Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Hip locally owned neighborhood place with small plates, fancy pizza and sometimes outdoor seating. Get there early as dinner tends to be crowded. If you have a long minute wait, walk south a block and grab a drink at the cool little bar adjacent to El Quetzal restaurant. A 10 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
159 locals recommend
Bar del Corso
3057 Beacon Ave SHip locally owned neighborhood place with small plates, fancy pizza and sometimes outdoor seating. Get there early as dinner tends to be crowded. If you have a long minute wait, walk south a block and grab a drink at the cool little bar adjacent to El Quetzal restaurant. A 10 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
Can a sports pub be charming? This one is. Great locally owned neighborhood hang out with amazing Ruben Sandwich and sometimes Tuesday night trivia or Thursday night open mic (check their website to confirm). One of my favorite places. Seating on back deck for drinks only. Opens mid-morning Sundays for a great breakfast! About a 10 minute walk from BH light rail station.
69 locals recommend
Tippe and Drague Alehouse
3315 Beacon Ave SCan a sports pub be charming? This one is. Great locally owned neighborhood hang out with amazing Ruben Sandwich and sometimes Tuesday night trivia or Thursday night open mic (check their website to confirm). One of my favorite places. Seating on back deck for drinks only. Opens mid-morning Sundays for a great breakfast! About a 10 minute walk from BH light rail station.
Very popular locally owned neighborhood brew pub with burgers and outdoor seating. So popular they recently expanded. Music on Tuesday nights. Across the street from the BH light rail station.
115 locals recommend
Perihelion Brewery
2800 16th Ave SVery popular locally owned neighborhood brew pub with burgers and outdoor seating. So popular they recently expanded. Music on Tuesday nights. Across the street from the BH light rail station.
Hearty burgers in kid-friendly restaurant, with cool grown-up bar in back. About a 5 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
90 locals recommend
Oak
3019 Beacon Ave SHearty burgers in kid-friendly restaurant, with cool grown-up bar in back. About a 5 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
Authentic Mexican with an interesting menu. The rice is insanely delicious. Locally owned, family friendly and a good place to watch a futbol match.
Also has a cool bar in adjacent store-front which is a great place to grab a drink while waiting for a table at Bar del Corso. 5-10 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
49 locals recommend
El Quetzal
3211 Beacon Ave SAuthentic Mexican with an interesting menu. The rice is insanely delicious. Locally owned, family friendly and a good place to watch a futbol match.
Also has a cool bar in adjacent store-front which is a great place to grab a drink while waiting for a table at Bar del Corso. 5-10 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
This coffee shop is a locally owned neighborhood favorite. Diverse, chill and true Beacon Hill. Right across the street from the Beacon Hill Light Rail station - hence the name ;). They also have great pre-made sandwiches in the deli case.
73 locals recommend
The Station
1600 S Roberto Maestas Festival St This coffee shop is a locally owned neighborhood favorite. Diverse, chill and true Beacon Hill. Right across the street from the Beacon Hill Light Rail station - hence the name ;). They also have great pre-made sandwiches in the deli case.
Popular for their great bakery items. Yummy breakfast quiche and also serves cold brew coffee. Locally owned. Opposite side of the block from the Beacon Hill light rail station.
69 locals recommend
Fresh Flours Beacon Hill
1624 S McClellan StPopular for their great bakery items. Yummy breakfast quiche and also serves cold brew coffee. Locally owned. Opposite side of the block from the Beacon Hill light rail station.
Very down to earth coffee shop / restaurant / bar - Good basic Mexican food; good for breakfast; good bar (gay and drag friendly). Family friendly on the restaurant side, grown ups only in the adjacent bar. A 5 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
49 locals recommend
Baja Bistro
2710 Beacon Ave SVery down to earth coffee shop / restaurant / bar - Good basic Mexican food; good for breakfast; good bar (gay and drag friendly). Family friendly on the restaurant side, grown ups only in the adjacent bar. A 5 minute walk from the BH light rail station.
Beacon Hill’s newest dining destination. Locally owned with amazing lamb dishes and other small plates, plus ice cream served from the window. Arrive early or prepare for a long wait. People come from other neighborhoods to dine here. A 5 minute walk south from the Beacon Hill light rail station.
65 locals recommend
Homer
3013 Beacon Ave SBeacon Hill’s newest dining destination. Locally owned with amazing lamb dishes and other small plates, plus ice cream served from the window. Arrive early or prepare for a long wait. People come from other neighborhoods to dine here. A 5 minute walk south from the Beacon Hill light rail station.
Casual asian-fusion. Good food, walkable from our apartment, though the walk is not very scenic. Uphill walk home to work off that rice plate :)
12 locals recommend
Buddha Bruddah
2201 Rainier Ave SCasual asian-fusion. Good food, walkable from our apartment, though the walk is not very scenic. Uphill walk home to work off that rice plate :)
Arts & Culture
LOVE this place. History and Industry doesn't sound very interesting but this museum is freaking fascinating if you ask me - with great info about Seattle's history ranging from timber, music, software, and much more, and rotating exhibits. I have been several times and love to bring friends from out of town. Take light rail to Westlake Station - get off and go up to the street where you walk to 5th and Olive to find the South Lake Union Street Car - get on that and ride about 5-10 minutes and hop off right outside the Museum which is in an old Navy building right on Lake Union. Go early to the museum and then lunch in the adjacent cafe or walk to Cuoco for a spendier but amazing lunch of house-made pasta (spendy for dinner but lunch is a more affordable treat and less crowded if you shoot for 1:30/2pm).
357 locals recommend
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
860 Terry Ave NLOVE this place. History and Industry doesn't sound very interesting but this museum is freaking fascinating if you ask me - with great info about Seattle's history ranging from timber, music, software, and much more, and rotating exhibits. I have been several times and love to bring friends from out of town. Take light rail to Westlake Station - get off and go up to the street where you walk to 5th and Olive to find the South Lake Union Street Car - get on that and ride about 5-10 minutes and hop off right outside the Museum which is in an old Navy building right on Lake Union. Go early to the museum and then lunch in the adjacent cafe or walk to Cuoco for a spendier but amazing lunch of house-made pasta (spendy for dinner but lunch is a more affordable treat and less crowded if you shoot for 1:30/2pm).
Take light rail to University Street Station (not University of WA) in downtown Seattle. Great art museum with a wide range of exhibits.
1072 locals recommend
Seattle Selfie Museum
92 Union StTake light rail to University Street Station (not University of WA) in downtown Seattle. Great art museum with a wide range of exhibits.
High quality musical theater that often has future Broadway musicals open here. Take light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
107 locals recommend
5th Avenue Theatre
1308 5th AvenueHigh quality musical theater that often has future Broadway musicals open here. Take light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
Take light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
28 locals recommend
ACT Theatre
700 Union StTake light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
Take light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
155 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
911 Pine StTake light rail to Westlake Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
Small historic theater that mostly has live bands. Light rail to Westlake Station and walk about 4 blocks. Area is slightly sketchier but safe enough if you keep your eyes peeled while you light rail or Uber home.
27 locals recommend
Moore Theatre
1932 2nd AveSmall historic theater that mostly has live bands. Light rail to Westlake Station and walk about 4 blocks. Area is slightly sketchier but safe enough if you keep your eyes peeled while you light rail or Uber home.
Hear the Seattle Symphony or one of many touring acts. Check the schedule on line. Take light rail to University Street Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
100 locals recommend
Benaroya Hall
200 University StHear the Seattle Symphony or one of many touring acts. Check the schedule on line. Take light rail to University Street Station and have dinner nearby before a show. Light rail or Uber home.
High quality ballet at the iconic Seattle Center. Take light rail to Westlake Station, take the elevator up to Westlake mall and find the Monorail on the top level which you can ride to the Seattle Center (Monorail is an above-ground "subway" train from the 60s that just goes from downtown to the Seattle Center - you can't get lost!). You do need cash to ride the Monorail (about $2.50 one way for adults).
35 locals recommend
Pacific Northwest Ballet
301 Mercer StHigh quality ballet at the iconic Seattle Center. Take light rail to Westlake Station, take the elevator up to Westlake mall and find the Monorail on the top level which you can ride to the Seattle Center (Monorail is an above-ground "subway" train from the 60s that just goes from downtown to the Seattle Center - you can't get lost!). You do need cash to ride the Monorail (about $2.50 one way for adults).
Dale Chihuly is a famous-in-Seattle glass artist. His museum is artfully designed and worth a visit. I also love the adjacent Collections Cafe restaurant attached. Take light rail to Westlake Station, then the Monorail to the Seattle Center and end up at the doorstep to the Chihuly Glass museum and cafe (also at the base of the Space Needle).
723 locals recommend
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StDale Chihuly is a famous-in-Seattle glass artist. His museum is artfully designed and worth a visit. I also love the adjacent Collections Cafe restaurant attached. Take light rail to Westlake Station, then the Monorail to the Seattle Center and end up at the doorstep to the Chihuly Glass museum and cafe (also at the base of the Space Needle).
Moore Theatre
1932 2nd AveAn historic concert venue with old world charm.
Drinks & Nightlife
Old fashioned style dinner theater in a beautiful historic building. You will feel like you've stepped back in time. They serve asian fusion food and have a great arts line up - check on line to see if it's blues, jazz, comedian, or... Take light rail to the University Street station in downtown Seattle.
95 locals recommend
The Triple Door
216 Union StOld fashioned style dinner theater in a beautiful historic building. You will feel like you've stepped back in time. They serve asian fusion food and have a great arts line up - check on line to see if it's blues, jazz, comedian, or... Take light rail to the University Street station in downtown Seattle.
Parks & Nature
Drive or Uber to get here - it is an oasis in the city with a 3 mile walking, running or biking path around a peninsula surrounded by Lake Washington. In a residential area, there are not really any restaurants or shops to walk to, but Columbia City is an easy drive for lots of lunch options. If you're in good shape and want an adventure, you can also bike from our place to get here and there's a great biking path along the way to Seward Park proper.
477 locals recommend
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SDrive or Uber to get here - it is an oasis in the city with a 3 mile walking, running or biking path around a peninsula surrounded by Lake Washington. In a residential area, there are not really any restaurants or shops to walk to, but Columbia City is an easy drive for lots of lunch options. If you're in good shape and want an adventure, you can also bike from our place to get here and there's a great biking path along the way to Seward Park proper.
Acres of trails, a lighthouse, breathtaking views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mt Rainier. For outdoors lovers, this park has it all. From our house drive or Uber.
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdAcres of trails, a lighthouse, breathtaking views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mt Rainier. For outdoors lovers, this park has it all. From our house drive or Uber.
The closest place to our place for a swim on a hot day. It's a very small sand beach that will likely be crowded with kids of all ages. Parking is somewhat scarce but can usually be found if you don't mind a bit of a walk. There is a great long walking / running / biking path along Lake Washington that is well worth a visit. Consider renting an electric Lime bike to get to and from this location. You can also bike a mile or two to Seward Park and it's nice and flat!
37 locals recommend
Mount Baker Beach
2205 Lake Washington Blvd SThe closest place to our place for a swim on a hot day. It's a very small sand beach that will likely be crowded with kids of all ages. Parking is somewhat scarce but can usually be found if you don't mind a bit of a walk. There is a great long walking / running / biking path along Lake Washington that is well worth a visit. Consider renting an electric Lime bike to get to and from this location. You can also bike a mile or two to Seward Park and it's nice and flat!
Shopping
Pacific Place has a multiplex movie theater and lots of higher end retail shops plus a big Barnes & Noble but is undergoing a huge renovation in 2019 so is temporarily somewhat barren though the movie theater remains. Take light rail to Westlake Station. This whole area has downtown flagship stores in the surrounding blocks - Nordstrom, Macy's, Gap, etc.
176 locals recommend
Pacific Place
600 Pine StPacific Place has a multiplex movie theater and lots of higher end retail shops plus a big Barnes & Noble but is undergoing a huge renovation in 2019 so is temporarily somewhat barren though the movie theater remains. Take light rail to Westlake Station. This whole area has downtown flagship stores in the surrounding blocks - Nordstrom, Macy's, Gap, etc.
Great bookstore in a fun neighborhood. Take light rail 1 stop past downtown to Capitol Hill Station (aka Broadway). Get off and wander for hours with restaurants, bars, shopping and more, plus this ever-cool bookstore which also has a cafe in the back.
243 locals recommend
The Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th AveGreat bookstore in a fun neighborhood. Take light rail 1 stop past downtown to Capitol Hill Station (aka Broadway). Get off and wander for hours with restaurants, bars, shopping and more, plus this ever-cool bookstore which also has a cafe in the back.
Essentials
Right across from the Beacon Hill light rail station you can get nearly everything you need here (except pharmacy). Seattle requires re-usable shopping bags and charges $0.05/bag if you don't bring your own. I provide some reusable shopping bags in the lower drawer to the left of the fridge.
109 locals recommend
Hilltop Red Apple
2701 Beacon Ave SRight across from the Beacon Hill light rail station you can get nearly everything you need here (except pharmacy). Seattle requires re-usable shopping bags and charges $0.05/bag if you don't bring your own. I provide some reusable shopping bags in the lower drawer to the left of the fridge.
Entertainment & Activities
Old timey 3-screen movie theater in a really cool neighborhood called Columbia City, 2 light rail stops south of Beacon Hill. Lots of restaurants and some shopping if you feel like a change from Beacon Hill. If you prefer a multiplex, there are two in downtown called AMC Pacific Place and Meridian 16. But if you feel like something in a nice and interesting neighborhood, check out the Ark Lodge in Columbia City.
114 locals recommend
Ark Lodge Cinemas
4816 Rainier Ave SOld timey 3-screen movie theater in a really cool neighborhood called Columbia City, 2 light rail stops south of Beacon Hill. Lots of restaurants and some shopping if you feel like a change from Beacon Hill. If you prefer a multiplex, there are two in downtown called AMC Pacific Place and Meridian 16. But if you feel like something in a nice and interesting neighborhood, check out the Ark Lodge in Columbia City.
CenturyLink field is 2 light rail stops away so check out the Seahawks Football or Sounders Soccer schedules (Seattle has the biggest Major League Soccer attendance in the country). CL Field also hosts home shows, concerts and other events.
386 locals recommend
Lumen Field
800 Occidental Ave SCenturyLink field is 2 light rail stops away so check out the Seahawks Football or Sounders Soccer schedules (Seattle has the biggest Major League Soccer attendance in the country). CL Field also hosts home shows, concerts and other events.
T-Mobile Park (formerly known as Safeco Field) is where the Mariners Baseball team plays and is just 2 light rail stops away. Every seat is a good one, they have surprisingly good (though pricy) food, and amazing views of the city (from between home and 1st plate).
300 locals recommend
T-Mobile Park
1250 1st Ave ST-Mobile Park (formerly known as Safeco Field) is where the Mariners Baseball team plays and is just 2 light rail stops away. Every seat is a good one, they have surprisingly good (though pricy) food, and amazing views of the city (from between home and 1st plate).
Seattle Pinball Museum
508 Maynard Ave S