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Artists at Play: Seattle Center's Creative Playground

A whimsical playground at Seattle Center offering creative and interactive fun for kids and families, designed by local artists.

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Artists at Play is a unique and imaginative playground located at Seattle Center, designed by Northwest artists with input from local children [5, 11]. Opened in 2015, it features a blend of traditional play structures with artistic twists, offering free fun for all ages [5, 8].

A brief summary to Artists At Play Playground

  • Monday 6 am-11 pm
  • Tuesday 6 am-11 pm
  • Wednesday 6 am-11 pm
  • Thursday 6 am-11 pm
  • Friday 6 am-11 pm
  • Saturday 6 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 6 am-11 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during off-peak hours (early mornings or weekdays) to avoid crowds, especially during the summer.
  • Bring a picnic blanket to relax on the nearby lawns and enjoy the Seattle Center atmosphere.
  • Check the Seattle Center website for events happening nearby, as they may impact parking and accessibility.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Seattle Center Monorail station, walk north towards the Armory building. Artists at Play is located in the Next 50 Plaza, between the Armory and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). The playground is easily visible from the main pathways [5, 8]. There are no costs associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Seattle, take the Seattle Center Monorail to the Seattle Center station. As you exit the station, Artists at Play will be directly north, situated between the Armory and MoPOP [5, 8]. A one-way fare on the Monorail is $4 for adults [7]. Alternatively, various bus routes serve the Seattle Center area. Check King County Metro for specific routes and schedules. An ORCA card is recommended; the standard adult fare is $2.75, or $6 for a day pass [7, 13].

  • Driving

    When driving to Seattle Center, follow signs for the Seattle Center parking garages. The closest parking is at the 5th Avenue N Garage. From the garage, walk towards the Seattle Center Armory; the playground will be on your left, between the Armory and MoPOP [5, 8]. Parking rates at Seattle Center garages vary, with hourly rates starting at $6 for up to 1 hour, $13 for 1-2 hours, $15 for 2-12 hours, and $30 for 12-24 hours [2]. Rates may be higher during events [2, 6]. Street parking is also available but can be limited, especially during peak times [6].

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Discover more about Artists At Play Playground

Artists at Play is a vibrant and innovative playground nestled in the heart of Seattle Center, between the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the Seattle Center Armory [5, 8]. This unique play space was born from a collaboration between Northwest artists Trimpin and Judith Caldwell, along with Site Workshop and Highwire, Inc., transforming what was once the desolate concrete slab of the former World's Fair Fun Forest amusement rides into an interactive, artistic environment for families and children of all ages [5, 8, 11]. The playground boasts a wide array of engaging features, including a 30-foot climbing tower with tube slides, a human-powered ADA-accessible carousel, and child-inspired musical instruments [5, 8]. Visitors can explore a labyrinth with a rebus at its center, play on sound swings, and discover hidden stories within the play mounds [5, 8, 11]. One of the playground's highlights is the Song Fence, a lengthy structure that emits sounds when activated, much like a vertical xylophone [5]. Judith Caldwell's Alphabet Tree features bronze handles that allow visitors to raise and lower letter strings to the Do Re Mi scale [5]. Artists at Play was designed with community input in mind, gathering ideas and feedback from local kids to ensure the play area reflects the community's imagination and creative spirit [5, 8]. The playground not only provides a space for active fun but also serves as a creative and social hub within Seattle Center [8]. It stands as a testament to the power of art and play in fostering community engagement and enriching the lives of children and adults alike [4].

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