Seattle, what to do, what to eat
June 17, 2024 8:10 PM Subscribe
So later this week I'll be visiting Seattle for the first time in 20 years and would love a) dinner recommendations near the Space Needle b) daytime activity/food recommendations in general. I'm planning on going to the Seattle Asian Art Museum, but otherwise don't have anything planned! I am an urban history nerd and was thinking that the International District and Wing Luke Museum might be a good place to visit?
I may be misinterpreting "urban history nerd" but I recommend you look into the Seattle Underground Tour (assuming they still do them) and see if it sounds interesting to you.
There's a ton of good food in the International District so if you find yourself headed down that way for museums or other attractions you will have a lot of options.
If it's a nice day and you want a cheap way to view the city from a different vantage, I have always enjoyed taking the Bainbridge Ferry over and back just to enjoy the view and some time on the water.
Maybe check with someone whose knowledge of the Seattle food scene is more current than mine, because it has changed hands since the last time I managed to get down there, but Salumi used to have people literally lining up around the block for their sandwiches. If they're still on their game they might be worth a stop, depending what you're in the mood for. Similarly Paseo was highly regarded when I was last current on Seattle eats but I'm not sure whether it still is.
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:29 PM on June 17 [4 favorites]
There's a ton of good food in the International District so if you find yourself headed down that way for museums or other attractions you will have a lot of options.
If it's a nice day and you want a cheap way to view the city from a different vantage, I have always enjoyed taking the Bainbridge Ferry over and back just to enjoy the view and some time on the water.
Maybe check with someone whose knowledge of the Seattle food scene is more current than mine, because it has changed hands since the last time I managed to get down there, but Salumi used to have people literally lining up around the block for their sandwiches. If they're still on their game they might be worth a stop, depending what you're in the mood for. Similarly Paseo was highly regarded when I was last current on Seattle eats but I'm not sure whether it still is.
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:29 PM on June 17 [4 favorites]
Some of these recommendations are from a visit years ago, so please check them out with an eye toward what you like, today.
I liked the Museum of Pop Culture which isn't too far, and the Seattle Public Library Central building was architecturally interesting to me and was not too far. Also not too far was Citizen Collective a nice cafe. I also liked, back then, the observation deck of the Bank of America building, which is at a point higher than the Space Needle (we could look down on the Needle from there). I believe that location is now called the Sky View Observatory
posted by TimHare at 9:11 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
I liked the Museum of Pop Culture which isn't too far, and the Seattle Public Library Central building was architecturally interesting to me and was not too far. Also not too far was Citizen Collective a nice cafe. I also liked, back then, the observation deck of the Bank of America building, which is at a point higher than the Space Needle (we could look down on the Needle from there). I believe that location is now called the Sky View Observatory
posted by TimHare at 9:11 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
you MUST dine at l'Oursin! absolutely incredible french cuisine! award winning!
posted by evilmonk at 9:23 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
posted by evilmonk at 9:23 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
Best answer: MOHAI, the Museum of History and Industry, might scratch the urban history nerd itch. They have a dope fireboat.
posted by Sauce Trough at 9:33 PM on June 17 [7 favorites]
posted by Sauce Trough at 9:33 PM on June 17 [7 favorites]
Also if you're going to the International District you should check out Bean Fish in the Uwajimaya food court. Go shopping at Kobo.
posted by brookeb at 9:45 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
posted by brookeb at 9:45 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
Seconding Lowell's and recommend you go to the upstairs part. It's more casual, and the view is terrific. The LAIKA exhibit currently at MoPOP is very fun if you're into those movies (Coraline, Kubo....) For a drink near the Space Needle I like Tin Lizzie.
posted by moonmoth at 10:37 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
posted by moonmoth at 10:37 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]
This time of year is the best time to visit Seattle, so compliments on your timing. Long, comfortable sunny days before the wildfire season and out of the damp and cold season.
I lived in Belltown for a couple of years in the early 2020s and since you're near the Space Needle I highly recommend The 5 Point Cafe. It's definitely touristy but the food is actually pretty good. Seattle's Vietnamese food scene is strong, the classic is Pho Bac which have a few locations but that's the original one with the iconic red boat-shaped building.
The Chihuly Garden and Glass is right where you're staying and very pretty but is kind of steep for the experience. The Wing Luke Museum does a good job of having the actual historical spaces exhibited compared to say, MoCA in New York, and is worth checking out for that. Definitely schedule a tour given your interests. Seconding the Seattle Underground Tour, which is unique if a little short. I've not been myself but I've heard good things about the Seattle Pinball Museum from several corners but could be a little too niche.
posted by coolname at 11:23 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
I lived in Belltown for a couple of years in the early 2020s and since you're near the Space Needle I highly recommend The 5 Point Cafe. It's definitely touristy but the food is actually pretty good. Seattle's Vietnamese food scene is strong, the classic is Pho Bac which have a few locations but that's the original one with the iconic red boat-shaped building.
The Chihuly Garden and Glass is right where you're staying and very pretty but is kind of steep for the experience. The Wing Luke Museum does a good job of having the actual historical spaces exhibited compared to say, MoCA in New York, and is worth checking out for that. Definitely schedule a tour given your interests. Seconding the Seattle Underground Tour, which is unique if a little short. I've not been myself but I've heard good things about the Seattle Pinball Museum from several corners but could be a little too niche.
posted by coolname at 11:23 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
If you go to MOHAI stop by the Center for Wooden Boats. Lots of cities grew by water, for the tie-in.
posted by clew at 11:42 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
posted by clew at 11:42 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]
The Ballard Locks, in addition to the locks themselves and the plantings on the grounds, have a small museum on the history of the Locks and on the engineering of local waterways and terrain.
While in Ballard, give respect to the Edith Macefield House, and then stop in at Mike's Chili Parlor, a dive bar been serving chili since before the streets up here were paved.
If your urban history interest can extend, at all, to urban old telephone infrastructure, then the Connections Museum is a stone-cold MUST. Katsu Burger for lunch.
+1 MOHAI and CWB, +1 walk-on to the ferry out-and-back, the Bremerton run at sunset is my fave.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:14 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
While in Ballard, give respect to the Edith Macefield House, and then stop in at Mike's Chili Parlor, a dive bar been serving chili since before the streets up here were paved.
If your urban history interest can extend, at all, to urban old telephone infrastructure, then the Connections Museum is a stone-cold MUST. Katsu Burger for lunch.
+1 MOHAI and CWB, +1 walk-on to the ferry out-and-back, the Bremerton run at sunset is my fave.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:14 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
Breakfast in the market recommendations for grab and go, Three Girls Bakery , The Daily Dozen. For a quick sit down breakfast, The Biscuit Bitch (Belltown location is usually less chaotic than the market location)
posted by funkaspuck at 4:42 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
posted by funkaspuck at 4:42 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
we really enjoyed kayaking the ballard locks (no kayaking experience necessary)
posted by wowenthusiast at 5:33 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
posted by wowenthusiast at 5:33 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I was in Seattle recently, though mainly for a combination of work and then a hiking vacation outside of Seattle. Still, a few suggestions:
-Seattle has serious pastry game - we went to Fresh Flours and they were very good - so much buttery lamination. But there were many options, and my sense is that this is a city that takes pastry seriously (along with coffee, obviously).
-You don't say where you're staying, but in north Seattle, Halcyon Brewing Company has excellent food (in addition to excellent beer) - the best way to describe it would be Asian pub food, but that doesn't quite do it justice - the fish sauce wings were perfectly executed, the kimchi and beef dumplings very well balanced, etc. Also just a very cozy interior.
-Somewhat close the airport is the Kubota Garden, a free Japanese garden. It's easily the most magical garden I've been to, and I've been to a lot of gardens - the landscaping manages to create all of these unique settings within the garden in a way that feels almost maze like at points - it's not huge, but it packs a lot in.
-Elliott Bay Book Company (Capital Hill area) was a fun place to browse, very well curated.
-You might consider renting a car for a day - I found ride shares in Seattle to be much more expensive than elsewhere in the US, and so if there is a day where you plan on seeing different parts the city it would likely be a cheaper option. People complain about the traffic, but the traffic seemed pretty normal to me. Plus there is a lot of excellent hiking not far from the city - the mountains will still be under snow, but much of the foothills should be thawed out - check recent tail reports (Washington Trail Association).
posted by coffeecat at 6:53 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
-Seattle has serious pastry game - we went to Fresh Flours and they were very good - so much buttery lamination. But there were many options, and my sense is that this is a city that takes pastry seriously (along with coffee, obviously).
-You don't say where you're staying, but in north Seattle, Halcyon Brewing Company has excellent food (in addition to excellent beer) - the best way to describe it would be Asian pub food, but that doesn't quite do it justice - the fish sauce wings were perfectly executed, the kimchi and beef dumplings very well balanced, etc. Also just a very cozy interior.
-Somewhat close the airport is the Kubota Garden, a free Japanese garden. It's easily the most magical garden I've been to, and I've been to a lot of gardens - the landscaping manages to create all of these unique settings within the garden in a way that feels almost maze like at points - it's not huge, but it packs a lot in.
-Elliott Bay Book Company (Capital Hill area) was a fun place to browse, very well curated.
-You might consider renting a car for a day - I found ride shares in Seattle to be much more expensive than elsewhere in the US, and so if there is a day where you plan on seeing different parts the city it would likely be a cheaper option. People complain about the traffic, but the traffic seemed pretty normal to me. Plus there is a lot of excellent hiking not far from the city - the mountains will still be under snow, but much of the foothills should be thawed out - check recent tail reports (Washington Trail Association).
posted by coffeecat at 6:53 AM on June 18 [1 favorite]
Plan to use shared escooters and ebikes to get around town. Seattle has some really great bike infrastructure in some parts of town, and zipping around on a scooter and bike (I recommend trying both!) can be fun in and of itself and give you an opportunity to experience a city in a new and different way.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:34 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 11:34 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
My wife and I really enjoyed dinner at NUE when we were in Seattle recently. Think "street food of the world" but not really fusion, each dish tries to be accurate to its origin... Though the butters of the world plate was unexpectedly enjoyable.
posted by reptile at 11:35 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
posted by reptile at 11:35 AM on June 18 [2 favorites]
Also a shoutout for the Seattle Chinese Garden, on the south side with the airport. Amazing peony bank; for people reading in other seasons, also a beautiful melancholic walk even in midwinter.
https://www.seattlechinesegarden.org/visit
posted by clew at 1:28 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]
https://www.seattlechinesegarden.org/visit
posted by clew at 1:28 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]
After you go to the Asian Art Museum, head down to 15th Ave and have lunch or dinner there - it's a nice little neighborhood with my favorite Thai restaurant, Jamjuree. If you want something more like a gastropub, Smith is down the street and also really good.
posted by lunasol at 2:53 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]
posted by lunasol at 2:53 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]
I highly recommend The 5 Point Cafe. It's definitely touristy but the food is actually pretty good.
I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, because The 5 Point does have great food, but the owner is a known serial rapist. He was forced to sell most of his restaurants when it came out, but he kept that one. However, if you like that kind of place, check out Lost Lake in Capitol Hill. It's one of the restaurants he sold, and has similar food/vibes.
posted by lunasol at 2:58 PM on June 18 [2 favorites]
I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, because The 5 Point does have great food, but the owner is a known serial rapist. He was forced to sell most of his restaurants when it came out, but he kept that one. However, if you like that kind of place, check out Lost Lake in Capitol Hill. It's one of the restaurants he sold, and has similar food/vibes.
posted by lunasol at 2:58 PM on June 18 [2 favorites]
If you are in Ballard and want to see a museum, I hear the Scandinavian Heritage Museum is good, and fairly new.
posted by lhauser at 7:21 PM on June 18 [2 favorites]
posted by lhauser at 7:21 PM on June 18 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Hellenika Cultured Creamery has several locations in Seattle and sells pints of frozen yogurt in Metropolitan Markets grocery stores. Absolutely amazing frozen yogurt. I am not much of a frozen dessert eater but when I was in town in February I could.not.stop. returning to try more flavors after a random stop one afternoon. Amazing.
posted by Sublimity at 4:42 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]
posted by Sublimity at 4:42 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: thank you everyone for your suggestions. I marked as best answer the ones i actually got to do today! Hellenika frozen yogurt is delish (I sampled the miso caramel which luckily finished churning just as i stepped up to order, got a scoop of the passionfruit because it was already toasty by noon). MOHAI was lots of fun and definitely scratched the urban history nerd itch; their mini exhibit showcasing decades of Pride posters just opened today in another bit of fortuitous timing. And mmmm pastries from Fresh Flours on my walk back to Belltown.
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:54 PM on June 21
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:54 PM on June 21
Response by poster: p.s. E-Jae Pak Mor is an adorable restaurant specializing in Thai street food, including the namesake Thai reinterpretation of a Vietnamese dish. It is also super conveniently located to King St Station given that I was departing on Amtrak!
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:58 PM on June 21
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:58 PM on June 21
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posted by brookeb at 8:23 PM on June 17 [1 favorite]