Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »
Countries
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan
Cities
  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Hunebed D27
Hunebed D27
Grotta Tanaccia
Grotta Tanaccia
PDX Carpet Memorial
Roundels of Historical Figures
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Washington Seattle Seattle Metaphysical Library

Seattle Metaphysical Library

An underground library specializing in underground knowledge.

Seattle, Washington

EricGrundhauser profile photo
Added By
Eric Grundhauser
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Seattle Metaphysical Library is located beneath the Kress building in Ballard.   Joe Mabel on Wikipedia
The hours may be flexible, but you can always call the library to check   Ennie Bee
Take the stairs to get to this basement library   Ennie Bee
  Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
SML Street Sign   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
  Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
  Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

While their landlord will not allow them to erect a sign, the Seattle Metaphysical Library would like you to know that they are open for browsing. 

Legally registered as the As-You-Like-It Library, this lending library has been serving Seattle's more esoteric reading needs since 1961. During its decades of operation, the collection has amassed over 13,000 books on topics such as parapsychology, shamanism, magick (sic) and UFOs just to name a few of their astounding sections. They also offer CDs, DVDs and newspaper clippings on subjects most libraries simply do not cater to. It is free to visit and browse the stacks; members can even check out many of the rare titles.  If you are not in Seattle the full list of wondrous titles can be viewed via their website.

The library itself is located in the basement of the historic Kress Building via an unmarked glass door next to a Pie shop. Although the landlord will not allow a sign to be hung outside, visitors can locate the entrance and determine whether the library is open by looking for the sandwich board placed on the sidewalk. The door is sometimes locked by the building's other tenants in which case it is suggested to simply call the library's friendly staff to be let in.  If you can manage to get inside you are in for a truly enlightening experience. 

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Collections Purveyors Of Curiosities Libraries Nature

Community Contributors

EricGrundhauser profile photo

Added By

EricGrundhauser

Blindcolour profile photo M mgm1229 profile photo samanthachong profile photo Aty Trocious profile photo

Edited By

Blindcolour, mgm1229, samanthachong, Aty Trocious

  • Blindcolour profile photo Blindcolour
  • M mgm1229 profile photo mgm1229
  • samanthachong profile photo samanthachong
  • Aty Trocious profile photo Aty Trocious

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Seattle Metaphysical Library
2220 NW Market St L-05
Seattle, Washington, 98107
United States
47.669089, -122.385792
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Events

Convention Expo

Seattle Oddities and Curiosities Expo

Encounter ethically sourced taxidermy, preserved specimens, and live sideshow acts in a marketplace of marvels.

Sat, Oct 24 · +1 more

Seattle Convention Center Arch — Seattle

View More Events in Seattle

Nearby Places

Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Majestic Bay Theatre

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Bergen Place Park and Mural

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seattle

Seattle

Washington

Places 140
Stories 22

Nearby Places

Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Majestic Bay Theatre

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Bergen Place Park and Mural

Seattle, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seattle

Seattle

Washington

Places 140
Stories 22

Related Places

  • Creation Museum, Taxidermy Hall of Fame, and Antique Tool Museum

    Southern Pines, North Carolina

    Creation Museum, Taxidermy Hall of Fame, and Antique Tool Museum

    A curious blend of taxidermy, antique tools, creationism, and a purported antediluvian rock.

  • A book describing the man that is also made from.

    Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston Athenaeum Skin Book

    A morbid secret lies hidden within the beautiful walls of the Boston Athenaeum.

  • One of the larger specimens.

    Singapore

    The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

    Terrapins of all colors and shapes are quick to bring fascination (and possibly long life) at this museum.

  • S.S. Palo Alto

    Powell River, British Columbia

    S.S. Peralta

    One of the final concrete ships built before World War II is now a crumbling breakwater.

  • Jefferson Market Library

    New York, New York

    Jefferson Market Library

    Named the fifth most beautiful building in America in 1885, this former courthouse boasts the best view in the Village.

  • The floral clock is 50 feet across.

    Orlando, Florida

    Harry P. Leu Gardens

    A vast array of tropical plants collected by a vacationing couple.

  • Grounds for Sculpture

    Hamilton Township, New Jersey

    Grounds for Sculpture

    A unique sculpture park that specializes in the huge and bizarre.

  • VW Bug at the Museo Subacuático de Arte

    Cancún, Mexico

    Museo Subacuático de Arte

    Underwater art project will double as a massive artificial coral reef to help regenerate the damaged ecosystem.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.