Queen Anne and Capitol Hill are arguably the best Seattle neighborhoods: vibrant and full of life night and day. Both have a lot to offer: artisan restaurants, chic nightclubs, parks filled with greenery, and tons of things to do. Let’s explore both of the best neighborhoods in Seattle side by side and declare a winner.

Queen Anne vs. Capitol Hill – Point-by-Point Comparison

Restaurants

There is a place for foodies in every Seattle neighborhood. One of Queen Anne’s most famous locales is How to Cook a Wolf, an artisan restaurant featuring culinary delights made from simple ingredients. For a more casual setting, visit Rocco’s for handmade pizza and a stellar drink selection. Capitol Hill has a great variety of unique fare, including Adana, a gorgeous restaurant serving a combination of traditional and unique Japanese fare, and Poppy, a hotspot for modern thali.

Nightlife

Each bar and club in Seattle has its own flavor. T.S. McHugh’s in Queen Anne, Seattle is an Irish pub with all of the classics and its own local favorites. Bar games are free all night long, including pool and darts. Keys on Main is famous for their dueling grand piano shows, but an honorable mention goes to their experimental cocktails. Bait Shop in Capitol Hill is a nautical-themed gastropub with fun cocktails and a full bar. Herb & Bitter Public House is the place to go for its quality menu of spirits, wine, and beer with matching cheese plates.

Parks and Nature

In terms of greenery, the winner is Queen Anne, hands down. Spacious parks encircle the neighborhood, from Kinnear Park to the Northeast Queen Anne Greenbelt. Perhaps the most famous outdoor space in the neighborhood is Kerry Park with its jaw-dropping view of the Seattle skyline. The largest park in Capitol Hill is Volunteer Park with ample space for lounging but minimal wooded areas, making both two of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for hiking and being in nature.

Sightseeing

At the southern tip of Queen Anne, Seattle is the most famous locale in all of Washington: the Space Needle. Below the quirky tower is a series of museums and theatres, and year-round carnival activities. The sights around Capitol Hill are not nearly as well known, but many fans come to visit the gravesites of Bruce Lee and his son, Brandon Lee.

Recreation

Arguably two of the best Seattle neighborhoods, both Queen Anne and Capitol Hill provide much the same recreational offerings: baseball and soccer fields, spray parks, and tennis courts. There are two main advantages to Queen Anne: a public outdoor pool and the interactive Seattle Children’s Museum. Capitol Hill is worth visiting for its Puzzle Break room escape center, though each puzzle is best enjoyed only once.

Cost of Living

Capitol Hill may the most coveted neighborhood in Seattle, but it’s also the most staggering in price. A one-bedroom apartment in the center of town requires either a 6-figure salary or a throng of roommates. It may be invigorating to live in the center of downtown, but at what cost? The right apartment in Queen Anne, Seattle can save up to $500 per month for each bedroom without losing quality.

Introducing The Eden, state-of-the-art city living without breaking the bank. Each home is furnished with lush carpets and luxury vinyl floors with noise reduction padding. Residents enjoy a private, off-leash dog park and a rooftop lounge.

Both Capitol Hill and Queen Anne have a lot going for them as the best neighborhoods in Seattle. Both have an ample selection to fill your belly, and local nightlife to fall in love with. In terms of sightseeing and recreation, however, Queen Anne is certainly the winner. It will also save you a buck on rent. Despite the popularity of Capitol Hill, it’s easy to name Queen Anne as the top neighborhood in Seattle.