Guidebook for Seattle
Parks & Nature
Great views of the city/Puget Sound/Space Needle at Sunset/Night
653 locals recommend
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western AveGreat views of the city/Puget Sound/Space Needle at Sunset/Night
During the summer/sunny day. Walk down to the pier and take the West Seattle Water Taxi to Alki Beach. Rent some bikes or walk down all the way to Alki if you are down for an adventure.
865 locals recommend
Alki Beach
During the summer/sunny day. Walk down to the pier and take the West Seattle Water Taxi to Alki Beach. Rent some bikes or walk down all the way to Alki if you are down for an adventure.
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayAwesome park for a view of the city with the lake.
Classic view of the Space Needle next to the city. One of my favorite spots in Seattle! Great to get to if you are in Queen Anne or have a car.
881 locals recommend
Kerry Park
211 W Highland DrClassic view of the Space Needle next to the city. One of my favorite spots in Seattle! Great to get to if you are in Queen Anne or have a car.
$4 entry per person. They have a little tower you can go up too. It's a greenhouse, so a good place to go if it's rainy.
101 locals recommend
Volunteer Park Conservatory
1400 E Galer St$4 entry per person. They have a little tower you can go up too. It's a greenhouse, so a good place to go if it's rainy.
Shopping
Pacific Place
600 Pine StSightseeing
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveThinking about going on the Space Needle? Skip it! Columbia tower is down the street and is a lot cheaper and has a better view than the Space Needle.
I haven't been to the Space Needle since I was a kid, but I highly recommend as an alternative if you're unsure about spending a lot on those tickets.
128 locals recommend
Sky View Observatory Columbia Center
700 4th AveThinking about going on the Space Needle? Skip it! Columbia tower is down the street and is a lot cheaper and has a better view than the Space Needle.
I haven't been to the Space Needle since I was a kid, but I highly recommend as an alternative if you're unsure about spending a lot on those tickets.
The Gum Wall
1428 Post AlleyThe South Lake Union neighborhood is very pleasant to walk around. I believe you can go here you just need to make reservations in advance!
212 locals recommend
Amazon Spheres
2111 7th AveThe South Lake Union neighborhood is very pleasant to walk around. I believe you can go here you just need to make reservations in advance!
Buy a ticket up the historic Smith Tower and drink in the observatory. Indoors. During the summer, there is an outdoor patio.
88 locals recommend
Smith Tower
506 2nd AveBuy a ticket up the historic Smith Tower and drink in the observatory. Indoors. During the summer, there is an outdoor patio.
Food Scene
If you like Vietnamese food. This place looks shady on the outside, but more modern/romantic inside. Amazing Vietnamese food (I recommend other places for pho though).
110 locals recommend
Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson StIf you like Vietnamese food. This place looks shady on the outside, but more modern/romantic inside. Amazing Vietnamese food (I recommend other places for pho though).
Great happy hour menu. It's not extremely traditional (some cut rolls have cream cheese), but there is definitely sashimi and nigri options available at a great price.
They offer happy hour pick up if that’s something you want to do. Order here: https://bbot.menu/japonessasushicocinadowntownpickupmenu/
Happy Hour: Available in the Dining Room and Sushi Counter Open to 6:30 PM. Available in the Bar Lounge Open to 8:00 PM. Late Night Happy Hour Everywhere 10:00 PM to Close. All sushi and rolls available with brown rice or soy paper ($1 upcharge)
91 locals recommend
Japonessa Sushi Cocina
1400 1st AveGreat happy hour menu. It's not extremely traditional (some cut rolls have cream cheese), but there is definitely sashimi and nigri options available at a great price.
They offer happy hour pick up if that’s something you want to do. Order here: https://bbot.menu/japonessasushicocinadowntownpickupmenu/
Happy Hour: Available in the Dining Room and Sushi Counter Open to 6:30 PM. Available in the Bar Lounge Open to 8:00 PM. Late Night Happy Hour Everywhere 10:00 PM to Close. All sushi and rolls available with brown rice or soy paper ($1 upcharge)
Great thai food -- fancy without the price. It's right downtown.
12 locals recommend
Noi Thai Cuisine - Seattle
1303 1st AvenueGreat thai food -- fancy without the price. It's right downtown.
Casco Antiguo
107-115 Occidental Ave SAmazing churros!!
Cute southern Italian restaurant (quiet neighborhood), but a beautiful view of the Puget Sound at sunset.
96 locals recommend
La Rustica
4100 Beach Dr SWCute southern Italian restaurant (quiet neighborhood), but a beautiful view of the Puget Sound at sunset.
This is an alternative to Din Tai Fung (which is also delicious but very busy).
This place can get busy too.
34 locals recommend
Dough Zone™ Dumpling House
504 5th Ave SThis is an alternative to Din Tai Fung (which is also delicious but very busy).
This place can get busy too.
Really delicious Mexican restaurant.
Happy hour: Everyday 3:00PM-6:00PM and 9:00PM-Close
Menu: https://fogonseattle.com/#Menu
87 locals recommend
Fogón Cocina Mexicana
600 E Pine StReally delicious Mexican restaurant.
Happy hour: Everyday 3:00PM-6:00PM and 9:00PM-Close
Menu: https://fogonseattle.com/#Menu
24/7 fancy diner. If you need to get food late, you can get it here.
21 locals recommend
13 Coins Seattle
255 South King Street24/7 fancy diner. If you need to get food late, you can get it here.
Good late night drunk munchies spot. I recommend the walnut shrimp (if you don't like mayo, don't get this) and beef chow fun (wide rice noodles).
9 locals recommend
Honey Court Seafood Restaurant
516 Maynard Ave SGood late night drunk munchies spot. I recommend the walnut shrimp (if you don't like mayo, don't get this) and beef chow fun (wide rice noodles).
If you want Dim Sum, I recommend here! Jade Garden and Harbor City are the popular dim sum places, but I was actually surprised to find Hong Kong Bistro had great Dim Sum! I don't recommend their normal dishes though.
12 locals recommend
Hong Kong Bistro
507 Maynard Ave SIf you want Dim Sum, I recommend here! Jade Garden and Harbor City are the popular dim sum places, but I was actually surprised to find Hong Kong Bistro had great Dim Sum! I don't recommend their normal dishes though.
Not to be mixed up with Il Terrazzo Carmine (the restaurant). This is the cocktail bar of this restaurant. A really posh intimate spot to grab drinks and a bite to eat.
Menu Here: http://intermezzocarmine.com/?page_id=2057
10 locals recommend
Intermezzo Carmine
409 1st Ave SNot to be mixed up with Il Terrazzo Carmine (the restaurant). This is the cocktail bar of this restaurant. A really posh intimate spot to grab drinks and a bite to eat.
Menu Here: http://intermezzocarmine.com/?page_id=2057
Bacco Cafe
86 Pine StBreakfast spot! Get here early, as there might be a wait.
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - South Lake Union
2200 Westlake AveGreat pizza
There are multiple locations, but their soup dumplings, spicy shrimp and chicken wontons and green beans are the best!
67 locals recommend
Din Tai Fung
600 Pine StThere are multiple locations, but their soup dumplings, spicy shrimp and chicken wontons and green beans are the best!
Ben Paris
130 Pike StreetNeed reservations, but they have a great brunch and it's right by Pike's Market
Take the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island and eat at Ba Sa Restaurant (Vietnamese food).
19 locals recommend
Ba Sa Restaurant
101 Winslow Way ETake the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island and eat at Ba Sa Restaurant (Vietnamese food).
Take a water taxi from downtown Seattle to get to West Seattle and enjoy some Korean fusion after kayaking!
232 locals recommend
Marination Ma Kai
1660 Harbor Ave SWTake a water taxi from downtown Seattle to get to West Seattle and enjoy some Korean fusion after kayaking!
Champagne Diner
945 Elliott Avenue WestGreat fried chicken and waffles for brunch!
Soju Anju Bar
1621 12th AvenueGet a Soju Anju beer tower
Spinasse
1531 14th AveUpscale italian restaurant for a great date night
HAPPY HOUR: 4PM-6PM DAILY // 10PM-close DAILY
Cool ambiance and close to other craft cocktail bars
https://www.umisakehouse.com/
156 locals recommend
Umi Sake House
2230 1st AveHAPPY HOUR: 4PM-6PM DAILY // 10PM-close DAILY
Cool ambiance and close to other craft cocktail bars
https://www.umisakehouse.com/
Skalka
77 Spring StreetYummy breakfast option! Share a bread boat between two people.
Momiji
1522 12th AveGreat ambiance. Check out their happy hour.
Chung Chun Rice Dog
502 South King StreetI think I have had the original and the mozzarella dog. So good!
Bars/Indoor Activities
They have a small putt putt downstairs with a huge selection of local draft beers ($5 - 6 a glass). It is bring your own food I believe.
29 locals recommend
Flatstick Pub - Pioneer Square
240 2nd Ave SThey have a small putt putt downstairs with a huge selection of local draft beers ($5 - 6 a glass). It is bring your own food I believe.
Indoor "rooftop". This is a bit of a pricey/fancy cocktail bar. The view is partial of the Puget Sound, but mostly a view of other high rises in the city.
9 locals recommend
Fog Room
1610 2nd AveIndoor "rooftop". This is a bit of a pricey/fancy cocktail bar. The view is partial of the Puget Sound, but mostly a view of other high rises in the city.
2nd favorite rooftop bar in Seattle. You get a view from above Pike Market of the Puget Sound. Fancier vibe.
62 locals recommend
The Nest Rooftop Bar
110 Stewart St2nd favorite rooftop bar in Seattle. You get a view from above Pike Market of the Puget Sound. Fancier vibe.
Another popular rooftop bar (I personally prefer this one to the others). It can be part indoor/part outdoor. They have blankets for you if you choose to sit outside and it's not that hot. There can be a wait if it's a nice day, so try to arrive when it opens. Pricier food (do not recommend), but a great place to buy a bottle of Rose or get some cocktails. Get a view of South Lake Union and the Amazon campus.
63 locals recommend
MBar
400 Fairview Ave NAnother popular rooftop bar (I personally prefer this one to the others). It can be part indoor/part outdoor. They have blankets for you if you choose to sit outside and it's not that hot. There can be a wait if it's a nice day, so try to arrive when it opens. Pricier food (do not recommend), but a great place to buy a bottle of Rose or get some cocktails. Get a view of South Lake Union and the Amazon campus.
This is probably my least favorite rooftop in Seattle, but it's a good place for out of towners to start the night. It's a great place if you're downtown and don't want to wait (at the other rooftop bars). It's definitely cute (especially at night)!
It's on the 5th floor of the Motif Hotel (just walk in and hit the 5th floor, open to the public).
21 locals recommend
Frolik Kitchen+Cocktails
1415 5th AveThis is probably my least favorite rooftop in Seattle, but it's a good place for out of towners to start the night. It's a great place if you're downtown and don't want to wait (at the other rooftop bars). It's definitely cute (especially at night)!
It's on the 5th floor of the Motif Hotel (just walk in and hit the 5th floor, open to the public).
Disco night club in SODO. Check their instagram out for news on events. They host great parties! Cover is $25-$30 per person, but this place is open until 4 am. Vax card required.
If you plan to dress up for this, you can sign up for their waitlist and get in for free before 10:00 or 9:30 pm.
Supernova Seattle
110 South Horton StreetDisco night club in SODO. Check their instagram out for news on events. They host great parties! Cover is $25-$30 per person, but this place is open until 4 am. Vax card required.
If you plan to dress up for this, you can sign up for their waitlist and get in for free before 10:00 or 9:30 pm.
They're located in SODO and open pretty late. There aren't any other bars in the area (except Supernova). I wouldn't go there unless I saw on their website they have something going on.
25 locals recommend
Monkey Loft
2915 1st Ave SThey're located in SODO and open pretty late. There aren't any other bars in the area (except Supernova). I wouldn't go there unless I saw on their website they have something going on.
Inside Passage
1108 Pike StreetThis is a tiki bar with fun drinks! Try to get reservations in advance.
Neighborhoods
This area is where the Amazon campus is. A lot of these places are new.
Food: Tacos Chukis, Serious Pie and Biscuit (pizza, and a great breakfast spot), Ba Bar (fancier vietnamese spot with great cocktails and food, just pricier than the average vietnamese spot).
Bars: Re:public, Brave Horse Tavern, Sam's Tavern
149 locals recommend
South Lake Union
This area is where the Amazon campus is. A lot of these places are new.
Food: Tacos Chukis, Serious Pie and Biscuit (pizza, and a great breakfast spot), Ba Bar (fancier vietnamese spot with great cocktails and food, just pricier than the average vietnamese spot).
Bars: Re:public, Brave Horse Tavern, Sam's Tavern
Great for beer lovers!
At night, 21 - 30 year old scene -- depends on the night, ya never know. Recommend Kangaroo and Kiwi, Shelter Lounge, and King's
261 locals recommend
Ballard
Great for beer lovers!
At night, 21 - 30 year old scene -- depends on the night, ya never know. Recommend Kangaroo and Kiwi, Shelter Lounge, and King's
A good neighborhood for going out. Check out Comet Tavern, Grim's (they have a dance floor upstairs called the Woods), Rhino Room (hip hop), Q Night Club (house or hip hop and usually $15 - 30 cover, but they're open pretty late -- not sure how covid has changed that)
344 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
A good neighborhood for going out. Check out Comet Tavern, Grim's (they have a dance floor upstairs called the Woods), Rhino Room (hip hop), Q Night Club (house or hip hop and usually $15 - 30 cover, but they're open pretty late -- not sure how covid has changed that)
Activities
Rent a hot tub boat in South Lake Union! Make reservations early and ahead of time.
31 locals recommend
Hot Tub Boats
2520 Westlake Ave NRent a hot tub boat in South Lake Union! Make reservations early and ahead of time.