Packed between Elliott Bay, Pioneer Square, Belltown, and Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle unsurprisingly contains the city's business district and a number of large retailers. Also in downtown are the Central Library, the Paramount Theater, Pike Place Market, and several local and federal government administration buildings.
Get in
By public transit
Metro Transit[1] operates bus routes throughout Seattle, connecting downtown to outlying neighborhoods. Fares are $1.50 at rush hours and $1.25 all other times of the day.
Sound Transit[2] provides express bus service from the outlying suburbs and communities of the Seattle Area to downtown, however service is mostly limited to rush-hour periods.
In addition to buses, Sound Transit also operates the Sounder[3], a commuter rail service with lines running between Seattle-Tacoma and Seattle-Everett. The Sounder stops at the King Street Station at the southern end of downtown.
Get around
By public transit
Downtown is the hub of Seattle's public transit system and a variety of modes serve the district.
Metro Transit[4] serves downtown very well, and much of downtown is a ride-free area, so buses are free during the daytime. T
The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, a hub for many Metro bus routes, is within the ride-free area and runs the length of downtown Seattle from the King Street Station (near Qwest Field and Safeco Field) at the southern end and Westlake Center and the convention center at the northern end.
The South Lake Union Streetcar[5] connects the Westlake Center in north downtown to the nearby neighborhood of South Lake Union just to the north. Fare is $1.50 for adults and $0.50 for seniors/youth.
The Seattle Center Monorail[6] makes a direct connection between Westlake Center and the Seattle Center north of downtown, which is home to the Space Needle. Round-trip fares are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1.50 for youth.
On Foot
Seattleites never, ever jaywalk. There could be tumbleweeds rolling down the street and still a Seattleite will not cross against the light. The fines for Jaywalking are rather steep.
See
Pike Place Market[7] - An enormous working public market and popular tourist draw. Much good food to be had. The selection of fresh flowers and vegetables is excellent. And yes, they really do throw the fish around. Look for big blond Johnny Hahn on his portable piano, or one of the other regular street musicians on a more conventional street instrument. Leave the more trafficked areas behind and go downstairs to explore the creepy, dusty corridors full of obscure little shops. The weird, cramped Parrot Store even further downstairs (on 1st Avenue) is worth the $0.50 admission if you like parrots.
Bay Pavilion on Pier 57, 1301 Alaskan Way (on the waterfront below Pike Place Market), ☎ +1-(206) 623.8600 (fax: +1-(206) 343.9173), [8]. A "touristy" destination, with shops, restaurants, and a game arcade and carousel for kids.
Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way (on Pier 59 on the Waterfront), ☎ +1-206.386.4300, [10].
The Seattle Public Library's Central Library[11] - a dramatic glass and steel structure at 1000 Fourth Avenue in the heart of downtown Seattle, designed by Rem Koolhaas, that opened in May 2004. This is not an average public library; it's worth a separate Wikipedia article. Seattle Public Library's neighborhood branches are good, too, but not tourist attractions.
Smith Tower Observation Deck, 506 2nd Avenue, [12]. The Smith Tower (built in 1914) was Seattle's first skyscraper. Take the attendant-operated elevator to the observation deck on the 35th floor (and watch 33 office lobbies pass by through the translucent doors). From the observation deck, you'll find views of Elliot Bay, the mountains, the sports stadiums, downtown, Pioneer Square and other neighborhoods, and - yes - the Space Needle. The interior of the 35th floor contains the Chinese Room, with an ornate carved ceiling and a number of decorative flourishes imported from China in the early 20th century. Entry is $5-7.5. The observation deck isn't open every day, check the schedule beforehand, or stop by and see if they're open when you're in the neighborhood.
Seattle Art Museum, [13]. Just down the street from Pike Place Market, with an expansion underway (began 2004; expected opening Spring 2007) that will increase gallery space by about 75%.
Safeco Field, [14]. Just south of Pioneer Square, Safeco Field, home to the Seattle Mariners, is one of the finest ballparks in the country. Right field bleacher seats enjoy a panoramic view of downtown and Elliott Bay, and the stadium offers anything from traditional ballbark dogs and macrobrews to fine gourmet fare and local beers. There couldn't be a better way to spend a summer evening in Seattle.
Qwest Field[15] — professional football stadium to the south of downtown.
Benaroya Hall, an aesthetically and acoustically beautiful new concert hall. Tours available.
5th Avenue Theatre, an old movie palace downtown, now used as a theatre.
Paramount Theatre, another old movie palace downtown, now used as a theatre.
Washington Convention and Trade Center, [16]. Major convention centre, straddling the I-5 freeway on the east side of Downtown.
Eat
Mama's Mexican Kitchen, 2234 2nd Ave between Blanchard and Bell (Belltown). Plentiful portions of decent food and a fun, festive atmosphere. Don't miss out on the Elvis Room!
Campagne Restaurant, 86 Pine St. Country cuisine in an urban setting brings the joys of coastal France to Seattle.
Chez Shea, 94 Pike St. Despite a change in ownership, one of Seattle's most romantic restaurants retains its intimate, elegant charm.
The Cheesecake Factory, 700 Pike St. More than thirty varieties of the signature dessert make up only a part of this chain restaurant's gigantic international menu.
Matt's in the Market, 94 Pike St Ste 32. Charming Market ambience and tasty seafood selections make for a fine low-key dining experience at this lilliputian spot.
Palace Kitchen, 2030 Fifth Ave., [17]. Tom Douglas' upscale saloon is a hit any time of day.
Drink
Bars and taverns
The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley (Pike Place Market), reasonably good Italian restaurant, but it's a better bar, with a rather European market ambiance and a trellis-covered outdoor deck. Occasional cabaret-style live entertainment, no cover.
Cyclops, 2421 First Ave (Belltown). Good, hip (but not ultra-hip) bar, and not a bad restaurant either. Interesting neo-retro decor. The Ace Hotel is upstairs.
Tula's, 2214 Second Ave (Belltown). Tula's is a good and affordable venue for local jazz. Cover charges range from $5 to $12.
The Owl N' Thistle, [18]--808 Post Avenue (in Post Alley)--is a great Irish bar. A house band, nice regulars, and halibut burger to die for. Happy hour is 3-7, M-F.
Coffee
Local Color, tel. (206) 728-1717 [19]. Serves Caffé Vita coffee in Pike Place's largest independent coffeehouse. Also an art gallery, with new art on the walls at the beginning of each month. The first Saturday of every month, holds an art opening from 6 to 9.
Starbucks Store #1, in the Pike Place Market. Who would have thought, when this unassuming place opened in 1971, that it would give rise to a global empire? So get in line, order a latte (no different from anywhere else in the world), and ponder the vagaries of history. And check out the uncensored mermaid which acted as the original logo for the company.
Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content of this site but
the publisher cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any errors.A number of
external links exist within the site and the publisher does not endorse any such external links.
