Travel
‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Turns 25
Tour 10 locations from the iconic '90s movie filmed in Seattle and Tacoma
By Natalie Compagno and Greg Freitas April 23, 2024
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Seattle magazine.
If set-jetting involves traveling the world to visit production sites of our favorite films, what is it called when you relive those movie scenes right here at home?
Location staycation.
Released 25 years ago in 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You perfectly encapsulates the ’90s and stands out as an excellent adaptation of Shakespeare. It’s Heath Ledger’s American debut and a travel postcard from Seattle and Tacoma to the world. So, get those cameras ready and crank up Letters to Cleo — let’s hit the town with Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona.
1. WorldMark Seattle – The Camlin – Downtown
Check into The Camlin and prepare for a total 10 Things I Hate About You immersion. The historic 1926 property is offering a 90s-themed “10 Things” package with 20% off rooms. Guests will be greeted with the Ultimate ‘90s Nostalgia Playlist, nostalgia-inducing ‘90s candy, a copy of No Fear Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew, and of course, a DVD of the movie, complete with a good old-fashioned DVD player for in-room viewing. Remember to book by May 22, and use code “10THINGS” at checkout.
2. Paramount Theatre – Downtown
Opened in 1928, the historic Seattle landmark, Paramount Theatre, still showcases touring bands and performers. It served as a filming location for the lobby scenes for the prom, so cue Save Ferris and explore. Then it’s time to scooter, bike or ride share. The city awaits.
3. Kerry Park – Queen Anne
Continue your quest with the stunning Seattle skyline as seen from Kerry Park. This Insta-perfect location provided the POV for the movie’s opening credits, making it the perfect place to kick off your staycation. If time and weather cooperate, the sunset views are legendary.
4. Century Ballroom at Oddfellows – Capitol Hill
Party like it’s 1999 in the very spot where the prom’s dance sequences were filmed. The production crew created an entire wall inside the ballroom to match the interior of the Paramount. Oddfellows is still a vital part of the neighborhood, so this is the perfect spot to make a toast to our heroine. Just don’t drink as much tequila as Kat did.
5. Fremont
Pre-millennium Fremont captures the essence of the movie, as well a moment in time for post-Grunge Seattle. Make dinner plans at Le Coin, the former site of The Buckaroo Tavern, featured as the “10 Things’” biker bar. This scene led up to the studio-filmed “Club Skunk,” where Patrick convincingly faked his Riot Grrrl street cred to Kat and the entire Pacific Northwest with one line.
Whether you like Jared Leto or K.D. Lang, don’t miss the Fremont Troll. Seattle’s favorite under-the-Aurora-Bridge dweller played a memorable role in the film, providing the backdrop for Bianca and Cameron’s ploy to get Kat and Patrick together.
Head down to Portage Bay Goods, site of the former Fremont Place Book Co. from the movie. If you cross the street to Ophelia’s, you might find a copy of The Feminine Mystique.
6. Lake Union
Like many Seattleites, after Kat springsPatrick from detention, they make a beeline to Lake Union. Whether you rent a donut boat, a hot tub boat, a SUP, or a paddle boat – like Kat and Patrick – the views of the Space Needle are the same, and the views of the downtown skyline are very, very different.
7. Gas Works Park – Wallingford
The most well-known visual non-sequitur in the movie is the paintball scene in nearby Gas Works Park. While you may not find paintball battles here in real life, you can soak in the park’s industrial charm and quintessential views of the Aurora Bridge, just like Kat and Patrick did during their romantic romp.
8. Stratford House – Tacoma
Tacoma also features prominently in the movie. The beautiful Stratford House overlooking Puget Sound, is a charming Victorian in North Tacoma. While you can’t enter the actual residence, exploring the neighborhood is a must. Tacoma’s coolest street, 6th Avenue, is just a short walk away. Check out vintage mecca Scorpio Rising, and muse on how it might have influenced Kat’s fashion and music choices. Then grab a bite and a beer at The Red Hot, or E9 Firehouse & Gastropub.
9. Stadium High School – Tacoma
Few first-time viewers would guess that the majestic, outlandishly proportioned fictional Padua High School is actually a real, functioning high school. The building was originally intended to be a French chateau-style hotel but after a financial disaster, and a massive fire, the school district took ownership in 1904. The ornate structure finally opened in 1906 as Tacoma High School, renamed in 1913 to match the adjoining Stadium Bowl. Take a tour with Pretty Gritty Tours to get all the behind-the-scenes trivia. And yes, Letters to Cleo really did play on the roof, and said it was terrifying.
10. Stadium Bowl – Tacoma
If you build a gigantic high school, it should have a gigantic football stadium to match, right? Stadium Bowl originally opened in 1910 and was the site of the Pacific Northwest’s first night high school football game in 1929. We know it as the place where Patrick wooed Kat by singing Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” accompanied by the Padua High School marching band, making it the perfect place to end your 10 Places We Love About 10 Things I Hate About You tour.