Guidebook for Seattle
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1700 E Madison StCheap, good, convenient food.
Madison Market is a member-owned food co-op. Their standards and ethics are high, both for the inventory they carry and the wellbeing of employees and members. Highly recommended.
245 locals recommend
Central Co-op
1600 E Madison StMadison Market is a member-owned food co-op. Their standards and ethics are high, both for the inventory they carry and the wellbeing of employees and members. Highly recommended.
Grocery Outlet
1126 Martin Luther King Jr WayBargain groceries and great cheap wine selection!
Weekly farmer's market, open every Sunday 11-3 year round.
31 locals recommend
Capitol Hill Farmers Market
East Barbara Bailey WayWeekly farmer's market, open every Sunday 11-3 year round.
Will meet all your liquor and wine needs not satisfied by the closer Madison Market and Trader Joe's.
Northwest Liquor and Wine
1605 12th AveWill meet all your liquor and wine needs not satisfied by the closer Madison Market and Trader Joe's.
Bartell Drugs
1407 BroadwayPharmacy, convenience store. Locally owned and friendly.
Food Scene
Cafe Presse, a truly French cafe, is my favorite for a leisurely, light meal and cocktail. Open till 2pm; a large assortment of periodicals and free wifi available.
188 locals recommend
Cafe Presse
1117 12th AveCafe Presse, a truly French cafe, is my favorite for a leisurely, light meal and cocktail. Open till 2pm; a large assortment of periodicals and free wifi available.
Good coffee, chill atmosphere, yummy snacks, free wifi.
130 locals recommend
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
1115 12th AveGood coffee, chill atmosphere, yummy snacks, free wifi.
Diner - perfect for brunch! Ranges from as greasy as you need it to surprisingly delicate and tasty salads.
190 locals recommend
Skillet Diner
1400 E Union StDiner - perfect for brunch! Ranges from as greasy as you need it to surprisingly delicate and tasty salads.
Vegan restaurant and bar; their vegan Mac & Yeese is the best mac & "cheese" in the city, hands-down.
101 locals recommend
Plum Bistro
1429 12th AveVegan restaurant and bar; their vegan Mac & Yeese is the best mac & "cheese" in the city, hands-down.
Spacious coffee shop with free wifi and delicious food and drinks.
47 locals recommend
Tougo Coffee Co
860 Yesler WaySpacious coffee shop with free wifi and delicious food and drinks.
It is indeed famous - Oprah has it shipped to her from Seattle to Chicago.
181 locals recommend
Ezell's Famous Chicken
501 E Jefferson StIt is indeed famous - Oprah has it shipped to her from Seattle to Chicago.
Delicious waffle varieties. Also: great people, coffee, and free wifi.
54 locals recommend
Cortona Cafe
2425 E Union StDelicious waffle varieties. Also: great people, coffee, and free wifi.
Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
7821 Rainier Avenue SouthDelicious Ethiopian food and warm atmosphere.
Sightseeing
Gorgeous, sprawling campus with dozens of spots to hide away with a book or simply to listen to the birds and waterfalls.
40 locals recommend
Seattle University
901 12th AveGorgeous, sprawling campus with dozens of spots to hide away with a book or simply to listen to the birds and waterfalls.
Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave ESprawling, lovely park, plus Asian Art Museum.
My favorite views of the city, surpassing the Space Needle and Columbia Tower. Breathtaking, 360 degree views.
88 locals recommend
Smith Tower
506 2nd AveMy favorite views of the city, surpassing the Space Needle and Columbia Tower. Breathtaking, 360 degree views.
Tour this creatively green building -- it's designed to have a zero carbon footprint.
6 locals recommend
Bullitt Foundation
1501 E Madison StTour this creatively green building -- it's designed to have a zero carbon footprint.
This 11-story library, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, is a feat of architectural brilliance and beauty.
220 locals recommend
Seattle Public Library
1000 4th AveThis 11-story library, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, is a feat of architectural brilliance and beauty.
Seattle Aquarium
Gorgeous, interactive tidepools. I've spent hours here.
Denny Blaine Park
200 Lake Washington Blvd ETopless beach! And gorgeous lakeside views.
Wonderful waterfront walk scattered with sculptures. One of my favorite sites in Seattle.
653 locals recommend
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western AveWonderful waterfront walk scattered with sculptures. One of my favorite sites in Seattle.
Iconic, bustling market; try to go on a weekday, but regardless of timing, it's a great visit.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveIconic, bustling market; try to go on a weekday, but regardless of timing, it's a great visit.
Arts & Culture
Chop Suey
1325 E Madison StMusic shows almost every night. http://chopsuey.com/
Seattle's Art House: Screens a large variety of independent, art house and classic films. www.nwfilmforum.org
32 locals recommend
Northwest Film Forum
1515 12th AveSeattle's Art House: Screens a large variety of independent, art house and classic films. www.nwfilmforum.org
Central Cinema
1411 21st AveOld movies! With a full dining and drink menu! Delicious fun.
Frye Art Museum
704 Terry AveFree, fabulous art museum, with loads of Seattle history.
All the pinball you could want, from all eras of pinball history; unlimited play for a flat, reasonable fee.
57 locals recommend
Seattle Pinball Museum
508 Maynard Ave SAll the pinball you could want, from all eras of pinball history; unlimited play for a flat, reasonable fee.
Neumos
925 E Pike StGreat music venue.
http://neumos.com/
Shopping
Wonderful selection of books with fabulous, engaged staff. Also has a cafe in the back, so you can get started on those books you'll inevitably end up with. Go here!
243 locals recommend
The Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th AveWonderful selection of books with fabulous, engaged staff. Also has a cafe in the back, so you can get started on those books you'll inevitably end up with. Go here!
If you're lucky enough to have a bike with you or in the market for one, go here for repairs & shopping! They're the best: quick, efficient, knowledgeable, with great taste in shop music, too.
11 locals recommend
20/20 Cycle
2020 E Union StIf you're lucky enough to have a bike with you or in the market for one, go here for repairs & shopping! They're the best: quick, efficient, knowledgeable, with great taste in shop music, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Browse this enormous collection of beers and buy to drink at the shop inside or out on the large patio -- or take it home with you! Food trucks with delicious offerings often parked out front.
182 locals recommend
Chuck's Hop Shop & Kegs to go
2001 E Union StBrowse this enormous collection of beers and buy to drink at the shop inside or out on the large patio -- or take it home with you! Food trucks with delicious offerings often parked out front.
Ba Bar Restaurant
550 12th AvenueUpscale Vietnamese food and cocktails. Really delicious.
Neighbor Lady
1133 E Union StLow-key vibe with pool, free wifi, and cheap food and drinks.
Canon
928 12th AveHigh-end, acclaimed cocktail bar. Arrive early to snag a spot.
Rhein Haus Seattle
912 12th AveGerman pub: bier, bratwursts, and bocce ball are their forte.
Twilight Exit
2514 E Cherry StFor cheap, good food and booze in a low-key atmosphere: go here.
Small art gallery showing eclectic collections. Hold regular art, music, and literary events. Good wine and small eats menu.
22 locals recommend
Vermillion
1508 11th AveSmall art gallery showing eclectic collections. Hold regular art, music, and literary events. Good wine and small eats menu.
Vito's
927 9th AveOld school, plush class. Often hold jazz/blues shows.
Can Can Culinary Cabaret
95 Pine StBurlesque, cocktails, campy fun.
Everything Else
Seattle Yoga Arts
1540 15th AveWake up and walk to yoga!
ZOOM+Care
4555 Stone Way NQuick non-emergency medical care.