Packed between Elliott Bay, Pioneer Square, Belltown, and Capitol Hill, '''downtown Seattle''' unsuprisingly 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''' [http://transit.metrokc.gov/] operates bus routes throughout Seattle, connecting downtown to outlying neighborhoods. Fares are $1.75 at rush hours and $1.50 all other times of the day.
'''Sound Transit''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/] 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''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/x71.xml], 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''' [http://transit.metrokc.gov/] serves downtown very well, and much of downtown is a ride-free area, so buses are free during the daytime. 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''' [http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/] connects the Westlake Center in north downtown to the nearby neighborhood of South Lake Union just to the north. Fare is $1.75 for adults and $0.50 for seniors/youth.
The '''Seattle Center Monorail''' [http://www.seattlemonorail.com/] 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.
See
Pike Place Market. ttp://www.pikeplacemarket.org. 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. 301 Alaskan Way (on the waterfront below Pike Place Market). 1-(206) 623.8600. 1-(206) 343.9173. ttp://www.pier57seattle.com/index.html. A "touristy" destination, with shops, restaurants, and a game arcade and carousel for kids.
Odyssey Maritime Marine Center. 205 Alaskan Way, Pier 66. 1-206-374-4000. nfo@ody.org. 1-206-374-4002. ttp://www.ody.org/.
Seattle Aquarium. 483 Alaskan Way (on Pier 59 on the Waterfront). 1-206.386.4300. ttp://www.seattleaquarium.org/.
Seattle Art Museum. 00 University St.. t First Ave.. 1 206 654-3100. ttp://www.seattleartmuseum.org. ue-Sun 10 AM - 5 PM, Thu/Fri until 9 PM, closed Mon. uggested admission: $13 adults, $10 seniors (62 and over), $7 students with ID and youth 13?17, Children 12 and under free. Some special exhibitions charge an additional fee. Admission to the museum is free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month. oxoffice@seattleartmuseum.org. The museum's recent physical expansion, coupled with an aggressive campaign to expand the collection, now displays an good overview assortment of art from around the world. Though the permanent exhibitions only occasionally delve deeply into a specific subject (such as the enormous variety of pieces in the porcelain room), extensive special exhibitions fill the gap.
Safeco Field. ttp://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=sea. 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.
Benaroya Hall. An aesthetically and acoustically beautiful new concert hall. Tours available.
Washington Convention and Trade Center. ttp://www.wsctc.com/. Major convention centre, straddling the I-5 freeway on the east side of Downtown.
Architecture & Views
The Seattle Public Library's Central Library. 000 4th Ave. ttp://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central&branchID=1. A dramatic glass and steel structure 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Central_Library Wikipedia article]. Seattle Public Library's neighborhood branches are good, too, but not tourist attractions.
Smith Tower Observation Deck. 06 2nd Ave. ttp://www.chineseroom.com/observation.html. 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 [http://www.chineseroom.com/ 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 [http://www.smithtower.com/Observation.html schedule] beforehand, or stop by and see if they're open when you're in the neighborhood.
Columbia Center. 01 Fifth Ave. t Columbia St. 1 206 386-5151. onday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, closed weekends. 5 adults, $3 students. The second tallest building on the West Coast and the tallest in Seattle has its own 73rd floor observation deck. Great views from the top. Arguably a better (and definitely cheaper!) view than offered by the Space Needle, though it doesn't cover a full 360 degrees and the space is shared with the city traffic monitoring center. This building isn't well known as a tourist attraction, so there is little to no line to get to the top. Occasional closures due to private events or security alerts.
Do
If you aren't in town for "Art Walk" but still want to know about what is happening in Seattle's art scene try '''"SceneInSeattle Fine Art Tours"'''*[http://www.sceneinseattle.org]. This tour was started by a local gallery and is headed by a curator or gallery owner. You walk through the "West Edge" also known as the Museum District galleries and learn about Seattle's art history, up-and-coming artists, scandals, and public works. It is a lovely insiders view about makes it a lot easier to find the galleries which can be hidden away. They also tour other neighborhoods like the "East Edge" of Pioneer Square.
Buy
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.
'''Nordstrom Cafe''' on the 4th floor of the downtown Seattle Nordstrom store. Best surprising value for lunch or dinner (e.g, salmon dinner for less than $10).
'''Ivar's Acres of Clams''' [http://www.ivars.net/Acres_Home/acres.html], Downtown Seattle waterfront. Smoked salmon plate-lunch and fish-n-chips served outdoors at a scenic downtown waterfront location --please do not feed ducks and seagulls as human food is harmful for birds! Good food, but pretty touristy. Ordering at the walk-up counter outside is inexpensive (~$7).
'''Jack's Fish Spot''' [http://www.jacksfishspot.com/], found in Pike's Place Market, only open for lunch. One of the best places to get dungeness crabs in Seattle. If you have a kitchen buy them live and cook them yourself!
'''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 Av., [http://www.ettasseafood.com/palace/index.html]. Tom Douglas' upscale saloon is a hit any time of day.
Or just pick up some bread, cheese, sausage and smoked fish from the shops in Pikes Place Market and have a picnic on the grass at the north end of the Market, or get a cup coffee and sit at a table on the sidewalk.
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''', [http://www.owlnthistle.com/owlhome.html]--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.
'''Shorty's''', [http://www.shortydog.com]--2222A Second Avenue -- A variety of classic pinball games and honest hot dogs make this a unique watering hole. Be sure to check out the Trophy Lounge hidden in the back.
Coffee
'''Local Color''', tel. (206) 728-1717 [http://www.localcolorseattle.com]. Serves Caffe 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.
'''Online Coffee Company''' 1111 1st Ave. (206.381.1911), [http://www.onlinecoffeeco.com]. Internet cafe with both computers and free wireless. Drink purchase gets 30 free minutes on store computers, includes great espresso(micro-roasted), beer and wine or pay $0.14 per minute. Comfortable decor, very welcoming, close to downtown amenities.
Sleep
Hotel Max. 20 Stewart Street. 66.833.6299. ttp://www.hotelmaxseattle.com. pm. oon. 119-$169/room. Set in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Hotel Max is not just a hotel but also a gallery of sorts; with more than more than 350 original paintings and photographs spread among the lobby and guest rooms.
Contact