Susan’s guidebook
Hiking, backpacking, climbing, and snowshoeing
Visit the Washington Trails Association (www.wta.org) for ideas on hikes, backpacks, and snowshoeing trips that match your skills and interest. Susan is a hike leader and happy to provide you with recommendations.
This is the best online guide to hiking in Washington state.
15 locals recommend
Washington Trails Association
705 2nd AveThis is the best online guide to hiking in Washington state.
Great places to hear live music
Seattle has a fantastic music scene and we spend a lot of time enjoying it.
A wide variety of music shows. In Fremont (aka Center of the Universe)
75 locals recommend
Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th StA wide variety of music shows. In Fremont (aka Center of the Universe)
This is the best place to hear music in Seattle. Great food, great music, reasonable prices. Go early to get a seat. In Columbia City.
121 locals recommend
The Royal Room Seattle
5000 Rainier Ave SThis is the best place to hear music in Seattle. Great food, great music, reasonable prices. Go early to get a seat. In Columbia City.
The Triple Door has concert seating and excellent bands. For a more low-key experience that's also free, the Musicquarium has a bar and a small dance floor. A very pleasant place for Happy Hour. In downtown Seattle
95 locals recommend
The Triple Door
216 Union StThe Triple Door has concert seating and excellent bands. For a more low-key experience that's also free, the Musicquarium has a bar and a small dance floor. A very pleasant place for Happy Hour. In downtown Seattle
Live music in West Seattle! Local bands, good bar, close to home.
6 locals recommend
Parliament Tavern
4210 SW Admiral WayLive music in West Seattle! Local bands, good bar, close to home.
Upscale bar and restaurant with great music. In Pike's Place downtown.
236 locals recommend
The Pink Door
1919 Post AlleyUpscale bar and restaurant with great music. In Pike's Place downtown.
Bookstore/cafe/music/jams/poetry readings... fun! http://www.buonobuzzard.com/. In Greenwood.
17 locals recommend
Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe
8310 Greenwood Ave NBookstore/cafe/music/jams/poetry readings... fun! http://www.buonobuzzard.com/. In Greenwood.
Hosts monthly concerts through the Seattle Folklore Society. See http://www.seafolklore.org/wp/ for a schedule.
8 locals recommend
Phinney Neighborhood Association
6532 Phinney Ave NHosts monthly concerts through the Seattle Folklore Society. See http://www.seafolklore.org/wp/ for a schedule.
Great places to dance
Seattle has a diverse and lively dance scene!
A beautiful old ballroom with swing, salsa, and lots more. In Capitol Hill.
72 locals recommend
Century Ballroom
915 E Pine StA beautiful old ballroom with swing, salsa, and lots more. In Capitol Hill.
Wide variety of music. Small dance floor right next to the stage.
121 locals recommend
The Royal Room Seattle
5000 Rainier Ave SWide variety of music. Small dance floor right next to the stage.
Swing dance every Friday with fantastic live bands. Search for "Eastside Stomp" on Facebook. In Kirkland/
Aria Ballroom
15300 NE 95th StSwing dance every Friday with fantastic live bands. Search for "Eastside Stomp" on Facebook. In Kirkland/
amber
2214 1st AveTango Happy Hour, Tuesdays: https://www.facebook.com/tangohappyhour/
Parliament Tavern
4210 SW Admiral WayLocal bands, close to home. Small dance floor.
Contra dancing every Friday night. Always live music and a lovely crowd. See http://seattledance.org/contra/emeraldcity for a schedule.
8 locals recommend
Phinney Neighborhood Association
6532 Phinney Ave NContra dancing every Friday night. Always live music and a lovely crowd. See http://seattledance.org/contra/emeraldcity for a schedule.
National Parks
There are 5 national parks within 3 hours of Seattle.
Rainier is one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. 2 hours from our house
151 locals recommend
Mount Rainier
Rainier is one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. 2 hours from our house
Learn about the gold rush and how it changed Seattle. 20 minutes from our house.
53 locals recommend
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
319 2nd Ave SLearn about the gold rush and how it changed Seattle. 20 minutes from our house.
An entirely different ecosystem than Rainier or the Olympics, Mt. St. Helens is a fascinating trip to a volcano. 3 hours from our house.
67 locals recommend
Mt St Helens Visitor Center
3029 Spirit Lake HwyAn entirely different ecosystem than Rainier or the Olympics, Mt. St. Helens is a fascinating trip to a volcano. 3 hours from our house.
Although not well known, the North Cascades is a stunningly beautiful park. 1.5-3 hours from our house depending on where you want to go.
74 locals recommend
North Cascades National Park
Although not well known, the North Cascades is a stunningly beautiful park. 1.5-3 hours from our house depending on where you want to go.
My favorite museums and gardens
The Bloedel Reserve
7571 NE Dolphin DrA large and lovely garden on Bainbridge Island
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StI think this is the most interesting museum in Seattle.
Museum of Pop Culture
325 5th Ave NWild!
Just a wonderful place to walk around on a sunny day. Beautiful boats on beautiful Lake Union. Right next to the Museum of History and Industry and at the end of the C line (bus route).
101 locals recommend
The Center for Wooden Boats
1010 Valley StJust a wonderful place to walk around on a sunny day. Beautiful boats on beautiful Lake Union. Right next to the Museum of History and Industry and at the end of the C line (bus route).
Tourist Traps Worth Going to
Yeah, we really do like these
Iconic Seattle. Plan to spend a few hours and be sure to visit Metsker's Maps, the Crumpet Shop, and Elleno's Yogurt. Take public transportation if possible.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveIconic Seattle. Plan to spend a few hours and be sure to visit Metsker's Maps, the Crumpet Shop, and Elleno's Yogurt. Take public transportation if possible.
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
614 1st AveWhat a hoot!
Gardens, locks, boats, views and if you're lucky, seals. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StGardens, locks, boats, views and if you're lucky, seals. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Man oh man, is this a lovely beach. Gorgeous sunsets, beautiful bike trail, kayaking, paddleboarding, rollerblading, volleyball, and a whole lot more. 10 minutes from our house.
865 locals recommend
Alki Beach
Man oh man, is this a lovely beach. Gorgeous sunsets, beautiful bike trail, kayaking, paddleboarding, rollerblading, volleyball, and a whole lot more. 10 minutes from our house.
I just love this aquarium, which features marine life from the Pacific Northwest. Small enough to be manageable, big enough to be really interesting.
390 locals recommend
Seattle Aquarium
I just love this aquarium, which features marine life from the Pacific Northwest. Small enough to be manageable, big enough to be really interesting.
Best Seattle parks
Beach and forest, a good day hike with kids. 20 minutes from our house.
756 locals recommend
Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdBeach and forest, a good day hike with kids. 20 minutes from our house.
Biking, swimming, boating, hiking on Lake Washington. Beautiful! 30 minutes from our house.
477 locals recommend
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SBiking, swimming, boating, hiking on Lake Washington. Beautiful! 30 minutes from our house.
A gorgeous walk along the beach or in the forest, a dip in an outdoor pool, a nice bike ride. 10 minutes from our house
389 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
801 S 37th StA gorgeous walk along the beach or in the forest, a dip in an outdoor pool, a nice bike ride. 10 minutes from our house