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👁 Eye Benches I, II & III
By Louise Bourgeois | 1996–1997 | Granite At the gateway to the park, something’s watching — but it’s also inviting. Louise Bourgeois’ Eye Benches are surreal and playful: giant, carved granite eyes that double as benches. Look closely and you’ll notice the iris and pupil are highly polished, contrasting with the rougher granite lids. Sit down, and…
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🌊 Wake
By Richard Serra | 2004 | Weathering steel Step inside a sculpture that moves without moving. Richard Serra’s Wake isn’t just something you look at — it’s something you feel. Five massive steel “waves” soar 13 feet high, bending and folding through space like liquid metal caught in a moment. Crafted from weathering steel (the kind that rusts beautifully),…
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🪑Mary’s Invitation – A Place to Regard Beauty
By Ginny Ruffner | 2014 | Powder-coated aluminum As you approach this sculptural bench, you’re not just looking at a seat — you’re answering Mary’s Invitation. Designed by renowned artist Ginny Ruffner, this graceful, looping form invites visitors to pause, sit, and reflect. It’s a memorial to Mary Shirley, a passionate art patron and one of the founding supporters…
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🦅 The Eagle
By Alexander Calder | 1971 | Painted steel Bold. Red. Unmissable. Calder’s Eagle stands tall at over 39 feet, its steel wings flaring against the Seattle sky. It’s one of the Olympic Sculpture Park’s most photographed landmarks — a symbol of strength, movement, and the park’s connection to air, land, and sea. From different angles, it morphs: one…
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DuPen Fountain of Creation
The Fountain of Creation, designed by Everett Dupen for the 1962 World’s Fair, is a bronze and stone water garden showcasing three organic forms: the Evolution of Man (also called the Tree of Life), the Flight of Gulls, and Seaweed. These sculptures represent the evolution of life and emphasize water’s vital role in that process. The…
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UpGarden on Mercer St. Garage
There’s a surprise waiting for you on the rooftop of the Mercer St. Garage at Seattle Center. You’ll find yourself in a green oasis amidst the bustling Uptown neighborhood. A vintage Airstream trailer serves as a tool shed, and an iridescent purple 1963 Ford Galaxie is filled with plants in place of the seats. Vacant…
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The Edgewater Hotel
Seattle’s only over-water hotel is rich in rock ’n’ roll history. They even offer complimentary guitars, sheet music, and record players to experience the music vibe at The Edge.It is known as the location where one of Kurt Cobain’s final interviews was filmed by the Canadian TV channel MuchMusic on a balcony in August 1993.…
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Lake Union
Lake Union bustles with kayaks, paddleboards, motorboats, and seaplanes. On the southern shores, you’ll find tourists and office workers enjoying their lunch in the park, and it’s also home to the Museum of History & Industry, showcasing the city’s history and innovation. Adjacent to MOHAI is the Historic Ships Wharf, featuring historic boats like the…
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The Crocodile
Known as The Croc, The Crocodile Cafe opened in April 1991, and many of the leading grunge bands – including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Tad, Mad Season, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Everclear – played there. Did you know that the Crocodile Cafe’s owners liked surprises? Concertgoers at the $3 Mudhoney show on October 4,…
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Moore Theatre
On June 9, 1989, Sub Pop hosted a concert featuring Mudhoney, Tad, and Nirvana at the Moore Theatre. Nirvana opened, celebrating the release of their debut album Bleach. Tickets were $6 in advance and $7 at the door. The oversold event led to a frenzied crowd that caused significant damage to the theater, resulting in a…