Guidebook for Seattle
Parks & Nature
Fantastic natural park with running/walking trails, expansive views of the Puget Sound and downtown, and a beautiful beach with a lighthouse. A short walk from our house.
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdFantastic natural park with running/walking trails, expansive views of the Puget Sound and downtown, and a beautiful beach with a lighthouse. A short walk from our house.
Sightseeing
Unique to Seattle and close by, the Army Corp of Engineers built these locks in the early 1900s to accommodate boat travel (both commercial and recreational) between the Puget Sound and Lake Union/Lake Washington. The fish ladders accommodate salmon migration as they return to their spawning grounds after traveling through the locks and lakes. There are also beautiful botanical gardens, a heron rookery, and summer Sunday concerts on the lawns.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StUnique to Seattle and close by, the Army Corp of Engineers built these locks in the early 1900s to accommodate boat travel (both commercial and recreational) between the Puget Sound and Lake Union/Lake Washington. The fish ladders accommodate salmon migration as they return to their spawning grounds after traveling through the locks and lakes. There are also beautiful botanical gardens, a heron rookery, and summer Sunday concerts on the lawns.
Interested in a day trip to Victoria, BC? You can take the Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle on the waterfront. Check their website for departure times. We may be able to give you a ride to the terminal. Check with Jim.
59 locals recommend
Clipper Navigation Inc
Interested in a day trip to Victoria, BC? You can take the Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle on the waterfront. Check their website for departure times. We may be able to give you a ride to the terminal. Check with Jim.
A uniquely Puget Sound experience, take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for the day. You can walk-on, buying a round-trip ticket. It's easier and less expensive than driving on; if you prefer to drive, that is easy too. Ferries depart approximately every 40 minutes. If you walk-on, it's a short walk (less than a mile) to the quaint town of Winslow. Many small shops, a great tea and yarn shop called the Churchmouse, and the Blackbird bakery. A beautiful way to spend the day. If casinos are your thing, there's a shuttle from the ferry terminal to the Clearwater Casino, 6.9 miles across the island and the Agate Pass bridge, on the peninsula.
15 locals recommend
Seattle Ferry Toll Booth
801 Alaskan WayA uniquely Puget Sound experience, take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for the day. You can walk-on, buying a round-trip ticket. It's easier and less expensive than driving on; if you prefer to drive, that is easy too. Ferries depart approximately every 40 minutes. If you walk-on, it's a short walk (less than a mile) to the quaint town of Winslow. Many small shops, a great tea and yarn shop called the Churchmouse, and the Blackbird bakery. A beautiful way to spend the day. If casinos are your thing, there's a shuttle from the ferry terminal to the Clearwater Casino, 6.9 miles across the island and the Agate Pass bridge, on the peninsula.
Food Scene
A short walk or drive into Magnolia Village, enjoy some of the best pizza in a small, local spot in our neighborhood. The wood-fired, ceramic pizza oven came over from Italy, complete with a statue of Mary on top. Owned by Italians, you can't go wrong with their pizza selections, salads, and wines. Our favorite: the Queen Margherita, and the Fig Balsamico, with a heady red wine.
14 locals recommend
Queen Margherita Pizza
3111 W McGraw StA short walk or drive into Magnolia Village, enjoy some of the best pizza in a small, local spot in our neighborhood. The wood-fired, ceramic pizza oven came over from Italy, complete with a statue of Mary on top. Owned by Italians, you can't go wrong with their pizza selections, salads, and wines. Our favorite: the Queen Margherita, and the Fig Balsamico, with a heady red wine.
Starbucks
1912 Pike PlCoffee in the Village.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
1124 Pike StUnique Starbucks experience
Great local vibe. Near interesting shops, across from a great park. The water reservoir that was covered with walking paths, green spaces, and a fountain in the summer. Take the Light Rail to the Capital Hill station.
184 locals recommend
Oddfellows Café + Bar
1525 10th AveGreat local vibe. Near interesting shops, across from a great park. The water reservoir that was covered with walking paths, green spaces, and a fountain in the summer. Take the Light Rail to the Capital Hill station.
Around the corner from Oddfellows. It is a homegrown, locally owned (by Molly). Features unique flavors like Scout Mint, Honey Lavender, and Salted Caramel.
468 locals recommend
Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
917 E Pine StAround the corner from Oddfellows. It is a homegrown, locally owned (by Molly). Features unique flavors like Scout Mint, Honey Lavender, and Salted Caramel.
Great spot for local oysters. Sit at the bar and talk to the oyster shucker and the bartender.
19 locals recommend
Ballard Annex Oyster House
5410 Ballard Ave NWGreat spot for local oysters. Sit at the bar and talk to the oyster shucker and the bartender.
Walk-ins only. Go early for better availability. Opened in 2010, The Walrus and The Carpenter marries restaurant to fishing pub. Tallboys, muscadet, piles of chubby oysters and smart plates are served in a lively, approachable space in Old Ballard.
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWWalk-ins only. Go early for better availability. Opened in 2010, The Walrus and The Carpenter marries restaurant to fishing pub. Tallboys, muscadet, piles of chubby oysters and smart plates are served in a lively, approachable space in Old Ballard.
Our favorite pizza in the city. We like to sit at the very small counter and talk to Brendan, the very friendly owner, as he mans the pizza ovens. Ask him how he built the brick oven and about all the house fermented delicacies & cured meats. The sausage pizza is to die for. No reservations, so be prepared for a long wait. Get your name on the list and head next door to the small bar he opened; enjoy a craft cocktail and an app while you wait for your name to be called. You can also give your cell number and take a walk in the neighborhood. Or do what we do...show up at about 9 pm and be one of the last customers for the night.
123 locals recommend
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StOur favorite pizza in the city. We like to sit at the very small counter and talk to Brendan, the very friendly owner, as he mans the pizza ovens. Ask him how he built the brick oven and about all the house fermented delicacies & cured meats. The sausage pizza is to die for. No reservations, so be prepared for a long wait. Get your name on the list and head next door to the small bar he opened; enjoy a craft cocktail and an app while you wait for your name to be called. You can also give your cell number and take a walk in the neighborhood. Or do what we do...show up at about 9 pm and be one of the last customers for the night.
Authentic Thai street food. You will feel like you are in Bangkok. It's a hole in the wall on "the Ave" as it is known to university students; near the UW campus and bookstore. Warning: 5 stars really is 5 stars...killer heat. And watching the Thai cooks with their flaming woks is a one-of-a-kind experience!
55 locals recommend
Thai Tom
4543 University Way NEAuthentic Thai street food. You will feel like you are in Bangkok. It's a hole in the wall on "the Ave" as it is known to university students; near the UW campus and bookstore. Warning: 5 stars really is 5 stars...killer heat. And watching the Thai cooks with their flaming woks is a one-of-a-kind experience!
Entertainment & Activities
A 21 and over movie theater. Complete with bar and real food, enjoy a movie from your reserved oversized seat. Book your tickets online. Take the 44 across from the Locks, but if you're coming home after 9 pm, the Locks are closed. Make other arrangements to get home if you aren't driving.
47 locals recommend
AMC Seattle 10
4500 9th Ave NEA 21 and over movie theater. Complete with bar and real food, enjoy a movie from your reserved oversized seat. Book your tickets online. Take the 44 across from the Locks, but if you're coming home after 9 pm, the Locks are closed. Make other arrangements to get home if you aren't driving.
Getting Around
A short 3.1 miles from our house. Most Alaska cruises leave/arrive at this Terminal. We may be able to pick you up or drop you off. Check with Jim. Alternatively, you can take the 24 bus, which runs every 30 minutes right from the Magnolia bridge, at the Cruise ship terminal up a short set of stairs to the stop.
7 locals recommend
Port of Seattle Marine Maintenance North
2003 W Garfield StA short 3.1 miles from our house. Most Alaska cruises leave/arrive at this Terminal. We may be able to pick you up or drop you off. Check with Jim. Alternatively, you can take the 24 bus, which runs every 30 minutes right from the Magnolia bridge, at the Cruise ship terminal up a short set of stairs to the stop.
Everything Else
Cruise Terminal for many Alaskan cruises 4.3 miles from our house. We may be able to drop you off/pick you up. Talk to Jim.
Near Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium.
Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal station
2225 Alaskan WayCruise Terminal for many Alaskan cruises 4.3 miles from our house. We may be able to drop you off/pick you up. Talk to Jim.
Near Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium.
A 45-minute drive east of Seattle on I-90 will take you to the interpretive center at the Cedar River Watershed, the source of Seattle's refreshingly clean tap water. Located in the foothills of the Central Cascade Mountains. Open 10 am - 5 pm every day except Monday. You can also take a moderate 3-mile hike up Rattlesnake Ridge to a great view of the Central Cascades.
7 locals recommend
Cedar River Watershed Education Center
17905 Cedar Falls Rd SEA 45-minute drive east of Seattle on I-90 will take you to the interpretive center at the Cedar River Watershed, the source of Seattle's refreshingly clean tap water. Located in the foothills of the Central Cascade Mountains. Open 10 am - 5 pm every day except Monday. You can also take a moderate 3-mile hike up Rattlesnake Ridge to a great view of the Central Cascades.
Shopping
A wonderful outdoor shopping experience with restaurants, large and small retail shops, uniquely Northwest shops and food experiences mixed-in with the familiar ones. Easy to get to by the new lightrail station at University of Washington. Great way to see the University area and shop all at once!
403 locals recommend
University Village
2623 NE University Village StA wonderful outdoor shopping experience with restaurants, large and small retail shops, uniquely Northwest shops and food experiences mixed-in with the familiar ones. Easy to get to by the new lightrail station at University of Washington. Great way to see the University area and shop all at once!