I often forget to tell people to go to the Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center. It’s a really gorgeous museum but it’s also a little spendy (and it doesn’t take a whole lot of time to visit) so it’s hard to put on a must see list. But it really should be. Dale Chihuly’s glasswork is world renowned and deservedly so and the Space Needle couldn’t provide a better backdrop for this colorful, spectacular art. And if you are going to the Space Needle anyways a Seattle CityPASS or C3 pass is probably the best way to see Chihuly Garden and Glass for a discounted rate. Also maybe the best hidden secret in the whole Seattle Center is also the Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass which features gorgeous drinks, cocktails and a smoke salmon dip that I’m craving as I write this, and a little peace in the hustle and bustle that Seattle Center can become.
Not only does the Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass have good food but it is the only place in the world to see some of Dale Chihuly’s personal collections displayed in the tables and all over the restaurant like the accordions that hang from the ceiling (and what are the chances that both my mom and my mom-in-law play?) 36 of Dale Chihuly’s drawings are on the walls behind the bar and it feels a little like you’re immersed in mind of the artist as you take all of this in as you eat delicious food. (It used to be called Collections Cafe and I’m not sure when they changed the name.)
Because it’s called “the Bar” now I didn’t think that kids could come here but we saw a few tables with kids and it also currently says that it “welcomes guests of all ages at all times of the day and night” on the website and of course I think this means when it is open-the hours fluctuate based on events and things going on at Seattle Center so make sure you check before you go. There are quite a few non-alcoholic offerings on the bar menu too and the drinks and food we had was very tasty.
Chihuly Garden and Glass has a lot of great summer offerings. When I last went they were promoting evening visits where the museum was open late on certain days. There is also yoga and dancing on some days in the Glass atrium area (you can find available offerings under the website’s event tab) and I think this would be such a beautiful place for these activities.
Have you been to Chihuly Garden and Glass? And are you familiar with Dale Chihuly and his work? (He’s definitely a PNW icon, ages ago my kids did a painting class with him and it was the coolest thing.)
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)
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