Cynthia’s Seattle-area Secrets and Suggestions
Neighborhoods
Ballard Locks, Hot Cakes bakery, Salt & Straw ice cream, Un Bien sandwiches, Gasworks park, Golden Gardens park on Puget Sound, Kavu locally designed outdoor clothing flagship store, lots of restaurants, beer, shops, bars, Nordic Museum.
261 locals recommend
Ballard
Ballard Locks, Hot Cakes bakery, Salt & Straw ice cream, Un Bien sandwiches, Gasworks park, Golden Gardens park on Puget Sound, Kavu locally designed outdoor clothing flagship store, lots of restaurants, beer, shops, bars, Nordic Museum.
LGBTQ neighborhood, Dick’s DriveIn, Molly Moon’s Ice Cream, easy access via light rail, Fogon Mexican restaurant, Elysian brewery, lots of fun shops along Broadway, other restaurants in the Pike/Pine corridor, Starbuck’s Roastery.
344 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
LGBTQ neighborhood, Dick’s DriveIn, Molly Moon’s Ice Cream, easy access via light rail, Fogon Mexican restaurant, Elysian brewery, lots of fun shops along Broadway, other restaurants in the Pike/Pine corridor, Starbuck’s Roastery.
Troll, fun restaurants, bars, shops, Lennon Statue, Theo’s chocolate tour.
251 locals recommend
Fremont
Troll, fun restaurants, bars, shops, Lennon Statue, Theo’s chocolate tour.
The Junction for shops and restaurants, Bakery Nouveau, Husky Deli, then Alki beach with Spud’s Fish and Chips, Cactus restaurant, rent bikes or Surreys, SUP, Marination Mai Kai. Take the water taxi from downtown Seattle.
53 locals recommend
West Seattle
The Junction for shops and restaurants, Bakery Nouveau, Husky Deli, then Alki beach with Spud’s Fish and Chips, Cactus restaurant, rent bikes or Surreys, SUP, Marination Mai Kai. Take the water taxi from downtown Seattle.
Seattle Center, Chihuly Museum, Space Needle at the bottom of Queen Anne Hill; cute shops and restaurants and Kerry Park on top
62 locals recommend
Queen Anne Hill
Seattle Center, Chihuly Museum, Space Needle at the bottom of Queen Anne Hill; cute shops and restaurants and Kerry Park on top
90 miles north of Seattle, college town, cute downtown and Fairhaven District for restaurants and shops, Chuckanut Drive to Bow/Edison (great bakery; cash only), hikes.
61 locals recommend
Bellingham
90 miles north of Seattle, college town, cute downtown and Fairhaven District for restaurants and shops, Chuckanut Drive to Bow/Edison (great bakery; cash only), hikes.
City/town information
Ride the Washington State Ferry from downtown Seattle to Winslow on Bainbridge island. Walk to shops/restaurants
28 locals recommend
Bainbridge Island
Ride the Washington State Ferry from downtown Seattle to Winslow on Bainbridge island. Walk to shops/restaurants
Drive north of Seattle to Edmonds. Shops, restaurants, Cascade Museum, walk on beach, home to Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door
53 locals recommend
Edmonds
Drive north of Seattle to Edmonds. Shops, restaurants, Cascade Museum, walk on beach, home to Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door
A drive to the Eastside of Lake Washington. Anthony’s Kirkland, shops, restaurants along the water, waterfront park and stroll, Argosy cruise on the water to see houses of famous Seattleites.
49 locals recommend
Kirkland
A drive to the Eastside of Lake Washington. Anthony’s Kirkland, shops, restaurants along the water, waterfront park and stroll, Argosy cruise on the water to see houses of famous Seattleites.
Drive north of Seattle about 1 hour for shops, museums, antiques, restaurants and - in April - the famous Tulip Festival.
91 locals recommend
La Conner
Drive north of Seattle about 1 hour for shops, museums, antiques, restaurants and - in April - the famous Tulip Festival.
Woodinville
Drive east of Seattle for wine and beer tasting.
Drive East of Seattle at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Old western-style downtown, Salmon Hatchery, train depot, Boehm’s Candies, Gilman Village, shops and restaurants. Extra hiking nearby too at Poo Poo Point.
19 locals recommend
Issaquah
Drive East of Seattle at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Old western-style downtown, Salmon Hatchery, train depot, Boehm’s Candies, Gilman Village, shops and restaurants. Extra hiking nearby too at Poo Poo Point.
90 miles north of Seattle, college town, cute downtown and Fairhaven District for restaurants and shops, Chuckanut Drive to Bow/Edison (great bakery; cash only), hikes.
61 locals recommend
Bellingham
90 miles north of Seattle, college town, cute downtown and Fairhaven District for restaurants and shops, Chuckanut Drive to Bow/Edison (great bakery; cash only), hikes.
Downtown Seattle
Pure Food Fish (the middle fish market) and ask for a free sample of their amazing smoked salmon; DeLaurenti’s excellent choc. Chip cookie; homemade mini doughnuts; fresh roasted nuts; free tea sample at Market Spice Tea; Alibi pizza and beer across from the gum wall, gelato at Bottega Italia try the pear; humbow at Mee Sum Pastry; skip the line for the “original” Starbucks, which isn’t really the original, take a photo of the original logo outside.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AvePure Food Fish (the middle fish market) and ask for a free sample of their amazing smoked salmon; DeLaurenti’s excellent choc. Chip cookie; homemade mini doughnuts; fresh roasted nuts; free tea sample at Market Spice Tea; Alibi pizza and beer across from the gum wall, gelato at Bottega Italia try the pear; humbow at Mee Sum Pastry; skip the line for the “original” Starbucks, which isn’t really the original, take a photo of the original logo outside.
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western AveFree sculpture tour along the Seattle waterfront.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StThe one Must See museum in Seattle!
REI
222 Yale Ave NREI flagship store for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.
Hikes
Rattlesnake Ledge Trailhead
Snoqualmie Valley Trail3 miles RT up with great view; avoid on weekends.
Twin Falls Trailhead
Southeast 159th StreetGreat for kids; avoid on weekends.
Snow Lake Trailhead
Alpental Access Road7 miles RT; avoid on weekends.
Poo Poo Point Trailhead
11400 Issaquah-Hobart Road SoutheastChirico Trail (3.8 miles RT; avoid on weekends).
Fancy restaurants
Canlis
2576 Aurora Ave NSeattle institution.
The Herbfarm
14590 NE 145th StSmall plate, multi-course, all local.
Food scene
Korean/Hawaiian fusion at the West Seattle side of the West Seattle Water Taxi. Walk up. Excellent casual food – tacos, fries, fish and chips, amazing view on the water. Cynthia's favorite!
232 locals recommend
Marination Ma Kai
1660 Harbor Ave SWKorean/Hawaiian fusion at the West Seattle side of the West Seattle Water Taxi. Walk up. Excellent casual food – tacos, fries, fish and chips, amazing view on the water. Cynthia's favorite!
Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson StVietnamese, Seattle International District
Phở Bắc Restaurant
1314 S Jackson StVietnamese, Seattle International District
Square Lotus
3540 Factoria Blvd SEVietnamese, Bellevue
Teriyaki House
4957 Lakemont Blvd SEFamous Seattle yaki on Lakemont Blvd., Bellevue, near our hiking spot.
If you LOVE Starbucks, check out the Reserve Roastery (and skip the "first Starbucks" at the Pike Place Market.
425 locals recommend
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
1124 Pike StIf you LOVE Starbucks, check out the Reserve Roastery (and skip the "first Starbucks" at the Pike Place Market.
Breakfast
Voula's Offshore Cafe
658 NE Northlake WayPortage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union
391 Terry Ave NOld-time breakfast place in a historic old building in Bellevue.
13 locals recommend
Chace's Pancake Corral
1606 Bellevue Way SEOld-time breakfast place in a historic old building in Bellevue.
Rustic historic Northwest bakery. The cinnamon rolls with whole wheat flour and currents are excellent. Como bread is awesome too.
14 locals recommend
Grand Central Bakery
214 1st Ave SRustic historic Northwest bakery. The cinnamon rolls with whole wheat flour and currents are excellent. Como bread is awesome too.
Best French bakery in town. Everything is excellent. Locations in West Seattle, Seattle's Capitol Hill and Burien.
489 locals recommend
Bakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SWBest French bakery in town. Everything is excellent. Locations in West Seattle, Seattle's Capitol Hill and Burien.