Devin's Guidebook for Mt. Baker & Seattle
Food Scene
Just a few minutes walk from us, our local wood-fired pizzeria has been featured in multiple "Best Pizza in Washington" lists! Good Happy Hour too (3pm-6pm, daily).
99 místní doporučují
Mioposto Pizzeria
3601 S McClellan StJust a few minutes walk from us, our local wood-fired pizzeria has been featured in multiple "Best Pizza in Washington" lists! Good Happy Hour too (3pm-6pm, daily).
Cozy (small!) local coffee place if you're up in the Mt. Baker Lookout area
35 místní doporučují
QED Coffee
1418 31st Ave SCozy (small!) local coffee place if you're up in the Mt. Baker Lookout area
Cheerful, intimate coffee shop serving java drinks, pastries, sweets, nutella waffles & sandwiches.
85 místní doporučují
Empire Espresso
3829 S Edmunds StCheerful, intimate coffee shop serving java drinks, pastries, sweets, nutella waffles & sandwiches.
La Medusa
4857 Rainier Ave SSicilian-focused Italian cuisine with a rotating menu
Our neighborhood Thai restaurant is excellent and has great lunch specials.
38 místní doporučují
Thai Recipe Restaurant
2609 S McClellan StOur neighborhood Thai restaurant is excellent and has great lunch specials.
One of the few spots in the city for authentic Lao/Cambodian food.
11 místní doporučují
Viengthong Restaurant
2820 Martin Luther King Jr Way SOne of the few spots in the city for authentic Lao/Cambodian food.
Compadre Coffee
2931 Rainier Ave SColumbia City Bakery
4865 Rainier Ave SBuddha Bruddah
2201 Rainier Ave SDelicious SE Asian and Hawaiian food. Good takeout spot.
Homer
3013 Beacon Ave SReally delicious Mediterranean food. Great wine selection. Open kitchen.
Full Tilt Columbia City
5041 Rainier Ave SIce cream and pinball!
Columbia City Farmers Market
37th Avenue SouthHigh-end Sichuan place with the best baijiu selection in the city. Get something with Sichuan peppers - not hot, but numb your mouth a bit!
15 místní doporučují
Lionhead
618 Broadway EHigh-end Sichuan place with the best baijiu selection in the city. Get something with Sichuan peppers - not hot, but numb your mouth a bit!
TAT's isn't just famous, it's at the center of fame... you might call it infamous! Very old-school Seattle sandwich joint that's an inexpensive lunch when downtown. Not open for dinner!
18 místní doporučují
TAT'S Delicatessen
159 Yesler WayTAT's isn't just famous, it's at the center of fame... you might call it infamous! Very old-school Seattle sandwich joint that's an inexpensive lunch when downtown. Not open for dinner!
You MUST try Salt & Straw... they always have crazy eclectic flavors on the menu (as I write, Salted Caramel and Thanksgiving Turkey; Spiced Goat Cheese & Pumpkin Pie are two options), and old standbys too for the timid!
95 místní doporučují
Salt & Straw
714 East Pike StreetYou MUST try Salt & Straw... they always have crazy eclectic flavors on the menu (as I write, Salted Caramel and Thanksgiving Turkey; Spiced Goat Cheese & Pumpkin Pie are two options), and old standbys too for the timid!
Cafe Ibex
3219 Martin Luther King Jr Way SVery well regarded Ethiopian restaurant
Taqueria El Asadero
3513 Rainier Ave SBakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SWFlat out AMAZING renowned French bakery and patisserie.
Named one of the Top 20 Black-owned BBQ places in America by some Grand Poobah of BBQ in Kansas City. It's SO good.
8 místní doporučují
Lil Red Takeout & Catering
4225 Rainier Ave SNamed one of the Top 20 Black-owned BBQ places in America by some Grand Poobah of BBQ in Kansas City. It's SO good.
This is my favorite nearby coffee place. Delicious beans in a beautiful space.
9 místní doporučují
Olympia Coffee
4824 Rainier Ave SThis is my favorite nearby coffee place. Delicious beans in a beautiful space.
Best nearby coffee shop to park yourself and do some work or read a book. Spacious and cozy!
116 místní doporučují
Caffe Vita
5028 Wilson Ave SBest nearby coffee shop to park yourself and do some work or read a book. Spacious and cozy!
Mr. Hart bakes all his pies from scratch, and along with the classics (apple, cherry, etc) he does a lot of southern specialties like sweet potato and banana cream pudding!
Baked from the Hart
2801 S Hanford StMr. Hart bakes all his pies from scratch, and along with the classics (apple, cherry, etc) he does a lot of southern specialties like sweet potato and banana cream pudding!
Milk Drunk
2805 Beacon Ave SAmazing chicken sandwiches and gourmet soft serve ice cream.
Musang
2524 Beacon Ave SVery well regarded Filipino restaurant
Amazing donuts in a gorgeous space. The line gets long, be prepared!
16 místní doporučují
The Flour Box
5520 Rainier Ave SAmazing donuts in a gorgeous space. The line gets long, be prepared!
Raised Doughnuts
2301 23rd AveSUPER delicious donuts in creative flavors.
Perihelion Brewery
2800 16th Ave SGood beer, even better food!
Neighborhood breakfast spot with a full espresso bar. Only a couple minutes drive from the house. Stop at Genesee Park Or Lake Washington Boulevard Park before or after!
64 místní doporučují
Both Ways Cafe
4922 S Genesee StNeighborhood breakfast spot with a full espresso bar. Only a couple minutes drive from the house. Stop at Genesee Park Or Lake Washington Boulevard Park before or after!
Local breakfast spot in the heart of Columbia City. This area is a great place to spend a morning and is only about five minutes drive from the house.
192 místní doporučují
Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SLocal breakfast spot in the heart of Columbia City. This area is a great place to spend a morning and is only about five minutes drive from the house.
Mica's Sweet Coffee
1368 31st Ave SMore pastry options than QED Coffee down the street
Heyday
1372 31st Ave SBurgers and beer kind of place
I've received several rave reviews of this place from guests!
63 místní doporučují
That's Amore Italian Cafe
1425 31st Ave SI've received several rave reviews of this place from guests!
Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack
4869 Rainier Ave SOur neighborhood cafe serves coffee, tea, hot and cold sandwiches, baked goods, and soft serve ice cream!
Bright Spot
Our neighborhood cafe serves coffee, tea, hot and cold sandwiches, baked goods, and soft serve ice cream!
It's the first Starbucks! Get your photo out front and grab a cup of joe to power you through the Pike Place Market afterwards :)
550 místní doporučují
Starbucks
1912 Pike PlIt's the first Starbucks! Get your photo out front and grab a cup of joe to power you through the Pike Place Market afterwards :)
BEST TACOS OF YOUR LIFE: The bison barbacoa tacos, made with Cheyenne River Sioux bison, blue corn tortillas, pickled onions, and some kind of enrapturing, worldview-melting chile sauce, these tacos were projected on the walls of my skull for weeks after I ate them, and I still haven’t had a better taco since.
Operated by the Chief Seattle Club and located on the ground floor of its landmark housing complex, ʔálʔal Cafe serves indigenous-grown coffee and dishes as well as native-made products—like condiments, cookbooks, dry rice and beans, and other interesting tidbits. (In Lushootseed, ʔálʔal is pronounced “al-al” with a glottal stop between the syllables, and it means “home”—it’s also the name of the apartment building upstairs.)
ʔálʔal Café By Chief Seattle Club
BEST TACOS OF YOUR LIFE: The bison barbacoa tacos, made with Cheyenne River Sioux bison, blue corn tortillas, pickled onions, and some kind of enrapturing, worldview-melting chile sauce, these tacos were projected on the walls of my skull for weeks after I ate them, and I still haven’t had a better taco since.
Operated by the Chief Seattle Club and located on the ground floor of its landmark housing complex, ʔálʔal Cafe serves indigenous-grown coffee and dishes as well as native-made products—like condiments, cookbooks, dry rice and beans, and other interesting tidbits. (In Lushootseed, ʔálʔal is pronounced “al-al” with a glottal stop between the syllables, and it means “home”—it’s also the name of the apartment building upstairs.)
Make it happen. You should go tomorrow. Open since 1993, Kauai Fam is serving Hawaiian classics here with real and true aloha, plus a big chalkboard of daily specials with a rainbow drawn on it by a child. Everything’s on point, from the kalua pig to the fried saimin, and it’s all served unfussy, low-key, and cheerful. This is my favorite mac salad in Seattle—well, possibly tied with chef José Garzón’s, when he has it—and I never skip the cucumber kimchi on the side. Lawai ginger fried chicken, lau lau, pork abodo, chicken long rice, all the musubis. Plus, thanks to the adjoining Cakes of Paradise bakery, they almost always have the elusive-in-Seattle butter mochi in stock!! You want it.
7 místní doporučují
Kauai Family Restaurant
6324 6th Ave SMake it happen. You should go tomorrow. Open since 1993, Kauai Fam is serving Hawaiian classics here with real and true aloha, plus a big chalkboard of daily specials with a rainbow drawn on it by a child. Everything’s on point, from the kalua pig to the fried saimin, and it’s all served unfussy, low-key, and cheerful. This is my favorite mac salad in Seattle—well, possibly tied with chef José Garzón’s, when he has it—and I never skip the cucumber kimchi on the side. Lawai ginger fried chicken, lau lau, pork abodo, chicken long rice, all the musubis. Plus, thanks to the adjoining Cakes of Paradise bakery, they almost always have the elusive-in-Seattle butter mochi in stock!! You want it.
The undeniable winner of Seattle’s tacosphere is Carnitas Michoacán in Beacon Hill. Why? It’s the tortillas, but it’s also the meat. This place started life as a carniceria, so the meat quality is leagues and fathoms above anyone’s. They do have solid veggie options as well—dig the elote tamal or the loaded-up veggie burrito. Most tacos are a staggering $2.89 too, so you can afford to really strap the feedbag on.
I love so many things about this taqueria, starting with the chewy, fat-imbued, house-made tortillas and the chicharron-studded carnitas (AND the al pastor AND the camarones AND the pozole…). The salsa bar with a half-dozen fresh, vivid sauce options alongside the escabeche and radishes and limes. I like the friendly staff, the part-time vibe of the crowd, the colorful murals, and the still-extant butcher-bodega next door.
26 místní doporučují
Carnitas Michoacan
2500 Beacon Ave SThe undeniable winner of Seattle’s tacosphere is Carnitas Michoacán in Beacon Hill. Why? It’s the tortillas, but it’s also the meat. This place started life as a carniceria, so the meat quality is leagues and fathoms above anyone’s. They do have solid veggie options as well—dig the elote tamal or the loaded-up veggie burrito. Most tacos are a staggering $2.89 too, so you can afford to really strap the feedbag on.
I love so many things about this taqueria, starting with the chewy, fat-imbued, house-made tortillas and the chicharron-studded carnitas (AND the al pastor AND the camarones AND the pozole…). The salsa bar with a half-dozen fresh, vivid sauce options alongside the escabeche and radishes and limes. I like the friendly staff, the part-time vibe of the crowd, the colorful murals, and the still-extant butcher-bodega next door.
The food is so good at Mojito, it’s a shock to your system. It will make you regret your life choices, all the meals you ate that you could have spent eating this instead. It rearranges your week’s priorities. Fireworks in the sky-type shit. I am being completely real about this to you.
Hard to say which dish at Mojio first flip-turned my life upside down, but it’s between the lechón asado and the vaca frita. Having never heard of vaca frita, I wouldn’t have thought to order this Cuban dish based on the name (It means “fried cow” in Spanish!), but I wasted my life by not doing this earlier. A crispy cousin of ropa vieja, vaca frita is a heavily seasoned chuck roast, which is cooked down for hours with garlic and onions, then fried-out in a similar way to carnitas and dressed with lime juice. The flavor/texture combo here is just skull-crushing, unspeakable, profound. Rich, bright, earthy, meaty, crunchy, acidic, but that doesn’t begin to describe it. It’s like… a citrusy beef… nest. Served on black beans and rice. Why would you want to eat that? You don’t know, but you can’t stop.
Meanwhile, “roasted marinated pork with sautéed onions” is such a simple description for a masterwork like the lechón asado, I’m kind of insulted on its behalf. Lechón is roast suckling pig, so it’s supposed to be juicy and tender and it feels stupid to point this out, but. The juiciness and the tenderness of the meat are off the charts and into the stratosphere here, with the sweet mojo marinade and porky richness coming through in stereo. There’s other places in Seattle that serve lechón in other styles, and quite a few great ones, but no lechón will ever compare to this lechón. My life’s lechón.
Mojito also initiated me into the cult of pabellón, the national dish of Venezuela: shredded beef stewed in a dense, brick-red chili-onion-tomato sauce. Total flavor powerhouse.
To add to all of this wonderment is Mojito’s funny, chatty owner Luam Wersom and his equally chatty staff, who make a point to go around to each table and seduce each customer into friendship. Wersom’s a good dude too, providing thousands of meals a year to the University District Food Bank and FamilyWorks Seattle, among other local charities. Go visit his little yellow triangle bistro, get the best meal of your lifetime, and then let him rizz you up afterward—you’ll be hooked forever
37 místní doporučují
Mojito
7545 Lake City Way NEThe food is so good at Mojito, it’s a shock to your system. It will make you regret your life choices, all the meals you ate that you could have spent eating this instead. It rearranges your week’s priorities. Fireworks in the sky-type shit. I am being completely real about this to you.
Hard to say which dish at Mojio first flip-turned my life upside down, but it’s between the lechón asado and the vaca frita. Having never heard of vaca frita, I wouldn’t have thought to order this Cuban dish based on the name (It means “fried cow” in Spanish!), but I wasted my life by not doing this earlier. A crispy cousin of ropa vieja, vaca frita is a heavily seasoned chuck roast, which is cooked down for hours with garlic and onions, then fried-out in a similar way to carnitas and dressed with lime juice. The flavor/texture combo here is just skull-crushing, unspeakable, profound. Rich, bright, earthy, meaty, crunchy, acidic, but that doesn’t begin to describe it. It’s like… a citrusy beef… nest. Served on black beans and rice. Why would you want to eat that? You don’t know, but you can’t stop.
Meanwhile, “roasted marinated pork with sautéed onions” is such a simple description for a masterwork like the lechón asado, I’m kind of insulted on its behalf. Lechón is roast suckling pig, so it’s supposed to be juicy and tender and it feels stupid to point this out, but. The juiciness and the tenderness of the meat are off the charts and into the stratosphere here, with the sweet mojo marinade and porky richness coming through in stereo. There’s other places in Seattle that serve lechón in other styles, and quite a few great ones, but no lechón will ever compare to this lechón. My life’s lechón.
Mojito also initiated me into the cult of pabellón, the national dish of Venezuela: shredded beef stewed in a dense, brick-red chili-onion-tomato sauce. Total flavor powerhouse.
To add to all of this wonderment is Mojito’s funny, chatty owner Luam Wersom and his equally chatty staff, who make a point to go around to each table and seduce each customer into friendship. Wersom’s a good dude too, providing thousands of meals a year to the University District Food Bank and FamilyWorks Seattle, among other local charities. Go visit his little yellow triangle bistro, get the best meal of your lifetime, and then let him rizz you up afterward—you’ll be hooked forever
Getting Around
About a ten minute walk from our house, the Link Light Rail can get you south to the airport, north to University of Washington, and many points inbetween
43 místní doporučují
Mount Baker station
About a ten minute walk from our house, the Link Light Rail can get you south to the airport, north to University of Washington, and many points inbetween
One stop south from the Mt. Baker station. Columbia city is a great historic neighborhood
54 místní doporučují
Columbia City station
One stop south from the Mt. Baker station. Columbia city is a great historic neighborhood
From the airport you can get the light rail to Mt. Baker station, a ten minute walk from our house - or many other places!
13 místní doporučují
SeaTac/Airport station
From the airport you can get the light rail to Mt. Baker station, a ten minute walk from our house - or many other places!
One stop north of the Mt. Baker Station, Beacon Hill is a great area to walk around and find tasty food.
91 místní doporučují
Beacon Hill Station
One stop north of the Mt. Baker Station, Beacon Hill is a great area to walk around and find tasty food.
Parks & Nature
The only place to see old-growth forest in the city. Perfect place to relax in the sun before you head into Colombia City and hit up Flying Lion Brewery.
477 místní doporučují
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SThe only place to see old-growth forest in the city. Perfect place to relax in the sun before you head into Colombia City and hit up Flying Lion Brewery.
Mount Baker Park
2521 Lake Park Dr SJust a few minutes walk from our house. Dog and kid friendly.
Denny Blaine Park
200 Lake Washington Blvd EGet yo nude beach on, dogg! Dogs also welcome.
Great for a run, a BBQ, or a beach day. Spectacular sunsets over the Olympic Mountains!
251 místní doporučují
Park Carkeek
950 NW Carkeek Park RdGreat for a run, a BBQ, or a beach day. Spectacular sunsets over the Olympic Mountains!
Enjoy a slice of nature in the big city.
313 místní doporučují
Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens
2300 Arboretum Dr EEnjoy a slice of nature in the big city.
Great views of the Olympic mountain range, fun on the beach, and bonfires
728 místní doporučují
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWGreat views of the Olympic mountain range, fun on the beach, and bonfires
Excellent views of downtown and a cool ex-industrial area turned city park
860 místní doporučují
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake WayExcellent views of downtown and a cool ex-industrial area turned city park
Green Lake
Jog around the lake, relax in the sun, go for a swim, play a game!
This park connects Mt. Baker park to Genesee Park. Go for a walk or run by the water
Lake Washington Boulevard Park
This park connects Mt. Baker park to Genesee Park. Go for a walk or run by the water
Huge park for running, playing, boat rental, etc. Has a big dog park too!
28 místní doporučují
Genesee Park and Playfield
4316 S Genesee StHuge park for running, playing, boat rental, etc. Has a big dog park too!
Gorgeous park with lots of different trail options. The only place inside the City that still has old growth trees!
477 místní doporučují
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SGorgeous park with lots of different trail options. The only place inside the City that still has old growth trees!
Really gorgeous park with views of Puget Sound. Big! Bring a picnic :)
756 místní doporučují
Park Discovery
3801 Discovery Park BlvdReally gorgeous park with views of Puget Sound. Big! Bring a picnic :)
Madrona Park
853 Lake Washington Blvd SGorgeous park!
Great off-leash space for your furry friends. About a 30 minute walk from the house through a gorgeous neighborhood and park, if you have time and it's sunny, it's worth it!
Genesee Dog Park
4513 S Genesee StGreat off-leash space for your furry friends. About a 30 minute walk from the house through a gorgeous neighborhood and park, if you have time and it's sunny, it's worth it!
Drinks & Nightlife
They gots beer! And a Kenyan food place next door that delivers into the brewery. It's like a hug from the inside
53 místní doporučují
Flying Lion Brewing
5041 Rainier Ave SThey gots beer! And a Kenyan food place next door that delivers into the brewery. It's like a hug from the inside
Awesome pinball-based barcade serving adult beverages and heaping portions of airbrushed Patrick Swayze murals.
55 místní doporučují
Add-A-Ball
315 N 36th StAwesome pinball-based barcade serving adult beverages and heaping portions of airbrushed Patrick Swayze murals.
Folks come from all over to get their two-step on and have a hootenanny! Country/Bluegrass place with live music most nights and karaoke Monday/Wednesday.
36 místní doporučují
Little Red Hen
7115 Woodlawn Ave NEFolks come from all over to get their two-step on and have a hootenanny! Country/Bluegrass place with live music most nights and karaoke Monday/Wednesday.
Bathtub Gin & Co.
2205 2nd AveOld speakeasy down an ally with a great liquor selection
One of the best breweries and terraces in the city! Good beer and one of the only south-facing terraces in the city. Try the summer ale if they have it!
277 místní doporučují
Fremont Brewing Company
1050 N 34th StOne of the best breweries and terraces in the city! Good beer and one of the only south-facing terraces in the city. Try the summer ale if they have it!
The Hummingbird Saloon
5041 Rainier Ave SPints and Cornish pastries!
The Royal Room Seattle
5000 Rainier Ave SOur neighborhood watering hole is only a couple blocks away and is intimate during the week and bustling on the weekends.
18 místní doporučují
The Saloon
3605 S McClellan StOur neighborhood watering hole is only a couple blocks away and is intimate during the week and bustling on the weekends.
Sightseeing
A "living building" that is billed as the greenest commercial building in the world. Free tours: Tuesdays at 4pm Saturdays at 12pm
Bullitt Center
A "living building" that is billed as the greenest commercial building in the world. Free tours: Tuesdays at 4pm Saturdays at 12pm
Spend a few bucks (~$6) to hop on the ferry and get an amazing tour of Puget Sound. Head over to Bainbridge and walk into town for lunch, or just cruise the Sound by going over and back (takes about an hour). The Washington ferry system is awesome, this is an amazing and inexpensive way to see Puget Sound!
157 místní doporučují
Seattle Ferry Terminal
Seattle Ferry TerminalSpend a few bucks (~$6) to hop on the ferry and get an amazing tour of Puget Sound. Head over to Bainbridge and walk into town for lunch, or just cruise the Sound by going over and back (takes about an hour). The Washington ferry system is awesome, this is an amazing and inexpensive way to see Puget Sound!
Did you know that half of old Seattle is underground? This is really touristy but also super turbo ultra fun!
285 místní doporučují
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st AveDid you know that half of old Seattle is underground? This is really touristy but also super turbo ultra fun!
The funky heart of Seattle - great shops, bars, and restaurants, the famous statue of Lenin and Fremont Bridge Troll, Theo Chocolate Company, walk to Gasworks park... loads to do here!
251 místní doporučují
Fremont
The funky heart of Seattle - great shops, bars, and restaurants, the famous statue of Lenin and Fremont Bridge Troll, Theo Chocolate Company, walk to Gasworks park... loads to do here!
Hip and historic, this southern sector boasts one of America’s most diverse zip codes (98118). Check out the mosaic of cultures within strolling distance of the light rail station (one stop south of Mt. Baker station)
117 místní doporučují
Columbia City
Hip and historic, this southern sector boasts one of America’s most diverse zip codes (98118). Check out the mosaic of cultures within strolling distance of the light rail station (one stop south of Mt. Baker station)
Our house is a ten minute walk to the beach! Stroll along a park down to the waterside for a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, and Lake Washington.
37 místní doporučují
Mount Baker Beach
2205 Lake Washington Blvd SOur house is a ten minute walk to the beach! Stroll along a park down to the waterside for a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, and Lake Washington.
Agua Verde Paddle Club
1307 NE Boat StRent a kayak or paddle board and explore Lake Union.
Beautiful, tree-lined boulevard. This ridgeline is a great place for a run to see some fantastic Pacific Northwest homes!
Hunter Boulevard South
Hunter Boulevard SouthBeautiful, tree-lined boulevard. This ridgeline is a great place for a run to see some fantastic Pacific Northwest homes!
Great views and nice neighborhood area with a few restaurants and bars
13 místní doporučují
Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint
1403 31st Ave SGreat views and nice neighborhood area with a few restaurants and bars
This is such a cool stop, the Smith Tower was the first real "skyscraper" in Seattle, and the elevators are still operated by a person! If you want to admire the Seattle sunset or catch a bird’s-eye view of the city, hit the Observatory and Bar with its open-air viewing deck for a 360-degree view of Seattle from the 35th floor. Grab a bite to eat at the bar and restaurant, and hope that it’s not raining so you can get a nice view of the sunset. Go at happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.
The Smith Tower is open Wednesday-Thursday (3-10 p.m.), Friday-Saturday (3-11 p.m.), and Sunday (3-10 p.m.); tickets are available for $19 on a first-come, first-served basis at the door (locals get a 20% discount with a valid Washington ID). Wait times vary, and the last elevator up is 1 hour before closing. Learn more: st.news/smithtower.
58 místní doporučují
Smith Tower Observatory Bar
506 2nd AveThis is such a cool stop, the Smith Tower was the first real "skyscraper" in Seattle, and the elevators are still operated by a person! If you want to admire the Seattle sunset or catch a bird’s-eye view of the city, hit the Observatory and Bar with its open-air viewing deck for a 360-degree view of Seattle from the 35th floor. Grab a bite to eat at the bar and restaurant, and hope that it’s not raining so you can get a nice view of the sunset. Go at happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.
The Smith Tower is open Wednesday-Thursday (3-10 p.m.), Friday-Saturday (3-11 p.m.), and Sunday (3-10 p.m.); tickets are available for $19 on a first-come, first-served basis at the door (locals get a 20% discount with a valid Washington ID). Wait times vary, and the last elevator up is 1 hour before closing. Learn more: st.news/smithtower.
Tourists keep coming to The Gum Wall at 1428 Post Alley at Pike Place Market to see for themselves this public art, if you can call it that, described by the British tabloid The Sun with the question, “Is this the most disgusting tourist attraction in the world?”
It measures about 100 feet along each side of the narrow alley, and maybe 8 feet high: at least one ton of gum wads stuck to the bricks, oozing and dripping.
The Market says the wall has drawn “millions of visitors” and is one of its most photographed locations.
Back in the early 1990s, audience members of the improv group Unexpected Productions, which puts on shows at the theater at that location, began sticking gum on the wall’s bricks.
The wall has been cleaned twice, once in 2015 and again in 2019. That first steam cleaning took 130 hours to fill 94 buckets with 2,350 pounds of gum that went to a landfill. Gum isn’t compostable.
The next cleaning hasn’t yet been scheduled, says the Market.
Jay Hitt, managing director of the improv group, says some tourists believe they have to pay to see the wall. No; it’s free.
“We like it,” he says of the wall, even if the gum drips down the box-office window. He describes the smell outside “as a combination of fruit and mint.”
Also, “The only bad thing is that we’ll have it embedded into the carpet going into the theater, and sometimes it rubs off on people’s clothing standing too close it.”
Norman Ross, of Murrieta, California, was a recent visitor to the wall. It was his third visit over the years. “It’s a work of art and is as original as you can get. It’s abstract,” he says. “All those different colors and unlimited amounts of DNA.”
He’s also joined in sticking a wad of gum on the wall. If you’re planning to do that, says Ross, “I advise you to bring hand sanitizer.”
170 místní doporučují
Stěna žvýkaček
1428 Post AlleyTourists keep coming to The Gum Wall at 1428 Post Alley at Pike Place Market to see for themselves this public art, if you can call it that, described by the British tabloid The Sun with the question, “Is this the most disgusting tourist attraction in the world?”
It measures about 100 feet along each side of the narrow alley, and maybe 8 feet high: at least one ton of gum wads stuck to the bricks, oozing and dripping.
The Market says the wall has drawn “millions of visitors” and is one of its most photographed locations.
Back in the early 1990s, audience members of the improv group Unexpected Productions, which puts on shows at the theater at that location, began sticking gum on the wall’s bricks.
The wall has been cleaned twice, once in 2015 and again in 2019. That first steam cleaning took 130 hours to fill 94 buckets with 2,350 pounds of gum that went to a landfill. Gum isn’t compostable.
The next cleaning hasn’t yet been scheduled, says the Market.
Jay Hitt, managing director of the improv group, says some tourists believe they have to pay to see the wall. No; it’s free.
“We like it,” he says of the wall, even if the gum drips down the box-office window. He describes the smell outside “as a combination of fruit and mint.”
Also, “The only bad thing is that we’ll have it embedded into the carpet going into the theater, and sometimes it rubs off on people’s clothing standing too close it.”
Norman Ross, of Murrieta, California, was a recent visitor to the wall. It was his third visit over the years. “It’s a work of art and is as original as you can get. It’s abstract,” he says. “All those different colors and unlimited amounts of DNA.”
He’s also joined in sticking a wad of gum on the wall. If you’re planning to do that, says Ross, “I advise you to bring hand sanitizer.”
Have excellent tea and remember some of our region's troubled history.
In 1942, in a fervor of wartime paranoia, President Roosevelt ordered Japanese-Americans into internment camps for the duration of WWII.
The internment had an especially large impact in Seattle’s Japantown, where Japanese-Americans, many of them US-born citizens, were forced to abandon their homes and businesses almost overnight.
Before they were led away to the camps, some stashed their belongings in the basement of the Panama Hotel for safekeeping. At the time, the hotel served as communal gathering place, guest house, and sento (Japanese-style bath house).
Amazingly, many of those trunks and suitcases are still there and on view, waiting for owners that never came back.
The building, which dates back to 1910, now has National Landmark status thanks to the work and renovations of current owner, Jan Johnson. Johnson bought the hotel in 1985 from the original owner, Takeshi Hori, who leased out during his own internment, and came back to reclaim it after the war.
Though she admits having slept through high school history, her priority now as owner, clerk, maintenance and tour guide, is to save the landmark for educational purposes.
Today the Panama welcomes guests from all over the world, as well as regulars in its tea house, playing mah-jong, sipping drinks, and working on laptops. Alberto, the smiling barista, will gladly guide you through the full bar of imported flavors and scents on offer.
Twice a week, Johnson personally leads tours for all ages (Wednesdays, Sundays $12, call for times). They begin in the tea house, under walls lined with photos of Seattle’s Japanese community in the early 1900s. She displays letters and copies of the North American Times, an English-Japanese publication that ran from 1903 until 1942, announcing its own demise due to internment.
The tour continues past a plexi glass-covered hole in the floor, allowing view of the dusty belongings abandoned six decades ago, and into the old sento, where Johnson reflects on the variations of the bath house in every culture. The cracked tiles and old lockers of the only intact sento left in the United States bear their own evidence of generations past.
Whether you’re there for a tour, a cup of tea, or a good night’s rest, the Panama Hotel offers a hint of time travel and a rarely accessible taste of living history.
20 místní doporučují
Panama Hotel and Tea House
605 South Main StHave excellent tea and remember some of our region's troubled history.
In 1942, in a fervor of wartime paranoia, President Roosevelt ordered Japanese-Americans into internment camps for the duration of WWII.
The internment had an especially large impact in Seattle’s Japantown, where Japanese-Americans, many of them US-born citizens, were forced to abandon their homes and businesses almost overnight.
Before they were led away to the camps, some stashed their belongings in the basement of the Panama Hotel for safekeeping. At the time, the hotel served as communal gathering place, guest house, and sento (Japanese-style bath house).
Amazingly, many of those trunks and suitcases are still there and on view, waiting for owners that never came back.
The building, which dates back to 1910, now has National Landmark status thanks to the work and renovations of current owner, Jan Johnson. Johnson bought the hotel in 1985 from the original owner, Takeshi Hori, who leased out during his own internment, and came back to reclaim it after the war.
Though she admits having slept through high school history, her priority now as owner, clerk, maintenance and tour guide, is to save the landmark for educational purposes.
Today the Panama welcomes guests from all over the world, as well as regulars in its tea house, playing mah-jong, sipping drinks, and working on laptops. Alberto, the smiling barista, will gladly guide you through the full bar of imported flavors and scents on offer.
Twice a week, Johnson personally leads tours for all ages (Wednesdays, Sundays $12, call for times). They begin in the tea house, under walls lined with photos of Seattle’s Japanese community in the early 1900s. She displays letters and copies of the North American Times, an English-Japanese publication that ran from 1903 until 1942, announcing its own demise due to internment.
The tour continues past a plexi glass-covered hole in the floor, allowing view of the dusty belongings abandoned six decades ago, and into the old sento, where Johnson reflects on the variations of the bath house in every culture. The cracked tiles and old lockers of the only intact sento left in the United States bear their own evidence of generations past.
Whether you’re there for a tour, a cup of tea, or a good night’s rest, the Panama Hotel offers a hint of time travel and a rarely accessible taste of living history.
Arts & Culture
A special place highlighting a little-known area of Pacific Northwest history. The Northwest African American Museum serves to present and preserve the connections between the Pacific Northwest and people of African descent and investigate and celebrate Black experiences in America through exhibitions, programs and events
56 místní doporučují
Northwest African American Museum
2300 S Massachusetts StA special place highlighting a little-known area of Pacific Northwest history. The Northwest African American Museum serves to present and preserve the connections between the Pacific Northwest and people of African descent and investigate and celebrate Black experiences in America through exhibitions, programs and events
Columbia City Gallery
4864 Rainier Ave SGreat little museum. Fascinatingly boring permanent collection, really good rotating exhibits usually. Wonderful building. Free!
229 místní doporučují
Frye Art Museum
704 Terry AveGreat little museum. Fascinatingly boring permanent collection, really good rotating exhibits usually. Wonderful building. Free!
Burkeovo muzeum přírodní historie a kultury
4303 15th Ave NEReally great museum
Shopping
Hunt Gentleman's Resale
3815B S Edmunds StHigh-end gentlemen’s gear on consignment
Goodwill Seattle Outlet
1765 6th Ave SWant to find Macklemore in the bins? This is the place
Very funky stuff in here from a variety of vendors. Best place in the city for a gift or souvenir
34 místní doporučují
Fremont Vintage Mall
3419 Fremont Ave NVery funky stuff in here from a variety of vendors. Best place in the city for a gift or souvenir
Want to be like Macklemore and let them find you in the bins? This is them!
6 místní doporučují
Goodwill Seattle Outlet
1765 6th Ave SWant to be like Macklemore and let them find you in the bins? This is them!