Seattle Washington – Things to Do

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Seattle

With a world-famous fish market, terrific art galleries, remarkable history and some of the best restaurants, Seattle is much more than a monotone coffee town. Neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard, Belltown, Pioneer Square, and Fremont make you want to get to know Seattle over and over. Across Lake Washington is rapidly-growing Bellevue, an incredible place to visit and live, with its own esoteric culture. Sure, you’ll wanna pack a rain jacket, but Seattle has enough bright liveliness to keep you entertained for days. Seattle moves fast, but in a comfortable setting. Turn to Hyatt for in-depth advice on which direction to tread first.

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ARTS/CULTURE

Paramount Theatre

911 Pine Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 682 1414

Famous performers have said it's like being inside a "giant wedding cake." This historic theater's ornate decoration enriches the experience, whether its theater, comedy, or music.

Seattle Art Museum

1300 1st Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 654 3100

This museum always deserves a standing ovation for its exhibit designs and contemporary art, but you can't miss the baseball exhibit, celebrating our national pastime (summer 2011).

Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum

325 5th Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 770 2702

Find your inner geek at this Sci-Fi mecca, which houses the original Death Star model for Star Wars and an Avatar exhibit (limited time).

Intiman Theatre

201 Mercer Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 269 1900

Seattle is a great theater town, and the Intiman is a key reason why. Gracing the stage are new plays as well as classics. If you're lucky, you could witness a classic in the making.

Burke Museum

17th Avenue and 45th Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 543 5590

Head upstairs for a heavy dose of Washington history. Also, check out the largest bird wing collection in the world, spread in all their glory. See it all at no cost on first Thursdays.

Seattle Rose Gardens

North 50th Street and Fremont Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 233 7272

Seattle can be dreary at times, but May to August this rose garden, one of the prettiest in America, brightens things up. Keep your eyes peeled for men on one knee.

Bellevue Arts Museum

510 Bellevue Way

Bellevue,WA

+1 425 519 0770

Challenge your perception with the John Cederquist furniture exhibit, which deceives the eyes depending on where you stand. Cabinets can resemble kimonos or various iconic images.

PLACES

Pioneer Square

419 Occidental Avenue South

Seattle,WA

+1 206 233 1509

Where it all began here in Seattle; the historic cobblestone plazas, and abundance of cafés, galleries, restaurants and bars are anything but square.

Pike Place Market

85 Pike Street

SeattleWA

+1 206 682 7453

Sure, there's flying fish and coffee that's known the world over, but you don't have to venture far to find other things to brag about, like the best chowder you've ever tasted.

Bainbridge Island

280 Madison Avenue

Bainbridge Island,WA

+1 206 842 7633

Breathtaking views of the skyline on the 30 minute ferry ride rival the countryside bike tours and Bainbridge Winery on the island. The cafés and galleries prove that rustic can be trendy.

Chinatown/ International District

719 South King Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 623 5124

The "I.D." is a great place to get lost for awhile, with numerous import shops, cafés, and peculiar neighborhood markets that just might leave you dizzy.

Belltown

Bell Street and 1st Avenue

Seattle,WA

Once a production district in the era of silent films, there's nothing quiet about Belltown now. With tons of restaurants to browse, come here for greasy grub or fancy cuisine.

Ballard Farmers Market

Ballard Avenue at 22nd Avenue

Seattle,WA

This hip, Nordic community just begs to be visited, and what better reason than delicious food and dirt cheap floral bouquets every Sunday?

Queen Anne Hill

25 West Galer Street

Northwest Downtown Seattle,WA

Known for its beautiful mansions, the area also boasts amazing views of the Space Needle. Check out the dramatic lower Queen Anne architecture before visiting the neighborhood theater.

Fremont

Palatine Avenue North and 1st Avenue NW

Seattle,WA

+1 206 632 1500

From a bizarre giant concrete troll to the rustic beauty of a preserved gas factory in neighboring Wallingford, this neighborhood is an acquired taste, but never bitter in the least.

EAT/DRINK/PLAY

Lola

2000 4th Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 441 1430

Pan-seared Alaskan cod and Anderson Valley lamb burger are highlights of the dinner menu, but this modern Mediterranean restaurant won Seattle Metro Magazine "best in town" for breakfast.

Zig Zag Café

1501 Western Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 205 625 1146

Tucked away in the Pike Hill climb, GQ described this bar's drinks as "mini-revelations" after naming it the top cocktail bar in America.

Le Pichet

1933 1st Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 256 1499

Seattle definitely has no shortage of coffee shops, but the fresh Parisian food and live music on Sundays make this café a diamond in the rough.

Ivar's Salmon House

401 Northlake Way

Seattle,WA

+1 206 632 0767

Alder smoked salmon, prawns, and other seasonal seafood specials make this cedar Native American Longhouse perhaps the supreme place to eat along beautiful Lake Union.

Crocodile Café

2200 Second Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 441 5611

In the 90's, Seattle was the grunge music capitol, and the Crocodile was the epicenter for its local bands. Today, it's a cleaner version inside. They even added a wood-fired pizza oven to the kitchen.

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

2033 6th Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 441 9729

Unwind with a Blue Sapphire Martini and absorb the Jazz at Seattle’s best diversion from the typical dinner and movie date night.

Flying Fish

300 Westlake Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 728 8595

Local harvested foods and fresh oysters grace the menu, and with top-notch service from the kitchen, this Belltown landmark is the trustiest pick for getting your seafood fix.

Top Pot Donuts

609 Summit Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 323 7841

Obama went out of his way for a visit to this old fashioned, "hand forged" shop on a recent Seattle visit. Standout doughy art forms include the coconut-flaked Feather Boa.

Thai Tom

4543 University Way

Seattle,WA

+1 206 548 9548

The spiciest food in the city, this Thai joint has a flair for lively atmosphere and is known for its reasonable prices. Don't miss the lively antics from chefs in the back.

SHOPPING

Laura Bee Designs

6418 20th Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 789 4044

Every item is made by hand; bags and personal accessories are both stylish and purposeful.

Cake Spy Shop

415 East Pine Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 325 1592

From adorable painted artwork to cupcake magnets and stationary, this quirky Capitol Hill shop specializes in crafty gift solutions.

John Fluevog Shoes

205 Pine Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 441 1065

Funky and fabulous for any fashionista, Fluevog is a whirlwind of designer shoes and incredible boots. You won't step elsewhere after feeling their comfort.

Totokaelo

913 Western Avenue

Seattle,WA

+1 206 623 3582

Looking effortlessly fashionable is not easy, but this restrained boutique has creative, comfortable, and sleek solutions to the daily conundrum.

Wall of Sound

315 East Pine Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 441 9880

Seattleites venture to Capitol Hill for obscure music finds and the avant-garde selection of choice LPs, CDs and rarities.

Archie McPhee

1300 North 45th Street

Seattle,WA

+1 206 297 0240

With a multitude of toys and collectibles, it'd be challenging to find a more unique store in Seattle. Have your camera phone ready to capture the hilarity within.

Aprie

310 Broadway East

Seattle,WA

+1 206 324 1255

With designer brands you'd find at upscale department stores, this bright and airy boutique has wonderful customer service that you would have trouble finding at bigger, more impersonal stores.

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