Rick's Seattle Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Home to Pike Place Market, shopping, museums, and entertainment. A must-visit if it's your first time to the city, and only about a mile away. Walk along the waterfront and check out the Aquarium, and Great Wheel, or catch a ferry to one of the islands. Check out the Seattle Art Museum or do some shopping at the flagship Nordstrom or other name-brand stores.
Downtown Seattle
Home to Pike Place Market, shopping, museums, and entertainment. A must-visit if it's your first time to the city, and only about a mile away. Walk along the waterfront and check out the Aquarium, and Great Wheel, or catch a ferry to one of the islands. Check out the Seattle Art Museum or do some shopping at the flagship Nordstrom or other name-brand stores.
A vibrant neighborhood in the heart of it all! The center of Seattle's nightlife with lots of bars, restaurants, and live music. 1st and 2nd Ave have the greatest concentration. The Elliott Bay Trail along the waterfront is a great place for a walk, run, or bike ride. The Belltown Art Walk happens on the 2nd Friday of every month from 6-9 PM.
Belltown
A vibrant neighborhood in the heart of it all! The center of Seattle's nightlife with lots of bars, restaurants, and live music. 1st and 2nd Ave have the greatest concentration. The Elliott Bay Trail along the waterfront is a great place for a walk, run, or bike ride. The Belltown Art Walk happens on the 2nd Friday of every month from 6-9 PM.
Connecting Lake Union to Elliott Bay, Ballard is the historical center of Seattle's maritime industry and Nordic population. The Ballard locks (free to visit) are an engineering marvel which allow boats to travel from one to the other. You can also view the fish ladder which allows salmon to move between the two. Ballard features an array of bars, restaurants, and boutique shops, especially along Ballard Ave. Golden Gardens Park, just to the north, is one of Seattle's best beaches with views of the Olympic Mountains.
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Ballard
Connecting Lake Union to Elliott Bay, Ballard is the historical center of Seattle's maritime industry and Nordic population. The Ballard locks (free to visit) are an engineering marvel which allow boats to travel from one to the other. You can also view the fish ladder which allows salmon to move between the two. Ballard features an array of bars, restaurants, and boutique shops, especially along Ballard Ave. Golden Gardens Park, just to the north, is one of Seattle's best beaches with views of the Olympic Mountains.
Full of stylish high rises and home to Seattle's tech industry, SLU is abundantly walkable, with a good selection of bars and restaurants. Some favorite spots include Lake Union Park, with the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Center for Wooden Boats. 2120 is a great restaurant choice, sitting right next to The Spheres and serving New American Cuisine (the grilled octopus is fantastic). Velo Bike shop and REI's flagship store are great shops, and Moss Bay offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
South Lake Union
Full of stylish high rises and home to Seattle's tech industry, SLU is abundantly walkable, with a good selection of bars and restaurants. Some favorite spots include Lake Union Park, with the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Center for Wooden Boats. 2120 is a great restaurant choice, sitting right next to The Spheres and serving New American Cuisine (the grilled octopus is fantastic). Velo Bike shop and REI's flagship store are great shops, and Moss Bay offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
One of the most lively bar and restaurant scenes in the city, and home to Seattle's LBGTQ scene. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is like a visit to Willy Wonka's for coffee addicts. For restaurants, Nue offers an international assortment of dishes that offer something for pretty much everyone. FOB Poke Bar is great for a quick bite. Volunteer and Cal Anderson Parks are great spots to spend some time outdoors, and the Jimi Hendrix statue is a must-see for rock fans.
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Capitol Hill
One of the most lively bar and restaurant scenes in the city, and home to Seattle's LBGTQ scene. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is like a visit to Willy Wonka's for coffee addicts. For restaurants, Nue offers an international assortment of dishes that offer something for pretty much everyone. FOB Poke Bar is great for a quick bite. Volunteer and Cal Anderson Parks are great spots to spend some time outdoors, and the Jimi Hendrix statue is a must-see for rock fans.
On the North Shore of Lake Union, Fremont features breweries, hip restaurants, shopping, oh, and a troll under a bridge. Outdoor retailers Evo and Brooks running both have their flagship stores here. Gas Works park is a great place to relax with views of downtown.
Fremont
On the North Shore of Lake Union, Fremont features breweries, hip restaurants, shopping, oh, and a troll under a bridge. Outdoor retailers Evo and Brooks running both have their flagship stores here. Gas Works park is a great place to relax with views of downtown.
Food scene
Awesome Thai Street food in a lively setting with an innovative cocktail menu. Recommend making a reservation through Yelp - the secret is out! 7 min walk.
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Bangrak Market Thai Street Food & Bar
2319 2nd AveAwesome Thai Street food in a lively setting with an innovative cocktail menu. Recommend making a reservation through Yelp - the secret is out! 7 min walk.
Awesome little French bakery and coffee shop, and right around the corner.
35 personas locales recomiendan
La Parisienne French Bakery
2507 4th AveAwesome little French bakery and coffee shop, and right around the corner.
A can't-miss Seattle staple. Home of the legendary thrown fish and much more. The original Starbucks is right across the street and Beecher's Handmade Cheese serves up some of the best comfort food. Pike Brewing offers tasty local brews in a cozy basement atmosphere. The Alibi Room is a great nearby spot for cocktails. Nearby Post Alley offers more shops and restaurants, including the highly rated Pink Door. Stop by on a weekday if you can to avoid the biggest crowds. 17 min walk.
2310 personas locales recomiendan
Mercado Pike Place
1531 Western AveA can't-miss Seattle staple. Home of the legendary thrown fish and much more. The original Starbucks is right across the street and Beecher's Handmade Cheese serves up some of the best comfort food. Pike Brewing offers tasty local brews in a cozy basement atmosphere. The Alibi Room is a great nearby spot for cocktails. Nearby Post Alley offers more shops and restaurants, including the highly rated Pink Door. Stop by on a weekday if you can to avoid the biggest crowds. 17 min walk.
Awesome little restaurant, focused on seafood and small plates. The chef, Renee Erickson, is a local legend. The menu is updated daily. No reservations, but you can grab a drink while you wait right next door at Barnacle.
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The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWAwesome little restaurant, focused on seafood and small plates. The chef, Renee Erickson, is a local legend. The menu is updated daily. No reservations, but you can grab a drink while you wait right next door at Barnacle.
Classic spot for Italian food and nightly entertainment. Located in Post Alley near Pike Place Market, they offer a great atmosphere for a date night or evening with friends. Open Tuesday-Saturday, reservations recommended.
236 personas locales recomiendan
The Pink Door
1919 Post AlleyClassic spot for Italian food and nightly entertainment. Located in Post Alley near Pike Place Market, they offer a great atmosphere for a date night or evening with friends. Open Tuesday-Saturday, reservations recommended.
Umi Sake house offers tasty sushi & Japanese food in a lively, stylish setting. It’s one of the first restaurants I tried when I visited Seattle, and is still a great choice. It’s a local hot spot, reservations are recommended.
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Umi Sake House
2230 1st AveUmi Sake house offers tasty sushi & Japanese food in a lively, stylish setting. It’s one of the first restaurants I tried when I visited Seattle, and is still a great choice. It’s a local hot spot, reservations are recommended.
Nice little French restaurant with sweeping views of Elliott Bay. Tucked into a corner of Pike Place market, it's a great getaway from the crowds. The confit de canard (duck) was excellent.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Maximilien Restaurant
81A Pike StNice little French restaurant with sweeping views of Elliott Bay. Tucked into a corner of Pike Place market, it's a great getaway from the crowds. The confit de canard (duck) was excellent.
Awesome spot for Vietnamese street food with locations in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and University Village. Fun and casual atmosphere with creative cocktails. The Sài Gòn chicken wings are crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. The lemongrass beef was delectable as well.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Ba Bar South Lake
500 Terry Ave NAwesome spot for Vietnamese street food with locations in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and University Village. Fun and casual atmosphere with creative cocktails. The Sài Gòn chicken wings are crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. The lemongrass beef was delectable as well.
Delicious Japanese-Style BBQ in Capitol Hill where you cook your own meats over a grill in the middle of the table. Specializes in well-marbled cuts of beef.
12 personas locales recomiendan
Ishoni Yakiniku
611 Broadway EastDelicious Japanese-Style BBQ in Capitol Hill where you cook your own meats over a grill in the middle of the table. Specializes in well-marbled cuts of beef.
Great spot for a slice of pizza. Lots of specialty options (Banh Mi, chicken pesto), open until midnight, and they have gluten-free personal pizzas. 7 min walk.
60 personas locales recomiendan
Rocco's
2312 2nd AveGreat spot for a slice of pizza. Lots of specialty options (Banh Mi, chicken pesto), open until midnight, and they have gluten-free personal pizzas. 7 min walk.
Featuring some of the PNW's best seafood and views of downtown across Elliott Bay, Salty's is perfect for treating yourself. Prices are on the high side, but the food and service are stellar. Take a car, rideshare, or a water taxi from downtown.
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Salty's on Alki Beach
1936 Harbor Ave SWFeaturing some of the PNW's best seafood and views of downtown across Elliott Bay, Salty's is perfect for treating yourself. Prices are on the high side, but the food and service are stellar. Take a car, rideshare, or a water taxi from downtown.
Rooftop spot with awesome views of the city. Perfect spot for a few drinks and some pics for the ‘gram. They offer tasty Middle Eastern food. Reservations recommended.
63 personas locales recomiendan
MBar
400 Fairview Ave NRooftop spot with awesome views of the city. Perfect spot for a few drinks and some pics for the ‘gram. They offer tasty Middle Eastern food. Reservations recommended.
A taste of old-school Seattle. Located inside Pike Place Market with great views of Elliott Bay. Founded in 1909 by three Greek brothers, they serve up fresh seafood at reasonable prices. You might recognize it from the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”. Open Thursday-Monday.
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The Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar
1517 Pike PlA taste of old-school Seattle. Located inside Pike Place Market with great views of Elliott Bay. Founded in 1909 by three Greek brothers, they serve up fresh seafood at reasonable prices. You might recognize it from the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”. Open Thursday-Monday.
Known for their delectable soup dumplings. Located downtown in Pacific Place mall (also in University Village).
67 personas locales recomiendan
Din Tai Fung
600 Pine StKnown for their delectable soup dumplings. Located downtown in Pacific Place mall (also in University Village).
Museums
Awesome museum featuring outstanding architecture and exhibits. The Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam exhibits are classics. They even have an interactive section on the top floor where you can play instruments with a digital instructor.
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Museo de la Cultura Pop
325 5th Ave NAwesome museum featuring outstanding architecture and exhibits. The Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam exhibits are classics. They even have an interactive section on the top floor where you can play instruments with a digital instructor.
Great way to see the history of technology in the city and beyond. 21 min walk.
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Museo de Historia y de la Industria (MOHAI)
860 Terry Ave NGreat way to see the history of technology in the city and beyond. 21 min walk.
Sightseeing
Seattle's Iconic Landmark! Take the elevator to the top for amazing views and enjoy a drink at the lounge with a revolving glass floor, or simply check it out on the way to any of the other Seattle Center attractions. 6 min walk.
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Space Needle
400 Broad StSeattle's Iconic Landmark! Take the elevator to the top for amazing views and enjoy a drink at the lounge with a revolving glass floor, or simply check it out on the way to any of the other Seattle Center attractions. 6 min walk.
Great spot for walking, running, biking, or relaxing along the Elliott Bay waterfront. 9 min walk. There are even some small beaches to dip your toes in the water.
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Parque de Esculturas Olímpicas
2901 Western AveGreat spot for walking, running, biking, or relaxing along the Elliott Bay waterfront. 9 min walk. There are even some small beaches to dip your toes in the water.
Outdoors
Awesome spot for soaking up some sunshine and views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Just north of Ballard - a great place to relax, cook out, or play with friends or family. You might even catch a glimpse of a harbor seal!
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Parque de los Jardines Dorados
8498 Seaview Pl NWAwesome spot for soaking up some sunshine and views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Just north of Ballard - a great place to relax, cook out, or play with friends or family. You might even catch a glimpse of a harbor seal!
Right in the city, Lake Union is a great spot to get outside, be active, and check out the city. There are great trails for walking, running, or hiking (Westlake Drive and Burke-Gilman, which runs along the north side of the lake). You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, or even get a ride in a floatplane. Gas Works park offers great views of downtown. The lake is lined with iconic houseboats, seen in the movie Sleepless in Seattle.
Lake Union
Right in the city, Lake Union is a great spot to get outside, be active, and check out the city. There are great trails for walking, running, or hiking (Westlake Drive and Burke-Gilman, which runs along the north side of the lake). You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, or even get a ride in a floatplane. Gas Works park offers great views of downtown. The lake is lined with iconic houseboats, seen in the movie Sleepless in Seattle.
A 27-mile trail for walking, running, and biking that goes from Golden Gardens in Ballard, along Lake Union, by UW, and up Lake Washington. It’s a great way to see the city while getting some exercise. Be advised, there is a “missing link” through Ballard that isn’t separate from cars, so increased caution is recommended there.
Burke-Gilman Trl, Seattle, WA, EE. UU.
A 27-mile trail for walking, running, and biking that goes from Golden Gardens in Ballard, along Lake Union, by UW, and up Lake Washington. It’s a great way to see the city while getting some exercise. Be advised, there is a “missing link” through Ballard that isn’t separate from cars, so increased caution is recommended there.
Day Trips
A great day trip from Seattle. Lots of short hikes, scenic views, and beaches to relax by. Stop by the Shrimp Shack on the way for some fresh seafood or take a detour to the charming town of La Conner. 1.5 hour drive.
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Parque Estatal Deception Pass
41229 State Route 20A great day trip from Seattle. Lots of short hikes, scenic views, and beaches to relax by. Stop by the Shrimp Shack on the way for some fresh seafood or take a detour to the charming town of La Conner. 1.5 hour drive.
Stunning views from all sides! I recommend the Fremont Lookout Trail from the Sunrise parking lot. 2-2.5 hour drive.
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Mount Rainier National Park
Stunning views from all sides! I recommend the Fremont Lookout Trail from the Sunrise parking lot. 2-2.5 hour drive.
Incredible Scenery and hiking within a day trip distance. Lots of great sights right along Highway 20. Trail of the Cedars, The Gorge Dam, and Thunder Knob Trail are all close by. The Cascade Pass trail is further down a country road and offers stunning views. Highway 20 is closed between Newhalem and Mazama mid November- early May (exact dates depending on weather).
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North Cascades National Park
Incredible Scenery and hiking within a day trip distance. Lots of great sights right along Highway 20. Trail of the Cedars, The Gorge Dam, and Thunder Knob Trail are all close by. The Cascade Pass trail is further down a country road and offers stunning views. Highway 20 is closed between Newhalem and Mazama mid November- early May (exact dates depending on weather).
Awesome ski area in the heart of the Cascades, less than 2 hours away! They have a great mix of terrain form beginner to expert.
The views are incredible on drive along route 2, part of the Cascade Loop. Try the Espresso Chalet for a cup of something tasty and a jaw-dropping view of Mt. Index.
I recommend arriving early (before 9) or coming in the afternoon to make sure you get a parking spot. They have night skiing several days of the week.
Stevens Pass, Washington 98826, EE. UU.
Awesome ski area in the heart of the Cascades, less than 2 hours away! They have a great mix of terrain form beginner to expert.
The views are incredible on drive along route 2, part of the Cascade Loop. Try the Espresso Chalet for a cup of something tasty and a jaw-dropping view of Mt. Index.
I recommend arriving early (before 9) or coming in the afternoon to make sure you get a parking spot. They have night skiing several days of the week.
Shopping
Great spot to rent a bike at a reasonable price. They have free bike maps for a self-guided tour on Seattle's best bike paths.
Velo Bike Shop
2151 6th AveGreat spot to rent a bike at a reasonable price. They have free bike maps for a self-guided tour on Seattle's best bike paths.
Featuring a rock wall, gear rentals, and 2 levels of goods, REI's flagship store is a must for any outdoor enthusiast. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. 19 min walk. They also have a parking garage which is free for a short trip.
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REI
222 Yale Ave NFeaturing a rock wall, gear rentals, and 2 levels of goods, REI's flagship store is a must for any outdoor enthusiast. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. 19 min walk. They also have a parking garage which is free for a short trip.
Great little shop in downtown Seattle. They have maps, travel books, globes, and puzzles. Lots of Seattle-themed gifts and souvenirs.
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Metsker Maps of Seattle
1511 1st AveGreat little shop in downtown Seattle. They have maps, travel books, globes, and puzzles. Lots of Seattle-themed gifts and souvenirs.