenment. Café on Premise
Volunteer Park Conservatory
Located in Volunteer Park map
www.volunteerparkconservatory.org/
1400 E. Galer Street
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206 684 4743 or 206 322 4112
Admission: Free or Donations
The Victorian style 6,200 square foot glass-house was built in 1912 and is divided into five houses representing five distinct environments, from jungle to desert. Visit the Bromeliad House, the Palm House, the Fern House, the Cactus House, and the Seasonal Display House. Enjoy one of the largest public orchid collections in the country and an equally impressive extensive bromeliad collection. A favorite with visitors of all ages is the Cactus House.
Flying House Productions
The largest community chorus in North America
Box Office
319 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-5504
Phone: 206.388.1400
Official Website
Map
Flying House Productions is home to the Seattle Men’s Chorus, founded in 1979, with over 300 singing members; and Seattle Women’s Chorus with over 200 singers. Combined the Choruses are larger than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Each Chorus currently has a small ensemble of 9 members each (Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes) who further the mission of the organization by performing throughout the Pacific Northwest as ambassadors for the larger Choruses. Choral performances are full-scale productions that combine the region's leading professional talents with nationally-known guest artists.
As performances are held in many different locations, go to the website to check times and locations.
Frye Art Museum
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704 Terry Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone: 206 622-9250
www.fryeart.org/
Opening times vary please call ahead.
Admission: Free
Free Parking
Located on First Hill not far from downtown Seattle, the Frye is the home of the extensive art collection of Charles and Emma Frye, Seattle pioneers who began collecting art in the 1890s. The collection focuses on late-19th-century and early 20th century European and American painters Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, Albert Bierstadt, and Pablo Picasso, as well as a large collection of engravings by Winslow Homer. In addition temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year. Café on Premise
Seattle Museum of the Mysteries
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623 Broadway Ave E
Seattle, WA98102
Phone 206 328 6499
www.seattlechatclub.org
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10: a.m. - Noon Fri: Noon - 8:30 p.m. Sat: Noon – 10: p.m. (Lock-in 10: p. m. - midnight) Sun: 1: p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Because Seattle Museum of the Mysteries is volunteer based, we suggest you call before visiting. Most events are on weekends.
Admission: A small donation (check the web-site)
If you are into ghosts and things that go bump in the night… or the unexplained… Sasquatch, UFOs, and Crop Circles, then you must stop by the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries. It is a paranormal science museum with exhibits, an extensive library and a cultural center exploring the legends, lore, UFO history, Bigfoot and haunted locations of the Northwest. Seattle Museum of the Mysteries is also the home of the Capital Hill Ghost Tour, an easy walking tour of Seattle's most historically haunted locations, famous ghosts (their history), Lake View Cemetery the resting spot for Seattle's pioneers and the graves of Bruce & Brandon Lee and a review of Capitol Hill's prohibition history. Or, Take part in the popular Mystery Museum Lock In! (Play Poker with a Ghost). Or, Meet Chantelle, a Clairsentient who has an ability to communicate with those on the other side. Some people say Chantelle is Seattle's scariest lady. Check the web-site schedule for upcoming events and scheduled speakers, they are to numerous to list here.
Theater Schmeater
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1500 Summit Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
206 324-5801
www.schmeater.org/
Theater Schmeater came into being in 1992, its mission to produce great plays simply and foster a love of theater as an art form for future audiences. The Theater is in production year-round, presenting 5-6 mainstage shows and the Free Classic in the Park. (in 2007 over 1,000 people enjoyed the park show at no cost to them.) Theater Schmeater also produces a handful of special events, including their annual Wine Auction fundraiser and special Karaoke nights. The theaters policy has always been, and is now, that any person eighteen years or younger is admitted free to all performances. Load up the kids and spend an enjoyable evening at Theater Schmeater! Tickets are available for purchase on line and at the door, starting thirty minutes prior to show time on the day of the production. But don’t wait, they could be sold out.
Classic Theatre in the Park
Classic in the Park runs from July 12 - August 10, 2008 on Sat and Sun, at 5:00 p.m.
All shows in Volunteer Park are at the Amphitheater and are free.
Go to the website for more information.
Why Capitol Hill & What Makes It Special
The real estate developer who platted Capitol Hill is credited with naming the area. There is some speculation as to why he gave it this name. Some have said he gave it this name in hopes of enticing the Washington State government to move the state capitol from Olympia to Seattle. However, others have said, he named it after a neighborhood near and dear to his wife, who was from Denver, Colorado. You choose the story you like best, as no one really knows for sure.
Originally the Capitol Hill area was called Broadway Hill because the main thoroughfare was Broadway Avenue. Later, people referred to the area as Catholic Hill because of the large number of Roman Catholics living there at that time.
Capitol Hill is the center of gay life in Seattle and the city's counterculture, while also home to some of the city's grandest mansions and many attractions. Early money moved to Capitol Hill causing it to have its very own ‘Millionaires Row’.
Always an eclectic neighborhood, Capitol Hill has a reputation as the heart of trendy Seattle, and was most closely associated with the grunge music scene.
A stroll down Broadway reveals numerous retail stores and boutiques offering everything from African art to Hot Topic and there are many used and vintage clothing stores on Broadway, 
a few art galleries along East Pike and Pine Streets, and music stores specializing in hip-hop, dance and electronica, gothic and industrial, or rare used records.
Most of the Hill's major thoroughfares are dotted with coffeehouses, taverns and bars, many hosting live music. There are also numerous fringe theatres for the choosing.
ELECTIC THEATER COMPANY & ODD DUCK STUDIO
1214 10th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 375-8945
Eclectic Theater Company is a professional theatre company formed out of The Green Theatre Project at Cornish College of The Arts in 2000. In 2006, the company became the resident company at the Odd Duck Studio, where the company produces original, new, contemporary, and re-envisioned classics for the stage and screen. Future plans include producing more work by local playwrights, edgy classic productions, local, independent film, and unite the neighborhood in supporting local work. It's a chance to get up close and personal with the play and the actors.
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