Ballard: Waterfront & trendy restaurants, breweries, and the famous Ballard Locks Capitol Hill: Seattle’s vibrant gayborhood known for nightlife, coffee shops, and quirky shopping Chinatown / International District: Dim sum, bubble tea, and other authentic Asian cuisine Queen Anne: Cute Main Street and views of Seattle Pioneer Square: Historic & charming with cobblestone streets, this is “Old Seattle”
Seattle is known for their seafood, Asian food (especially sushi & teriyaki), beer, and of course, coffee! Wineries in Woodinville & Seattle Breweries: See the next section for recommendations! Rooftop Bars: Nest, mbar, Frolik, and The Mountaineering Club Coffee: Anywhere! Burgers: Dicks Drive-In (our favorite fast food burgers!) Chinese: Jade Garden or Honey Court (both dim sum), Oasis (Bubble Tea) Dessert: Molly Moons, Salt & Straw, and Hello Robin Food Stalls at Pike Place Market: Mee Sum (bao buns), Beechers Mac n' Cheese, Perogi's, and the "Original" Starbucks! Italian: Spinasse, Pink Door (though Philly Italian food is better, TBH) Japanese: Japonessa, Momiji, Ramen Danbo Soup Dumplings: Din Tai Fung, Dough Zone Vietnamese: Any pho restaurant you see – they’re all great! Any Hot Dog Stand in Capital Hill after 10pm: After a night out, stop by a hot dog stand to get a Seattle Dog that includes cream cheese & fried onions (trust us!)
For wine lovers, Woodinville is a must and a short 30-minute drive from Seattle! There are many wineries in Woodinville to explore (like a mini Napa). We recommend wine hopping near NE 145th Street: visit the infamous Château Ste. Michelle, Novelty Hill - Januik, Columbia, DeLille Cellars, and more!
If you enjoy craft beer, check out these local favorites! Breweries are all over Seattle, especially the neighborhoods Fremont and Ballard. Our favorite spots: Fremont Brewing, Elysian Brewing (Britt's favorite IPA is Elysian Space Dust), Optimism, and Stout!
Historic public market known for its fresh produce and lively atmosphere, including the famous fish-throwing tradition!
Baseball
Get happy hour at Agua Verde and rent a paddle board/kayak to enjoy Lake Union!
Stop by Brittany's old stomping grounds and go to a Husky football game!
360-degree views of the city, Puget Sound, and surrounding mountains. While you’re there, consider visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass right next door.
Discovery Park: Seattle's largest green space with hiking trails, beaches, and scenic vistas of Puget Sound. Gas Works Park: Perfect place to picnic or sip wine and take in the views of Seattle! Kerry Park: Stunning views of the city skyline, the Space Needle, Elliott Bay, and, on clear days, Mount Rainier in the background. Volunteer Park: Great for long walks/explore.
Note that for most of these hikes, you'll need to reserve a hiking pass in advance for a small fee! ~30 min drive from downtown, between 4-8 miles in length and varying difficulty. Mt. Si or Little Si Rattlesnake Ledge Poo Poo Point (Mark's favorite!) Snow Lake A little farther, but worth the trip Mt. Rainier National Park Olympic National Park North Cascades National Park
Seattle Art Museum (SAM) Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park