Capitol Hill takes pride in its past and present. Parks and street names honor former LGBTQ+ residents, and during one Pride Week, rainbow crosswalks were painted around the neighborhood. "When you come up from Downtown into the hills and cross over Interstate 5, you start getting a flavor of the neighborhood," says Eric Robison, a designated broker with Keller Williams Downtown Metro Seattle and a Washington state Realtor for over two decades.
It's a walkable neighborhood of city blocks with sidewalks and bike lanes. "There's what we call Pike-Pine quarter," Robison says. East Pine Street and East Pike Street run parallel, forming a commercial corridor on the edge of Capitol Hill, roughly a mile from Seattle icons like Pike Place Market and the piers on Elliott Bay. Capitol Hill is packed with gay clubs, hip bars, eateries and specialty stores. "Broadway runs north-south on Capitol Hill, and there are businesses all along it: vintage clothes, restaurants and cafes," Robison says.
Come to Capitol Hill and enjoy the amazing night life it has to offer.
One of the Famous Rainbow Crosswalks in Capitol Hill Neighborhood in Seattle.
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Capitol Hill's inclusive and unique businesses
The progressive, inclusive environment of Capitol Hill is reflected in its businesses. "Outside your door, you can find pretty much everything you'd want and anything you'd enjoy finding in a city," Robison says. Elliott Bay Book Company, in operation for over 50 years, hosts book clubs and frequently has author readings. It moved to Capitol Hill from Pioneer Square in 2010 and, at over 22,000 square feet, is one of the largest queer and woman-owned bookstores in the nation. Capitol Thrill is a gift shop that supports local, LGBTQ+, minority and women-owned brands. It stays open late for Seattle's Art Walk, held on the second Thursday of the month.
Take a friend to Capitol Hill Art-Walk to see local artworks.
A quiet coffee shop in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
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Bars like Pony and Wildrose, a variety of eateries
Capitol Hill has one of Seattle's most renowned nightlife scenes. "Broadway to 15th Avenue is definitely where the nightlife happens; there are just bars everywhere," Robison says. Pony pays tribute to the gay bars of the 1970s with disco and retro music nights. Wildrose, which opened in 1984, is the oldest lesbian bar in the country. Queer Songwriter's Night is one of Wildrose's weekly events, and it also hosts trivia, games and karaoke.
Eateries in the neighborhood include Kedai Makan, which specializes in dishes inspired by Malaysian street food. Single Shot Kitchen & Saloon serves New American cuisine for dinner, weekend brunches and has outdoor seating. Dino's Tomato Pie is a pizza place exclusively for diners aged 21 and up; which is open past 2 a.m. The Capitol Hill Farmers Market runs year-round on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and, from July to September, it's also open on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Grocery stores in the area include QFC, a Safeway and Trader Joe's.
Reservations are advisable for hands-on feline visitation at Neko Cat Café. The popular cat room is often fully booked, but anyone can order drinks and snacks from the room next door, which has the resident and adoptable cats in sight. "People who live in the neighborhood come in and get a coffee or something just because they like to visit,” says Sammy Weiner, a “Pawtender” and “Cat Bouncer” at the café. “It's always eventful in Capitol Hill."
Lunch crowd at Kedai Makan in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Pony Bar is an institution in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
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Seattle Pride Month and the Capitol Hill Block Party
Several Seattle Pride Month events are held in Capitol Hill in June, from a kick-off event at Volunteer Park to PrideFest later in the month, covering six blocks of Broadway and Cal Anderson Park. Downtown, there's the Seattle Pride Parade, held for over 50 years. The largest parade in the state, it draws over 300,000 spectators.
The Capitol Hill Block Party is a well-attended event in July. "What's really cool is they block off the streets for the three-day festival," Robison says. "It supports the very big music scene in Seattle, including local musicians and up-and-coming stars that are just about to break out."
Each year during the "Hilloween" season, a Halloween Pet Parade is held in Volunteer Park, with a critter costume contest, live music and food trucks.
Come gather with like-minded people at the PrideFest Capitol Hill.
Furry friends can have fun at the annual Halloween Pet Parade at Capitol Hill's Volunteer Park.
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From vintage mansions to modern condo penthouses
Capitol Hill is one of the city's most popular neighborhoods. "Even though it's high density and growing, Capitol Hill tends to draw people who first move into Seattle and rent," Robison says. When it's time to buy, there are different home types to choose from. "The east side of the hill is much more residential, with townhomes and older homes. You can find some over a 100-years-old," Robison says. "Up near Volunteer Park — we start calling that North Capitol Hill — that's where there are old mansions that are on the historical register."
Single-family homes can cost $650,000 and up to $11 million, though most are in the $1 million to $3.5 million range. Some of the most expensive date to the early 20th century and have five or more bedrooms and 7,000 to 11,000 square feet of space. Tudor Revivals, Colonial Revivals and Craftsman are some of the vintage examples. There are a smaller number of modern and contemporary homes, including townhouses, from the 1990s to 2020s.
"Historically, the part of the hill facing Downtown has been built up into more apartments and condominiums. They have amazing views if you have a west-facing window," Robison says. "Condos or apartments on the east side have views of Lake Union; you can watch seaplanes landing." One-bedroom condos under 500 square feet are in the mid-$200,000s and penthouses with 1,400 to 1,600 square feet go for $1 million to $3.2 million.
Row of condos in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
New condo building in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Ornate Victorian front porch in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
A magnificent 1920's Tudor style home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
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Activities at Volunteer Park and Cal Anderson Park
With 48 acres, Volunteer Park has lots of space for outdoor recreation. The Cascade Cactus and Succulent Society holds plant sales at the conservatory. A summer concert series and theatrical productions like Shakespearean plays are held at the amphitheater. "It's really beautiful; you'll see people running around with dogs in the morning, picnicking and relaxing in the sun," Robison says. Volunteer Park is also home to the Seattle Asian American Art Museum (SAAM), one of the few museums in North America focused on Asian art. SAAM's $56-million, three-year renovation was completed in February of 2020.
Cal Anderson Park was named after Washington state's first openly gay legislator, a representative for Capitol Hill and the University District. "It's right on the north side of where the block party is in the heart of Pike-Pine Quarter. People play volleyball out there; you never know what you'll see. It's a very vibrant area of the city, and I've always enjoyed it," Robison says. During the summer, the wading pool is open from noon to 7 p.m.
A jogger in Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Reflecting pond in Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Entrance to Volunteer Park Conservatory in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Test your game at centrally located Cal Anderson basketball courts in Capitol Hill.
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Capitol Hill students' public and private school options
There is a mix of public and private school options. Public schools include Lowell Elementary School, which earns a B-minus grade from Niche, and Meany Middle School, which has a B-plus. Garfield High School, which receives an A rating, offers career and technical classes in health, computer science, theater, journalism, visual arts and more.
The private St. Joseph School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and is the only Catholic Jesuit K-8 school in Seattle, rated A-plus by Niche. "When I was growing up, we had a major Catholic enclave here. Now, at St. Joe's, so much of the enrollment is non-Catholic," says Steve Fawthrop, who was born and raised in Capitol Hill. “It really kind of shifted to be more of a private school that's affiliated with the parish." Seattle Hebrew Academy and Seattle Amistad School, which is a Spanish and English immersion school, are among the other private options in Capitol Hill. Both do not currently have Niche ratings.
Lowell Elementary School near Capitol Hill is a B rated school in Niche.
Meany Middle School is a top rated school near Capitol Hill.
Garfield High School welcomes Capitol Hill students yearly before they head to college.
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I-5, buses and Capitol Hill Station light rail
On the west side of Capitol Hill, there's I-5, with express lanes available. To the south is Downtown Seattle and to the north is Green Lake. Bus service is available, and Sound Transit's Link light rail service on the 1 Line is accessible from the Capitol Hill Station. The refillable ORCA cards for Seattle's public transportation are typically used. Commutes may be short, as Capitol Hill is close to the Southlake Union area, where some dot-com companies are based. "You get people living here who are working for those: Amazon, Facebook, etc.," Robison says. The trip to Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is about 15 miles.
A Pride rainbow decorated bus stop on Capitol Hill, right on 15th Avenue East.
An Aerial of in Capitol Hill Neighborhood with Downtown Seattle in the background.
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On average, homes in Capitol Hill, Seattle sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Capitol Hill, Seattle over the last 12 months is $709,500, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don’t miss this expansive townhome with a thoughtful floorplan in an excellent Capitol Hill location. The entry level features a rare heated 2-car tandem garage/flex space perfect for a gym, shop or home business in addition to parking. The spacious entertainment sized main floor offers living and dining centered around an open kitchen with contemporary cabinetry, quartz counters and stainless
Experience the charm of this unique turn-of-the-century shingle-style home near Volunteer Park. Step onto a tree-lined street aglow with Edison lights and hear the daily chimes of St. Joe’s bell tower. Enhanced in systems, structure, and style, it showcases period details including an extraordinary brick fireplace, original woodwork, wood floors, box-beam ceilings, and a gracious living room with
Residential living with urban services in the heart of North Capitol Hill. Bright studio, steps from Volunteer Park, vibrant cafes, and services along 15th Ave and Broadway. Unwind on the rooftop deck with striking Space Needle and Olympic views and enjoy BBQs with friends. Stay active with the on-site gym. Features include a sleek kitchen with quartz counters, in-unit laundry, secure bike and
Why pay rent when you can own in the heart of Capitol Hill? Located just steps from vibrant shopping, dining, nightlife, and public transit, this studio at Vertigo Condominiums offers the ultimate in urban convenience. Enjoy easy access to Seattle Central College, Seattle University, and the University of Washington, making it ideal for students and faculty. With no rental cap and pet-friendly
Capitol Hill Living at Its Finest! Tucked away on a quiet street in North Capitol Hill, this elegant modern townhouse has it all. Enjoy a rooftop deck with stunning city views, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Large windows flood the home with natural light, highlighting a sleek kitchen with high-end appliances and quartz countertops. The top-floor primary suite features a spacious closet
Charming corner-unit bungalow in the heart of Capitol Hill. This light-filled 1 bed, 1 bath home offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Fresh interior paint and an airy layout make the space feel open and welcoming. The bright kitchen flows into a cozy living area, while a spacious loft adds flexibility—ideal for a home office, guest room, or reading nook. Enjoy a quiet moment in the
An inclusive, diverse community that celebrates individuality in the heart of Capitol Hill. Connection on Broadway surrounds the Capitol Hill Station light, recently opened as part of the University Link light rail project between downtown Seattle and the University of Washington.
Available now! Experience living in the heart of Capitol Hill with Hilltree’s expansive and recently remodeled unit. Enjoy modern updates including new flooring, counter tops, and appliances, plus the convenience of an in-unit W/D and a dishwasher. The unit offers generous living space, a private balcony, and a large bdrm with ample storage. Located in a serene yet vibrant part of Capitol Hill,
AVA Capitol Hill is steps away from bars, clubs, retail and all modes of transportation including easy access to I-5 Freeway, light rail, bus service and the new Capitol Hill Street Car. Now offering furnished and unfurnished apartments, AVA Capitol Hill features studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with urban inspired design that extends beyond the walls to social spaces to connect, chill and
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