Capitol Hill

Explore

Streets lined with meticulously kept homes and verdant parks are hallmarks of this walkable neighborhood. The crown jewel is 50-acre Volunteer Park (1247 15th Ave E), with its grand views of the downtown skyline and the Olympic Mountains—climb the historic water tower for the best perspective. Park attractions include Seattle Asian Art Museum (1400 E Prospect St) and the flora-filled Volunteer Park Conservatory (1400 E Galer St), with its impressive collections of palms, cacti, and bromeliads. Another lovely spot for a stroll is Cal Anderson Park (1635 11th Ave), which is named after Washington state’s first openly gay legislator. At the north end of this park is the moving and beautiful AIDS Memorial Pathway (920 E Barbara Bailey Way), with its colorful art installations.

Eat and Drink

Head to friendly Tacos Chukis (219 Broadway E) and Carmelo’s Tacos (110 Summit Ave E) for flavor-packed burritos, tacos, and Mexican soft drinks and aguas frescas, and to buzzy Bad Chancla (1525 E Olive Way) to dine on tasty renditions of Latin American street food—think Cuban sandwiches and vegan picadillo rice bowls. Casual Paparepas (1620 Broadway) serves authentic Venezuelan arepas and empanadas, adorable Mitten Sweets & Coffee (H509 13th Ave) carries a mouthwatering assortment of Japanese-inspired French pastries (try the yuzu lemon cake), and Pinoyshki Bakery & Cafe (715 E Pine St) is a cute mod space turning out scrumptious Eastern European and Filipino treats, from vegan borscht to piroshki meat pies. Sankaku Onigiri Cafe & Bar (1531 Melrose Ave) prepares tasty salmon-basil rice balls, seaweed salad, and fine sakes inside the hip Melrose Market (1527 Melrose Ave) food hall, and Ramie (1529 14th Ave) presents a menu of inventive contemporary Vietnamese fare and exceptional craft cocktails. Plum Chopped (1419 12th Ave) doles out healthy salads and bowls, and hip Post Pike Bar & Cafe (212 Broadway E) is a top spot for late-night drinks and hearty sandwiches. Energize your day with bagels, pastries, and house-made chai at comfy Cafe Argento (1125 E Olive St) or Overcast Coffee Company (312 15th Ave E), near Volunteer Park. And treat yourself to luscious small-batch ice cream at Sweet Alchemy (1424 11th Ave).

Shop

The Pike/Pine and Broadway corridors are lined with independent boutiques and shops carrying all manner of novel gifts, housewares, and fashion. A few notables include Marine Layer (319 E Pine St) and the New York Xchange (225 Broadway E) for picking out the perfect threads for a night on the town, and Station 7 (400 15th Ave E) and Butter Home (1424 11th Ave) for unique housewares and jewelry.