Seattle

Nirvana

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The legacy of Nirvana is deeply rooted in Seattle and the surrounding areas of Washington. At the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, they’ve held an ongoing exhibit on the band, called “Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses.” Here we’ll take a look at some of those items on display, as well as a couple locations related to the band.

This cardigan was worn by Kurt Cobain between 1991 and 1994.

LOCATION: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

This Fender Competition Mustang was played by Kurt Cobain on the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video shoot on August 17, 1991 in Culver City, California. One of Cobain’s speakers is below. To the left is a flyer for a casting call to be in the video, with a record release party flyer for “Nevermind” on the right.

The gold acoustic guitar on the left was played by Krist Novoselic at the MTV Unplugged concert in New York City, November 18, 1993. The Buck Owens American acoustic guitar on the right, owned by Novoselic, was played by Pat Smear with Nirvana on the “In Utero” tour, as well as the MTV Unplugged performance. Between them is a hat worn by Cobain in the early 1990s.

Kurt Cobain lived with his wife Courtney Love at this home, located in Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle. Cobain committed suicide in the home sometime around April 5, 1994 in the greenhouse, which sat separate from the main house at the back of the property. Love had the greenhouse demolished after Cobain’s death.

LOCATION: 171 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112

Minor portions of the home can be seen from the front gate, as well as the park beside it, but you can’t really get a full view.

Right next to the property is Viretta Park, where this bench stands in memorial to Cobain and Nirvana, with fans writing messages on it. There’s no parking available in front of the home or Viretta Park. The nearest available parking is over at Denny Blaine Park (200 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112).

LOCATION: 151 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112

The Vanishing (1993)

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The 1993 American remake of the French-Dutch film, “The Vanishing,” starring Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland and Nancy Travis, was filmed in around Washington and Southern California. In the film, Jeff Harriman, played by Sutherland, lives with his girlfriend Rita, played by Travis, at this apartment complex, located in Seattle.

LOCATION: 200 Aloha St, Seattle, WA 98109

The unit where the characters live in the film is apartment 20.

The property still generally looks the same as it did in the film.

Malignant (2021)

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The 2021 James Wan horror film “Malignant” is set in Seattle, Washington. While some scenes did shoot there, a good portion of the film was shot in Southern California. Madison, played by Annabelle Wallis, lives in this home, which can be found in Pasadena.

LOCATION: 510 Lockehaven St, Pasadena, CA 91105

As is the case with most films set in Seattle, the famous Space Needle appears in an establishing shot of the city.

LOCATION: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109

Dr. Florence Weaver, played by Jacqueline McKenzie, lives at this home, located in Altadena.

LOCATION: 1686 Homewood Dr, Altadena, CA 91001

The exterior of the police station can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. The same building can be seen in the films “Velvet Buzzsaw” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” as well as the TV show “Supergirl.”

velvetbuzzsaw1

LOCATION: 1200 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Madison has visions of a murder and leads police to the “Silvercup” Apartments sign. The sign was a visual effect added by the production and does not exist at the real building.

LOCATION: 841 S Serrano Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

The crime scene is one building over to the left.

LOCATION: 855 S Serrano Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

The Pike Place Public Market Center makes a brief appearance as Madison drives with her sister Sydney, played by Maddie Hasson.

LOCATION: Pike St / 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Madison has visions of another murder at this building in Downtown L.A.

LOCATION: 217 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)

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The 1992 Curtis Hanson thriller “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” starring Rebecca De Mornay, was filmed in Washington. The house of Claire and Michael Bartel, played by Annabella Sciorra and Matt McCoy, can be found in Tacoma. Nanny Peyton Flanders, played by De Mornay also takes residence in the home.

LOCATION: 808 N Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403

The house of Dr. Victor Mott, played by John de Lancie, can be found in Seattle.

LOCATION: 2502 37th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98199

Related articles: L.A. Confidential (1997)

Singles (1992)

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The 1992 Cameron Crowe film “Singles” was shot in Seattle, Washington. During the opening credits, various establishing shots around the city are shown, including of course the Space Needle.

LOCATION: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109

The Pike Place Public Market Center also appears during the opening credits.

LOCATION: Pike St / 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Linda, played by Kyra Sedgwick, lives at this duplex.

LOCATION: 203 31st Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Cliff, played by Matt Dillon, moves into the same apartment as Janet, played by Bridget Fonda.

LOCATION: 1820 E Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98112

Steve, played by Campbell Scott, sits on a bench discussing marriage with Linda at Gas Works Park. At one time the area was a gas plant, but it ceased operations in 1956, when the city converted to natural gas. Some of the structures were left in tact and the area now serves as a public park. The same park has appeared in the films “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Three Fugitives” and “Little Fish,” as well as the TV shows “Six Feet Under” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

LOCATION: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

Related articles: Say Anything… (1989), Almost Famous (2000)

Hostel (2005)

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The interrogation chair from the 2005 horror film “Hostel” could be found on display at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington. Not only was it used in several scenes for the film, it was used in real life interrogations in the former Czechoslovakia during the Cold War era. The chair was on loan for display from director Eli Roth himself.

LOCATION: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

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The 1993 romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, was filmed, as you might guess, in Seattle, Washington, with additional filming in New York City, New York, Baltimore, Maryland and Chicago, Illinois. Annie, played by Meg Ryan, visits her family at this house. The home is mostly obscured from the street by trees and hedges, but if you walk up closer, you can get a clear view.

LOCATION: 1235 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Sam, played by Tom Hanks, lives at this house, which sits on Lake Union in Seattle. The path which leads to the home is gated off and marked as private. You can in fact see the home from the gate, but the views are limited. Here are some aerial views.

LOCATION: 2448 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

This door is seen many times throughout the film, including when Annie eventually visits the residence.

These distinct mailboxes seen in the film really do exist at the location. The area is out near the parking lot and accessible to the public. Sam’s house is just to the right of here.

Sam walks with his friend Jay, played by Rob Reiner, as he discusses setting Sam up on a blind date. They start our near 1st Ave and Stewart St.

LOCATION: 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 (facing 1st Ave, near Stewart St)

They continue walking along 1st Ave and turn down Pine St, when Sam asks Jay to evaluate his butt.

LOCATION: Pine St / 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

They continue towards the famous Pike Place Market. Sam and Jay have drinks here, where Jay brings Sam up to speed on the modern dating scene. These scenes were filmed at The Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar, which is located within Pike Place Market. The two characters sit at the corner of the bar on the right. There are small red plaques on the bar in front of each seat where the characters sat. It’s always nice when places acknowledge their film history in this way, so we highly recommend visiting.

LOCATION: 1517 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

The sign outside appears in a later scene, as Sam is out on a date with Victoria and introduces her to his son, Jonah. This sign is just outside of the above location.

Jonah’s friend Jessica, played by Gaby Hoffmann, lives at this home. It is seen briefly as Jessica mails a letter to Annie.

LOCATION: 1816 4th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

After Annie arrives in Seattle, she is seen turning at this intersection, with the Space Needle visible in the distance.

LOCATION: Western Ave / Broad St, Seattle, WA 98121

The film’s famous ending takes place at the observation deck atop the iconic Empire State Building in New York City.

LOCATION: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001