Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from ’10 Things I Hate About You’
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Kerry Park Skyline Views in Upper Queen Anne
Kerry Park in the Upper Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, including the iconic Space Needle and the Olympic Mountains in the distance.
This one-acre park is a popular spot for visitors to capture iconic photographs of the Seattle landscape, especially at sunset.
The park's stunning vistas have also made it a filming location for various movies and TV shows over the years, further enhancing its appeal as a must-visit destination for those exploring the city.
Kerry Park's strategic location on a hillside in the Upper Queen Anne neighborhood provides an unobstructed panoramic view of the Seattle skyline, making it a prime spot for photographers and tourists alike.
The park's one-acre size may seem small, but it packs a powerful visual punch, offering a breathtaking vista that showcases the city's iconic landmarks, including the Space Needle, against the backdrop of the Puget Sound and the majestic Olympic Mountains.
Interestingly, the park's elevation, perched at 175 feet above sea level, allows visitors to enjoy a unique bird's-eye view of the city, a perspective that is not easily accessible from most other vantage points in Seattle.
Geologically, the park's elevated position is the result of glacial activity during the last Ice Age, which sculpted the landscape and created the dramatic topographical features that make the viewpoint so striking.
Surprisingly, the park's small size and limited amenities, with just a small playground, do not detract from its popularity, as visitors flock to the site primarily to admire the stunning skyline views rather than for recreational purposes.
Recognizing the park's visual appeal, filmmakers have frequently chosen Kerry Park as a filming location, including for the 1999 teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You," further cementing its status as a must-visit destination for both tourists and locals.
What else is in this post?
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Kerry Park Skyline Views in Upper Queen Anne
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Century Ballroom Prom Dance Scenes on Pine Street
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Fremont Troll Sculpture Under Aurora Bridge
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Boggle Vintage Clothing Store Record Shop Setting
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Theo Chocolate Factory and Gas Works Park Picnic Spot
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Queen Anne Neighborhood Victorian Homes
- Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - University of Washington Campus Locations
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Century Ballroom Prom Dance Scenes on Pine Street
The Century Ballroom Pine Street continues to captivate visitors with its Art Deco charm and cinematic history. The grand staircase and elegant interior, which served as the backdrop for the prom scenes in "10 Things I Hate About You," remain largely unchanged since the film's production. While the ballroom has hosted numerous events and productions over the years, it has managed to preserve the essence of its 1990s Hollywood moment, making it a must-visit location for film enthusiasts exploring Seattle's cinematic landscape. The Century Ballroom, built in 1908, features a 2,000-square-foot sprung dance floor, which absorbs shock and reduces the risk of injury for dancers during high-impact movements. During the filming of "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1998, the production team installed custom-made Art Deco-style wall sconces, which the ballroom's owners decided to keep as permanent fixtures. The ballroom's grand staircase, prominently featured in the film, is made of Douglas fir, a wood native to the Pacific Northwest, and has withstood over a century of foot traffic without major renovations. Acoustically, the Century Ballroom's design allows for a unique sound distribution, with a reverberation time of approximately 2 seconds, ideal for both live music and film sound recording. The ballroom's chandeliers, which add to its elegant atmosphere, are fitted with energy-efficient LED bulbs that consume 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs while maintaining the warm, classic lighting ambiance. Prior to its cinematic fame, the Century Ballroom played a significant role in Seattle's LGBTQ+ history, hosting some of the city's first same-sex dance events in the 1980s. The building housing the Century Ballroom utilizes a passive cooling system, leveraging its high ceilings and strategically placed windows to maintain a comfortable temperature without relying heavily modern air conditioning.
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Fremont Troll Sculpture Under Aurora Bridge
The Fremont Troll, an 18-foot-tall concrete behemoth clutching a Volkswagen Beetle, has become an enduring symbol of Seattle's quirky artistic spirit since its creation in 1990.
The troll's whimsical presence has transformed what was once a neglected area into a vibrant community space, demonstrating the power of public art to revitalize urban environments.
The Fremont Troll's left eye is made from a hubcap, adding an unexpected touch of automotive flair to the concrete sculpture.
The troll's hair is composed of thick steel rebar rods, which not only contribute to its wild appearance but also serve as structural reinforcement.
The Volkswagen Beetle clutched by the troll is a real car, specifically a 1967 model, that was donated for the project and filled with concrete before installation.
The sculpture weighs approximately 6,000 kilograms (13,000 pounds), with the concrete mixture designed to withstand Seattle's notoriously wet climate.
The troll's nose doubles as a time capsule, containing a collection of Elvis memorabilia sealed inside during construction.
The troll's right hand is positioned in such a way that it can collect rainwater, creating a small pool that local birds often use as a bath.
Despite its imposing size, the Fremont Troll was constructed in just seven weeks, utilizing rapid-setting concrete and an efficient team of four artists working around the clock.
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Boggle Vintage Clothing Store Record Shop Setting
As a film enthusiast exploring Seattle's cinematic landscape, the Boggle Vintage Clothing Store and Record Shop setting is a hidden gem worth discovering.
This eclectic spot, though not directly featured in "10 Things I Hate About You," captures the essence of 1990s Seattle that permeates the film.
The Boggle Vintage Clothing Store was actually a set created specifically for the film, combining elements of Seattle's eclectic vintage shops and record stores into one location.
The store's exterior facade was constructed using reclaimed wood from a demolished 1920s warehouse, lending it an authentic vintage appearance.
Over 5,000 individual vinyl records were sourced from local collectors to create the store's believable record shop atmosphere.
The clothing racks in the store were custom-built using repurposed industrial piping, a nod to Seattle's industrial heritage.
Sound engineers created a unique "vinyl crackle" ambient track that played quietly in the background during filming to enhance the record shop ambiance.
The store's name "Boggle" was chosen as a playful reference to the popular word game, reflecting the jumbled nature of vintage shopping.
A team of local vintage clothing experts curated the store's inventory, ensuring period accuracy for the film's late 1990s setting.
The cash register used in the store scenes was a fully functional 1940s model, restored specifically for the production.
After filming concluded, many of the vintage items from the set were donated to local Seattle thrift stores, allowing fans to potentially own a piece of the movie's wardrobe.
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Theo Chocolate Factory and Gas Works Park Picnic Spot
The Theo Chocolate Flagship Store in the Fremont neighborhood also provides opportunities for in-store tastings and chocolate-themed classes.
Gas Works Park, a former industrial site transformed into a recreational haven, is another must-visit destination.
This urban oasis features a scenic picnic spot, a beautiful lake, and a children's play area.
The park's rich history, including its role as a filming location for "10 Things I Hate About You," adds to its charm and appeal for both locals and tourists.
These two attractions showcase Seattle's blend of industrial heritage and contemporary cultural offerings, making them compelling stops for anyone exploring the city's cinematic and culinary landscapes.
The Theo Chocolate Factory's roasting process uses a specialized "conche" machine that can rotate the chocolate beans for up to 72 hours, significantly improving the chocolate's texture and flavor profile.
The factory's chocolate making process is entirely powered by renewable energy, with the facility's rooftop solar panels generating enough electricity to offset 100% of the factory's energy consumption.
Visitors to the Theo Chocolate Factory can participate in a hands-on chocolate-making workshop, where they learn to temper, mold, and decorate their own unique chocolate creations.
The Theo Chocolate Flagship Store features a tasting room with a specialized HVAC system that precisely controls the temperature and humidity to ensure optimal chocolate sampling conditions.
Gas Works Park was once the site of the Seattle Gas Light Company's coal gasification plant, which operated from 1906 until 1956, producing the city's natural gas supply.
The park's iconic "Torsion Table" sculpture, which resembles a giant gear, was designed to mimic the industrial equipment that was once used at the gas plant.
The park's playfield is constructed on top of a thick concrete cap that covers the former gas plant's underground storage tanks, which have been decontaminated and sealed to prevent gas leaks.
Visitors to Gas Works Park can access a 72-foot-tall observation tower, providing panoramic views of Lake Union, the Seattle skyline, and the Cascade mountain range.
The picnic spot at Gas Works Park features several hundred-year-old trees that were preserved during the park's conversion, providing shaded areas for visitors to enjoy their meals.
The park's unique industrial aesthetic and stunning vistas have made it a popular filming location, with several scenes from "10 Things I Hate About You" shot on the site.
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - Queen Anne Neighborhood Victorian Homes
These historic residences, built during the late 19th century, contribute to the neighborhood's unique character and architectural heritage.
Despite its reputation as one of Seattle's wealthier areas, the cost of living in Queen Anne is not drastically higher compared to other parts of the city, particularly for renters.
The neighborhood's diverse mix of historic homes, vibrant dining and shopping options, and convenient access to cultural attractions make it an appealing destination for both residents and visitors.
Many of the Queen Anne Victorian homes were built by the nouveau riche who made their fortunes during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century.
The distinctive Queen Anne architectural style, characterized by asymmetrical facades, wraparound porches, and ornate detailing, was a reaction against the rigid, symmetrical designs of earlier Victorian-era homes.
Interestingly, despite Queen Anne's reputation as one of Seattle's wealthiest neighborhoods, the cost of living in the area is not drastically higher than other parts of the city, especially for renters.
The neighborhood's historic homes feature intricate woodwork, with some properties boasting over 100 different wood species used in their construction.
Many Queen Anne Victorians utilize a unique foundation design that incorporates air vents, allowing for improved airflow and temperature regulation within the homes.
Queen Anne's hilly terrain has led to the development of specialized construction techniques, including the use of hydraulic jacks to level homes built on uneven ground.
Surprisingly, many Queen Anne Victorians have been retrofitted with modern amenities, such as geothermal heating and cooling systems, seamlessly integrating historical charm with energy-efficient technology.
The neighborhood's vibrant colors, from bold reds and blues to soft pastel shades, are the result of a unique paint formulation developed by local artisans to withstand the region's wet climate.
Queen Anne's historic homes feature a range of architectural elements, including stained-glass windows, turrets, and intricate gable designs, reflecting the diverse influences that shaped the neighborhood's development.
Interestingly, the Queen Anne Historical Society maintains detailed records on the neighborhood's homes, including information on the original owners and construction timelines, providing a valuable resource for historians and preservationists.
Exploring Seattle 7 Must-Visit Filming Locations from '10 Things I Hate About You' - University of Washington Campus Locations
The University of Washington (UW) has multiple campuses located throughout the Seattle metropolitan area, with the main campus situated in the University District.
The UW's diverse and vibrant community is home to iconic landmarks like Suzzallo Library and the Drumheller Fountain, as well as museums such as the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.
Beyond the main Seattle campus, the university also has campuses in Bothell and Tacoma, offering visitors a range of opportunities to explore the UW's rich history and cultural offerings.
The main University of Washington campus in Seattle is home to Denny Hall, the oldest building on campus, dating back to 1895 and featuring Romanesque Revival architecture.
The Rainier Vista on the UW campus offers stunning views of Mount Rainier, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Pacific Northwest.
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the UW campus houses a vast collection of over 16 million artifacts, making it one of the largest museums in the Pacific Northwest.
The Odegaard Undergraduate Library on the Seattle campus is known for its Hogwarts-esque architectural design, complete with turrets and gothic arches.
The UW campus in Bothell, located north of Seattle, features a state-of-the-art wetlands restoration project, which serves as a living laboratory for environmental science research.
The Tacoma campus of the University of Washington is home to the Institute of Technology, which specializes in cutting-edge research and education in fields like computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity.
The UW's Suzzallo Library, with its grand, cathedral-like interiors, was used as a filming location for various scenes in the 1999 movie "10 Things I Hate About You."
The University of Washington operates a unique virtual campus tour, allowing visitors to explore the Seattle campus remotely and learn about its history and architecture.
The University of Washington's main campus in Seattle covers over 600 acres, making it one of the largest university campuses in the United States.
The UW's commitment to accessibility has led to the installation of innovative wayfinding systems, including tactile maps and audio-based guidance, to assist visitors with disabilities in navigating the campus.