Seattle Center Armory

Hours of Operation

• Armory Hours: 7am - 8pm daily, 7am - 9pm in Summer
• Hours may vary for events.
• Food and retail vendors are open every day until one hour prior to closing.
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall 

Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall offers delicious food and beverage options from selected restaurants on the main level (2^nd floor). Enjoy the many cultural celebrations and performances inside on the Center Stage or take in the sights and sounds of Seattle Center on the 60-foot outdoor deck.

You can also shop for official Seattle Kraken merchandise at the newest Seattle Kraken Team Store, located on the main level (2nd floor).

2020 – 2021 Exterior Renovation

During 2020 – 2021, Seattle Center Armory was renovated to restore and highlight several original architectural elements of the façade.

With guidance from the Seattle Landmarks and Preservation Board and as part of the project, non-historic awnings from the building’s west side were removed, the exterior was repainted, and new signage and a new lighting scheme were installed. Additionally, the interior Atrium or “food court” area has been renamed the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall.

Seattle Center Armory History

The Seattle Field Artillery Armory, built in 1939, has stood the test of time, evolving over many years as a community gathering place and affordable family destination. Originally built in 1939 as the old Armory Building, it housed the 146th Field Artillery and its half-ton tanks. The basement of the Armory still has markings from the old firing range and an unfinished swimming pool intended for the recruits. In 1941, Duke Ellington played on stage for the University of Washington's Junior Prom.

For the 1962 World’s Fair, the Armory was reconfigured into the first vertical shopping mall, called the Food Circus. It just pre-dated Northgate Mall, which was the first indoor mall in the United States. In the early 1970’s, the Food Circus was renamed Center House after some minor renovations. In 1985, the Children's Museum moved into the first floor of the building and expanded their space in 1995, building a giant toy mountain for the newly created Kenneth and Maureen Alhadeff Exhibit Center. At the same time, Center House was renovated and reconfigured to emphasize public programming, such as signature events, free family entertainment and cultural festivals. In December 2000, the Kennedy Center designated the Center House Stage as an Imagination Celebration National Site, only the fifth location in the nation to be designated. Today, over 3,000 free public performances occur in Seattle Center Armory each year.