Vintage theater-turned modern performance venue

Noteworthy for: Built by Paramount Pictures, no expense was spared in the construction of the opulent theater, designed in the Beaux Arts style of the palace in Versailles.

Popular plate: For pre or post show drinks and dining, the Capitol Club tapas bar at 414 E Pine St (five blocks east of the theater) is a good bet.

Originally built in the late 1920s as part of a national chain of entertainment palaces, the Paramount Theatre has been the cornerstone of Seattle's arts and media scene for almost 80 years. Starting out as a vaudeville performance space and silent film theater, the Paramount went on to screen "the talkies" and later full-colour films before finally being delicately transformed into the modern performance space used today.

In a throwback to its humble origins, the Paramount still screens the odd silent film along with theater, jazz, dance and comedy shows. Given it's charming setting, major acts often choose to stage gigs here during their Seattle tour dates. For those interested in theatrical history, free tours are offered on the first Saturday of every month.