DO

1. Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club, University District
While the food is not to be missed the café also rents kayaks. We recommend paddling first then rewarding yourself with a margarita and a “Mangodilla.”

2. Visit Bainbridge Island. Only a 30-minute ferry ride away, Bainbridge Island is an easy trip and a fun way to explore the region without a car. The view of the city skyline from the ferry deck is well worth the price of a ticket. When you get to Bainbridge, walk up the hill then take a left on Winslow Way, or stop to visit the new Art Museum. Stop for ice cream at Mora or lunch at Café Nora. 

3. Center for Wooden Boats, South Lake Union. Rent a wooden boat and explore Lake Union: see houseboats and floating homes, seaplanes, working shipyards, and more boats than you can shake an oar at!

4. Discovery Park, Magnolia. The air is even fresher at this 534 acre park. With miles of trails, the park is a great way to experience the beauty of the Northwest without leaving the city. Be sure to drive or hike down to the lighthouse.

5. Space Needle, Queen Anne. The needle needs no introduction, and the views are on-point. Pro Tip: If you are going to do a lot of touristy stuff get a CITYPASS for $89. It gives you admission to 5 attractions including the Space Needle and an Argosy Harbor Cruise.  Go to CityPass.com for more information.

6. Starbucks – Columbia Tower 40th Floor
If what you want is a view, and don’t want to pay $37.50 for it (Space Needle), ride the elevator to the Starbucks in the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower at 701 5th Ave. They serve coffee too!

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SEE

1. Fremont Troll, Fremont. Pay your respects before heading down the hill to explore the rest of the neighborhood.

2. Gas Works Park, Fremont. Pack a picnic and set out to enjoy remnants of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States. No really, it’s great!

3. Kerry Park, Queen Anne. Picture perfect views of the city are worth the hike up Queen Anne Ave.

4. Pike Place Market, Downtown. A must see! But try to go early to beat the masses and stop by Daily Dozen Doughnut. Fresh fish, food, and flowers can be found at street level but there are tons of shops on the lower levels too.

5. Pioneer Square, Pioneer Square. Explore old Seattle and a blooming gallery district; don’t miss Occidental park and the Waterfall Garden.

6. Seattle Central Library, Downtown. Designed by Rem Koolhaus and worth a walkthrough. Check out the red room and the escalator.

 

Eat

1. Café Campagne, Downtown. A cozy bistro, great for breakfast or lunch with spectacular French toast.

2. Café Lago, Montlake. They’ve been serving Tuscan inspired food in this neighborhood spot for decades. House-made pasta, woodfired pizza, the best tomato sauce we’ve ever eaten.

3. Dick’s, Various Locations. Famed late night spot where hamburgers, shakes, and fries are best enjoyed in the hours between 11pm and 2am.

4. Essential Bakery Café, Pioneer Square. Soups, salads, and sandwiches on fresh bread.

5. Little Chinook’s, Magnolia. Best fish n’ chips in the city with views of Fisherman’s Terminal. Swing by on your way to Discovery Park. “Big” Chinook’s is right upstairs if you’d like waiters and tablecloths with your fish.

6. Lola, Downtown. Upscale Mediterranean restaurant owned by Seattle’s celebrity chef, Tom Douglas.

7. The London Plane, Pioneer Square. Cafe/bakery/flower shop filled with fancy gourmet toasts and the girls who eat them.

8. Matt’s in the Market, Downtown. Another local culinary institution, across from Pike Place market.

9. Pink Door, Downtown. A Seattle Classic for Italian and seafood with a great patio.

10. Portage Bay Café, South Lake Union (and other locations). Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch, or just to gawk at the droves of Amazon employees.

11. Red Mill, Various Locations. “One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die” - Oprah

12. Salumi, Pioneer Square. Bresaola, mortadella, and prosciutto are kind at this tiny sandwich shop.

13. Shanghai Garden, International District. Do not leave without eating the barley green hand-shaved noodles.

14. Suika Seattle, Capitol Hill. This ramen house has developed a cult following.

15. The Whale Wins, Fremont. Neighborhood hot spot with a wood-fired, veggie-centric menu.

16. Paseo Caribbean Food.  Counter-service Caribbean joint serving sandwiches & entrees in a simple setting.

 

Drink

1. Caffè Umbria, Pioneer Square.Enjoy a cappuccino or iced coffee on Occidental Avenue.

2. Fremont Brewery, Fremont. Brewery and tasting room beloved by millennials, boomers, babies, and dogs alike.

3. Foreign National, Capitol Hill. Cocktails are paired with Asian street food at this speakeasy-style lounge.

4. Mbar, South Lake Union. Happy Hour is from 4-6 on this rooftop patio with views of Lake Union and the Space Needle.

5. Sun Liquors, Capitol Hill. Sometimes you just need a cocktail. Happy Hour 4-7.

6. Six Arms, Capitol Hill. Pub grub plus ales brewed on-site, for visitors looking for a laid back vibe.

 

Be Sweet

1. Fran’s Chocolates, Downtown. Locally-made chocolates, caramels, and other confections.

2. General Porpoise Doughnuts, Capitol Hill. Pillows of warm, sugary fried dough filled with delicious jam, jelly, or custard.

3. La Parisienne, Belltown. Delicious French bread, pastries, and tarts; this bakery smells good enough to eat.

4. Macrina Bakery & Cafe, Belltown. Stop by this neighborhood cafe for fresh-baked bread and pastries or weekend brunch.

5. Molly Moon’s, Various Locations. ICE CREAM!!!!!!

6. Top Pot Doughnuts, Downtown. “Hand-forged” doughnuts in the shadow of the historic (and operational) Monorail.

 

Further Afield 

For those looking to explore more of the Pacific Northwest, here are a few of our favorite places:

 

1. Cannon Beach. Washington’s shores might be too cold for most but Oregon has miles of public sandy beaches. Cannon Beach is about 4 hours from Seattle and well-situated for a long weekend. While in the area, visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory or climb the sand dunes in Pacific City.  

2. The Olympic Peninsula. Hike through the Hoh Rainforest, swim in the crystal clear waters of Crescent Lake, walk the rocky shores of the Washington Coast, or stay in one of Port Townsend’s perfectly maintained Victorian mansions-turned-B&B.

3. San Juan Islands. Orcas and San Juan Islands are probably your best bets, with plenty of lodging options and a few tiny towns that are great for shopping, eating, and drinking. You’ll need a few days to fully enjoy this area and might not want to leave!

4. Whidbey Island. A short ride on the Mukilteo ferry will transport you to another world. Hike Ebey’s Landing, visit Fort Casey (bring a flashlight!), and dine in Langley or Coupeville. There is enough to do here to last a few days, but it’s also a fun day trip.