Parks & Nature
World famous Olmstead Bros. designed Volunteer Park is always worth a visit year-round. The view from the top of the Water Tower rivals the Space Needle or Columbia Tower, but it's free! In the Spring, the Rhododendron and Azaleas explode in colors, followed by the Dahlia Garden in the Summer. Festivals almost every weekend Spring, Summer & including Shakespeare in the Park, Seattle Pride, Bicycle Criterium...
563 locals recommend
Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave EWorld famous Olmstead Bros. designed Volunteer Park is always worth a visit year-round. The view from the top of the Water Tower rivals the Space Needle or Columbia Tower, but it's free! In the Spring, the Rhododendron and Azaleas explode in colors, followed by the Dahlia Garden in the Summer. Festivals almost every weekend Spring, Summer & including Shakespeare in the Park, Seattle Pride, Bicycle Criterium...
Another great park along Lake Washington with a 2.4 mile bike and walking loop, an amphitheater, a native plant garden, an art studio, sheltered picnic areas, slightly more challenging hiking trails, and swimming beach.
477 locals recommend
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SAnother great park along Lake Washington with a 2.4 mile bike and walking loop, an amphitheater, a native plant garden, an art studio, sheltered picnic areas, slightly more challenging hiking trails, and swimming beach.
Explore the thickets, nature trails, beaches and bluffs of this 534 acre park in Magnolia. Plenty of free parking, great biking area.
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdExplore the thickets, nature trails, beaches and bluffs of this 534 acre park in Magnolia. Plenty of free parking, great biking area.
Wonderful gardens and trails with over 200 acres to explore. Spring is especially fabulous with rhodies, azaleas, and cherry blossoms in full bloom. There's a nice trail along the water as well as wooded trails. Lots of free parking. And the Graham Visitor's Center is a wonderful location for weddings!
Seattle Japanese Garden is located within the park with 3.5 miles of winding paths and benches, koi ponds - it's so peaceful and lovely. There is a fee to enter this area.
313 locals recommend
Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens
2300 Arboretum Dr EWonderful gardens and trails with over 200 acres to explore. Spring is especially fabulous with rhodies, azaleas, and cherry blossoms in full bloom. There's a nice trail along the water as well as wooded trails. Lots of free parking. And the Graham Visitor's Center is a wonderful location for weddings!
Seattle Japanese Garden is located within the park with 3.5 miles of winding paths and benches, koi ponds - it's so peaceful and lovely. There is a fee to enter this area.
A 19 acre public park on site of former gasification plant located on north shore of Lake Union at the south end of the Wallingford neighborhood. Great picnic spot with lovely views.
860 locals recommend
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayA 19 acre public park on site of former gasification plant located on north shore of Lake Union at the south end of the Wallingford neighborhood. Great picnic spot with lovely views.
Food Scene
Seattle is a foodie town with lots of great options and many favorites in the greater Capital Hill area.
Modern Vietnamese cuisine made with fresh Northwest ingredients in a contemporary setting right in our neighborhood. Delicious food, full bar, indoor and patio seating. Drunken chicken is a fav!
115 locals recommend
Monsoon Seattle
615 19th Ave EModern Vietnamese cuisine made with fresh Northwest ingredients in a contemporary setting right in our neighborhood. Delicious food, full bar, indoor and patio seating. Drunken chicken is a fav!
Our favorite restaurant - fabulous Spanish and Basque cuisine beautifully prepared in a romantic setting. Staff is warm and friendly.
77 locals recommend
The Harvest Vine
2701 E Madison StOur favorite restaurant - fabulous Spanish and Basque cuisine beautifully prepared in a romantic setting. Staff is warm and friendly.
The decor lives up to it's name. It's a fun quirky vibe with delicious Italian food. Check out the Arancini, lasagna, meatballs, gnocchi. Specials are always great. Large portions - deliciouso! No reservations but there's a local pub around the corner you can imbibe while you wait - it's worth it!
47 locals recommend
Bizzarro Italian Cafe
1307 N 46th StThe decor lives up to it's name. It's a fun quirky vibe with delicious Italian food. Check out the Arancini, lasagna, meatballs, gnocchi. Specials are always great. Large portions - deliciouso! No reservations but there's a local pub around the corner you can imbibe while you wait - it's worth it!
Hand-crafted Japanese restaurant in Cap Hill neigborhood. Fresh and delicious sushi, rolls, omasake, and other traditional Japanese foods in a lovely interiior. A perfect stop for dinner, happy hour and late-night bites.
170 locals recommend
Momiji
1522 12th AveHand-crafted Japanese restaurant in Cap Hill neigborhood. Fresh and delicious sushi, rolls, omasake, and other traditional Japanese foods in a lovely interiior. A perfect stop for dinner, happy hour and late-night bites.
Another great Italian spot just down the hill for us. Best Antipasti plate in Seattle. Pastas and Pizzas are light and delicious.
33 locals recommend
Cafe Lago
2305 24th Ave EAnother great Italian spot just down the hill for us. Best Antipasti plate in Seattle. Pastas and Pizzas are light and delicious.
Delicious vegetarian cuisine open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu changes often iwth seasons and ingredients. Just down the hill from us on Madison. Their cookbook is great as well!
150 locals recommend
Cafe Flora
2901 E Madison StDelicious vegetarian cuisine open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu changes often iwth seasons and ingredients. Just down the hill from us on Madison. Their cookbook is great as well!
Vibrant, informal family-owned Mexican cantina with homemade corn tortillas, excellent quacamole, queso fundido, tacos, large plates and tequila cocktails. Take out is great too.
87 locals recommend
Fogón Cocina Mexicana
600 E Pine StVibrant, informal family-owned Mexican cantina with homemade corn tortillas, excellent quacamole, queso fundido, tacos, large plates and tequila cocktails. Take out is great too.
Delicious thin crust pizza and salads in Madison Park. Changing beer and wine options and daily special pies. Fabulous and friendly staff!
31 locals recommend
The Independent Pizzeria
4235 E Madison StDelicious thin crust pizza and salads in Madison Park. Changing beer and wine options and daily special pies. Fabulous and friendly staff!
Romantic Parisian Cafe - great spot for brunch, lunch or dinner down in Pike Place market. We got engage here so it's a fav!
40 locals recommend
Cafe Campagne
1600 Post AlleyRomantic Parisian Cafe - great spot for brunch, lunch or dinner down in Pike Place market. We got engage here so it's a fav!
Voted Seattle's Best BBQ - Austin inspired. Moist and tender brisket, pulled port, smoked chicken and port spare ribs - yum! Great jalapeno mac n cheese bowls, kale caesar salad, meaty pit beans, buttermilk slaw and potato salad side. Outdoor picnic tables or take out. Full bar too.
83 locals recommend
WOOD SHOP BBQ
2513 S Jackson StVoted Seattle's Best BBQ - Austin inspired. Moist and tender brisket, pulled port, smoked chicken and port spare ribs - yum! Great jalapeno mac n cheese bowls, kale caesar salad, meaty pit beans, buttermilk slaw and potato salad side. Outdoor picnic tables or take out. Full bar too.
Great burgers in Fremont neighborhood serving locally sourced all-natural beef burgers, chicken, turkey, lamb & bison. Vegetarian options too. Their lamb burger is a favorite. Great onion rings, fries/sweet potato fries, veg tempura, shakes, craft-brewed beers, fine wine and more.
128 locals recommend
Uneeda Burger
4302 Fremont Ave NGreat burgers in Fremont neighborhood serving locally sourced all-natural beef burgers, chicken, turkey, lamb & bison. Vegetarian options too. Their lamb burger is a favorite. Great onion rings, fries/sweet potato fries, veg tempura, shakes, craft-brewed beers, fine wine and more.
Cafe, Cantina and Paddle Club all in one location (two levels). You can kayak around Lake Union and come ashore for some fabulous fish tacos with mango salsa. The Cantina was recently added down by the water complete with a food truck and outdoor bar. One of Seattle's most classic and unique restaurants!
20 locals recommend
Agua Verde Cafe
1303 NE Boat StCafe, Cantina and Paddle Club all in one location (two levels). You can kayak around Lake Union and come ashore for some fabulous fish tacos with mango salsa. The Cantina was recently added down by the water complete with a food truck and outdoor bar. One of Seattle's most classic and unique restaurants!
Near the Seattle Art Museum is a wonderful restaurant featuring Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine served family style in a beautiful space. The fragrant duck is not to be missed, served on pillowy soft steamed buns with Sichuan peppercorn salt and sweet plum sauce - its awesome! The butter chicken is also fabulous. Additional locations on South Lake Union and in Bellevue.
38 locals recommend
Wild Ginger
1401 3rd AveNear the Seattle Art Museum is a wonderful restaurant featuring Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine served family style in a beautiful space. The fragrant duck is not to be missed, served on pillowy soft steamed buns with Sichuan peppercorn salt and sweet plum sauce - its awesome! The butter chicken is also fabulous. Additional locations on South Lake Union and in Bellevue.
Great burgers, shakes, fries, beer in Central District and GreenLake.
36 locals recommend
Feed Co Burgers
1190 24th AveGreat burgers, shakes, fries, beer in Central District and GreenLake.
Check out their famous Caribbean sandwiches in Fremont or SoDo neighborhoods - messy and delicious pork that is pefectly marinated, served with garlic aioli, fresh cilantro, picked japalenos, crisp romaine and caramelized onions on a toasted baguette. SO Good! Take it down to Gas Works Park for a picnic.
200 locals recommend
Paseo Fremont
4225 Fremont Ave NCheck out their famous Caribbean sandwiches in Fremont or SoDo neighborhoods - messy and delicious pork that is pefectly marinated, served with garlic aioli, fresh cilantro, picked japalenos, crisp romaine and caramelized onions on a toasted baguette. SO Good! Take it down to Gas Works Park for a picnic.
One of Ethan Stowell's newest restaurants in Madison Park but all are terrific. It’s an ever-changing menu of Italian inspired small plates and pastas featuring northwest ingredients. Tavolata, Red Cow, Rione XIII all get rave reviews!
8 locals recommend
How To Cook A Wolf - Madison Park
4200 E Madison StOne of Ethan Stowell's newest restaurants in Madison Park but all are terrific. It’s an ever-changing menu of Italian inspired small plates and pastas featuring northwest ingredients. Tavolata, Red Cow, Rione XIII all get rave reviews!
Located in Pike Place Market - The Pink Door serves delicious, uncomplicated Italian-American food. And there's entertainment - Cabaret. Trapeze. Music. Tarot. Surprises! Reservations recommended.
236 locals recommend
The Pink Door
1919 Post AlleyLocated in Pike Place Market - The Pink Door serves delicious, uncomplicated Italian-American food. And there's entertainment - Cabaret. Trapeze. Music. Tarot. Surprises! Reservations recommended.
Another great choice in Pike Place Market with lovely views, casual vibe and terrific food. We go for lunch - some favorites: cornmeal crusted catfish sandwich, lamb burger, and bacon-carmelized onion dip with homemade chips are rich and delicious.
78 locals recommend
Matt's in the Market
94 Pike StAnother great choice in Pike Place Market with lovely views, casual vibe and terrific food. We go for lunch - some favorites: cornmeal crusted catfish sandwich, lamb burger, and bacon-carmelized onion dip with homemade chips are rich and delicious.
New, delicious creative seafood restaruant with casual ambiance in Fremont neighborhood. Everything we've tried was stellar. No reservations
Local Tide
New, delicious creative seafood restaruant with casual ambiance in Fremont neighborhood. Everything we've tried was stellar. No reservations
Sightseeing
The SAM has a growing collection of nearly 25000 works of art from around the world. Great visiting exhibits as well. Located downtown close to Pike Place Market. And about a mile away at the waterfront you can check out the Olympic Sculpture Park , an outdoor extension of the museum that's open to the public for free.
1072 locals recommend
Seattle Selfie Museum
92 Union StThe SAM has a growing collection of nearly 25000 works of art from around the world. Great visiting exhibits as well. Located downtown close to Pike Place Market. And about a mile away at the waterfront you can check out the Olympic Sculpture Park , an outdoor extension of the museum that's open to the public for free.
Fantastic display of Dale Chihuly's work and influence in fine art glass. Absolutely gorgeous! The centepiece is the Glasshouse - a 40 ft tall glass and steel structure covering 4500 sq ft of light-filled space. The sculpture is 100 ft long in a pallette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. And the gardnes are filled with whimsical displays of glass and nature. It's truly exceptional!
723 locals recommend
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StFantastic display of Dale Chihuly's work and influence in fine art glass. Absolutely gorgeous! The centepiece is the Glasshouse - a 40 ft tall glass and steel structure covering 4500 sq ft of light-filled space. The sculpture is 100 ft long in a pallette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. And the gardnes are filled with whimsical displays of glass and nature. It's truly exceptional!
The locks offer beautiful gardens, picnic areas, fish ladder, seal watching. You can watch large and small ships up close as they float through the locks - a sort of "boat elevator".
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StThe locks offer beautiful gardens, picnic areas, fish ladder, seal watching. You can watch large and small ships up close as they float through the locks - a sort of "boat elevator".
The market offers 225 local artisans, famous fish tossing, music, dozens of restaurants, beautiful produce and flowers galore. We like to explore Delaurent's deli, Market Spice, and pick up some mini donuts hot and delicous! The recent remodel provides spectacular views of the Puget Sound.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveThe market offers 225 local artisans, famous fish tossing, music, dozens of restaurants, beautiful produce and flowers galore. We like to explore Delaurent's deli, Market Spice, and pick up some mini donuts hot and delicous! The recent remodel provides spectacular views of the Puget Sound.
Bars & Lounges
These local bars come highly recommended by our 30-ish friends
family.
Linda's Tavern
Everyone's favorite Seattle dive bar.
Liberty
517 15th Ave EExcellent cocktails and sushi
Pine Box
1600 Melrose AveExcellent cocktails
The Lookout
Great dive-ish bar with a stellar Seattle view
Chuck's Hop Shop & Kegs to go
2001 E Union StBest hop shop in the central district
Bottlehouse
1416 34th AveMadrona wine bar
Fine bar, but find the hanging wall phone to get entry to the speakeasy.
112 locals recommend
Tavern Law
1406 12th AveFine bar, but find the hanging wall phone to get entry to the speakeasy.
Cha Cha Lounge
1013 E Pike StIf you want a scene
Unicorn
1118 E Pike StIf you want a scene
Inside Passage
If you want a scene
Breakfast and Brunch
If you're looking for more than coffee and pastries check out one of these yummy options for a full on breakfast.
Columbia City's gem for breakfast. Fantastic biscuits with yummy raspberry jam, corned beef hash, omlettes and scrambles. Hearty fare for lunch and dinner as well. It's worth the drive.
192 locals recommend
Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SColumbia City's gem for breakfast. Fantastic biscuits with yummy raspberry jam, corned beef hash, omlettes and scrambles. Hearty fare for lunch and dinner as well. It's worth the drive.
Best eggs benedict ever! Great new space, friendly staff, fabulous hollandaise. Lots of other sweet and savory breakfast options. Popular so go early as they don't take reservations but it's worth the wait.
92 locals recommend
Glo's
928 E Olive WayBest eggs benedict ever! Great new space, friendly staff, fabulous hollandaise. Lots of other sweet and savory breakfast options. Popular so go early as they don't take reservations but it's worth the wait.
Local, organic, sustainable - several locations all serving delicious breakfasts. Don't miss a trip to the toppng bar where you'll find seasonal fruit, whipped cream, nuts & coconut for your french toast etc.
88 locals recommend
Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union
391 Terry Ave NLocal, organic, sustainable - several locations all serving delicious breakfasts. Don't miss a trip to the toppng bar where you'll find seasonal fruit, whipped cream, nuts & coconut for your french toast etc.
Hi-Spot Cafe
1410 34th AveGreat breakfast spot. Yummy omelettes and scrambles, biscuits, etc.