Guidebook for Seattle

Yifan & Geoff
Yifan & Geoff
Guidebook for Seattle

Parks & Nature

Stunning views of the Cascades, Mt Rainier, and Bellevue across Lake Washington. There's an enjoyable tree-lines mile-long trail with a beach area, piers, and picnic spots. Great brunch awaits at Meet the Moon in Leschi.
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Madrona Park
853 Lake Washington Blvd S
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Stunning views of the Cascades, Mt Rainier, and Bellevue across Lake Washington. There's an enjoyable tree-lines mile-long trail with a beach area, piers, and picnic spots. Great brunch awaits at Meet the Moon in Leschi.
Alki is Seattle's most popular waterfront, with views of the city, and the Olympic mountains across the Puget Sound. The 3 mile-trail around the West Seattle Peninsula is one of the best for running or biking, and the beach walk is full of dining options.
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Alki Beach
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Alki is Seattle's most popular waterfront, with views of the city, and the Olympic mountains across the Puget Sound. The 3 mile-trail around the West Seattle Peninsula is one of the best for running or biking, and the beach walk is full of dining options.
Probably Seattle's number 1 picnic spot, Gasworks is a large, grassy park across a small lake from downtown Seattle.
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Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake Way
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Probably Seattle's number 1 picnic spot, Gasworks is a large, grassy park across a small lake from downtown Seattle.
This is the University of Washington's Botanical garden, and it contains many miles of trails through diverse types of foliage from places such as Japan and New Zealand. It's the best run nearby our home.
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Washington Park Arboretum UW Izityalo Zebotaniki
2300 Arboretum Dr E
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This is the University of Washington's Botanical garden, and it contains many miles of trails through diverse types of foliage from places such as Japan and New Zealand. It's the best run nearby our home.

Essentials

If you haven't been to Trader Joe's, it's worth a visit. It's a very creative Grocery that develops many of its own products with a quirky or international flair, while still keeping all of the essentials.
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Trader Joe's
1700 E Madison St
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If you haven't been to Trader Joe's, it's worth a visit. It's a very creative Grocery that develops many of its own products with a quirky or international flair, while still keeping all of the essentials.
Central Co-op is a storied local grocery that holds a fond place in many locals' hearts. It has a higher-end, more organic selection than Trader Joes, and also includes a hot bar and cafe. We usually come here for its superior produce and spices, and use Trader Joe's for everything else.
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Central Co-op
1600 E Madison St
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Central Co-op is a storied local grocery that holds a fond place in many locals' hearts. It has a higher-end, more organic selection than Trader Joes, and also includes a hot bar and cafe. We usually come here for its superior produce and spices, and use Trader Joe's for everything else.

Shopping

A great place to find quirky souvenirs or home decor that you didn't realize you needed
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Retrofit Home
1103 E Pike St
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A great place to find quirky souvenirs or home decor that you didn't realize you needed
Probably the best independent bookstore I've been to. The staff picks out and handwrites recommendations for its books, and are among the most knowledgeable I've talked to. The space is lofty and has plenty of good spots for reading, including a cafe. It also routinely hosts readings from prominent authors, so check their calendar if interested.
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The Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th Ave
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Probably the best independent bookstore I've been to. The staff picks out and handwrites recommendations for its books, and are among the most knowledgeable I've talked to. The space is lofty and has plenty of good spots for reading, including a cafe. It also routinely hosts readings from prominent authors, so check their calendar if interested.
It's Seattle's most iconic market, and nearly everyone gives out free samples of their creative fare. It's got tons of restaurant options, and its lower level features off-beat stores such as a map shop and a purveyor of items for the left-handed.
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Imarike yePike Place
1531 Western Ave
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It's Seattle's most iconic market, and nearly everyone gives out free samples of their creative fare. It's got tons of restaurant options, and its lower level features off-beat stores such as a map shop and a purveyor of items for the left-handed.

Arts & Culture

Wing Luke is a museum situated in a preserved International District Building from the early 20th century, which alone makes a visit worthwhile. Its exhibits are consistently insightful about the Asian experience.
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Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
719 S King St
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Wing Luke is a museum situated in a preserved International District Building from the early 20th century, which alone makes a visit worthwhile. Its exhibits are consistently insightful about the Asian experience.
Dale Chihuly, the world's most prominent glass artist, is one of the pride points of the Pacific Northwest. Visit Garden and glass to see his landscapes of blown glass, culminating in a cathedral-like hall under the shadow of the Space Needle.
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IChihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison St
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Dale Chihuly, the world's most prominent glass artist, is one of the pride points of the Pacific Northwest. Visit Garden and glass to see his landscapes of blown glass, culminating in a cathedral-like hall under the shadow of the Space Needle.
Seattle is in the Musical Theater Tier immediately below Broadway, which means that many of the shows that eventually reach Broadway come here first.
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Itheater ye-5th Avenue
1308 5th Avenue
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Seattle is in the Musical Theater Tier immediately below Broadway, which means that many of the shows that eventually reach Broadway come here first.

Sightseeing

Seattle is odd, in that it originally built the city on lower ground, then built above it, leaving a network of tunnels and old shops beneath its streets. Take this tour to see some of them and learn the history behind it.
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Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st Ave
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Seattle is odd, in that it originally built the city on lower ground, then built above it, leaving a network of tunnels and old shops beneath its streets. Take this tour to see some of them and learn the history behind it.
The Space needle is probably Seattle's most iconic structure. Go to the top for a view from a rotating restaurant, or through the observation deck, or just enjoy it from afar.
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I-Space Needle
400 Broad St
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The Space needle is probably Seattle's most iconic structure. Go to the top for a view from a rotating restaurant, or through the observation deck, or just enjoy it from afar.
Starbucks is one of Seattle's best known companies, and this is their version of Willy Wonka's factory.
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Starbucks Reserve Roastery
1124 Pike St
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Starbucks is one of Seattle's best known companies, and this is their version of Willy Wonka's factory.

Drinks & Nightlife

It's brews are creative, the food truck rotation is consistently tasty, and its wide-open space is perfect for groups of all sizes.
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Optimism Brewing Company
1158 Broadway
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It's brews are creative, the food truck rotation is consistently tasty, and its wide-open space is perfect for groups of all sizes.
It's been internationally recognized as one of the best bars out there, and has the most extensive selection of whiskeys I've ever seen.
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Canon
928 12th Ave
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It's been internationally recognized as one of the best bars out there, and has the most extensive selection of whiskeys I've ever seen.
Its zebra-lined interior, arcade games, and multicolored drinks will keep you energized for the night.
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Unicorn
1118 E Pike St
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Its zebra-lined interior, arcade games, and multicolored drinks will keep you energized for the night.
Quality cocktails with a nice loungy area
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Rob Roy
2332 2nd Ave
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Quality cocktails with a nice loungy area
It specializes in Whiskey and has a good selection of Barrel-aged cocktails
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The Barrel Thief
3417 Evanston Ave N
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It specializes in Whiskey and has a good selection of Barrel-aged cocktails
It has one of the best song-selections I've seen, quality drinks, and both public bar karaoke and reservable private rooms. if you plan on getting a private room, reserve it in advance - it's worth it.
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Rock Box
1603 Nagle Pl
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It has one of the best song-selections I've seen, quality drinks, and both public bar karaoke and reservable private rooms. if you plan on getting a private room, reserve it in advance - it's worth it.
Redhook's space is expansive and includes a firepit, a sports bar area, tables, and picnic style seating. It's brews are creative and constantly changing.
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Redhook Brewlab
714 E Pike St
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Redhook's space is expansive and includes a firepit, a sports bar area, tables, and picnic style seating. It's brews are creative and constantly changing.

Food Scene

It's a local community fixture, it's located 1 block from our house, and the staff is both very nice and very good at making coffee.
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Tougo Coffee Co
860 Yesler Way
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It's a local community fixture, it's located 1 block from our house, and the staff is both very nice and very good at making coffee.
It's coffee has a distinct nutty smoothness to it, and they serve a free slice of chocolate cake to guests frequently. It's all in a well designed cafe above Pike Place with a great view, and it's usually surprisingly uncrowded.
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Storyville Coffee Pike Place
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It's coffee has a distinct nutty smoothness to it, and they serve a free slice of chocolate cake to guests frequently. It's all in a well designed cafe above Pike Place with a great view, and it's usually surprisingly uncrowded.
It's a nice open space near the light rail that's great for settling in and working.
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Cafe Solstice
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It's a nice open space near the light rail that's great for settling in and working.
It's a secret Starbucks test cafe that serves top notch new creations at reasonable prices. The ambience is great for work, reading, or a long conversation.
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Roy Street Coffee & Tea
700 Broadway Ave E
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It's a secret Starbucks test cafe that serves top notch new creations at reasonable prices. The ambience is great for work, reading, or a long conversation.
It's got really tasty donuts...what else do you need?
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Mighty-O Donuts Capitol Hill
1400 12th Ave
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It's got really tasty donuts...what else do you need?
It's pastries strike the perfect balance between high cuisine and homeyness, and are creative with an east asian influence. This is one of several locations in the area.
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Fresh Flours Beacon Hill
1624 S McClellan St
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It's pastries strike the perfect balance between high cuisine and homeyness, and are creative with an east asian influence. This is one of several locations in the area.
It's my favorite brunch so far in Seattle, and there's rarely a line because it's tucked away.
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Smith
332 15th Ave E
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It's my favorite brunch so far in Seattle, and there's rarely a line because it's tucked away.
It's got a bit of the old grunge vibe, but serves and up-to-date menu that is consistently good. The best part - it serves brunch every day until 3.
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Americana Restaurant
219 Broadway E
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It's got a bit of the old grunge vibe, but serves and up-to-date menu that is consistently good. The best part - it serves brunch every day until 3.
It's an eclectic oasis in the middle of Capitol Hill. You can see people there having a drink, working on a laptop, or having a meal with friends from early until late at night. Their dishes are all well thought out and tasty
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Oddfellows Café + Bar
1525 10th Ave
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It's an eclectic oasis in the middle of Capitol Hill. You can see people there having a drink, working on a laptop, or having a meal with friends from early until late at night. Their dishes are all well thought out and tasty
It's one of the most unique takes on Japanese cuisine that I've had, and is located lose by.
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SUIKA Seattle
611 E Pine St
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It's one of the most unique takes on Japanese cuisine that I've had, and is located lose by.
For affordable, traditional sushi, Tsukushinbo is the place to go. The ambience makes you feel like a true insider - It's located off of a side street in the International district that makes it feel a bit like a sushi speakeasy, and the chef serves up types of fish that I hadn't even heard of before.
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Tsukushinbo
515 South Main St
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For affordable, traditional sushi, Tsukushinbo is the place to go. The ambience makes you feel like a true insider - It's located off of a side street in the International district that makes it feel a bit like a sushi speakeasy, and the chef serves up types of fish that I hadn't even heard of before.
The chef grew up in the south, and serves up really distinctive dishes, such as buttermilk chicken gizzards, that taste amazing in spite of what your first reaction may be.
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JuneBaby
2122 NE 65th St
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The chef grew up in the south, and serves up really distinctive dishes, such as buttermilk chicken gizzards, that taste amazing in spite of what your first reaction may be.
It's Seattle's In-and-out burger - they serve up $1.95 cheeseburgers out of an established location with an old-timey drive-in vibe. Delicious and open until 2 am every day.
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Dick's Drive-In
115 Broadway E
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It's Seattle's In-and-out burger - they serve up $1.95 cheeseburgers out of an established location with an old-timey drive-in vibe. Delicious and open until 2 am every day.
It serves a delicious brunch conveniently next to a beautiful stretch of waterfront with views of Mt Rainier.
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Meet the Moon
120 Lakeside Ave
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It serves a delicious brunch conveniently next to a beautiful stretch of waterfront with views of Mt Rainier.
It's easily Seattle's best italian food, and does a great job with its shareable small plates and cocktail menu. It's also a chance to get outside Central Seattle and explore a less-visited neighborhood.
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Bar del Corso
3057 Beacon Ave S
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It's easily Seattle's best italian food, and does a great job with its shareable small plates and cocktail menu. It's also a chance to get outside Central Seattle and explore a less-visited neighborhood.
It's probably the best combination of good vietnamese food and good ambience in the city.
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Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson St
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It's probably the best combination of good vietnamese food and good ambience in the city.
It's our favorite Dim-Sum restaurant in Seattle.
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Harbor City Restaurant
707 S King St
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It's our favorite Dim-Sum restaurant in Seattle.
Its Korean street food-influenced fusion is unique and delicious, and the environment inside is open and gregarious. It's a great place to have a drink with friends or family.
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Revel
401 North 36th Street
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Its Korean street food-influenced fusion is unique and delicious, and the environment inside is open and gregarious. It's a great place to have a drink with friends or family.
It's the best combination of ambience and ramen flavor. Their roasted chicken marrow ramen had a deep umami flavor that I have not found since. Just be aware that there can be quite a wait to get in.
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Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya
4203 SW Alaska St
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It's the best combination of ambience and ramen flavor. Their roasted chicken marrow ramen had a deep umami flavor that I have not found since. Just be aware that there can be quite a wait to get in.
If you haven't had bubble tea before (it's tea or a smoothie with chewy tapioca balls that you drink through a straw), Oasis serves a wide selection of teas and drinks with real-ingredients as opposed to the flavorings you find in some tea shops.
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Oasis Tea Zone
519 6th Ave S
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If you haven't had bubble tea before (it's tea or a smoothie with chewy tapioca balls that you drink through a straw), Oasis serves a wide selection of teas and drinks with real-ingredients as opposed to the flavorings you find in some tea shops.