Lori and Matt's Seattle Guide
Museums
The Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP) was founded by Microsoft Paul Allen. Exhibit topics include fantasy and horror films, rock music, video games, and more
674 locals recommend
Museum of Pop Culture
325 5th Ave NThe Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP) was founded by Microsoft Paul Allen. Exhibit topics include fantasy and horror films, rock music, video games, and more
A new gem in our neighborhood- learn all about Scandinavia, and check out their amazing cafe!
127 locals recommend
National Nordic Museum
2655 NW Market StA new gem in our neighborhood- learn all about Scandinavia, and check out their amazing cafe!
Mind-blowing blown glass sculptures interspersed with beautiful flowers and plants.
723 locals recommend
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StMind-blowing blown glass sculptures interspersed with beautiful flowers and plants.
Art museum with notable collections of modern and ethnic art, plus a second 9-acre outdoor location with huge sculptures
1072 locals recommend
Seattle Selfie Museum
92 Union StArt museum with notable collections of modern and ethnic art, plus a second 9-acre outdoor location with huge sculptures
A museum focused on shipbuilding, industry, and local history right on Lake Union. Several boats parked outside are available to tour for small donations as well
17 locals recommend
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
860 Terry Avenue NorthA museum focused on shipbuilding, industry, and local history right on Lake Union. Several boats parked outside are available to tour for small donations as well
Paul Allen’s collection of vintage computer materials. You can play Oregon Trail on an old school Mac!
22 locals recommend
Living Computer Museum + Labs
2245 1st Ave SPaul Allen’s collection of vintage computer materials. You can play Oregon Trail on an old school Mac!
Science museum with laser light shows, an Imax theater, and more
23 locals recommend
Pacific Science Center
200 2nd Avenue NorthScience museum with laser light shows, an Imax theater, and more
230-acre nature preserve that includes all sorts of trails and a Japanese garden
313 locals recommend
Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens
2300 Arboretum Dr E230-acre nature preserve that includes all sorts of trails and a Japanese garden
Sightseeing
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NSeattle Aquarium
Space Needle
400 Broad StThe ultimate symbol of Seattle, newly renovated!
Taller and cheaper than the Space Needle, with great views of downtown
128 locals recommend
Sky View Observatory Columbia Center
700 4th AveTaller and cheaper than the Space Needle, with great views of downtown
An awesome collection of food stands, crafters, and shops on the lower levels. Try going on a weekday to avoid the crowds
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveAn awesome collection of food stands, crafters, and shops on the lower levels. Try going on a weekday to avoid the crowds
Large ferris wheel on Seattle’s waterfront overlooking the Puget Sound
347 locals recommend
The Seattle Great Wheel
1301 Alaskan WayLarge ferris wheel on Seattle’s waterfront overlooking the Puget Sound
A pun-fueled, funny walking tour that highlights downtown Seattle’s highlights and lowlights. Tip: there are now several underground tours. This one is the original!
285 locals recommend
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st AveA pun-fueled, funny walking tour that highlights downtown Seattle’s highlights and lowlights. Tip: there are now several underground tours. This one is the original!
A great inexpensive option to see Seattle’s amazing skyline and get off the beaten path is to take the WSDOT ferry from downtown Seattle to quaint Bainbridge Island.
157 locals recommend
Seattle Ferry Terminal
Seattle Ferry TerminalA great inexpensive option to see Seattle’s amazing skyline and get off the beaten path is to take the WSDOT ferry from downtown Seattle to quaint Bainbridge Island.
Fremont’s Theo Chocolate is a local delicacy, and you can tour their factory and get delicious samples
201 locals recommend
Theo Chocolate
3400 Phinney Ave NFremont’s Theo Chocolate is a local delicacy, and you can tour their factory and get delicious samples
This whimsical larger-than-life sculpture needs to be seen to be believed!
583 locals recommend
Fremont Troll
Troll Avenue NorthThis whimsical larger-than-life sculpture needs to be seen to be believed!
Great Outdoors
A small park with a great view of downtown. Excellent photo opportunity to get your picture with the skyline, Space Needle, and on clear days Mt. Rainier
881 locals recommend
Kerry Park
211 W Highland DrA small park with a great view of downtown. Excellent photo opportunity to get your picture with the skyline, Space Needle, and on clear days Mt. Rainier
This park hosts a botanical garden, a small museum, a “fish ladder”, and the Locks themselves- a manmade engineering marvel that works sort of like a boat elevator.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StThis park hosts a botanical garden, a small museum, a “fish ladder”, and the Locks themselves- a manmade engineering marvel that works sort of like a boat elevator.
This park is home to the crumbling ruins of an old Gasification plant, but is also an amazing lookout point on Lake Union.
860 locals recommend
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayThis park is home to the crumbling ruins of an old Gasification plant, but is also an amazing lookout point on Lake Union.
That’s right- a beach in Seattle! Great views of the Sound and downtown, wildlife, volleyball games, and a great trail
865 locals recommend
Alki Beach
That’s right- a beach in Seattle! Great views of the Sound and downtown, wildlife, volleyball games, and a great trail
Day Trips
Woodinville
Wine tastings and restaurants galore!
Nearby essentials
QFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NEClosest grocery store
6111 24th Ave NW
6111 24th Avenue NorthwestConvenience store and closest gas station
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWNearest cafe
Bon Ton Cleaners
801 NW 85th StNearby dry cleaner
Restaurants in the neighborhood
a great option in a former fire station. The wide-ranging menu can please pretty much everyone, and they have great brunch and dinner options and tasty creative cocktails
34 locals recommend
The Hi-Life
5425 Russell Ave NW a great option in a former fire station. The wide-ranging menu can please pretty much everyone, and they have great brunch and dinner options and tasty creative cocktails
Delicious coffee and fresh French pastries. The Quiche Lorraine is to die for.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWDelicious coffee and fresh French pastries. The Quiche Lorraine is to die for.
Puerto Rican restaurant with tasty empanadillas, a wide rum selection, and two happy hours per day with really good food and drink specials.
51 locals recommend
La Isla
2320 NW Market St Puerto Rican restaurant with tasty empanadillas, a wide rum selection, and two happy hours per day with really good food and drink specials.
Delicious and authentic Italian fare, including a bakery/espresso cafe, bar, and upscale restaurant. Their fresh pasta is amazing, and their back patio is an oasis.
55 locals recommend
Ristorante Picolinos
6415 32nd Ave NW Delicious and authentic Italian fare, including a bakery/espresso cafe, bar, and upscale restaurant. Their fresh pasta is amazing, and their back patio is an oasis.
Cheap Eats
Local fast food mexican chain- far better than taco bell! Multiple locations.
33 locals recommend
Taco Time NW
2212 Rainier Ave SLocal fast food mexican chain- far better than taco bell! Multiple locations.
Un Bien
7302.5 15th Ave NWCaribbean food shack great for a quick bite. Very limited seating.
Local make-your-own pizza chain with a wide variety of fresh toppings. Multiple locations.
104 locals recommend
MOD Pizza
6010 15th Ave NWLocal make-your-own pizza chain with a wide variety of fresh toppings. Multiple locations.
A hometown favorite, this drive-in burger shop keeps it simple and cheap. Multiple locations. Note: the Queen Anne location after dark is a bit sketchy.
337 locals recommend
Dick's Drive-In
115 Broadway EA hometown favorite, this drive-in burger shop keeps it simple and cheap. Multiple locations. Note: the Queen Anne location after dark is a bit sketchy.