Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Easy walk from the house for a cold beer and a feel for the Seattle family scene. This is a very family-friendly, neighborhood spot. The food is so-so, but the atmosphere is inviting and generally unpretentious (except for one of the guy waiters who seems to have a chip on his shoulder). I like the nachos and the cobb salad.
51 locals recommend
The Barking Dog Alehouse
705 NW 70th StEasy walk from the house for a cold beer and a feel for the Seattle family scene. This is a very family-friendly, neighborhood spot. The food is so-so, but the atmosphere is inviting and generally unpretentious (except for one of the guy waiters who seems to have a chip on his shoulder). I like the nachos and the cobb salad.
Amazing thin-crust pizza and salads. This place is POPULAR, so go when they open and/or expect to wait a while. The bar next door is great, so if you have to wait there, no big deal.
123 locals recommend
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StAmazing thin-crust pizza and salads. This place is POPULAR, so go when they open and/or expect to wait a while. The bar next door is great, so if you have to wait there, no big deal.
Four Spoons Cafe
850 NW 85th StGood breakfast spot, walkable.
Wild Mountain Cafe
1408 NW 85th StYum. Breakfast.
To die for sandwiches, especially recommend the BLAT. They also have daily dinner specials, things like meatloaf and mac-n-cheese. They sell wine and beer and a few random groceries too. There is a discount code on the fridge. Weird hours in the morning though, so don't count on them for a coffee early in the morning.
34 locals recommend
Take 5 Urban Market
6757 8th Ave NWTo die for sandwiches, especially recommend the BLAT. They also have daily dinner specials, things like meatloaf and mac-n-cheese. They sell wine and beer and a few random groceries too. There is a discount code on the fridge. Weird hours in the morning though, so don't count on them for a coffee early in the morning.
It's a bit of a walk (or you could just drive)...but you'll be happy you did it. This is a Danish bakery with a wide variety of delicious offerings, some Danish, some not. Good bread too.
60 locals recommend
Larsen's Bakery
8000 24th Ave NWIt's a bit of a walk (or you could just drive)...but you'll be happy you did it. This is a Danish bakery with a wide variety of delicious offerings, some Danish, some not. Good bread too.
Really...the place to go for breakfast in this area. Get there early if you can, especially on the weekends.
35 locals recommend
Pete's Eggnest
7717 Greenwood Ave NReally...the place to go for breakfast in this area. Get there early if you can, especially on the weekends.
Tutta Bella Pizzeria is a favorite of families, as well as couples. Food is affordable, especially during happy hour, and the thin crust pizza is delicious. Kids are given pizza dough to play with, and there is always the option of fresh gelato for dessert.
65 locals recommend
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - Wallingford
4411 Stone Way NTutta Bella Pizzeria is a favorite of families, as well as couples. Food is affordable, especially during happy hour, and the thin crust pizza is delicious. Kids are given pizza dough to play with, and there is always the option of fresh gelato for dessert.
Saffron Grill is one of our family's favorite places to eat, especially because it differs from the typical burger joints and seafood restaurants in the city. The owner and all the waiters are extremely pleasant, and the food is to-die-for Indian cuisine. Personal favorites are the Butter Chicken, Paneer Naan, Basmati Rice, and a glass of Chai Tea.
Their other restaurant is Taste of India, located in the U-District.
33 locals recommend
Saffron Grill
2132 N Northgate WaySaffron Grill is one of our family's favorite places to eat, especially because it differs from the typical burger joints and seafood restaurants in the city. The owner and all the waiters are extremely pleasant, and the food is to-die-for Indian cuisine. Personal favorites are the Butter Chicken, Paneer Naan, Basmati Rice, and a glass of Chai Tea.
Their other restaurant is Taste of India, located in the U-District.
Nutty Squirrel is a newer Gelato shop on the main street of Greenwood. They give big scoops, and their ice cream is fresh and delicious. The owners and workers are very nice, and there is a nice place for kids to hang out in as well.
20 locals recommend
Nutty Squirrel Gelato - Phinney Wood
7212 Greenwood Ave NNutty Squirrel is a newer Gelato shop on the main street of Greenwood. They give big scoops, and their ice cream is fresh and delicious. The owners and workers are very nice, and there is a nice place for kids to hang out in as well.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you like beer (or cider), this place is a must. Just an easy walk up the street, it's a local hangout (but not the uber-hipster locals, just the normal folks). It is family-friendly, dog-friendly, and everything-goes friendly. This place used to be a mini-mart and some genius(es) have morphed it a chill corner pub. You can also get ice cream btw, and you can buy snacks from the mini-mart still. There is a rotating food truck schedule, so you can also grab a bite and sit outside at the picnic tables. Check their website for the food truck schedule.
91 locals recommend
Chuck's Hop Shop & Kegs To Go
656 NW 85th StIf you like beer (or cider), this place is a must. Just an easy walk up the street, it's a local hangout (but not the uber-hipster locals, just the normal folks). It is family-friendly, dog-friendly, and everything-goes friendly. This place used to be a mini-mart and some genius(es) have morphed it a chill corner pub. You can also get ice cream btw, and you can buy snacks from the mini-mart still. There is a rotating food truck schedule, so you can also grab a bite and sit outside at the picnic tables. Check their website for the food truck schedule.
Family-friendly...not that you'll see a ton of kids here, but you are allowed to bring them. This is a VERY small place with a good atmosphere, good coffee, flatbreads, etc. The other places on 65th are worth checking out too.
35 locals recommend
The Dray
708 NW 65th StFamily-friendly...not that you'll see a ton of kids here, but you are allowed to bring them. This is a VERY small place with a good atmosphere, good coffee, flatbreads, etc. The other places on 65th are worth checking out too.
Great happy-hour for food. Good atmosphere indoor and outdoor seating. Kids are allowed, at least in most of the venue.
73 locals recommend
The Yard Cafe
8313 Greenwood Ave NGreat happy-hour for food. Good atmosphere indoor and outdoor seating. Kids are allowed, at least in most of the venue.
Decent beer, good local scene, family-friendly. Decent food, outside seating.
58 locals recommend
Naked City Brewery & Taphouse
8564 Greenwood Ave NDecent beer, good local scene, family-friendly. Decent food, outside seating.
Unexpected Productions Improv
1428 Post AlleyMinors allowed to most shows.
Parks & Nature
You can walk here from the house and/or drive the stairs down from in front of Caffe Fiore at 32nd Ave NW & NW 85th St...it gets crowded on sunny days, so this is a better option (if you're up for the stairclimb back up) than driving down and parking.
728 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWYou can walk here from the house and/or drive the stairs down from in front of Caffe Fiore at 32nd Ave NW & NW 85th St...it gets crowded on sunny days, so this is a better option (if you're up for the stairclimb back up) than driving down and parking.
Watch the sunset, or just take in the view of the sailboats and the sound. Have a picnic in the grass. This is a nice, easy jog from the house, 1.5 miles each way. Just take a right out of the house and follow 75 th to the end.
83 locals recommend
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NWWatch the sunset, or just take in the view of the sailboats and the sound. Have a picnic in the grass. This is a nice, easy jog from the house, 1.5 miles each way. Just take a right out of the house and follow 75 th to the end.
There is a trail for walking/jogging/biking around the lake (just shy of 3 miles around). You can rent SUP, kayaks, paddleboats etc near the community center (in a little house on the lake). Tons of coffeeshops, restaurants, frozen yogurt, etc near the lake. There is a PCC grocery store also in walking distance if you want picnic supplies. This is definitely a popular place on a sunny day (and even not so sunny). If you're looking for parking, try the residential streets near the Bathhouse Theatre, most street parking is 2 hour.
18 locals recommend
Green Lake Community Center
7201 East Green Lake Dr NThere is a trail for walking/jogging/biking around the lake (just shy of 3 miles around). You can rent SUP, kayaks, paddleboats etc near the community center (in a little house on the lake). Tons of coffeeshops, restaurants, frozen yogurt, etc near the lake. There is a PCC grocery store also in walking distance if you want picnic supplies. This is definitely a popular place on a sunny day (and even not so sunny). If you're looking for parking, try the residential streets near the Bathhouse Theatre, most street parking is 2 hour.
Essentials
Fred Meyer
915 NW 45th StGroceries and everything else.
Swedish Emergency Room - Ballard (Northwest Seattle)
5350 Tallman Ave NWVery nice gym with good classes and nice locker room with hot tub and sauna. $10-$15 for a day pass.
12 locals recommend
Olympic Athletic Club
5301 Leary Ave NWVery nice gym with good classes and nice locker room with hot tub and sauna. $10-$15 for a day pass.
Bartells are located all over Seattle, and are a good place to stop if in need of a snack or quick present. They have everything from travel sized soaps to milk. They also can develop photos and they have a pharmacy in the back.
175 locals recommend
Bartell Drugs
6401 12th Ave NEBartells are located all over Seattle, and are a good place to stop if in need of a snack or quick present. They have everything from travel sized soaps to milk. They also can develop photos and they have a pharmacy in the back.
Century Nails is our favorite place for a mani/pedi or quick beauty treatment. They have a special place in our hearts, due to the fact that they helped find a cancerous tumor in our daughter's best friend's leg. Without the staff of the spa, there is no telling how long we would've gone without knowing the tumor was there. They truly are life-saving.
Century Nails and Spa
6015 Phinney Ave NCentury Nails is our favorite place for a mani/pedi or quick beauty treatment. They have a special place in our hearts, due to the fact that they helped find a cancerous tumor in our daughter's best friend's leg. Without the staff of the spa, there is no telling how long we would've gone without knowing the tumor was there. They truly are life-saving.
Entertainment & Activities
A cute and classy movie theater, with cushy seats and average priced tickets/concessions. They only have three or four films to offer, but it's perfect for a dreary day.
96 locals recommend
Majestic Bay Theatres
2044 NW Market StA cute and classy movie theater, with cushy seats and average priced tickets/concessions. They only have three or four films to offer, but it's perfect for a dreary day.
The Woodland Park Zoo is not too far of a walk, and is home to hundreds of animals. Tickets are $20 for adults and $13 for kids, and the zoo is open from April 1st till September 30th. During the winter time when the animal exhibits are shut down, there is an attraction called WildLights, where thousands of bright lights are strung up around the zoo in different formations.
625 locals recommend
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NThe Woodland Park Zoo is not too far of a walk, and is home to hundreds of animals. Tickets are $20 for adults and $13 for kids, and the zoo is open from April 1st till September 30th. During the winter time when the animal exhibits are shut down, there is an attraction called WildLights, where thousands of bright lights are strung up around the zoo in different formations.
The Ballard Locks are an nice place to spend a sunny afternoon, watching the boats go by and possibly eating a picnic. During the summer, and best during September, it is possible to watch the salmon climbing the fish ladder in the Locks. There is an above ground and below water level viewing point, and all parts of the Locks are free.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StThe Ballard Locks are an nice place to spend a sunny afternoon, watching the boats go by and possibly eating a picnic. During the summer, and best during September, it is possible to watch the salmon climbing the fish ladder in the Locks. There is an above ground and below water level viewing point, and all parts of the Locks are free.
Sightseeing
Seattle is typically known for the Space Needle, and it appears in many works of literature and film. Tickets aren't too expensive to go up the Needle, but unless you buy them online there is typically a waiting period at the ticket kiosk. Going to the bottom and taking a look at the structure itself is equally interesting, and more affordable.
Tickets to the Space Needle & Chihuly Gardens are available as a joint pass, and are around $30.
1748 locals recommend
Space Needle
400 Broad StSeattle is typically known for the Space Needle, and it appears in many works of literature and film. Tickets aren't too expensive to go up the Needle, but unless you buy them online there is typically a waiting period at the ticket kiosk. Going to the bottom and taking a look at the structure itself is equally interesting, and more affordable.
Tickets to the Space Needle & Chihuly Gardens are available as a joint pass, and are around $30.
The Great Wheel is a favorite place for couples and tourist-oriented families. The Wheel is great for watching the incoming ferries on the sound, or the busy city life below, and is perfect in rain or shine. Up to 8 people can be seated in the large glass enclosed gondola, which provides a slow, smooth ride. At night, the Wheel is lit up with white lights, and during sports games and holidays the lights are changed to different colors.
347 locals recommend
The Seattle Great Wheel
1301 Alaskan WayThe Great Wheel is a favorite place for couples and tourist-oriented families. The Wheel is great for watching the incoming ferries on the sound, or the busy city life below, and is perfect in rain or shine. Up to 8 people can be seated in the large glass enclosed gondola, which provides a slow, smooth ride. At night, the Wheel is lit up with white lights, and during sports games and holidays the lights are changed to different colors.