Green Lake/Phinney Ridge/Greenwood

Photo: Joe Wolf

Photo: Patrick Rohe

Photo: GoRun26

Photo: pat Strosahl

These charming, tree-shaded neighborhoods have a wealth of inviting restaurants, stylish boutiques, and leafy parks.

A family of four from North Seattle neighborhoods smiles as they reach toward a penguin swimming behind the glass at a zoo exhibit. The penguin appears to interact with the young children, who are excitedly touching the glass. The scene is vibrant and joyful.

Explore

Home to more than 1,000 animals from around the world, the Woodland Park Zoo (5500 Phinney Ave N) is always a delight, even on drizzly days. There are more than a dozen indoor or sheltered habitats, including a tropical rainforest. Adjacent to the zoo, the free 2.5-acre Woodland Park Rose Garden is usually in full bloom by mid-May, and Woodland Park (1000 N 50th St) and neighboring Green Lake Park (7201 E Green Lake Dr N) offer year-round fun and recreation.

Eat and Drink

Convivial Holy Mountain Phinney Ridge Taproom (7011 Greenwood Ave N) scores points for its sheer variety of interesting beer, from saisons fermented in wine barrels to silky stouts. Red Mill (312 N 67th St) is a favorite for juicy burgers and luscious milkshakes, and The Chicken Supply (7410 Greenwood Ave N) stands out for inventive Filipino cooking. Farther north in Greenwood, dine on sustainably raised filet mignon and venison loin at swanky FlintCreek Cattle Co. (8421 Greenwood Ave N) and wine-focused Italian fare at Lioness (7009 Greenwood Ave N), by acclaimed chef Renee Erickson. Green Lake hot spots include Wooden City Tavern (7110 East Green Lake Dr N) for creative pizzas and gastropub fare, and Duke’s Seafood (7850 Green Lake Dr N), a top destination for crab cakes, chowder, and rockfish tacos.

Shop

Greenwood Avenue and Northwest 85th Street buzz with cool shops, including kid-approved Snapdoodle Toys & Games (120 N 85th St) and Dreamstrands Comics & Such (115 N 85th St). The Phinery (7601 Greenwood Ave N) stocks well-curated housewares and gifts, and Labels (7220 Greenwood Ave N) carries high-quality second-hand women’s fashion.