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The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

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Overview

The Central District (CD) has long been the center of Seattle's African American community, an oasis of incredible Ethopian food, birthplace of the city's rap/hip-hop movement and, more recently, a gentrification battleground. Madison Park and Madrona are lakeside communities with popular beaches and attractive parks, while Madison Valley ('Little France') features a cluster of eclectic restaurants.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

    Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    This Byzantium Revival building began life in 1915 as a synagogue for a congregation of Orthodox Jews. By 1969 the demographics of the neighborhood had…

  • Autumn Colors with Park Bench and Walking Path in Arboretum Garden; Shutterstock ID 227970997; Your name (First / Last): Alexander Howard; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Western USA neighborhood POI highlights

    Washington Park Arboretum

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    This wild and lovely park stretching from Madison Valley up to Union Bay offers a wide variety of gardens, a wetlands nature trail and 200 acres of mature…

  • "Looking upwards at a lifeguard chair at Madison Park in Seattle, WA with Lake Washington in the background."

    Madison Park Beach

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    A riotously popular place in the summer with a grassy slope for lounging and sunbathing, two tennis courts, a swimming raft floating in the lake, and…

  • Northwest African American Museum

    Northwest African American Museum

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    Small, concise and culturally valuable, NAAM opened in 2008 after more than 30 years of planning. It occupies the space of an old school, which, until the…

  • Madrona Park & Beach

    Madrona Park & Beach

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    Madrona Park Beach, down a steep hill from the business district in Madrona Park, is one of the nicest along the lake. In clear weather the views of Mt…

  • Washington Hall

    Washington Hall

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    Originally built in 1908 by the Danish Brotherhood, Washington Hall has been a meeting place, music venue (hosting Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix and Duke…

  • Viretta Park

    Viretta Park

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    Amid a lakeside nirvana of posh mansions, you’ll find two-tiered Viretta Park, from which you can see the large house once owned by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain…

  • Denny Blaine Park

    Denny Blaine Park

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    South of Madison Park toward the tail of Lake Washington Blvd is Denny Blaine Park, found at the end of a looping tree-lined lane. The beach is surrounded…

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