Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
looking for some genuine Seattle fast food? Teriyaki is it, and this is some of the best in the city. There may be no best time to go because every time we pick up dinner, there's a line. Our favorites: yakisoba, chicken katsu, and for a small meal try one of their bowls.
I Luv Teriyaki
6500 4th Ave Slooking for some genuine Seattle fast food? Teriyaki is it, and this is some of the best in the city. There may be no best time to go because every time we pick up dinner, there's a line. Our favorites: yakisoba, chicken katsu, and for a small meal try one of their bowls.
We love Thai food and we love Khaosan Road. Luckily it's right in the neighborhood. Our favorite: the crispy garlic chicken and pad thai. Mmmmmm.
Khaosan Road Thai Cuisine
5963 Corson Ave SWe love Thai food and we love Khaosan Road. Luckily it's right in the neighborhood. Our favorite: the crispy garlic chicken and pad thai. Mmmmmm.
Pagliacci Pizza
1614 W Dravus StA long-time Seattle favorite when it comes to pizza.
Wood fired pizzas and truly delicious salads. This is a great place for kids, who get their own pizza dough to play with and the ever-popular Wikisticks.
128 residents recomanen
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria
4918 Rainier Ave SWood fired pizzas and truly delicious salads. This is a great place for kids, who get their own pizza dough to play with and the ever-popular Wikisticks.
Geraldine's breakfast is total solid, tasty diner fare. If you arrive early enough you can mostly avoid the lines.
192 residents recomanen
Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SGeraldine's breakfast is total solid, tasty diner fare. If you arrive early enough you can mostly avoid the lines.
Sunset Cafe
8115 Rainier Ave SDiscover some truly tasty Ethiopian food.
Top Pot sprung to life in Seattle and has been giving us sweet, greasy goodness for the past fourteen plus years. There are plenty of chances to grab a donut at Top Pot around the city but here you get a spectacular view with your donut and coffee. Our favorites - the apple fritter, or course. And anything maple. Glazed. Plain. Wait, ALL OF THEM.
257 residents recomanen
Top Pot Doughnuts
609 Summit Ave ETop Pot sprung to life in Seattle and has been giving us sweet, greasy goodness for the past fourteen plus years. There are plenty of chances to grab a donut at Top Pot around the city but here you get a spectacular view with your donut and coffee. Our favorites - the apple fritter, or course. And anything maple. Glazed. Plain. Wait, ALL OF THEM.
Because burgers should all come panko-coated and deep fried. Katsu Burger is a neighborhood gem. Try the curry fries and any of the DIPPING SAUCES. We might be a family powered by dipping sauce.
25 residents recomanen
Katsu Burger
6538 4th Ave SBecause burgers should all come panko-coated and deep fried. Katsu Burger is a neighborhood gem. Try the curry fries and any of the DIPPING SAUCES. We might be a family powered by dipping sauce.
Sushi. Yakisoba. Katsudon. The Cutting Board is a cut above our other fave, I Luv Teriyaki, when it comes to teriyaki plus the sushi. Mmmmmmm.
15 residents recomanen
Cutting Board
5503 Airport Way SSushi. Yakisoba. Katsudon. The Cutting Board is a cut above our other fave, I Luv Teriyaki, when it comes to teriyaki plus the sushi. Mmmmmmm.
Neighborhood Secret. Stellar was originally called Stella until they were sued by another restaurant named Stella in the city. That other restaurant has long since shut down but Stellar lives on, with all its grungy Georgetown aesthetic.
17 residents recomanen
Stellar Pizza, Ale, & Cocktails
5513 Airport Way SNeighborhood Secret. Stellar was originally called Stella until they were sued by another restaurant named Stella in the city. That other restaurant has long since shut down but Stellar lives on, with all its grungy Georgetown aesthetic.
What, more burgers? Yup. Zippy's is a Seattle destination. The Zippy's sauce is super tasty. We did mention that we're all about the sauce, right? The shakes are good too. And the fries. Zippy's is a total family fave.
Zippy's Giant Burgers
5633 Airport Way SouthWhat, more burgers? Yup. Zippy's is a Seattle destination. The Zippy's sauce is super tasty. We did mention that we're all about the sauce, right? The shakes are good too. And the fries. Zippy's is a total family fave.
You're in Seattle - here's some local coffee! One of the first businesses to come in and start the revitalization of our small Seattle neighborhood.
27 residents recomanen
All City Coffee
1205 S Vale StYou're in Seattle - here's some local coffee! One of the first businesses to come in and start the revitalization of our small Seattle neighborhood.
Fonda La Catrina
5905 Airport Way SA great Mexican restaurant right in the neighborhood.
Arts & Culture
Entirely unique to Georgetown, open just once a month, this is the coolest spot with a steam punk aesthetic. A national landmark, the plant represents an important development in the early history of electrical engineering in the United States, marking the beginning of the end of the reciprocating steam engine's domination of the growing field of electrical power generation.
The Georgetown Steam Plant is open to the public the second Saturday of every month from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with free guided tours at 11:00am and 1:00pm.
Georgetown Steam Plant Museum
6605 13th Ave SEntirely unique to Georgetown, open just once a month, this is the coolest spot with a steam punk aesthetic. A national landmark, the plant represents an important development in the early history of electrical engineering in the United States, marking the beginning of the end of the reciprocating steam engine's domination of the growing field of electrical power generation.
The Georgetown Steam Plant is open to the public the second Saturday of every month from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with free guided tours at 11:00am and 1:00pm.
This museum features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central-office switches. We also have working Step-by-Step and Crossbar PBX equipment as well as antique telephones, switchboards, outside plant displays (poles, cables, splicing equipment, and tools) and a reference library.
If you know what all that is, you are in luck because it's just a couple blocks away. It's open Every SUNDAY from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
Connections Museum
7000 E Marginal Way SThis museum features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central-office switches. We also have working Step-by-Step and Crossbar PBX equipment as well as antique telephones, switchboards, outside plant displays (poles, cables, splicing equipment, and tools) and a reference library.
If you know what all that is, you are in luck because it's just a couple blocks away. It's open Every SUNDAY from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
A truly fabulous museum and one of the best in the city.
97 residents recomanen
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
719 S King StA truly fabulous museum and one of the best in the city.
Museu de Pinball de Seattle
508 Maynard Ave SPlay all the pinball you want for a flat fee.
Sightseeing
A local suggesting Pike Place? Oh yeah! It's one of the greatest spots in Seattle. You can be a tourist and gawk at the fish throwers or you can pick up local produce, jams, nuts, meats and bring it all home to cook dinner. Check out Beecher's Cheeses, Sur la Table, and the truly delicious humbows at Mee Sum Pastry. Even a local enjoys a few hours wandering around the market. If you stop at Lowells you might even run into our friend Tina tending bar.
2311 residents recomanen
Mercat de Pike Place
1531 Western AveA local suggesting Pike Place? Oh yeah! It's one of the greatest spots in Seattle. You can be a tourist and gawk at the fish throwers or you can pick up local produce, jams, nuts, meats and bring it all home to cook dinner. Check out Beecher's Cheeses, Sur la Table, and the truly delicious humbows at Mee Sum Pastry. Even a local enjoys a few hours wandering around the market. If you stop at Lowells you might even run into our friend Tina tending bar.
One of the greatest tours Seattle has to offer, you walk through the city that buried when Seattle rebuilt after a devastating fire. This one is good enough that even the locals enjoy it.
285 residents recomanen
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st AveOne of the greatest tours Seattle has to offer, you walk through the city that buried when Seattle rebuilt after a devastating fire. This one is good enough that even the locals enjoy it.
When in Rome...
We have the largest ferry system in the world right here in Seattle. Used by the commuter communities to get into downtown for work, a ride on a ferry is a must-do while in Seattle. We've been here for over twenty years and still enjoy the ferries. If you get lucky you might get a glimpse of one of our resident orca pods.
157 residents recomanen
Seattle Ferry Terminal
Seattle Ferry TerminalWhen in Rome...
We have the largest ferry system in the world right here in Seattle. Used by the commuter communities to get into downtown for work, a ride on a ferry is a must-do while in Seattle. We've been here for over twenty years and still enjoy the ferries. If you get lucky you might get a glimpse of one of our resident orca pods.
This is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. It's been carefully maintained by the people living there and remains one of the less developed areas of Seattle. It's a bit gritty but offers some of the best small restaurants around.
200 residents recomanen
Seattle Chinatown-International District
This is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. It's been carefully maintained by the people living there and remains one of the less developed areas of Seattle. It's a bit gritty but offers some of the best small restaurants around.
Built for the World's Fair, the Space Needle has long defined Seattle. Totally touristy!
1748 residents recomanen
Aguja de l'Espai
400 Broad StBuilt for the World's Fair, the Space Needle has long defined Seattle. Totally touristy!
Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, the Smith Tower is a historic Seattle icon.
88 residents recomanen
Torre Smith
506 2nd AveOnce the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, the Smith Tower is a historic Seattle icon.
The Locks are another fantastic destination enjoyed by visitors and locals. The Locks carry more boat traffic than any other lock in the United States. They connect Lake Union to the Puget Sound. They also feature a fish ladder and botanical garden. One of our personal favorite things to do in Seattle.
774 residents recomanen
Escluses de Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden)
3015 NW 54th StThe Locks are another fantastic destination enjoyed by visitors and locals. The Locks carry more boat traffic than any other lock in the United States. They connect Lake Union to the Puget Sound. They also feature a fish ladder and botanical garden. One of our personal favorite things to do in Seattle.
From beautiful topical plants to desert cacti, we visit the conservatory a few times a year. It's a lovely, warm place on a wet Seattle day. We also enjoy their small gift shop.
101 residents recomanen
Conservatori del parc dels voluntaris
1400 E Galer StFrom beautiful topical plants to desert cacti, we visit the conservatory a few times a year. It's a lovely, warm place on a wet Seattle day. We also enjoy their small gift shop.
Sports fan or not, the Safe is quite impressive. It's the largest retractable roof in the country because, you know, rain. Don't forget that you can arrange a tour of the Safe. It's on OUR personal list of things to do.
300 residents recomanen
Parc T-Mobile
1250 1st Ave SSports fan or not, the Safe is quite impressive. It's the largest retractable roof in the country because, you know, rain. Don't forget that you can arrange a tour of the Safe. It's on OUR personal list of things to do.
Housing the Seattle Symphony, Benaroya offers free tours. Meet your tour guide in front of the Grand Lobby entrance in The Boeing Company Gallery at the corner of Third Avenue and University Street. Abbreviated tours at noon, full tours at 1 pm. Totally free. Best for 10 and up.
9 residents recomanen
Benaroya Hall Artists Entrance
200 2nd AveHousing the Seattle Symphony, Benaroya offers free tours. Meet your tour guide in front of the Grand Lobby entrance in The Boeing Company Gallery at the corner of Third Avenue and University Street. Abbreviated tours at noon, full tours at 1 pm. Totally free. Best for 10 and up.
Parks & Nature
For us Alki is iconic Seattle. Sit on the beach and watch the ferries go back and forth as you gaze at downtown. It's a great place to visit in the summer but our favorite time of year is the winter, when it's quiet and beautiful. Stop for some fish and chips at Spuds and you might even see our family playing in the Sound.
865 residents recomanen
Alki Beach
For us Alki is iconic Seattle. Sit on the beach and watch the ferries go back and forth as you gaze at downtown. It's a great place to visit in the summer but our favorite time of year is the winter, when it's quiet and beautiful. Stop for some fish and chips at Spuds and you might even see our family playing in the Sound.
Locally known as the Hat and Boots, this park is a neighborhood labor of love. If you've met Alan or LaDele at the Carleton, you've met the people who saved this former gas station from ruin and were instrumental in having it moved to it's location. Plus what is cooler than a giant cowboy hat and boots? Not much.
8 residents recomanen
Oxbow Park
6430 Corson Ave SLocally known as the Hat and Boots, this park is a neighborhood labor of love. If you've met Alan or LaDele at the Carleton, you've met the people who saved this former gas station from ruin and were instrumental in having it moved to it's location. Plus what is cooler than a giant cowboy hat and boots? Not much.
Shhhhh, a tip from a local. This is the BEST spray park in the city. It's shaded by trees and rarely crowded. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Georgetown Playfield
750 S Homer StShhhhh, a tip from a local. This is the BEST spray park in the city. It's shaded by trees and rarely crowded. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
There are no words to describe how amazing the arboretum is. Its 230 acres are a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. A walk in the arboretum is salve for the soul. They also have a lovely gift shop.
313 residents recomanen
Arboretum dels Jardins Botànics de la Universitat de Washington Park
2300 Arboretum Dr EThere are no words to describe how amazing the arboretum is. Its 230 acres are a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. A walk in the arboretum is salve for the soul. They also have a lovely gift shop.
Walk along the shores of Lake Washington or go for a hike on one of the many upper trails. One of our favorite parks in the city.
477 residents recomanen
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SWalk along the shores of Lake Washington or go for a hike on one of the many upper trails. One of our favorite parks in the city.
Essentials
The Carleton is the kind of small neighborhood grocery you grew up with, a quintessential corner store. Say "hi" to Alan, LaDele and their pug. Grab a few essentials. We love to get our neighborhood news when we stop by the Carleton and our kids love the ice cream.
7 residents recomanen
Carleton Avenue Grocery
6601 Carleton Avenue SouthThe Carleton is the kind of small neighborhood grocery you grew up with, a quintessential corner store. Say "hi" to Alan, LaDele and their pug. Grab a few essentials. We love to get our neighborhood news when we stop by the Carleton and our kids love the ice cream.
The Red Apple is on the bus line, right by the light rail and has a great Chinese deli in the back.
109 residents recomanen
Hilltop Red Apple
2701 Beacon Ave SThe Red Apple is on the bus line, right by the light rail and has a great Chinese deli in the back.
Trader Joe's
4545 Fauntleroy Way SWTJ's is an essential in itself. Your unique grocery store.
Ready to go upscale? Met Mart is your local fancy grocery story where you can get all your grocery dreams fulfilled. It's not cheap but it's fun.
134 residents recomanen
Metropolitan Market West Seattle (Admiral)
2320 42nd Ave SWReady to go upscale? Met Mart is your local fancy grocery story where you can get all your grocery dreams fulfilled. It's not cheap but it's fun.
Our local co-op, Seattle-style. PCC is full of organic and thoughtfully sourced groceries. They also offer a great deli and hot bar. Parking is available.
243 residents recomanen
PCC Community Markets - Columbia City
3610 S Edmunds StOur local co-op, Seattle-style. PCC is full of organic and thoughtfully sourced groceries. They also offer a great deli and hot bar. Parking is available.
Uwajimaya
600 5th Ave SA huge Japanese grocery store in the International District.
It's a bit silly to categorize Costco at a grocery store, plus we are sure you don't need the world's largest bag of cheese for your trip, but we do want you to know that the Costco on 4th Avenue is the original Costco. Well, they did tear down the actual original store and build a new one a while ago, but it's still where it all began and over the last twenty years we've seen the same people working there. You can also get a super cheap pizza from their food court. And they have gas and a car wash. Brave the Costco parking lot like a local!!!!
132 residents recomanen
Costco Wholesale
8629 120th Ave NEIt's a bit silly to categorize Costco at a grocery store, plus we are sure you don't need the world's largest bag of cheese for your trip, but we do want you to know that the Costco on 4th Avenue is the original Costco. Well, they did tear down the actual original store and build a new one a while ago, but it's still where it all began and over the last twenty years we've seen the same people working there. You can also get a super cheap pizza from their food court. And they have gas and a car wash. Brave the Costco parking lot like a local!!!!
Entertainment & Activities
Popcorn with REAL butter, a local theater that shows both art-house movies and blockbusters, the feel of movie theaters past when going to the movies wasn't at that mall? You will love the Ark Lodge. Shop local! Check out Groupon - they usually have a deal.
114 residents recomanen
Ark Lodge Cinemas
4816 Rainier Ave SPopcorn with REAL butter, a local theater that shows both art-house movies and blockbusters, the feel of movie theaters past when going to the movies wasn't at that mall? You will love the Ark Lodge. Shop local! Check out Groupon - they usually have a deal.
We are such big fans of our amazing Seattle Center. It has the Science Center, great food at the Armory, fountains to play in during the summer, the Chihuly Exhibit, the Space Needle, a fantastic playground and lots of room to run. We feel a visit to the Seattle Center is one of the best kid-friendly things to do in our city.
362 residents recomanen
Centre de Seattle
305 Harrison StWe are such big fans of our amazing Seattle Center. It has the Science Center, great food at the Armory, fountains to play in during the summer, the Chihuly Exhibit, the Space Needle, a fantastic playground and lots of room to run. We feel a visit to the Seattle Center is one of the best kid-friendly things to do in our city.
We totally get that some people are zoo people and some people aren't. We're Seattleites after all. When it comes to zoos, we really enjoy Woodland Park. It's huge, lots of space for kids to run, a carousel and a great indoor forest filled with birds. Once again, we love the zoo in the winter when it's less crowded. You can warm up in the atrium and ride the carousel a million times if you want to. In the summer they have great family-friendly outdoor concerts.
625 residents recomanen
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NWe totally get that some people are zoo people and some people aren't. We're Seattleites after all. When it comes to zoos, we really enjoy Woodland Park. It's huge, lots of space for kids to run, a carousel and a great indoor forest filled with birds. Once again, we love the zoo in the winter when it's less crowded. You can warm up in the atrium and ride the carousel a million times if you want to. In the summer they have great family-friendly outdoor concerts.
Getting Around
Closest light rail station, accessible by bus. Look around and you might find some four hour street parking if you want to take a trip into downtown.
91 residents recomanen
Beacon Hill Station
Closest light rail station, accessible by bus. Look around and you might find some four hour street parking if you want to take a trip into downtown.