Guidebook for Seattle
Drinks & Nightlife
Incredible live music every night and owned by composer/musicians Wayne Horvitz & Robin Holcomb. It's a gorgeous place to see shows, from big Band to experimental electronica. They also have a full bar and good food menu.
121 recommandé par les habitants
The Royal Room Seattle
5000 Rainier Ave SIncredible live music every night and owned by composer/musicians Wayne Horvitz & Robin Holcomb. It's a gorgeous place to see shows, from big Band to experimental electronica. They also have a full bar and good food menu.
Secret gem in Hillman City! Eight taps, free peanuts, visa/credit card only (no cash). They sell bike tire tubes, too!
12 recommandé par les habitants
Slow Boat Tavern
5701 Rainier Ave SSecret gem in Hillman City! Eight taps, free peanuts, visa/credit card only (no cash). They sell bike tire tubes, too!
The food and drinks here are awesome. Same owners as Lottie's in Columbia City and they've done a great job with their new space. If you're headed south, Jude's is a great spot for dinner and drinks.
38 recommandé par les habitants
Jude's Old Town
9252 57th Ave SThe food and drinks here are awesome. Same owners as Lottie's in Columbia City and they've done a great job with their new space. If you're headed south, Jude's is a great spot for dinner and drinks.
Our favorite dive bar. Tons of other great drinking and eating establishments in Georgetown, too, if the 9lb is too crowded.
31 recommandé par les habitants
9lb Hammer
6009 Airport Way SOur favorite dive bar. Tons of other great drinking and eating establishments in Georgetown, too, if the 9lb is too crowded.
Great bar and shockingly good food. Packed with locals after work. Under 21 patrons allowed on in the table area (but not at the bar).
88 recommandé par les habitants
Lottie's Lounge
4900 Rainier Ave SGreat bar and shockingly good food. Packed with locals after work. Under 21 patrons allowed on in the table area (but not at the bar).
Lots of beers on tap, nice menu, well-lit neighborhood bar. Kids welcome!
69 recommandé par les habitants
Tippe and Drague Alehouse
3315 Beacon Ave SLots of beers on tap, nice menu, well-lit neighborhood bar. Kids welcome!
We're not sure when Beacon Hill became a hipster hangout, but the Oak is proof that it is. Under 21 welcome in the front.
90 recommandé par les habitants
Oak
3019 Beacon Ave SWe're not sure when Beacon Hill became a hipster hangout, but the Oak is proof that it is. Under 21 welcome in the front.
Cheap cocktails, shuffleboard and all the mustaches you could wish for.
28 recommandé par les habitants
The Hummingbird Saloon
5041 Rainier Ave SCheap cocktails, shuffleboard and all the mustaches you could wish for.
Sweet place to drink beer, nice outdoor seating, and kid friendly! They don't serve food but you can bring lunch or dinner from any of the close-by restaurants and eat it there.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Hill City Tap House & Bottle Shop
5303 Rainier Ave SSweet place to drink beer, nice outdoor seating, and kid friendly! They don't serve food but you can bring lunch or dinner from any of the close-by restaurants and eat it there.
Our most local brewery. Good beer and very casual atmosphere. A good spot to sip a pint and play a game of cards with pals.
9 recommandé par les habitants
NW Peaks Brewery & Taproom
5718 Rainier Ave SOur most local brewery. Good beer and very casual atmosphere. A good spot to sip a pint and play a game of cards with pals.
Parks & Nature
Our favorite park in a city of amazing parks. Lake Washington surrounds it, and it's a great spot for walking, biking, swimming, picnicking or just hanging out. There's an Audubon Center, as well as an awesome playground and supervised swimming beach (although you can swim from almost any spot around the park) and lots of trails up into the old growth woods.
477 recommandé par les habitants
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SOur favorite park in a city of amazing parks. Lake Washington surrounds it, and it's a great spot for walking, biking, swimming, picnicking or just hanging out. There's an Audubon Center, as well as an awesome playground and supervised swimming beach (although you can swim from almost any spot around the park) and lots of trails up into the old growth woods.
Sweet playfield at the end of our block. Nice spot for watching afternoon and evening youth and local league soccer and baseball games. There's also a great playground with swings, slides and climbing structures and a couple of tennis courts on the west side of the playfield, and a volleyball court on the north end. If you want a short run, the cinder track around the playfield is exactly 1/3 of a mile.
Brighton Playfield
6000 39th Ave SSweet playfield at the end of our block. Nice spot for watching afternoon and evening youth and local league soccer and baseball games. There's also a great playground with swings, slides and climbing structures and a couple of tennis courts on the west side of the playfield, and a volleyball court on the north end. If you want a short run, the cinder track around the playfield is exactly 1/3 of a mile.
Beautiful Japanese gardens just a short drive from the shiny house. Wander the trails, take photos, take a picnic!
202 recommandé par les habitants
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave SBeautiful Japanese gardens just a short drive from the shiny house. Wander the trails, take photos, take a picnic!
Alki feels like a beach town - totally different from other neighborhoods in Seattle. Strolling or playing on the beach (the water is too cold for swimming unless it's REALLY hot or you're particularly brave) is a perfect afternoon adventure, and there are lots of little restaurants and shops along the beach if you want to buy an ice cream cone or rent a bicycle.
865 recommandé par les habitants
Alki Beach
Alki feels like a beach town - totally different from other neighborhoods in Seattle. Strolling or playing on the beach (the water is too cold for swimming unless it's REALLY hot or you're particularly brave) is a perfect afternoon adventure, and there are lots of little restaurants and shops along the beach if you want to buy an ice cream cone or rent a bicycle.
Great nature-oriented programs, classes, and events. Check here for what's coming up: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/17346
10 recommandé par les habitants
Seward Park Audubon Center
5902 Lake Washington Blvd SGreat nature-oriented programs, classes, and events. Check here for what's coming up: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/17346
Food Scene
So, so good! Peruvian roast chicken and delicious vegetarian sides, also awesome outdoor seating. This is our go-to when the day has been too long and we don't want to stroll more than a few blocks for dinner. Kids love this place, adults love this place, everyone LOVES Big Chickie:)
30 recommandé par les habitants
Big Chickie
5520 Rainier Ave SSo, so good! Peruvian roast chicken and delicious vegetarian sides, also awesome outdoor seating. This is our go-to when the day has been too long and we don't want to stroll more than a few blocks for dinner. Kids love this place, adults love this place, everyone LOVES Big Chickie:)
THE local coffee shop in Hillman City. Visit Joya or one of her baristas for a latte, and hang out with the locals. Free wifi, and they roast coffee onsite, too, which you can buy and bring home with you:)
28 recommandé par les habitants
Tin Umbrella Coffee
5600 Rainier Ave STHE local coffee shop in Hillman City. Visit Joya or one of her baristas for a latte, and hang out with the locals. Free wifi, and they roast coffee onsite, too, which you can buy and bring home with you:)
Union Bar should probably go in the Drinks and Nightlife section, as it's officially a bar, but it's family-friendly and the food is great, so if you're looking for dinner options this is a good one! Great burgers, sandwiches and salads, good vegetarian options, and awesome house-cut fries. Taco specials on Tuesdays, Trivia on Wednesday nights, and discount if you show your union membership card!
18 recommandé par les habitants
Union Bar Hillman City
5609 Rainier Avenue SouthUnion Bar should probably go in the Drinks and Nightlife section, as it's officially a bar, but it's family-friendly and the food is great, so if you're looking for dinner options this is a good one! Great burgers, sandwiches and salads, good vegetarian options, and awesome house-cut fries. Taco specials on Tuesdays, Trivia on Wednesday nights, and discount if you show your union membership card!
Some of the best falafel and gyros in the city and the chai is out of this world. Rami, the owner, is usually the only one cooking, and he's not in a hurry, so you should go somewhere else if you're in a rush. But if you're willing to be patient the food is WORTH THE WAIT!
Mawadda Cafe
4433 South Graham StreetSome of the best falafel and gyros in the city and the chai is out of this world. Rami, the owner, is usually the only one cooking, and he's not in a hurry, so you should go somewhere else if you're in a rush. But if you're willing to be patient the food is WORTH THE WAIT!
Great bánh mì (Vietnamese Sandwiches) and a large selection of Vietnamese baked goods. Lunch for $3! This is our go-to spot for road trip fare. It's packed at lunchtime and closes by 6:00.
Q Bakery Sandwiches
3818 S Graham StGreat bánh mì (Vietnamese Sandwiches) and a large selection of Vietnamese baked goods. Lunch for $3! This is our go-to spot for road trip fare. It's packed at lunchtime and closes by 6:00.
Tony's is a Vietnamese deli and bakery. They have a much larger hot food selection than Q Bakery, and you can get made-to-order cakes there that are beautiful and delicious. If you're vegetarian, ask at the counter what your options are, as Tony's serves all of the Buddhist monks at the nearby Colam Pagoda and often has great vegetarian options. They also make Vietnamese yogurt in house which is delicious!
Tony's Bakery
6020 Martin Luther King Jr Way STony's is a Vietnamese deli and bakery. They have a much larger hot food selection than Q Bakery, and you can get made-to-order cakes there that are beautiful and delicious. If you're vegetarian, ask at the counter what your options are, as Tony's serves all of the Buddhist monks at the nearby Colam Pagoda and often has great vegetarian options. They also make Vietnamese yogurt in house which is delicious!
Our very favorite pizza in a neighborhood that's full of pizza joints. Nice outdoor seating, too!
60 recommandé par les habitants
Flying Squirrel Pizza Co
4920 S Genesee StOur very favorite pizza in a neighborhood that's full of pizza joints. Nice outdoor seating, too!
Neighborhood brunch spot. Family-owned, everything's homemade, nice outdoor seating options, and just a few blocks from the lake.
64 recommandé par les habitants
Both Ways Cafe
4922 S Genesee StNeighborhood brunch spot. Family-owned, everything's homemade, nice outdoor seating options, and just a few blocks from the lake.
Really EXCELLENT coffee (best latte in the Rainier Valley) and decent baked good selection. Wifi and nice tables to work or read at.
116 recommandé par les habitants
Caffe Vita
5028 Wilson Ave SReally EXCELLENT coffee (best latte in the Rainier Valley) and decent baked good selection. Wifi and nice tables to work or read at.
Italian restaurant from another era. Checkered table cloths, your pasta comes with piping hot bread and soup/salad, cheap chianti by the liter, and the portions are generous. Usually packed with local families, and kids can watch the cooks in the kitchen through a secret window.
35 recommandé par les habitants
Pizzutos
5032 Wilson Ave SItalian restaurant from another era. Checkered table cloths, your pasta comes with piping hot bread and soup/salad, cheap chianti by the liter, and the portions are generous. Usually packed with local families, and kids can watch the cooks in the kitchen through a secret window.
Our favorite spot for breakfast or lunch. Great coffee, the food and baked goods are amazing and all made in house, and, by the way, it's all vegetarian (though the meat-eaters in our house love it, too!). Vegan and gluten-free options also available.
37 recommandé par les habitants
Redwing Cafe
9272 57th Ave SOur favorite spot for breakfast or lunch. Great coffee, the food and baked goods are amazing and all made in house, and, by the way, it's all vegetarian (though the meat-eaters in our house love it, too!). Vegan and gluten-free options also available.
Delicious Hawaiian food and great cocktails. Great ambience inside and fantastic outdoor seating, too. They've also got free wifi and make malasadas in the morning, so if you need a spot to check email or work on your novel in the morning or midday, this might be just the ticket.
90 recommandé par les habitants
Super Six
3714 S Hudson StDelicious Hawaiian food and great cocktails. Great ambience inside and fantastic outdoor seating, too. They've also got free wifi and make malasadas in the morning, so if you need a spot to check email or work on your novel in the morning or midday, this might be just the ticket.
Mmmm...Scott loves the Jerk chicken and I love all of the vegetarian options. Island Soul also has a well-stocked bar.
86 recommandé par les habitants
Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack
4869 Rainier Ave SMmmm...Scott loves the Jerk chicken and I love all of the vegetarian options. Island Soul also has a well-stocked bar.
French-style baked goods and breads. From croissants to baguettes to big rustic loaves to made-to-order cakes, they've got it going on. It's one of the best bakeries in all of Seattle. Don't miss it.
184 recommandé par les habitants
Columbia City Bakery
4865 Rainier Ave SFrench-style baked goods and breads. From croissants to baguettes to big rustic loaves to made-to-order cakes, they've got it going on. It's one of the best bakeries in all of Seattle. Don't miss it.
If you want the full-on Seattle coffee experience, this is a good place to get it. The coffee is great, the waffles and paninis are great, the wifi is free.
85 recommandé par les habitants
Empire Espresso
3829 S Edmunds StIf you want the full-on Seattle coffee experience, this is a good place to get it. The coffee is great, the waffles and paninis are great, the wifi is free.
Upscale Thai, romantic ambience. They also do a bustling take-out business.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Spice Room
4909 Rainier Ave SUpscale Thai, romantic ambience. They also do a bustling take-out business.
Wabi-Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant
4909 Rainier Ave SNeed sushi? Go to Wabi-Sabi!
Homemade ice cream (including about 10 vegan options) + pinball & video games + beer makes this one of our favorite places on earth. Take the kids or take your date (or just take yourself)!
94 recommandé par les habitants
Full Tilt Columbia City
5041 Rainier Ave SHomemade ice cream (including about 10 vegan options) + pinball & video games + beer makes this one of our favorite places on earth. Take the kids or take your date (or just take yourself)!
This little spot just opened. Nice interior and great scones.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Beach Bakery
7820 Rainier Ave SThis little spot just opened. Nice interior and great scones.
This is where you take the kids for a birthday party! Super-family-friendly and the owners and staff are so nice. The portions are large and the margaritas giant. If you're looking for gourmet Mexican cuisine, this is probably not it, but if you've got some hungry teenagers or don't want to worry about your rambunctious four-year-old bothering other diners, El Sombrero is an awesome choice.
25 recommandé par les habitants
El Sombrero | Family Mexican Restaurant
4868 Rainier Ave SThis is where you take the kids for a birthday party! Super-family-friendly and the owners and staff are so nice. The portions are large and the margaritas giant. If you're looking for gourmet Mexican cuisine, this is probably not it, but if you've got some hungry teenagers or don't want to worry about your rambunctious four-year-old bothering other diners, El Sombrero is an awesome choice.
Sweet diner that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want brunch there on the weekend, show up early or be prepared to wait. Usually no waiting for tables at dinner time, though, and their dinner menu is good. If you go, don't forget to save room for a banana split or hot fudge sundae:)
192 recommandé par les habitants
Geraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SSweet diner that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want brunch there on the weekend, show up early or be prepared to wait. Usually no waiting for tables at dinner time, though, and their dinner menu is good. If you go, don't forget to save room for a banana split or hot fudge sundae:)
Neapolitan pizza, lovely salads, and gelato. Packed nightly.
128 recommandé par les habitants
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria
4918 Rainier Ave SNeapolitan pizza, lovely salads, and gelato. Packed nightly.
Crepes (and other delicious breakfast/lunch options) in Georgetown...watch the planes take off from Boeing field if you sit outside!
44 recommandé par les habitants
Hangar Cafe
6261 13th Ave SCrepes (and other delicious breakfast/lunch options) in Georgetown...watch the planes take off from Boeing field if you sit outside!
SO DELICIOUS! If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, expect to wait.
159 recommandé par les habitants
Bar del Corso
3057 Beacon Ave SSO DELICIOUS! If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, expect to wait.
Sit outside and eat pizza! Really, really good pizza! Commune with the chickens in the chicken yard and check out the herb garden.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Humble Pie
525 Rainier Ave SSit outside and eat pizza! Really, really good pizza! Commune with the chickens in the chicken yard and check out the herb garden.
Featured on Anthony Bourdain's "The Layover" show, this is a well-loved Vietnamese institution in the Rainier Valley. Not many vegetarian options here, so if that's your thing we recommend heading to Watercress in Columbia City or Tamarind Tree in the International District.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Rainier Restaurant and BBQ
6400 Martin Luther King Jr Way SFeatured on Anthony Bourdain's "The Layover" show, this is a well-loved Vietnamese institution in the Rainier Valley. Not many vegetarian options here, so if that's your thing we recommend heading to Watercress in Columbia City or Tamarind Tree in the International District.
So this is actually a bar, as you might guess from the name, but we listed it in the food section because their entire food menu is vegetarian and they have lots of vegan options. And all of the menu items have Star Trek-inspired names. Okay, you know what you're in for. It's AWESOME.
21 recommandé par les habitants
Georgetown Liquor Company
5501 Airport Way SSo this is actually a bar, as you might guess from the name, but we listed it in the food section because their entire food menu is vegetarian and they have lots of vegan options. And all of the menu items have Star Trek-inspired names. Okay, you know what you're in for. It's AWESOME.
Mmmm. All the pokē you could wish for (including a tofu version if fish isn't for you). Traditional Hawaiian plate lunch, pokē tacos, etc. The fish is SO fresh! 6 blocks from the shiny house and easy on your wallet:)
34 recommandé par les habitants
Sam Choy's Poke to the Max
5300 Rainier Ave SMmmm. All the pokē you could wish for (including a tofu version if fish isn't for you). Traditional Hawaiian plate lunch, pokē tacos, etc. The fish is SO fresh! 6 blocks from the shiny house and easy on your wallet:)
Essentials
Large Filipino grocery store with a huge produce section, awesome seafood selection, and good prepared food and party platters.
Island Pacific Supermarket
6040 Martin Luther King Jr Way SLarge Filipino grocery store with a huge produce section, awesome seafood selection, and good prepared food and party platters.
Large natural foods coop. Huge organic produce and bulk food selection, standard groceries, and a giant deli and prepared foods area (including a taco bar and made-to-order ramen bar). Great stop for picking up picnic supplies or groceries for your stay.
243 recommandé par les habitants
PCC Community Markets - Columbia City
3610 S Edmunds StLarge natural foods coop. Huge organic produce and bulk food selection, standard groceries, and a giant deli and prepared foods area (including a taco bar and made-to-order ramen bar). Great stop for picking up picnic supplies or groceries for your stay.
For those of you who are Trader Joe's fanatics, this location is probably most convenient to the shiny house.
226 recommandé par les habitants
Trader Joe's
4545 Fauntleroy Way SWFor those of you who are Trader Joe's fanatics, this location is probably most convenient to the shiny house.
Rocket Crossfit
5720 Rainier Ave SOur local crossfit gym.
Great selection of local and imported wines, and wine tastings on Thursday evenings. The owners give good advice, whether you're looking for $9 or a $90 bottle.
Vino Verite
4908 Rainier Ave SGreat selection of local and imported wines, and wine tastings on Thursday evenings. The owners give good advice, whether you're looking for $9 or a $90 bottle.
One of the few independently-owned butcher shops in the city - this is where the locals go to get the best cuts of meat and good advice on how to prepare it.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Bob's Quality Meats
4861 Rainier Ave SOne of the few independently-owned butcher shops in the city - this is where the locals go to get the best cuts of meat and good advice on how to prepare it.
Local gym with free weights, machines, and classes
10 recommandé par les habitants
Rainier Health & Fitness
7722 Rainier Ave SLocal gym with free weights, machines, and classes
Shopping
Every Wednesday, May - October from 3:00 - 7:00, you can join the rest of us at the Columbia City Farmers Market. Over 40 farmers, cheese makers, etc. pack the two blocks between 35th and 37th on S. Edmunds. There's a large, grassy park adjacent to the market, and good prepared food options, so bring a blanket, do your shopping, and have a picnic!
54 recommandé par les habitants
Columbia City Farmers Market
37th Avenue SouthEvery Wednesday, May - October from 3:00 - 7:00, you can join the rest of us at the Columbia City Farmers Market. Over 40 farmers, cheese makers, etc. pack the two blocks between 35th and 37th on S. Edmunds. There's a large, grassy park adjacent to the market, and good prepared food options, so bring a blanket, do your shopping, and have a picnic!
My favorite women's consignment store. Nice selection of clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Gather
4863 Rainier Ave SMy favorite women's consignment store. Nice selection of clothes, shoes, and jewelry.
One of only three recycled Eileen Fisher clothing stores in the country. Need some fancy threads but don't want to buy new? Go get yourself an outfit or two!
22 recommandé par les habitants
Eileen Fisher
4860 Rainier Ave SOne of only three recycled Eileen Fisher clothing stores in the country. Need some fancy threads but don't want to buy new? Go get yourself an outfit or two!
Retroactive Kids
4859 Rainier Ave SExcellent toy store - fun for adults and kids!
Entertainment & Activities
Our very own neighborhood cinema. Showing first-run movies, great popcorn, awesome owner. We love this place
114 recommandé par les habitants
Ark Lodge Cinemas
4816 Rainier Ave SOur very own neighborhood cinema. Showing first-run movies, great popcorn, awesome owner. We love this place
The Rainier Beach Pool is brand new and beautiful. There's an Olympic-size lap pool with a diving board, and then another separate pool/playground with bath-temperature water, corkscrew slide, a lazy river, wading pool, etc. There's also a hot tub and dry sauna. And it's a bargain! Check http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/Pools/rainierbeach/schedule.htm for schedule.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Rainier Beach Pool
8825 Rainier Ave SThe Rainier Beach Pool is brand new and beautiful. There's an Olympic-size lap pool with a diving board, and then another separate pool/playground with bath-temperature water, corkscrew slide, a lazy river, wading pool, etc. There's also a hot tub and dry sauna. And it's a bargain! Check http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/Pools/rainierbeach/schedule.htm for schedule.
Getting Around
The Columbia City light rail stop is a mile from the shiny house. It gets you to the International District in 12 minutes, or to the University District in 25 minutes. Runs 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM and during rush hour there's a train every 6 minutes. You can walk to the station, take an Uber, or take the #7 bus which you can catch 2 blocks from the shiny house.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Link Light Rail
Link Light RailThe Columbia City light rail stop is a mile from the shiny house. It gets you to the International District in 12 minutes, or to the University District in 25 minutes. Runs 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM and during rush hour there's a train every 6 minutes. You can walk to the station, take an Uber, or take the #7 bus which you can catch 2 blocks from the shiny house.
If you've arrived without a car but decide you want one to head up to the mountains, etc., there's an Enterprise car rental in Georgetown. They will pick you up and drop you off, and they usually have amazing weekend rates during the spring, fall and winter.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
6520 4th Ave SIf you've arrived without a car but decide you want one to head up to the mountains, etc., there's an Enterprise car rental in Georgetown. They will pick you up and drop you off, and they usually have amazing weekend rates during the spring, fall and winter.