Neighborhoods
Seattle is really less of a city and more of a collection of neighborhoods. I know that's what all cities essentially are, but each Seattle neighborhood has its own distinct personality before becoming incorporated into the city.
Because of the hilly geography, it can take awhile to get to some neighborhoods over others. Going north-south is easy but there's almost no direct routes going east-west. Therefore, it may take you longer to get to Ballard than, say, Shoreline, even though Ballard is closer.
If you're interested in visiting neighborhoods far away, I recommend going in the morning or afternoon to avoid traffic.
Welcome to Capitol Hill! This will be your home base for the duration of your stay.
Capitol Hill is one of the oldest and largest neighborhoods by population. Centrally located next to downtown Seattle, it's a diverse and eclectic area with many bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
It's also the historic gay center of the city with one of the largest LGBTQ communities on the West Coast. The Capitol Hill Gay Pride Parade is celebrated every summer on Broadway and is one of the largest events in the neighborhood.
Check out the Farmer's market, held every Sunday at the North end of Cal Anderson Park.
343 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Capitol Hill
Welcome to Capitol Hill! This will be your home base for the duration of your stay.
Capitol Hill is one of the oldest and largest neighborhoods by population. Centrally located next to downtown Seattle, it's a diverse and eclectic area with many bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
It's also the historic gay center of the city with one of the largest LGBTQ communities on the West Coast. The Capitol Hill Gay Pride Parade is celebrated every summer on Broadway and is one of the largest events in the neighborhood.
Check out the Farmer's market, held every Sunday at the North end of Cal Anderson Park.
Downtown is the heart of Seattle. Located along the Elliott Bay waterfront, it's a collection of glittering skyscrapers alongside historic high-rises. Notable shopping areas include the Nordstrom Flagship store, Pacific Place, and Pike Place Market. Take the light-rail one stop to Westlake Station and you're there!
I'll be honest, Downtown Seattle has seen better days. The effects of the pandemic has left its mark on downtown businesses and as a result, there's many empty storefronts, boarded up windows, and homeless walking around. Avoid 3rd Avenue if possible.
119 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Downtown Seattle
Downtown is the heart of Seattle. Located along the Elliott Bay waterfront, it's a collection of glittering skyscrapers alongside historic high-rises. Notable shopping areas include the Nordstrom Flagship store, Pacific Place, and Pike Place Market. Take the light-rail one stop to Westlake Station and you're there!
I'll be honest, Downtown Seattle has seen better days. The effects of the pandemic has left its mark on downtown businesses and as a result, there's many empty storefronts, boarded up windows, and homeless walking around. Avoid 3rd Avenue if possible.
Located at the southern end of Downtown, Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle. You'll definitely see the historic influence in the architecture here.
It's also got a pretty gritty history. The Underground Tour will give you a very interesting perspective of the city. You can also grab a drink before hitting a baseball, basketball, or football game.
It also has a pretty gritty past.
270 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pioneer Square
Located at the southern end of Downtown, Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle. You'll definitely see the historic influence in the architecture here.
It's also got a pretty gritty history. The Underground Tour will give you a very interesting perspective of the city. You can also grab a drink before hitting a baseball, basketball, or football game.
It also has a pretty gritty past.
The Chinatown-International District is a bustling hub for Seattle’s Asian-American communities. Noodle houses, sushi spots, dim sum restaurants and karaoke bars mingle with gift shops and markets selling imported goods. Historical and cultural exhibits are on display at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Local hangout spot Hing Hay Park features the ornate Grand Pavilion at its center.
200 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Seattle Chinatown-International District
The Chinatown-International District is a bustling hub for Seattle’s Asian-American communities. Noodle houses, sushi spots, dim sum restaurants and karaoke bars mingle with gift shops and markets selling imported goods. Historical and cultural exhibits are on display at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Local hangout spot Hing Hay Park features the ornate Grand Pavilion at its center.
The University District is home to The University of Washington's main campus. Originally designed for the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition in 1909, it's a beautiful campus with miles of trails and trees.
Grab a bite to eat on University Avenue (known just as "The Ave") or go to University Village for world-class shopping and dining.
Light Rail Stations: University of Washington (next to Husky Stadium) or U District (next to University Ave).
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University District
The University District is home to The University of Washington's main campus. Originally designed for the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition in 1909, it's a beautiful campus with miles of trails and trees.
Grab a bite to eat on University Avenue (known just as "The Ave") or go to University Village for world-class shopping and dining.
Light Rail Stations: University of Washington (next to Husky Stadium) or U District (next to University Ave).
Belltown, located north of downtown, is a popular area for bars and restaurants. There are many high-rise apartments and condos here. Use caution when walking around at night.
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Belltown
Belltown, located north of downtown, is a popular area for bars and restaurants. There are many high-rise apartments and condos here. Use caution when walking around at night.
This bohemian neighborhood on the north bank of the canal has lots of great shops, restaurants, and bars. Notable attractions include the Fremont Troll, a giant sculpture under the Aurora Bridge of a troll crushing a Volkswagen Beetle. There's also a giant statue of Vladimir Lenin people throw red paint on all the time. The Fremont Sunday Market has art, antiques and food trucks. A little further away but well worth a visit.
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Fremont
This bohemian neighborhood on the north bank of the canal has lots of great shops, restaurants, and bars. Notable attractions include the Fremont Troll, a giant sculpture under the Aurora Bridge of a troll crushing a Volkswagen Beetle. There's also a giant statue of Vladimir Lenin people throw red paint on all the time. The Fremont Sunday Market has art, antiques and food trucks. A little further away but well worth a visit.
Ballard has a strong seafaring past when Scandinavian immigrants settled here to work at the many shipbuilding docks in the area. It's now a hip neighborhood with trendy restaurants, shops, bars and craft breweries centered on historic Ballard Avenue. Ships and salmon pass through the Ballard Locks and the sandy beach at Golden Gardens Park draws families, sunbathers and volleyball players and offers mountain views. The Nordic Heritage Museum displays the area’s Scandinavian roots. The Ballard Saturday Market happens all year around where you can find many great crafts and food options.
261 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ballard
Ballard has a strong seafaring past when Scandinavian immigrants settled here to work at the many shipbuilding docks in the area. It's now a hip neighborhood with trendy restaurants, shops, bars and craft breweries centered on historic Ballard Avenue. Ships and salmon pass through the Ballard Locks and the sandy beach at Golden Gardens Park draws families, sunbathers and volleyball players and offers mountain views. The Nordic Heritage Museum displays the area’s Scandinavian roots. The Ballard Saturday Market happens all year around where you can find many great crafts and food options.
Parks
The neighborhood's local park. Has a big astroturf playfield, basketball court, water features, grassy fields and a community garden.
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Ipharki ye-Cal Anderson
1635 11th AvenueThe neighborhood's local park. Has a big astroturf playfield, basketball court, water features, grassy fields and a community garden.
This historic park located in North Capitol Hill features a conservatory, amphitheater, water tower with observation deck, reservoir, and an art museum. Take in views of the city skyline and the Space Needle next to the large, circular sculpture colloquially referred to as "the donut".
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I-Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave EThis historic park located in North Capitol Hill features a conservatory, amphitheater, water tower with observation deck, reservoir, and an art museum. Take in views of the city skyline and the Space Needle next to the large, circular sculpture colloquially referred to as "the donut".
Want to feel like you're in the PNW forest but don't want to leave the city? Interlaken Park is a heavily-wooded hillside and ravine tucked between the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and Montlake. One of my favorite spots.
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Interlaken Park
2451 Delmar Drive EastWant to feel like you're in the PNW forest but don't want to leave the city? Interlaken Park is a heavily-wooded hillside and ravine tucked between the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and Montlake. One of my favorite spots.
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Use the Link Light Rail to get around
The Capitol Hill station of the Sound Transit Link Light Rail is only a few blocks from the AirBnB. It'll take you as far north as Northgate Mall and all the way south to SeaTac Airport. The city's working on expanding it and more stops will be opening in the coming years.
Bhukisha ngaphambi kokuba uhambe
Seattle Center
Location of the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden of Glass, and the MoPop Museum.
The Space Needle is the most iconic building in Seattle and is recognized all over the world as the symbol of the city. As a result, it can get very busy, especially during the summer peak tourist season. Book your tickets to any attractions at Seattle Center in advance.
Ungaphoswa
Fremont Troll
It's kind of out of the way but if you're going to the Fremont neighborhood already, it's definitely worth a look. Located under the Highway 99 bridge in Fremont, it's a giant stone troll crushing a Volkswagen Beetle. It's pretty cool to take a photo on.
Izinto omele uzipakishe
It gets wet here. Dress accordingly.
You might be visiting during the summer, to which I say: Congratulations! Don't be fooled, though. It's not always this nice here.
Seattle gets an average of 152 days of rain and 226 days of overcast per year! That means: it's either cloudy or wet here more than half the year! It's generally a good idea to pack a sweater or light rain jacket, even during the summer months.