Looking for the best Seattle neighborhoods to spend the weekend? These are our favorites.
We have visited Seattle a handful of times and have always rented a car. It wasn’t until our 7th visit that we realized Seattle has excellent public transportation. How are we just learning this now?
It’s freeing to not worry about parking, and walking allowed us to take full advantage of the beautiful PNW summer weather!
During this past trip, we tried to see how much of the city we could explore using only the Link light rail and Water Taxis (except for a couple of Uber rides the day I drank too much coffee and felt too sick to walk. I went too hard).
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Last Updated: October 7, 2024
About Seattle Neighborhoods + Why Trust Us
Seattle is more than just coffee, rain, and the iconic Space Needle. Lately, our favorite way to explore a city is by its neighborhoods. Not only does it help us travel slower, but it means having more time to appreciate each area rather than spending time in a car hopping between places.
Below, we highlight our favorite Seattle neighborhoods for visitors to explore with the help of our local friend, who has lived here for over a decade. Each of these Seattle neighborhoods has a unique vibe, so you can see why locals love their pocket of the city.
Whether visiting for the first time or planning a weekend getaway, here’s a guide to the best Seattle neighborhoods to explore using public transportation.
Downtown Seattle & Pike Place Market
If you’re new to Seattle, you’ll likely start at Pike Place Market in downtown. This area is close to the waterfront, and even if we’ve been multiple times, I always discover a new corner of Pike Place. Our latest favorite find was Osara Commissary, a shop downstairs featuring local artists and Japanese goods collected on their travels in Japan.
We also finally got to eat at Pink Door. Every time we tried for dinner, the wait was too long, so we dropped in for lunch and got seated immediately.
What to Do in Downtown Seattle
Pike Place Market – See the fishmongers tossing fish, grab some Beecher’s cheese, visit the gum wall, get clam chowder, or explore the unique shops. You can also take a food tour.
Seattle Art Museum – SAM is the city’s largest museum.
Seattle Central Library – beautiful architecture.
“Original” Starbucks – the original one no longer exists, but this shop is the closest to the original. If you’re a Starbucks fan, we recommend visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill as well.
Where to Eat in Downtown Seattle
The Pink Door (Italian, ) – a beautiful outdoor patio during the day that transforms into a whimsical space in the evening with a trapeze lady, jazz ensembles, cabaret, and more. We liked the vibe more than the food, but it’s worth noting that my vongole pasta had the most clams I’ve ever seen on a single dish.
Sushi Kashiba (Sushi, ) – Chef Shiro is known as the Sushi Sensei of Seattle, and this omakase spot is perfect for a fancy dinner out.
Biscuit Bitch (Breakfast & Brunch, ) – There’s always a line out the door.
Pike Place Chowder (Soup, ) – one of the popular spots in Pike Place Market.
Where to Stay: We stayed at Hotel 1000. The rooms were beautiful and spacious (loved the tub layout), and it was an easy walk to Pike Place and the Symphony Link light rail station.
See More: Weekend Trip to Seattle – How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a lively neighborhood with international restaurants, lots of green space, and beautiful city skyline views. We spent an afternoon here walking around Jefferson Park before catching the sunset at Dr. Jose Rizal Park.
What to Do in Beacon Hill Seattle
Clock-Out Lounge – a great spot for drinks, Stevie’s Famous pizza (we loved the Normie Macdonald), and a show. They have themed trivia nights, musicians, and comedians.
Dr. Jose Rizal Park – one of the best spots for sunset with views of south Downtown and Elliott Bay.
Jefferson Park – a large park with big grassy fields, a skate park, and one of the region’s best public golf courses.
Seattle Bouldering Project – if you climb, this was our friend’s home gym with fun route setting.
Where to Eat in Beacon Hill Seattle
Stevie’s Famous inside Clock-Out Lounge (Pizza, ) – delicious pizza! We got the Normie MacDonald.
Milk Drunk (Ice Cream, ) – Ice cream and chicken sandwiches, though it’s not worth a long wait for me. I would go if I didn’t see a line.
Belltown
Belltown, just north of downtown, is where you’ll find cafes, nightclubs, boutiques, and galleries. We took a glassblowing class and a barista class in Belltown. We all know Seattle is the coffee capital of the US, but did you know that Seattle is also the heart of North America’s studio glass movement?
What to Do in Belltown Seattle
Learn to Be a Barista at Coffee Tab – if you’ve ever been interested in learning how to be a barista, take a class with Coffee Tab. This unique coffee shop works with underserved youth, often homeless, by training them with employable skills and access to the coffee community. The cost of a class goes directly towards these kids’ salaries.
Try Glassblowing at Seattle Glassblowing Studio – take a glassblowing class where you’ll learn the basics and take home the pieces you make. They can even ship them to you, so you don’t have to pack them in your suitcase meticulously. You can stop by and watch them blowing glass as well.
The Moore Theatre – On our previous visit, we saw Atsuko Okatsuka here on a whim after seeing her name on the marquee. It’s a beautiful theatre!
Olympic Sculpture Park – a SAM extension located about a mile away at the waterfront that is free to visit.
Where to Eat in Belltown Seattle
Cedar & Spokes Coffee (Coffee, ) – not my favorite coffee of the trip, but they had a beautiful interior space with a water view.
Shaker + Spear (New American, ) – we enjoyed all the dishes here!
Where to Stay: During our visit last year, we stayed at the Kimpton Palladian. The location was convenient for exploring downtown and we always enjoy seeing how unique Kimptons are.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is an eclectic and artsy neighborhood filled with bars, well-curated boutiques, and restaurants.
Even if you’re not a Starbucks fan, it’s worth being a tourist at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery once. It’s a massive roastery where you can try flights of coffee and fresh baked goods. We also tried Vitrola and Caffe Vita, if you want to try one of Seattle’s independent coffee shops.
What to Do in Capitol Hill Seattle
Neko Cat Cafe – visit the local residents of Neko Cat Cafe, where you can get drinks and spend time with the cutest, adoptable cats. During the summer, make a reservation at least a day in advance since they limit the number of people per hour.
Twice Sold Tales – a bookstore with cats roaming around.
Elliott Bay Book Co – Seattle’s most famous and largest independent bookstore.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery – not your normal Starbucks experience. This shop is huge and you can have flights of coffee and fresh-baked goods.
Seattle Asian Art Museum – a SAM satellite location focused on Asian art.
Glasswing Shop – cute clothes and even cuter plants.
Glossier – an aesthetic store where you can try their products.
Where to Eat in Capitol Hill Seattle
Rondo (Izakaya, ) – best happy hour specials. I highly recommend the Tasty BB noodles and their appetizer special, where you get a bunch of apps, a large glass of sake, and a beer for $10.
Caffe Vita (Coffee, ) – decent coffee with lots of seating.
Canon (Cocktail Bars, ) – fun drinks and a huge whiskey list! We got ones served in rubber burgers presented in a grill.
Frankie & Jo’s (Vegan Ice Cream, ) – a great vegan ice cream option.
General Porpoise (Donuts, ) – popular donut spot! We went years ago and loved them.
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream (Ice Cream, ) – yummy ice cream!
See More: Ultimate Seattle Bucket List (101 Things to Do in Seattle WA)
Columbia City
Columbia City was one of our favorite new neighborhoods to explore. It was the first place we could see ourselves living in Seattle. The main street is filled with restaurants and shops and is very walkable.
Things to Do in Columbia City Seattle
Hill City Tap House & Bottle Shop – we did trivia night here and got second!
Third Place Books – a local bookstore with Chuck’s Hop Shop attached to it (huge selection of rare beers). This is in Seward Park, but not far from here.
Royal Room – live music.
Lottie’s Lounge – stop by for a Columbia City tradition: jello shots! Now, I need someone else from this neighborhood to verify if this is a neighborhood tradition or just our friend’s tradition here. He somehow convinced us to take one for the first time since college.
Where to Eat in Columbia City Seattle
Island Soul (Caribbean, ) – our fave was the Jerk Fried Chicken Burger.
Coffeeholic House (Coffee, ) – iced Viet coffee. We liked the black sesame one best if you’re in the mood for a dessert.
Olympia (Coffee, ) – where I usually buy my beans in Seattle. They have several locations in Seattle and Olympia, so you don’t necessarily have to go to the one in Columbia City.
Chinatown-International District
The Chinatown-International District in Seattle is one of the nation’s oldest Asian-American neighborhoods. Every time we’re in Seattle, we’ve done snack runs at Uwajimaya, but this time, we also explored the surrounding neighborhood.
Things to Do in International District Seattle
Wing Luke Museum – a museum focused on the way AAPI cultures have settled and shaped the Northwest. If you want to join their free tours (with admission), check the times and arrive early, as they have limited space.
Sairen – a shop that carries clothing and items from local designers.
Kobo Shop & Gallery – a gallery-style shop with crafts and decorative items from Japan and regional artists.
Uwajimaya / Kinokuniya Bookstores – a Japanese grocery store and a Japanese-based shop that sells collectibles and books.
Where to Eat in International District Seattle
Hello Em Viet Coffee (Vietnamese Coffee, ) – Viet coffee and yummy banh mi sandwiches.
King Noodle (Noodles, ) – no-nonsense, build your own noodle dishes.
Phin Coffee (Cafe, ) – the pandan waffles are so good.
Saigon Deli (Vietnamese, ) – they have my favorite banh mi in Seattle so far!
West Seattle
West Seattle is just across the water from downtown, and you can take a water taxi across from Pier 50. Once you arrive, there is a free shuttle that runs two routes. Alki Beach is one of the main attractions, but you get beautiful city skyline views all along the water.
We took the shuttle to check out Easy Street Records before returning to the shore to enjoy the beach and have a memorable dinner at Driftwood. We can’t recommend it enough.
Things to Do in West Seattle
Alki Kayak Tours – rent a kayak, go on a guided tour, or pick up some bikes to explore Alki Beach. They provide free lockers for anything you want to leave.
Alki Beach – a great spot to sunbathe, picnic, barbecue, play volleyball, and swim.
Easy Street Records – a big vinyl shop with lots of character, a coffee shop, and a bar (they have Caffe Vita coffee here).
Where to Eat in West Seattle
Marination ma kai (Korean/Hawaiian, ) – we had the kimchi fried rice and spam musubi next to the water.
Driftwood (Seafood, ) – our standouts were the beets and oysters, but the menu changes daily based on what fresh ingredients they can source locally. Everything we had was delicious, and this was our favorite meal.
See More: 15 Best Weekend Getaways from Seattle WA
Where to Eat in our favorite Seattle neighborhoods
We highlighted our favorite spots in each neighborhood, but if you plan your travels with your stomach, we’ve compiled all the spots we ate at on this trip.
Caffe Vita (Coffee, ) – decent coffee with lots of seating (although it was still very full when we went).
Cedar & Spokes Coffee (Coffee, ) – not my favorite coffee, but they had a beautiful interior space.
Coffeeholic House (Coffee, ) – iced Viet coffee if you want a dessert. We liked the one with black sesame!
Canon (Cocktail Bars, ) – fun drinks and a huge whiskey list! We got ones served in rubber burgers presented in a grill.
Driftwood (Seafood, ) – the menu changes daily based on what fresh ingredients they can source locally. Everything we had was delicious; this was our favorite meal on this trip.
Frankie & Jo’s (Vegan Ice Cream, ) – great option for Vegan ice cream with unique flavors.
Hello Em Viet Coffee (Vietnamese Coffee, ) – good coffee and yummy banh mi sandwiches.
Island Soul (Caribbean, ) – our fave was the Jerk Fried Chicken Burger.
King Noodle (Noodles, ) – no-nonsense, build your own noodle dishes.
Marination ma kai (Korean/Hawaiian, ) – we had the kimchi fried rice and spam musubi.
Phin Coffee (Cafe, ) – the pandan waffles are so good!
The Pink Door (Italian, ) – a somewhat hidden pasta shop with a beautiful outdoor patio during the day that transforms into a whimsical space in the evening with a trapeze lady, jazz ensembles, cabaret, and more.
Rondo (Izakaya, ) – great happy hour specials and delicious Japanese food.
Stevie’s Famous inside Clock-Out Lounge (Pizza, ) – delicious pizza! We got the Normie MacDonald.
Where to Stay in Seattle
On our most recent visit, we stayed at Hotel 1000. The rooms are nice and spacious, and it’s a short walk from the Symphony Link light rail station. They have a spa, fitness center, a Topgolf Swing Suite, and are dog-friendly.
If you’re looking for more options, check out the map below:
Essential Tips for visiting Seattle neighborhoods
Locals don’t use umbrellas. We also find this true about other PNW cities while living in Portland. Most people use rain jackets rather than umbrellas. It gives you a free hand to hold onto your warm coffee.
Waterproof shoes are our go-to for any trip, rain or shine. To be ready for any weather, we love our Vessi shoes. They are comfortable to walk in and waterproof.
Carry a backpack. Most places do not have plastic bags, and it’s easier to throw anything you buy into a backpack to carry with you.
Layers are always key, especially if you plan to be out all day. It can be beautiful and warm during the day but gets chilly as the sun goes down.
Get an ORCA Card or sign up for the app if you use public transportation. You can use it on the Link light rail, buses, and even the water taxi. Plus, you get discounts (i.e., the water taxi is $5.75 cash/debit or $5 with the ORCA card.
Use SEA Spot Saver to skip the line if you do not have TSA Precheck or Clear when flying home. Sign up to five days before your flight or when you arrive at the airport at the ticketing level of the terminal. Go to your assigned checkpoint at the preassigned time and go through screening.
Planning Checklist
Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
Download these helpful language apps.
Find a great deal on Seattle hotels.
Arrange a rental car for your trip.
Book a tour for your visit.
Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
Get a new backpack for your trip.
Buy a Seattle travel guide.
Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Save money on attractions with a CityPass.
We’ve explored bits and pieces of these Seattle neighborhoods: Bainbridge, Ballard, Beacon Hill, Bellevue, Belltown, Capitol Hill, Central District, Columbia City, Denny Triangle, Downtown Seattle, Fremont, Hillman City, Industrial District, International District, Issaquah, Lower Queen Anne, Phinney Ridge, Pioneer Square, Rainier Beach, Seatac, South Lake Union, Vashon Island, Wallingford, Waterfront, West Seattle, Westlake, and Whidbey.
Any favorites that we missed that we should check out next time? Which Seattle neighborhoods have you explored?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
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