Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Library
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
The charm of Seattle's Downtown district is undeniable, boasting iconic attractions like the Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the towering Space Needle. Shopaholics will find a haven in the upscale Pacific Place shopping center, while food enthusiasts are catered to with endless dining options ranging from casual eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants. Easily navigated by foot, bus, or the light rail, the neighborhood exudes a cosmopolitan ambience, matched with the beautiful backdrop of the Puget Sound. As the sun sets, Downtown Seattle transforms into a lively hub for nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and theaters offering a variety of entertainment options. A stay in Downtown Seattle promises a memorable urban adventure enriched with culture, history, and gastronomic delights.
How to get there
- University St • 4 min walk
- Pioneer Square • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,888 within 3 miles
Attractions
756 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,232 reviews
Excellent
1,446
Very good
587
Average
142
Poor
29
Terrible
28
cherylynn3
Waco, TX182 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Striking architecture and impossibly cool library layout. Take the escalators 10 floors up… we took elevator down. Lots of comfy Adirondack and other seating on 3, and many, many places to plug in laptops or use a library PC. The study-tech carels on 10 are exceptionally impressive with several variations in flooring and fine City views.
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy D
Los Angeles, CA1,623 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
So many people raved about this library, I knew I had to see it. It definitely is on the tourist route, and you can get a handout guide at several places in the library to let you know what you’ll see on each floor. The building is architecturally interesting, there are some excellent views and there is some nice random art up in various places. I couldn’t believe how many desks and study areas there were. However, it seemed really quite there on a Sunday afternoon. The staff was really nice and helpful regarding how to get around the library and providing tourist input for outside the library.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia54,497 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Seattle Public Library is a wonderful building. The architecture is astounding! We could not get enough of this place! The tenth floor is best for viewing the surrounding areas, and the views are trully amazing. It's a huge building and is obviously well used by so many people. It was very busy when we visited. It's certainly worth visiting.
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,870 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
If you want to experience the entire library then visit on the weekdays. That will give further access to the book stacks on floors 6-9. The single escalator (in fluorescent yellow) would have been an interesting experience (see photo).
On floor five (the mixing chamber) walk over to the overlook and take in the view down to the main floor and the surrounding glass and steel.
For an intense color experience go to the 4th floor (meeting rooms) which was painted floor to ceiling in 13 shades of red.
On floor five (the mixing chamber) walk over to the overlook and take in the view down to the main floor and the surrounding glass and steel.
For an intense color experience go to the 4th floor (meeting rooms) which was painted floor to ceiling in 13 shades of red.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn
7 contributions
Sep 2022
While the architecture is 'interesting', just like the Experience Music Project / Museum of Pop Culture, it's a visual clusterf*k and doesn't pay any respect to the medium it claims to celebrate/honor. The library is cold, sterile, unfriendly, and unwelcoming - from the plastic bookshelves to the unsmiling staff to the repulsive color schemes that do anything but invite someone to come in and get lost in the books. It's more out of a nightmare to be honest, and topped off with the fact that the women's restroom stall doors are only a few feet tall, I kid you not - so that anyone could literally walk by your stall and see you peeing. I've never been so terrified to use a bathroom in my life, and will never go back in there again.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaddysTrip
77 contributions
Aug 2021
Our first time to the library. Quite impressive. Unfortunately due to covid restrictions we could only see some of the floors and they were not running their tour of the building. However, we did see most of the building and they do have a video display at the entrance you can watch.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nationalbiscuit
Sequim, WA596 contributions
Jul 2021
The public libraries have endured a lot this last year and a half. I was really happy to be able to visit the main branch of Seattle Public Library. Although the building isn't fully accessible yet, you can tell they are doing as much as they can to provide the services that folks are used to. The building is striking and I can't wait to see more someday soon!
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pasowine
Paso Robles, CA5,344 contributions
Nov 2019
Quite the amazing library! RIght in the midst of downtown between 4th and 5th. From the outside it looks like a futuristic, more Scandanavian building. I think I read that the architects were from Scandanavia. Inside is even more breathtaking. It is quite popular and often crowded. However, there is a very nice cafe inside to have a cup of coffee. You can relax, get your phones or ipads charged, and not feel pressured to hurry. Lots of floors to explore - if in fact, you want, you can go to the top (10th) floor and get a great view down the library.
There is a nice small store as well - and everyone is quite helpful and can offer advice as needed. This is a city library not to miss!
There is a nice small store as well - and everyone is quite helpful and can offer advice as needed. This is a city library not to miss!
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blovesfood
Bensalem, PA716 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Miss the coffee shop. I haven't been here in years and the last time I was, there was a coffee stand right inside, near where the gift shop is. Today I was excited to bring my husband in to show him and get a quick drink. No drinks to be had.
The library was still gorgeous and welcoming. None of the staff offered to help us find anything so we probably looked like tourists. Haha. We did buy some small items from the shop and headed out after checking out the 10th floor view.
The library was still gorgeous and welcoming. None of the staff offered to help us find anything so we probably looked like tourists. Haha. We did buy some small items from the shop and headed out after checking out the 10th floor view.
Written May 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael
Woking, UK255 contributions
Feb 2020
From the outside, the architecture is quite aesthetically pleasing. Inside, it is spacious and functional as a library with many books, dvd's, among other resources, with space to read etc. I believe the library acts as a safe-space for the homeless which is a positive social attribute. I was disappointed by the "viewing area" as it is no more than a small space on the top floor of the library with fairly average views. Overall, the library serves its purpose but isn't anything special.
Written April 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parking near Seattle public library?
Written September 18, 2016
There's actually parking in the building, but I suspect it is quite pricey. In general, you'll manage downtown Seattle better without a car. There is pretty decent bus service. And you can walk. It's a relatively compact city center (which makes it doable), but there are some steep hills (which may pose problems.)
You can actually avoid a lot of the hills if you know the buildings in the area. For instance, if you want to go from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue, you can walk up the really steep hill or you can walk into the Fourth Street entrance to the library (flat entry, no stairs), take the escalator two floors up, and walk out the Fifth avenue entrance to the library (flat entry, no stairs). There are lots of buildings with public access in the city center that serve the same function.
Written September 19, 2016
Maria G
Chicago, Illinois
my daughter is interested in visiting publishing co. are there any open to public?
Written May 11, 2015
You might want to contact Sasquatch Books:
1904 Third Ave, Suite 710 Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-467-4300
Fax: 206-467-4301
Written May 12, 2015
fredcamaro
Everett, Washington
how much are there as for as used books for sell there ? is there a web site for the used books for sale ?
Written March 10, 2015
The Friends of the Seattle Public LIbrary collect and sell books for the benefit of the library budget. You can find out more by going to the main library's web site or to that of the Friends themselves.
Written March 10, 2015
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