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Edith Macefield's House

4.4 (40 reviews)

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Inspiration for the movie Up
Helene S.

Edith Macefield is a folk hero who is known for refusing to sell her 108 year-old farmhouse for $1,000,000 to make way for a commercial development in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. As a real-estate holdout, she forced the developers to construct their multistory project around her home. Ironically, she became close friend's with the construction superintendent Barry Martin who functioned as a friend and caretaker in her later years. She left her home to him in her will. A year after her death, Disney's publicists attached balloons to the roof of her home to promote the film "Up" in which an aging widower's home is surrounded by an upcoming commercial development. The home is very close to Trader Joe's and Top Pot Doughnuts in Ballard.

Not the same considering the story behind this feisty, wonderful woman (11/11/17)
Marie B.

There's quirky landmarks all around Seattle: Lenin statue, The Troll, Waiting for the Interurban, JP Patches memorial, Jimi Hendrix statue, the SAM Sculpture Park, Soundgarten by NOAA, the giant popsicle between 4th/5th Avenues, and then there's Edith Macefield's House. Parked near this home on the way to The Egg and Us on 11/11/17. From HistoryLink.org, here is the fascinating background about the late Ms. Macefield (http://www.historylink.org/File/11092) To succinctly sum it up, this is a reminder of the ongoing gentrification of Seattle.

#AdventureIsOutThere
Leland S.

The house that apparently that inspired the Disney movie, Up. Alright so before you get your expectations high....it's not the most aesthetically (as of right now) site but I do dig the story behind this house. I heard about this spot via social media...it was a pretty inspiring story. Overall: 5 Stars. It may not be most beautiful landmark I've ever seen but it sure does a have a beautiful story. Street parking wasn't an issue for me nor was it touristy populated. A pleasant roadside attraction if you're on this side of Washington. TL:DR Tips: * Bring your own props if you want to take a good picture

Instructions on how to leave a balloon
Willy M.

I haven't seen "Up" but apparently this house was an inspiration to the movie. I had to read up on some of the history of this, Ms. Macefield turned down $1M in 2006 to the developers and continued to live at her home, as the builders built all around her house. She has since passed away and the house is up for public auction. Not sure if it has been sold yet or not. Its not boarded up anymore but there is a fence around it. You can leave notes on balloons and attach it to the fence. I hope they don't tear it down since it's a cool landmark.

April 2013, house is boarded up.
Monyca W.

I was so excited to learn that the house from Up! is here in Seattle. (Ok, I know Up is a commercial, but you know what I mean... the house that inspired Up!) I drove over to Ballard and circled the block a few times, looking for the house. I couldn't wait to get a picture! But, I found it all boarded up. I guess they're renovating it and raising it up, according to the sign. I'm afraid maybe that defeats the point of leaving it preserved, but what do I know? As of right now, don't bother to go looking for it, unless you like boarded up things.

Still up!
Camille M.

I am the biggest fan of Roadside Attractions & when I saw this on whatever social media platform I was on at the moment - I knew I had to visit this place! So long story - short: Ms. Macefield turned down $1M in 2006 to the developers and continued to live in her home, as the builders built all around her house. She has since passed away and the house is up for public auction. I guess it used to be boarded up but it hasn't been since I have been there twice. There is still a fence around it. And it's so weird but amazing to see a small house surrounded by commercial buildings. I plan on visiting this place with some balloons at one point. Apparently this is the house that inspired the Pixar movie "Up." So cool to think about. If you happen to be in the area - it's a nice, quick stop! Just be careful when taking pictures, it's located near a busy street and drivers tend to speed.

2-26-17. Still here!
Sarah A.

2-26-17. Still here. It's empty, but it's still amazing and cool to see the small house surrounded by huge commercial buildings. Much respect to the late Edith Macefield, for standing her ground and fighting for what she so strongly believed in.

Carrie N.

Such a small house in between large shopping centers. It was nice for a chance to visit this house but I wish it was fixed up or at least looked like how it did originally back in the day. The house was all worn and wood...there was a gate to block ppl from going inside. Might not be safe to go in any how given it's condition. The balloons looked just as sad as the house. Just a quick 5 minute visit and that was all.

Katie A.

A true Seattle Landmark, no doubt. Nestled between (literally) the giant construction of a new shopping center is the tiny house of what was Seattle's Last Super Hero, Edith Macefield. Edith bought the house in 1966 and watched the Ballard neighborhood expand over the last 40+ years. When she was offered a lofty $1 Million for her plot last year, she refused, saying, "I don't want to move. I don't need the money. Money doesn't mean anything," Sadly, Edith passed away last week. No heirs, no living relatives, she's said to have left her home to one of the construction workers who's been taking care of her for the last few years. Stop by and check it out her house while you can. I took a sec today and did so myself. There's loads of flowers and letters tucked in her fence.. very nice to see. It's absolutely worth checking out if you haven't, especially since nobody's sure how long it will remain.

Monica T.

It's a must see if you are in Seattle. I came here in June of 2015. The house now is for sale now The house has been stripped down to it's bare bones so there's not much to look at .... but it's a great chance to see the house that inspired the movie UP.

April 20, 2017 Still Standing Tall #AdventureIsOutThere#EdithMaceFieldHome
Marlene G.

I'm Speechless Love The Up Movie. Now I'll be buying the book Under One Roof Hope they Save The House & Restore It

Nina Y.

Up House. It's actually somewhat depressing to go and visit because its all boarded up, but it's inspirational to see.

As of May 2014, no sign of progress
Jeff P.

I was hoping they would have at least started on the renovations but as of May 2014, everything is still boarded up with no sign of progress. From the sign out front, it looks like phase one was supposed to be completed sometime in 2013 but there's nothing to show for it. It's a little out of the way from the city center, so unless you're trying to kill time (like we were before heading to the airport), I would skip it for now. There's an overgrown tree right in front of the house that pretty much blocks everything, and the boarded up look isn't very picturesque. To top it off, we saw a car get broken into with the windows smashed right across the street, so please be careful around this area. The concept itself is pretty cool and reminiscent of the Disney UP! movie.

As of September 2nd, 2015, the house is still here!

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A must-see for any resident or visitor to our fair city. Ms. Macefield was true to herself, and true to Ballard.

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Ask the Community - Edith Macefield's House

Review Highlights - Edith Macefield's House

Prior to visiting, I read that the Edith Macefield house was the Inspiration for the Pixar Movie UP.

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Fremont Troll

Fremont Troll

4.3(837 reviews)
1.5 miFremont

A fun experience, a bit off the beaten path in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle…read more We ventured from downtown to check out the troll. Very easy access via a city bus route. After a short stroll down a well-designed dirt path, we found the giant troll. The troll is great for photos and has a sign that describes the history of the troll. My kids enjoyed climbing around the area, too. Facing the opposite direction from the troll is a very cool bridge that creates some awesome cathedral-like architecture. There is lots to do in Fremont, and even though the troll is kind of a one-and-done deal, it's worth checking out simply to explore the rest of the neighborhood and awesome surrounding businesses. Enjoy your troll hunt!

A visit to the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a fun and quirky Seattle stop. Sculpted in…read more1990 by four artists after a competition launched by the Fremont Arts Council to help combat the garbage and clutter that had been collecting under bridges, the troll has become one of the city's most iconic public art pieces. It's a great destination to bring out-of-town visitors--like me--to check out another troll! As a fan of the whimsical trolls created by Thomas Dambo, this was a must-see. Street parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop while exploring the neighborhood. I'd personally recommend not climbing on the troll due to safety concerns, although many people were doing so when we visited. Either way, it's a unique photo opportunity and a classic Seattle experience.

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Fremont Troll - Underneath... by a turnaround...

Underneath... by a turnaround...

Fremont Troll
Fremont Troll

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Sky View Observatory - Elevator entrance

Sky View Observatory

4.5(560 reviews)
4.5 miDowntown

My visit to the Columbia Tower Observatory on the 73rd floor was nothing short of amazing. The…read moreviews are absolutely breathtaking--truly one of those experiences where you find yourself stopping just to take it all in. Seeing Seattle from that height gives you a completely new appreciation for the city and its surroundings. What made the visit even more enjoyable was the staff. Every employee I encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and genuinely pleasant. Their warmth made the experience feel even more special, and it was clear they take pride in creating a positive atmosphere for visitors. One observation I did have relates to the elevator experience. It has been two years since my last visit, and unfortunately, the elevator's video system is still not functioning. I remember when the observatory first opened, and the video played during the ride up--it added an engaging and memorable element to the experience. Without it, the ride feels noticeably less enjoyable. Interestingly, others seemed to feel the same way. I mentioned how long the video system has been out of service while riding up, and a couple riding up with us--visiting from Australia--commented that it would have been nice to have something to watch during the ascent. As an alternative, it might be a wonderful opportunity for the elevator operator to share a few interesting facts during the ride up. A brief, engaging introduction--highlighting that this is the tallest building in Seattle, along with a bit of history about its construction and facts about its tenants--could really enhance the experience and help pass the time in a meaningful way. Additionally, with all three video screens currently not working and visibly cracked, addressing this issue would make a noticeable difference. Either repairing or replacing the screens--or even temporarily covering them--would create a much more polished and welcoming feel for visitors and help elevate the overall experience. You can't beat the view though!

If you're deciding between the Sky View Observatory and the Space Needle, I'd strongly consider Sky…read moreView. The experience felt much more laid back, with fewer crowds and plenty of space to take in the views. It is also technically taller than the Space Needle. The observatory floor goes all the way around and has lots of helpful information and displays explaining what you're looking at, which made the experience more engaging than simply taking photos from an observation deck. There's also a café w/ bar upstairs, making it easy to relax and spend some time enjoying the scenery. One of the biggest advantages is that you get incredible panoramic views of Seattle including the Space Needle itself, which makes for some great photo opportunities. We got lucky and it was a beautiful afternoon and were able to watch the sunset from there. Between the views, the atmosphere, and the overall value, this ended up being one of my favorite stops in Seattle.

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Sky View Observatory - Ticket area, but can also purchase online

Ticket area, but can also purchase online

Sky View Observatory - Vita-Tini

Vita-Tini

Sky View Observatory - A Roy rogers

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A Roy rogers

Space Needle - Inside the observation deck

Space Needle

4.0(3.6k reviews)
3.1 miLower Queen Anne

I had a great time at the Space Needle, but for me, that was an event that I had to see once. It is…read moreindeed iconic, but the tickets are incredibly costly for what they're worth. After we arrived, we were put in line to go up to the top for more than an hour. The entire place has very tight quarters and was absolutely jam-packed with people. Actually, it was quite difficult to enjoy the view when there were lots of unsupervised children running around both overlook decks. If you do, I highly recommend booking one of the earlier or later times of the day to avoid the hordes. That said, the top view is quite lovely and it's cool to have two viewing platforms. Overall, I'm happy that I did, but I will never again return.

The Space Needle has been the defining symbol of Seattle since it was built for the 1962 World's…read moreFair, and at 605 feet it still commands the skyline in a way that newer construction in the city has not displaced. I rode the glass sided elevator up, and it moved quickly, giving me a preview of the view before I reached the observation deck, which is worth being prepared for if heights give you pause. The observation deck itself has been substantially renovated, and the result is one of the more engaging viewing platforms of any major landmark in the country. I stood on the glass floor section, included with standard admission, and that element gets the most attention for good reason. Standing on clear glass with the city visible directly beneath my feet produced a vertigo that is different from simply looking over a railing. The rotating floor moves slowly and continuously, giving me a full 360 degree view of Seattle over the course of my visit without requiring me to move around the deck. On a clear day the view extends to Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and Elliott Bay, and the surrounding landscape puts the city in a geographic context that is genuinely striking. Sunset is the most popular time to visit, and the views in that window justify the demand. Buying tickets online in advance and reserving a time slot is effectively necessary during busy periods, and the time slot covers your place in line rather than your exact arrival at the top, so building in some flexibility is sensible. Lines can be long, particularly on weekends, but the operation moved efficiently once I was through the entry process. For an iconic Seattle experience that delivers on its reputation, the Space Needle is worth the trip.

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Space Needle - Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle

Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle

Space Needle - Inside the observation deck

Inside the observation deck

Space Needle - The digital pics prior to going up top

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The digital pics prior to going up top

Edith Macefield's House - landmarks - Updated June 2026

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