Downtown Seattle

Explore

Peruse the renowned collections of the Seattle Art Museum (1300 First Ave), highlights of which include the Indigenous, Asian, ancient Mediterranean, and decorative arts and design galleries—keep an eye out for the compelling temporary exhibits too. Have a look inside the 11-story Seattle Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave), one of the city’s most captivating contemporary architectural works. The light-filled interior is perfect for reading, studying, and relaxing. The new Museum of Illusions (1330 Fifth Ave), set inside the historic Skinner Building, presents mind-bending, Instagram-worthy interactive installations that appear to defy reality. Get a bird’s-eye perspective on Seattle from the 73rd-floor Sky View Observatory (700 Fourth Ave).

Eat and Drink

Treat yourself to a filling morning meal at Mr. West (720 Olive Way), which is also known for well-crafted coffee drinks, brunch cocktails, and delicious shakshuka, or Ludi’s (120 Stewart St; ludisrestaurantwa.com), a lively diner known for hearty dishes like country-fried steak, brioche French toast, and biscuits smothered in white peppered gravy. Conversation (110 Stewart St), in the stylish Thompson Seattle hotel, is another winning breakfast spot. For a picnic to enjoy at Victor Steinbrueck Park (2001 Western Ave), which recently reopened following a complete redesign, pick up local provisions at Kitchen & Market (1926 Pike Pl) or Oriental Mart (1506 Pike Pl, #509)—the latter also contains a family-owned Filipino eatery that’s been recognized with a James Beard Award. Downtown has no shortage of welcoming bars, including Radiator Whiskey (94 Pike St), serving cocktails aged in charred-oak barrels; the White Horse Tavern (1908 Post Alley), a traditional British-inspired pub with a nice selection of imported beers and whiskeys; and the speakeasy-style Diller Room (1224 First Ave), which occupies a former 1890s hotel with pressed-tin ceilings and a mosaic floor.

Shop

The amazingly diverse and colorful Pike Place Market (85 Pike St) overflows with boutiques and vendors. Intriguing stops include the Market Magic Shop (1501 Pike Pl, #427), where you can pick up tricks and card games to amaze your friends, and Old Seattle Paperworks (1501 Pike Pl, #424), a trove of vintage magazines, newspapers, posters, and advertising art. Moon Valley Organics (1903 Pike Pl) carries herb-infused natural balms, lotions, and soaps, and Golden Age Collectibles (1501 Pike St, #401) bills itself as the world’s oldest comic shop. Elsewhere downtown, discover the latest fashions at the flagship Nordstrom (500 Pine St) department store, and explore the unique boutiques and galleries inside Pacific Place (600 Pine St).