Stanley & Claire
Things To Do
Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops
We’ve spent years eating our way through Seattle, and have way too many restaurant recommendations to list here. Check out this handy Yelp page for a ton of great bars, restaurants, and coffee shops that we love. We can vouch for every single one. (Shout out to our friend Melanie, whose list we heavily borrowed from. Thanks, Mel!)
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is one of the most famous places in Seattle. It’s a massive multi-level market that sells everything under the sun: produce, seafood, groceries of all cultures, flowers, art, and more. There’s tons of restaurants if you want to grab lunch as well. A few tips: - Yes, this is where they throw around the fish - If you’re driving, do not, under any circumstances, attempt to turn onto Pike Place itself, or you’ll be stuck there waiting for pedestrians to clear out of the street - We don’t recommend waiting in line to see the “original” Starbucks unless you’re a huge fan. It’s the same menu, but with a different decor and souvenirs. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill is a lot more interesting, since it has a special menu and a roasting facility, and does not have a huge line to get in; if you must do something Starbucks related and don’t care if it’s the “first” store, go there instead. Better yet, check out one of our many excellent independent coffee shops.
Space Needle
The Space Needle is probably the most iconic attraction in all of Seattle. You take an elevator up 520ft to an observation deck, from which you can access a 360-degree view of Seattle and its surroundings, including our mountain ranges, lakes, and the Puget Sound. The Space Needle was renovated in 2018 to add a revolving glass floor, so if you visited before then, it might be worth another trip!
Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture (or MoPOP) is a really fun museum with exhibits centered around movies, science fiction, music, games, and more. This is far from your average history museum, and is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re also planning to visit the Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, or Pacific Science Center.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
This museum showcases the works of Dave Chihuly, a famous glass artist from Washington. The museum is full of colorful glass sculptures in all shapes and sizes, up to installations spanning entire rooms. It’s also conveniently located next to our other recommendations.
Pacific Science Center
If you’re a fan of science museums, this is the stop for you. The Pacific Science Center is home to various science exhibits, a laser dome, and a huge IMAX theater.
Capitol Hill
This is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seattle, particularly for nightlife. It’s known for being packed with restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, as well as a huge park.
Ballard
Ballard is a particularly fun, laid back neighborhood to explore. Located right by the water, Ballard is home to a Nordic history museum, restaurants, coffee shops, Golden Gardens Beach Park, and more. If you visit on Sunday, you can check out the Ballard Farmers Market, which has tons of food and crafts vendors.
Fremont
Fremont is a fun, somewhat quirky, neighborhood to explore. Unofficially known as The Center of the Universe, Fremont has great bars and restaurants, of course, but you can also walk around and take in sights such as the Fremont Troll, the Lenin statue, and a giant model rocket. Be sure to stop by Gas Works Park around sunset for an incredible view of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. There are also spots nearby where you can launch kayaks and paddle boards from.
International District/Chinatown
International District is a prime location to go if you’re looking for food. Whether you’re looking for dim sum, boba, sushi, or something else, you’ll almost certainly find it here. Be store to stop by Uwajimaya, which is a huge Japanese grocery store with tons of great snack options, food stalls, and a bookstore with gifts and stationary.
Woodinville
Do you like wine? Woodinville is the place for you! Conveniently located near our wedding venue, Woodinville has a ton of tasting rooms serving great wines made in Washington. We recommend checking out Castillo de Feliciana, which is owned by Hailee’s family, as well as Chateau Ste. Michelle, which is pretty good wine in a very nice spot that sometimes hosts outdoor concerts.
Bainbridge Island
If you’re looking for a fun day trip option to get outside the city, look no further than Bainbridge Island. There’s plenty of shops, restaurants, and wineries to check out, plus a cool art museum. Bainbridge is a short 35-minute ferry ride from the waterfront in downtown Seattle, and you can either walk or drive onto the ferry.