Guidebook for Seattle
Sightseeing
Probably one of our favorite parks. Besides Seattle's best beach, it's also has sweeping views of the Sound. Bonfires are legal here and great kid play areas.
728 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWProbably one of our favorite parks. Besides Seattle's best beach, it's also has sweeping views of the Sound. Bonfires are legal here and great kid play areas.
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NWGreat view of the Olympics.
Deep ravines, a salmon run and miles of hiking trails. So wooded that a trek even in our Seattle Liquid Sunshine (aka: rain) is pleasant.
251 locals recommend
Carkeek Park
950 NW Carkeek Park RdDeep ravines, a salmon run and miles of hiking trails. So wooded that a trek even in our Seattle Liquid Sunshine (aka: rain) is pleasant.
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StFor the big boats and bigger salmon.
The falls are awesome and there's a nice downhill hike to the base with swimming and picnicking.
505 locals recommend
Snoqualmie Falls
6501 Railroad AveThe falls are awesome and there's a nice downhill hike to the base with swimming and picnicking.
Food Scene
Brilliant bakery featuring local Scandinavian yummy treats. Try the Kringle!
60 locals recommend
Larsen's Bakery
8000 24th Ave NWBrilliant bakery featuring local Scandinavian yummy treats. Try the Kringle!
Cafe Munir
2408 NW 80th StAmazing local Mediterranean restaurant only 5 minutes from the house.
Great Parisian style croissants and solid coffee. the lines will get long, but it's worth it.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWGreat Parisian style croissants and solid coffee. the lines will get long, but it's worth it.
Tall Grass Bakery
5907 24th Ave NWOh my lord the baguettes!
Love oysters? Don't miss this place. It gets very busy so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWLove oysters? Don't miss this place. It gets very busy so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
Our go-to weekend brunch spot. Delicious eggs and known for its specialty French toast.
34 locals recommend
The Hi-Life
5425 Russell Ave NWOur go-to weekend brunch spot. Delicious eggs and known for its specialty French toast.
A very different brunch spot with beautiful cocktails and there's always an interesting twist on the Benedict.
12 locals recommend
The Gerald
5210 Ballard Ave NWA very different brunch spot with beautiful cocktails and there's always an interesting twist on the Benedict.
Great seafood, burgers, craft beers and cocktails. The views are spectacular, and its reflected in the menu pricing.
188 locals recommend
Ray's Boathouse
6049 Seaview Ave NWGreat seafood, burgers, craft beers and cocktails. The views are spectacular, and its reflected in the menu pricing.
Great tacos, burritos and other Mexican food. There's also a sit-down indoor El Camion restaurant at 15th and 65th.
31 locals recommend
el camion
5314 15th Avenue NorthwestGreat tacos, burritos and other Mexican food. There's also a sit-down indoor El Camion restaurant at 15th and 65th.
Seattle is indeed rainy. Want to warm up after a couple dreary days? How about a hot bowl of Pho (Vietnamese soup for those not in the know). Affordable and delicious.
10 locals recommend
Phở Vietnam
7040 15th Ave NWSeattle is indeed rainy. Want to warm up after a couple dreary days? How about a hot bowl of Pho (Vietnamese soup for those not in the know). Affordable and delicious.
Could we live without this rustic, friendly espresso shop only 5 minutes from the house? Probably. Good thing we don't have to.
29 locals recommend
Caffe Fiore
3125 Northwest 85th StreetCould we live without this rustic, friendly espresso shop only 5 minutes from the house? Probably. Good thing we don't have to.
Great Neapolitan Pizza. Waits can be legendary, so a drink at Essex next door might be in order.
123 locals recommend
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StGreat Neapolitan Pizza. Waits can be legendary, so a drink at Essex next door might be in order.
Another great artisan pizza place. Nice warm atmosphere and great wine on tap. That's right, on tap!
34 locals recommend
Ballard Pizza Company
2121 9th Ave NAnother great artisan pizza place. Nice warm atmosphere and great wine on tap. That's right, on tap!
Wonderful authentic fare from the Pacific Ocean region of Mexico. Don't forget the scratch margaritas.
100 locals recommend
La Carta De Oaxaca
5431 Ballard Ave NWWonderful authentic fare from the Pacific Ocean region of Mexico. Don't forget the scratch margaritas.
Brilliant Italian food from Ethan Stowell, one of the leading lights in the Seattle cooking scene. Great ambiance.
59 locals recommend
Staple & Fancy
4739 Ballard Ave NWBrilliant Italian food from Ethan Stowell, one of the leading lights in the Seattle cooking scene. Great ambiance.
Great artisan coffee in downtown Ballard. Yeah, it's fussy but its cute mugs make a unique Seattle souvenir.
20 locals recommend
Anchored Ship Coffee Bar
5308 Ballard Ave NWGreat artisan coffee in downtown Ballard. Yeah, it's fussy but its cute mugs make a unique Seattle souvenir.
Ocho
2325 NW Market StTraditional Spanish tapas and inexpensive free-flowing wine in a cozy space.
Unique take on Thai cuisine made from local meat purveyors and produce. You won't find Pad Thai or Cashew Chicken but you'll find amazing flavorful dishes.
51 locals recommend
Pestle Rock
2305 NW Market StUnique take on Thai cuisine made from local meat purveyors and produce. You won't find Pad Thai or Cashew Chicken but you'll find amazing flavorful dishes.
Watch the fishing boats roll in while tasting absurdly fresh seafood. Walk along the docks and check out fresh off the boat seafood at the fish market next door. Brunch is recommended.
84 locals recommend
Chinook's At Salmon Bay
1900 W Nickerson StWatch the fishing boats roll in while tasting absurdly fresh seafood. Walk along the docks and check out fresh off the boat seafood at the fish market next door. Brunch is recommended.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful, massive urban park with great views of the Sound and Olympics. You can spend the day!
49 locals recommend
Discovery Park Boulevard
Discovery Park BoulevardBeautiful, massive urban park with great views of the Sound and Olympics. You can spend the day!
This hike is definitely tough. But the views when you get to the alpine lake make it truly worth the sweat. Mostly for people in decent shape.
34 locals recommend
Snow Lake Trailhead
Alpental Access RoadThis hike is definitely tough. But the views when you get to the alpine lake make it truly worth the sweat. Mostly for people in decent shape.
A very popular and relatively easy hiking trail located insanely close to the city.
17 locals recommend
Tiger Mountain
A very popular and relatively easy hiking trail located insanely close to the city.
Essentials
Our local go-to has great fish and meats, a solid selection of organic fruits and vegetables and all the staples of a regular grocery store.
149 locals recommend
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StOur local go-to has great fish and meats, a solid selection of organic fruits and vegetables and all the staples of a regular grocery store.
The prices are what you'd expect for wild fresh fish (meaning: a lot), but if you're in town in May and the Copper River salmon is available, do yourself a favor and splurge. The Fresh Fish Co is amazing.
9 locals recommend
Fresh Fish Co
2364 NW 80th StThe prices are what you'd expect for wild fresh fish (meaning: a lot), but if you're in town in May and the Copper River salmon is available, do yourself a favor and splurge. The Fresh Fish Co is amazing.
Trader Joe's
1700 E Madison StThe solid TJs experience.
Do not miss the Farmers Market year round on Sunday from 10-2 for seasonal produce, meats and dairy from local farms. Extremely friendly with musicians. Even someone who'll type you a poem.
220 locals recommend
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NWDo not miss the Farmers Market year round on Sunday from 10-2 for seasonal produce, meats and dairy from local farms. Extremely friendly with musicians. Even someone who'll type you a poem.
Fill a growler of microbrew, grab a bottle of rose, basic groceries or standard convenience fare from Saleh, the friendliest man in Ballard.
11 locals recommend
Saleh's
2401 NW 80th StFill a growler of microbrew, grab a bottle of rose, basic groceries or standard convenience fare from Saleh, the friendliest man in Ballard.
Everything Else
Our closest Whole Paycheck. Really great seafood and meat counters.
359 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
2210 Westlake AveOur closest Whole Paycheck. Really great seafood and meat counters.
Drinks & Nightlife
Friendly and knowledgeable local wine merchant. Always with an interesting wine tasting.
16 locals recommend
Portalis Wine Shop
6754 15th Ave NWFriendly and knowledgeable local wine merchant. Always with an interesting wine tasting.
Seattle's finest music venue period--if you love Americana, roots or indie. Also a lively bar.
165 locals recommend
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWSeattle's finest music venue period--if you love Americana, roots or indie. Also a lively bar.
Olaf's
6301 24th Ave NWFun, laid-back local tavern. Good for a craft brew or an Oly or two.
Brings back that feeling of drinking in front of a convenience store, but somehow the good folks and Chuck's made it feel classy and kid friendly. Wide selection of to-go.
91 locals recommend
Chuck's Hop Shop & Kegs To Go
656 NW 85th StBrings back that feeling of drinking in front of a convenience store, but somehow the good folks and Chuck's made it feel classy and kid friendly. Wide selection of to-go.
Sip craft cocktails from a bar made of cassette tapes. Great southern inspired small plates and excellent people watching.
13 locals recommend
The Sexton
5327 Ballard Ave NWSip craft cocktails from a bar made of cassette tapes. Great southern inspired small plates and excellent people watching.
Exotic tacos and killer margaritas. No kids after 4pm, which based on the clientele (and its name) is a good thing.
25 locals recommend
El Borracho Ballard
5465 Leary Ave NWExotic tacos and killer margaritas. No kids after 4pm, which based on the clientele (and its name) is a good thing.
Entertainment & Activities
Solid but not spectacular zoo. Check out its music lineup in the summer.
625 locals recommend
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NSolid but not spectacular zoo. Check out its music lineup in the summer.
Built for the legendary 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Center houses many of the regions arts and activity sites. There the Pacific Science Center, the Chiluly Garden, the EMP Museum, the Pacific Ballet, the Space Needle, the Vera Project. KEXP, America's finest radio station recently moved here and features a public performance space.
362 locals recommend
Seattle Center
305 Harrison StBuilt for the legendary 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Center houses many of the regions arts and activity sites. There the Pacific Science Center, the Chiluly Garden, the EMP Museum, the Pacific Ballet, the Space Needle, the Vera Project. KEXP, America's finest radio station recently moved here and features a public performance space.