Visiting Seattle - recommendations list?

[rosiedozie]

Good evening, ladies! Do you have a bookmarked post somewhere with recommendations for things to do in Seattle? We are doing a week long trip of Vancouver, Seattle and Portland later this month. We won't have a ton of time in each place so I'm trying to do some research now. 

In general, we are semi-hipster foodies and beer snobs Love sightseeing/exploring, and we will be staying downtown (without a car).

[MrsPotatohead]

I know there has to be a thread somewhere, we really should make a sticky post since our city is so awesome

there are lots of hipster, foodie, beer snobby places around so you'll enjoy it I think Fremont and Ballard would be places you would like. any food in particular you are interested in? where are you coming from? obviously seafood is a big deal here, so if you don't have that where you live you should make that a top priority.

I can't recommend Joule enough, it's amazing food! Other favorites around here: Walrus & the Carpenter, Mistral Kitchen... also I do really enjoy Pike Place Market (even though I grew up here!), but try to go during a week day since the crowds do get crazy. Nice restaurants for dinner in that area are Cafe Campagne and Il Bistro. A lot of the places are good, but I don't rec the French bakery or crepe place there (there are other good ones if you want recs), personally.

[rosiedozie]

We are both adventurous eaters and will eat nearly anything. Local specialties, including seafood, sounds great!

We are from TX so have our fill here of tex-mex and bbq, we have quite a bit of Asian varieties as well.

[joenali]

West Seattle

Bakery Nouveau- French bakery. I recommend the twice baked croissant.

Fiddlehead- brunch only from 10-2. Fresh, simple, delicious. Their biscuits are awesome!

Buddha Ruska- Thai food. Order the crispy garlic chicken and you will be given a little slice of heaven.

Beer Junction- lots of local beer on tap.

Circa- good casual dining experience. I recommend the butternut squash tacos.

Beverage Place- beer and wine awesomeness. They don't have food but places will deliver.


There are lots of other things to do in West Seattle like kayaking, hanging out at the beach, walking, etc. you can get to west Seattle by taking the water taxi from downtown.

[Deleted]

jennlin has it.

I know I bookmarked it too at some point, but I'd need to look.

ETA: I can't find it, but I'm 99% sure Jenn has the list somewhere. 

[monsterz]

For beer check out the craft breweries in Ballard and Fremont. Some of my favorites are Fremont Brewery, Ruben's Brews, NW Peaks, Peddler. If you go to Fremont stop by Paseo's and grab a sandwich to bring there.

Food wise check out:

Any of Tom Douglas's places
Tolouse Petite
Kickin' Boot and the go to Hot Cakes for dessert.
Japonessa for sushi

[jennlin]

Museums
www.seattleartmuseum.org/
www.seattlehistory.org/
www.futureofflight.org/ (if you go during a week day you'll have a better chance to see a plane being built on the tour)
www.museumofflight.org/
www.wingluke.org/
www.tacomaartmuseum.org/ (about an hour south of Seattle)
www.empmuseum.org/index.asp
www.seattleaquarium.org/
www.zoo.org/


Food (all of these are local places and I eat at all of them regularly)
www.tuttabellapizza.com/
www.paseoseattle.com/
mammamelina.com/
www.mistral-kitchen.com/
www.waterfrontpier70.com/waterfrontpier70/
www.bastilleseattle.com/
www.ipanemabraziliangrill.us/
www.volterrarestaurant.com/
www.sazeracrestaurant.com/
www.thelocalvine.com/
www.restaurantzoe.com/
www.cafejuanita.com/
www.tilthrestaurant.com/
crushonmadison.com/
www.bokaseattle.com/
www.schwartzbros.com/daniels.cfm
www.baroloseattle.com/
www.laspiga.com/
www.houseofhong.com/
www.wasabiseattle.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/green-leaf-vietnamese-restaurant-seattle
www.monsoonrestaurants.com/seattle/
www.ilovesushi.com/
www.saltys.com/seattle/
www.palisaderestaurant.com/page/home
www.wildginger.net/ (everyone seems to love this place, but personally I don't like it at all. IMO the best Thai around here are the little hole in the wall places, I'll remember to write them down the next time I pass by some. I only know them by location.)
www.yelp.com/biz/little-hot-pot-bellevue
topgunrestaurants.com/ (expect an hour wait)
www.yelp.com/biz/the-walrus-and-the-carpenter-seattle#hrid:T2UFfe2CB0xzZG9uyNHwWw
www.thepurplecafe.com/ (other people really like this and the wine selection is good, but the food has really gone down hill in the past few years. I refuse to eat here now)
www.boomnoodle.com/v2/
www.marjorierestaurant.com/
thekingfishcafe.com/


Music/Events Calendar
www.thestranger.com/seattle/Search?search=music&hp
www.seattleweekly.com/calendar/
www.seattlemet.com/arts-and-entertainment/?gclid=CPiapa7vv6kCFULsKgodgHkshg

Hiking
www.washington-hiking-advisor.com/seattle-hikes.html

Sightseeing
www.pikeplacemarket.org/
www.spaceneedle.com/ (please, please, please don't get dinner here. The food is terrible and overpriced)
www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?id=342 (my favorite view of Seattle)
www.snoqualmiefalls.com/ (about an 45 min east of Seattle, you could also do some light hiking here)
www.yelp.com/biz/the-fremont-troll-seattle
www.emeralddowns.com/ (45 min south of Seattle)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Waterfront,_Seattle
www.yelp.com/biz/olympic-sculpture-park-seattle
www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/ (annoying tour, but it's a fun way to see the city)
www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=293


Bars (again, all places that I go and love)
www.pintxoseattle.com/
www.librarybistro.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/suite-410-seattle
www.garagebilliards.com/ (bowling and pool too, but in the last year or so this has become the new cougar hang out)
www.yelp.com/biz/lindas-tavern-seattle
www.yelp.com/biz/havana-seattle
www.clubnocnoc.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/bathtub-gin-and-co-seattle
www.yelp.com/biz/quinns-seattle
www.yelp.com/biz/the-great-nabob-seattle#hrid:8KaCIEfWg5iR89jWK_GemA
www.yelp.com/biz/the-saint-seattle
zigzagseattle.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/the-chapel-bar-seattle (I'm going to tell you from first hand experience that the martinis are delicious, maybe too delicious, and it can get um... dangerous with their $5 martini happy hour)
www.kneehighstocking.com/
www.libertybars.com/ (also serves sushi)
www.yelp.com/biz/brouwers-cafe-seattle#query:browers
www.yelp.com/biz/feierabend-seattle#query:fierabend
www.yelp.com/biz/sambar-bar-and-lounge-seattle (tiny bar, only 4 or 5 tables, but so awesome)

Shopping/Malls
www.pacificplaceseattle.com/
www.westlakecenter.com/
www.downtownseattle.com/content/visitors/Shopping.cfm
www.uvillage.com/
www.bellevuecollection.com/ (20 min east of seattle)
www.thebravern.com/ (20 min east of seattle)
www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?id=236
www.westfield.com/southcenter/

Neighborhoods to explore
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallingford,_Seattle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_Seattle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill_%28Seattle%29
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_District,_Seattle
www.cidbia.org/

Hands down the best cupcakes in Seattle. Don't even bother with any other of the cupcake stores. www.trophycupcakes.com/

[jennlin]

Compiled by @uwhuskygirl

[rosiedozie]

Awesome - thanks!

[MrsPotatohead]

also yeah jennlin , we should really take Purple off that list... it's pretty terrible IMO, I don't know why people like it...

ETA: oh and Joule really needs to be on that list!

[Deleted]

Aug 4, 2014 13:30:56 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

also yeah jennlin , we should really take Purple off that list... it's pretty terrible IMO, I don't know why people like it...

ETA: oh and Joule really needs to be on that list!

Agreed. I think I complied this list in like 2010, so it definitely needs a refresh.

And sambar is closed, etc...

[jennlin]

Whatever/however you guys want to update the list just let me know. I'm a hoarder (both physically and digitally) and will be happy to keep the file!

[MrsPotatohead]

Aug 4, 2014 13:33:59 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Aug 4, 2014 13:30:56 GMT -5 MrsPotatohead said:

also yeah jennlin , we should really take Purple off that list... it's pretty terrible IMO, I don't know why people like it...

ETA: oh and Joule really needs to be on that list!

Agreed. I think I complied this list in like 2010, so it definitely needs a refresh.

And sambar is closed, etc...

well this could be a fun project for everyone today! 

[catbus]

Hit some tasting rooms at Georgetown breweries: Two Beers is one of my favorites. Georgetown Brewing is also great.

I'm another West Seattleite, and my go-tos here include Elliott Bay Brewery, The Beer Junction (owned by a friend-of-a-friend) for beer. Go to Marination Ma Kai for food and drinks. The view can't be beat.

[catbus]

Aug 4, 2014 14:17:44 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Seattle

Day One
Get breakfast at Serious Biscuit in SLU or Lola's. Both are Tom Douglas places. You can also get breakfast type foods at Seatown (another Tom Douglas place) down near Pike Place.

Head out to Pike Place. This will be a morning. Walk around, go to all the levels (there's more than one), check out the gum wall. Go to the Perennial Tea Room. Check out Pike Place Brewery.

At Pike Place: skip the line at the first Starbucks. It's not worth it. There is also better coffee around. But do try to peek in to check out the seal. It's kind of cool. Beechers is fine, but no need to wait in line for their mac'n cheese or other stuff. It's all sold commercially in grocery stores.

Take your afternoon to the Chihuly Glass museum. Check out Skillet at the commissary there; there's also Pie (handheld pies). Go to the Space Needle also, it's all in that area. Make sure to keep your ticket to go up later at night. (In some cases the City Pass is great; for Seattle, I'm ambivalent: The only things I'd like to take people to are: Space Needle and the Argosy tour, go figure out whether it's worth it to do those things). Skip the Ducks, do Argosy tour from the downtown dock.

For dinner, check out Mistral Kitchen if you're looking for something semi-fancy and yummy.


Day Two
Head to Toulouse Petit for their weekday breakfast Happy Hour.

Take Uber or something up to Ballard. Troll around, walk, see the Locks, go to Golden Gardens.

Have lunch at Ray's Café; not the best food, but it's a GORGEOUS view during the day of the Olympic Mountains.

For dinner, try to get first seating/early seating at Walrus and Carpenter if seafood is your thing. Afterwards, head to hotcakes up the street for some decadent lava cakes and end the night with a glass of wine or two at Portalis.


Other things to eat: Canon (brown liquor bar), Tavern Law/Needle & Thread (speakeasy-type gastropub), Ma'Ono (fried chicken and whisky), Joule (Korean-French fusion), Staple & Fancy (Italian), Tilth, Agrodolce, Kappo Tamura (high end sushi).

Other things to do: Might fill in later, busy at work.

I would actually recommend grabbing the West Seattle-bound Water Taxi from Pier 50 instead of doing Argosy. It's a lovely ride, very cheap, and takes you straight to Seacrest Park, where Marination Ma Kai is. There's a free shuttle from there to Alki Beach and up to Alaska Junction.

[rosiedozie]

Aug 5, 2014 13:10:41 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Pok Pok

This is definitely on the list! The United Airlines magazine had a "Perfect 3 days in Portland" in their most recent issue, and this was featured in it. Yum!