Downtown Tours

From Stone to Steel: Seattle Style from Then ‘til Now

Can a city be a fashionista? As with clothing, architecture has its hot trends and enduring styles. Beginning with Seattle’s rebirth after the great fire of 1889, the city’s new buildings have been up-to-the-minute examples of the latest designs of the times – from chunky, monumental Romanesque to stark, unadorned Brutalism, to environmentally conscious, sleek glass and steel towers showcasing computer-aided, high-tech design. On this tour, you will walk the design runway decade-by-decade to see what’s been new and exciting in downtown Seattle’s built environment from 1889 through today.

This tour meets outside the Mutual Life Building, 605 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (1st and Yesler).

Photo: Roger Williams

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Experience the "From Stone to Steel" tour in Seattle with a map highlighting Downtown, bordered by Union St, 5th Ave, Yesler Way, and Alaskan Way. Nearby attractions include Pike Place Market and the historic Pioneer Square.
Red brick building corner with arched doorways and large windows. A sign reads "Antiques." Lamp posts line the cobblestone street, part of the From Stone to Steel Tour in Seattle. Nearby, trees partially cover the facade.

Downtown Tours

Our Downtown tours begin in various locations.

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Tours are approximately two hours in length, unless otherwise noted. Tickets purchased in advance cost $25 for General Admission, $20 for SAF Members, and $22 for Students and Seniors over 65. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ups are limited to space available and cost $30. Ticket sales close at 9:00am the morning of the tour. Online registration is handled through Bold Type Tickets. For our tour policies or to learn about booking a private tour, visit our Tours FAQ page.

Please note: A minimum of three people must be registered for tours to take place. Tours with fewer than three registered attendees on the Thursday before the tour will be cancelled. SAF may cancel tours in cases of extreme weather. We do not cancel tours due to rain. If you purchased a ticket for a cancelled tour, you have the option of transferring the ticket to a future tour date or being issued a refund.