Downtown Seattle

Explore

Downtown is a tremendous destination for the performing arts. Catch a musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre, with its great sight lines throughout; a performance from the acclaimed Seattle Symphony at the acoustically blessed Benaroya Hall; or a burlesque show at The Triple Door, where you can dine while taking in the entertainment. Find fun photo ops at the Museum of Illusions and the Original Selfie Museum. If you’re inspired by all the fresh produce and fish you find at Pike Place Market and want to expand your cooking skills, try a hands-on class at Diane’s Market Kitchen or Atrium Kitchen.

Eat and Drink

For grabbing something on the go, consider the creamy macaroni and cheese at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, the lentil soup at Turkish Delight, and the cultured gelato at Hellenika Cultured Creamery. When it comes to coffee, you’ve got as many options as you could dream up. Monorail Espresso has a loyal following and multiple downtown locations, Anchorhead Coffee features appealing seasonal specials, and CU Urban Market & Cafe specializes in cream coffees with interesting flavors, like peanut butter, sweet corn, and black sesame. On a nice day, make a beeline for The Nest, a rooftop bar where you can drink in the views alongside your beverage of choice. More great sips await at Karoo Café, which brings the spirit of South Africa to Seattle with a vibrantly decorated space inside a historic building.

Shop

Browse Native-designed goods, like wool blankets, at Eighth Generation, which is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. The SAM Shop is the perfect place to look for gifts, with ceramic animal cups and jewelry from local makers, along with T-shirts and tote bags inspired by Seattle Art Museum works. In Pacific Place, there are a variety of shops worth a look, such as Proto101, a Seattle-based sustainable clothing brand, and eco-friendly Pumarosa Candles, which offers natural soy candles with wooden wicks hand-poured right here in the city.