Seattle Guidebook
Sightseeing
Pike Place Market is a must-see. I usually stop by the Fish Market (86 Pike Pl) to watch some fish throwing and grab a bite at Piroshky (1908 Pike Pl). The market is a great place to find original works by local artists.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AvePike Place Market is a must-see. I usually stop by the Fish Market (86 Pike Pl) to watch some fish throwing and grab a bite at Piroshky (1908 Pike Pl). The market is a great place to find original works by local artists.
If this is your first time visiting Seattle, Space Needle will give you a 360 panorama view of the city and Puget Sound. The best way to purchase the ticket is through Seattle City Pass. It allows you to visit 5 popular landmarks with a discount price.
1748 locals recommend
Space Needle
400 Broad StIf this is your first time visiting Seattle, Space Needle will give you a 360 panorama view of the city and Puget Sound. The best way to purchase the ticket is through Seattle City Pass. It allows you to visit 5 popular landmarks with a discount price.
Seattle Waterfront is a lively two-mile stretch between the water taxi/ferry dock and the Olympic Sculpture Park. It is filled with restaurants and souvenir shops.
83 locals recommend
Seattle Waterfront
Seattle Waterfront is a lively two-mile stretch between the water taxi/ferry dock and the Olympic Sculpture Park. It is filled with restaurants and souvenir shops.
If you visit Seattle in April, go to University of Washing for a walk. Start at the Quad for the beautiful cherry blossoms, pass by the Drumheller Fountain, and walk towards Rainier Vista. On a clear day, you will see the majestic Mt Rainier. Standing at 14,411 feet, it is one of the highest mountain peaks in the continental USA.
329 locals recommend
University of Washington
1410 Northeast Campus ParkwayIf you visit Seattle in April, go to University of Washing for a walk. Start at the Quad for the beautiful cherry blossoms, pass by the Drumheller Fountain, and walk towards Rainier Vista. On a clear day, you will see the majestic Mt Rainier. Standing at 14,411 feet, it is one of the highest mountain peaks in the continental USA.
Great view of Lake Union and Seattle's skyline from the north side of the city.
860 locals recommend
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayGreat view of Lake Union and Seattle's skyline from the north side of the city.
Great view of Seattle's skyline from West Seattle. Water taxi dock is right next to it.
19 locals recommend
Seacrest Park
1660 Harbor Ave SWGreat view of Seattle's skyline from West Seattle. Water taxi dock is right next to it.
This is where the iconic Seattle photos are taken - You will see the Space Needle, downtown skyline, and Mt Rainier.
881 locals recommend
Kerry Park
211 W Highland DrThis is where the iconic Seattle photos are taken - You will see the Space Needle, downtown skyline, and Mt Rainier.
Food scene
International District is great for food and shopping. My personal favorites are Dough Zone (soup buns), Purple Dot Cafe (dim sum), A+ Hong Kong Kitchen (quick, affordable), Chung Chun Rice Hotdog (snack), Yomie's Rice X Yogurt (snack/dessert), Chengdu Taste (spicy Sichuan cuisine).
200 locals recommend
Seattle Chinatown-International District
International District is great for food and shopping. My personal favorites are Dough Zone (soup buns), Purple Dot Cafe (dim sum), A+ Hong Kong Kitchen (quick, affordable), Chung Chun Rice Hotdog (snack), Yomie's Rice X Yogurt (snack/dessert), Chengdu Taste (spicy Sichuan cuisine).
Capitol Hill is probably the most vibrant and young neighborhood. It has some of the best restaurants and bars in Seattle. My personal favorites are Taylors Shellfish and Oyster Bar, HoneyHole Sandwiches, Salt and Straw (ice cream). You can also visit the Starbucks Reserve Rostery, Starbucks' flagship store.
344 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is probably the most vibrant and young neighborhood. It has some of the best restaurants and bars in Seattle. My personal favorites are Taylors Shellfish and Oyster Bar, HoneyHole Sandwiches, Salt and Straw (ice cream). You can also visit the Starbucks Reserve Rostery, Starbucks' flagship store.
Traveler advice
Getting around
How to Get to My House From the Airport
My house is 14 miles from SEA-TAC. Uber/Lyft takes ~15 min and $50+.
Public transit takes ~$10 and up to 2 hours:
Option 1 - Light rail + Bus: Take the light rail in the airport and get off at Columbia City Station. Walk to S Alaska St and take Bus 50. Get off the bus at SW Lander St. Walk to my house (10 min).
Option 2 - Light rail + Water Taxi + Shuttle: Take the light rail in the airport and get off at Pioneer Square Station. Walk to Pier
50 and catch the water taxi. After the water taxi, take the free shuttle 775 to 57th Ave. Walk to my house (5 min).
Getting around
Water taxi to downtown
I recommend to take the water taxi to downtown. It is a quick (15 min), fun ride and you get the best view of the Seattle skyline. My house is 2 miles from the water taxi dock. You can either walk/scooter along the beach, or take the free shuttle 775 to the dock.
You can find the schedule for both the water taxi and the shuttle 775 here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/water-taxi/west-seattle.aspx
If you decide to ride the scooters, please be careful and do not go too fast. We see people fall and injure themselves every year.
Don't miss
Restaurants on Alki Beach
All the restaurants on Alki Beach are to the west of 55th Ave. Online map sites/apps are the best way to look up their menu and hours. The ones that we like are:
Blue Moon (Decent burgers/milk shake/beer, nice outdoor seating, Wednesday half price burger special); Pepper Dock (good value burgers/hot dogs/ice cream); Natalie's (boba tea, smoothies, Vietnamese street food); Alki Beach Cafe (brunch); Future Primitive Beach Bar (nice outdoor seating); El Chupacabra (Mexican food); Cactus (Mexican food and fancier than Chupacabra); SPUD (fish and chips).
Don't miss
Restaurants in West Seattle
Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor Ave SW) serves Hawaiian-Korean fusion food and has great outdoor seating. It's right next to the water taxi dock and has the best view of Seattle Skyline from the West Seattle side.
New Leaf Bistro (2342 California Ave SW) is our favorite Pho/Thai food restaurant in West Seattle. Simple menu and serves quickly.
Alaska Junction (intersection of California Ave SW and SW Alaska St) is like the downtown for West Seattle. Our favorite restaurants here are Itto's Tapas, Seattle Fish Company, Coastline Burgers, Jak's Grill, and Matador.
Don't miss
Restaurants in Seattle
Seattle has so many restaurants. Our all-time favorite is Paseo (Cuban style sandwiches. My favorite is Sauteed Prawns. Paul's is Famous Caribbean Roast. They have two locations - 1760 1st Ave S and 4225 Fremont Ave N).
We also like Tat's Deli (Cheesesteak sandwiches. Their breakfast is the best. 159 Yesler Way), 8oz Burger (1401 Broadway), Taylor Shellfish (Oyster Bar. 521 Melrose Ave). Haidilao (Hotpot. Call ahead for reservation. 600 Pine St Suite 355). Dough Zone (Shanghai soup buns. 504 5th Ave).