City Guide | Seattle Washington

The Emerald City is truly a gem. Seattle is the city that you will fall in love with and return to, time and again. The smell of the sea, the delicious food, the relaxed lifestyle, and the parks will leave you wanting more. 
Words by Jonas Larsson | Photos by Jonas Larsson and Anders Bergersen

Seattle’s so rainy. That’s the most common response when I talk about one of my absolute favorite cities in America. But the truth is that it doesn’t even hit the top five spots of wettest places in the US. (The fives most rainy places in the continental US are: New Orleans, LA, Birmingham, AL, Miami, FL, Nashville, TN, and New York City, NY.) The city’s rainy reputation is due to its winters, which, granted, can be pretty gray and rainy. 

Summer is long and typically warm, with easy access to several beaches near the city. I still think Seattle is a year-round destination. Spring, summer, and fall are perfect for the outdoor activities available all around the city. The Cascades mountain range is full of hiking trails, fishing lakes, and impressive views. The Olympia Peninsula, which protects Seattle from the storms of the Pacific Ocean, is an outdoor lover’s paradise, full of hiking, road trips, fishing, and much more.  

Here, you’ll also find three classic 1930s-era lodges. You know, the kind you’d see in Donald Duck or a Ralph Lauren commercial. The long coastline offers cool dips in the ocean, boating, kayaking, whale safari, and fishing. 

Meanwhile, you can spend winter enjoying the arts, music of all kinds, and visiting Seattle’s numerous, top-notch bars and restaurants. There truly is something for everyone here. In this guide, you’ll find my personal favorites, but of course there is much more to discover. Are you ready? Let’s go.  

Easy Street Records and Cafe´

Food and records, is that a thing? It sure is. One of the city’s best record stores is in West Seattle – a record you can’t find here isn’t worth listening to. But you can also come here for just a bit of obligatory record-flipping before moving on to a beer or a coffee at the bar. Maybe even lunch? Good stuff. 
easystreetonline.com

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market consists of several floors on the slope down to the waterfront. On the first floor you have the food stalls.  Don’t miss the fishmonger at the entrance who puts on a show every time someone buys fish from them. Here you will also find most of the restaurants. The lower floors are full of small shops. There are boutiques selling vinyl records, old magazines, movie posters and other fun stuff. But there are also some really good lunch spots here. Outside and in Post Alley, there are also plenty of small shops and eateries. There’s always something going on at the market. 
85 Pike Street | pikeplacemarket.org

Sleeping in Seattle

There are lots of places to stay when you come to town. Several new boutique hotels have popped up, both downtown and in the surrounding neighbourhoods. There are hotel chains, Airbnbs, and private renters. This guide focuses on hotels with unique style and that we personally like.

Palihotel

Pali is a favorite stay when we visit Seattle. Walking distance to Downtown, Pike Place Market, and the Waterfront. Central, affordable, great staff, and a good bar. The interior gives off Roaring 20s vibes, while maintaining a homey feel. The large hotel lounge is super nice. Digest your day’s adventures here with a cold beer. The rooms are solid and the beds comfortable. We’ll call it, “retro modern”. $$$
107 Pine Street Seattle | palisociety.com

The Edgewater Hotel

The Edgewater stands on stilts in the water and is the only hotel on the Waterfront, as the neighbourhood of the old docks is called. A few of the rooms have their own fireplace. This is where the Beatles fished from their balcony during their 1964 stay. Originally build for the World’s Fair in 1962, the hotel has hosted many touring musicians, such as Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, and more. They even let you borrow a guitar if you want to be a rockstar for a day. $$$$
2411 Alaskan Way | 2120 4th Avenue | Hilton.com

Bimbos Cantina & cha cha lounge

The first burrito was rolled at Bimbo’s Cantina as early as 1995. After moving to East Pike Street, they added the Cha Cha Lounge in the basement. Two sweet spots where you can eat, drink, and laugh from noon to late at night. The theme throughout is Mexican wrestling, it doesn’t get much better. Or maybe it does? This is the epicenter of Seattle’s nightlife, so when you’re ready to move on, you never have far to go. 
85 Pike Street |bimboscantina.com

Capitol Hill

Jimi Hendrix lived here, so we’re off to a good start. Capitol Hill is known for its many bars, thriving queer community, and creative atmosphere, especially in the Pike/Pine Corridor. Restaurants and bars line Pike and Pine Streets, with something for everyone regardless of age or interest. Don’t miss the legendary bookstore, Elliott Bay Book Company, at 1521 10th Ave (elliottbaybook.com). A drink or a bite to eat at Oddfellows Café + Bar further up the street is the perfect way to celebrate your newly purchased book. 
visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/capitol-hill

Donut and coffee
In Bell Town, not far from the excellent Sound Hotel, is Dahlia. Their focus is donuts, but they have all sorts of delicious foods, like sandwiches, pies, soups, salads, and more. Stop for a coffee, lunch, or dinner. 
2001 4th ave | dahliabakery.com

Emerald city Guitars

One of North America’s best vintage guitar shops, which also sells other cool music items, is found near Pioneer Square in Downtown. You simply have to visit it, whether you’re looking to buy anything or not. The atmosphere, the staff, and the fantastic guitars will all make you want to start taking lessons immediately. Then you just have to come up with 50 thousand dollars and that red 1965 Fender Stratocaster that you can’t live without can be yours. 
83 S Washington St | emeraldcityguitars.com

Filson flagship store

Filson opened in Seattle in the 19th century, outfitting gold diggers, fishermen, and woodsmen with proper work wear. Today, they still offer durable and reliable – but above all, good-looking – clothes. Think: fashionable lumberjack style.  The store alone is worth a visit. If you’re lucky, you’ll find American Trails in their lounge. They also have a store in the hip Ballard neighborhood: 5101 Ballard Ave.  
1741 1st ave South | filson.com

Photo op, Kerry Park

This small park is named after the lumberman Albert S. Kerry and his wife Katherine, who donated the land in 1927. They wanted the general public to be able to enjoy the spectacular view, and it is without a doubt the most iconic view over Seattle, Elliot Bay, and – if you’re in luck – Mount Rainier in the background. While you’re here, explore the Queen Anne neighborhood. Other lovely parks include: Green Lake, Discovery Park, Volunteer Park, and Golden Gardens park. 
W Highland Dr. | visitseattle.org

Seaview avenue | Ballard

This street runs along the Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard and contains many great spots. The view from Golden Gardens Park and the beach is stunning. At dusk, when the sun sets behind the rugged mountains on the Olympiac Peninsula, this is the place to be. However, during the day, you can enjoy the beach, have ice cream at Little Coney, or eat a fantastic sandwich at Un Bien. You can also do some car spotting in the parking lot. If you’re lucky, you get to see a beauty like this. 
Seaview avenue | visitseattle.org

The world’s 6th best bar

Canon houses over 4,000 different spirits, 57 of which are absinthes. You can’t get through the list in one night, but this pleasant bar gives you many reasons to come back time and again. The food is excellent, really good. Intermezzos with local flavors. But, I hear you say, isn’t this a cocktail bar? Absolutely, with cocktail creations both delicious and creative. How about the Transylvania 5-6000, served in a blood bag, or the Lawn Boy pictured here, served in a tiny bathtub? If you lean more conservative, the Captain’s List is for you. 
928 12th Ave | canonseattle.com

Itinerary for a chill day in Downtown Seattle

Are you the type who likes to explore but doesn’t want to flit around town? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here are our best tips for a perfect day in Seattle’s Downtown. Cherry-pick your faves or do it all. 
Start the day with a coffee at Victrola Coffee Roasters, 108 Pine St. Then explore Pike Place Market, with an early lunch at one of the many restaurants, giving you time to catch Argosy Cruise’s Lock cruise at 12:30. This wonderful trip takes you through the locks up to Lake Union, with a close-up view of Ballard fishing boats and a good overview of the neighborhoods. Now we’ve reached cocktail hour. If the weather is nice, Maximilien in Pike Place has the terrace for you; otherwise the Athenian offers a good alternative for a drink. Before dinner, swing by SAM, Seattle Art Museum, where there’s always something interesting to see. If you’re feeling fishy, you’ll obviously visit the Seattle Aquarium on the Waterfront instead. End the day at the pleasant bistro Von’s 1000 spirits, who serve excellent food to go along with their thousands of spirits. If you’re smart, which we think you are, you’ll check out City Pass, which saves you money on admission to interesting attractions like the Space Needle. 
victrolacoffee.com | argosycruises.com | maximilienrestaurant.com 
athenianseattle.com | seattleartmuseum.org | seattleaquarium.org 
vons1000spirits.com | citypass.com/seattle
More info: visitseattle.org