Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
This Italian restaurant has been around for 30 years, and when you try it, you'll know why! Try the lasagne, it's their best kept secret.
33 locals recommend
Cafe Lago
2305 24th Ave EThis Italian restaurant has been around for 30 years, and when you try it, you'll know why! Try the lasagne, it's their best kept secret.
The café and paddle club is a go-to for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in Portage Bay. Afterwards, order a margarita and our favorite salmon tacos at their restaurant overlooking Lake Union.
168 locals recommend
Agua Verde Paddle Club
1307 NE Boat StThe café and paddle club is a go-to for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in Portage Bay. Afterwards, order a margarita and our favorite salmon tacos at their restaurant overlooking Lake Union.
Westward is on the shores of Lake Union and locals often arrive by on boat and tie up on the dock during dinner. On a sunny day, relax on an adirondack, or by the fire pit with stunning views of Lake Union and the city, where they offer full drink service. They are known for their fresh oysters, and seafood dishes that rotate daily.
Be sure to visit their market next-door, Little Gull. It is one of the best places in the city to get fresh market fish to cooking back at the guest suite.
172 locals recommend
Westward
2501 N Northlake WayWestward is on the shores of Lake Union and locals often arrive by on boat and tie up on the dock during dinner. On a sunny day, relax on an adirondack, or by the fire pit with stunning views of Lake Union and the city, where they offer full drink service. They are known for their fresh oysters, and seafood dishes that rotate daily.
Be sure to visit their market next-door, Little Gull. It is one of the best places in the city to get fresh market fish to cooking back at the guest suite.
Monsoon blends traditional Vietnamese cuisine with Pacific Northwest innovation. The owners grew up in Saigon, where the cuisine was influenced not only by what was freshest every day, but by Chinese and European cooking traditions. There is never a bad time to visit Monsoon, brunch is amazing, as is the drink and dinner menu!
115 locals recommend
Monsoon Seattle
615 19th Ave EMonsoon blends traditional Vietnamese cuisine with Pacific Northwest innovation. The owners grew up in Saigon, where the cuisine was influenced not only by what was freshest every day, but by Chinese and European cooking traditions. There is never a bad time to visit Monsoon, brunch is amazing, as is the drink and dinner menu!
Molly Moon's is a local ice cream shop, and there is almost always a line out the door! They source 90% of their ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.
468 locals recommend
Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
917 E Pine StMolly Moon's is a local ice cream shop, and there is almost always a line out the door! They source 90% of their ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.
Fuel is a favorite among the locals, their hand-crafted lattes and cappuccinos are the best in the neighborhood! Try their cold brew and soak up the sun on the patio.
78 locals recommend
Fuel Coffee
1705 N 45th StFuel is a favorite among the locals, their hand-crafted lattes and cappuccinos are the best in the neighborhood! Try their cold brew and soak up the sun on the patio.
Sightseeing
Pike Place Market is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of hundreds of farmers, craftspeople, small businesses and residents. It's an extremely popular tourist destination and one of the best places in the city for lunch, with more than 80 restaurants and food stands. Visit Ruebens, a Bavarian Meat Deli, Michou Deli, Rachel's Ginger Beer, the Alibi Room, Cafe Campagne, and the original Starbucks. Beecher’s handmade cheese is locally made and can't be missed. Try their mac and cheese with a side of tomato soup (with extra cheese and croutons of course)!
2311 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AvePike Place Market is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of hundreds of farmers, craftspeople, small businesses and residents. It's an extremely popular tourist destination and one of the best places in the city for lunch, with more than 80 restaurants and food stands. Visit Ruebens, a Bavarian Meat Deli, Michou Deli, Rachel's Ginger Beer, the Alibi Room, Cafe Campagne, and the original Starbucks. Beecher’s handmade cheese is locally made and can't be missed. Try their mac and cheese with a side of tomato soup (with extra cheese and croutons of course)!
Rent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat and paddle around the Union Bay Natural Area admiring the wildlife such as Bald Eagles, Osprey (also known as Seahawks), and various types waterfowl. Their boat selection can accommodate a single paddler up to a group of four, pack a picnic and paddle to the Washington Arboretum and enjoy the protected waterways and hiking trails that provide spectacular animal and people watching.
44 locals recommend
University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
3710 Montlake Blvd NERent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat and paddle around the Union Bay Natural Area admiring the wildlife such as Bald Eagles, Osprey (also known as Seahawks), and various types waterfowl. Their boat selection can accommodate a single paddler up to a group of four, pack a picnic and paddle to the Washington Arboretum and enjoy the protected waterways and hiking trails that provide spectacular animal and people watching.
Shopping
The owners of this local bike shop handpicks every model to ensure a diverse selection based on value, riding style, and experience level. They offer guaranteed rental reservations as well as walk-in rentals for a day or for the entire stay.
18 locals recommend
Montlake Bicycle Shop
2223 24th Ave EThe owners of this local bike shop handpicks every model to ensure a diverse selection based on value, riding style, and experience level. They offer guaranteed rental reservations as well as walk-in rentals for a day or for the entire stay.
University Village is Seattle’s only outdoor lifestyle shopping center, offering a unique mix of locally-owned boutiques, signature national retailers, and a distinct collection of restaurants and eateries.
With more than 120 stores and restaurants, University Village is the exclusive destination in Washington to find notable brands such as Room & Board, RH Gallery, Brandy Melville, Pottery Barn Kids, and Scotch & Soda.
403 locals recommend
University Village
2623 NE University Village StUniversity Village is Seattle’s only outdoor lifestyle shopping center, offering a unique mix of locally-owned boutiques, signature national retailers, and a distinct collection of restaurants and eateries.
With more than 120 stores and restaurants, University Village is the exclusive destination in Washington to find notable brands such as Room & Board, RH Gallery, Brandy Melville, Pottery Barn Kids, and Scotch & Soda.
Entertainment & Activities
Husky Stadium is an outdoor football stadium, with views to Lake Washington, located on the campus of the University of Washington. Just a ten minute walk from Montlake House. Go Huskys!
32 locals recommend
98105
Husky Stadium is an outdoor football stadium, with views to Lake Washington, located on the campus of the University of Washington. Just a ten minute walk from Montlake House. Go Huskys!
Arts & Culture
The Henry is internationally recognized for bold and challenging exhibitions, for pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and culture, and for being the first to premiere new works by established and emerging artists.
72 locals recommend
Henry Art Gallery
Northeast 41st StreetThe Henry is internationally recognized for bold and challenging exhibitions, for pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and culture, and for being the first to premiere new works by established and emerging artists.
SAM has been the center for world-class visual arts in the Pacific Northwest since 1933. Visit SAM to see a museum carved into the city, as much a part of Seattle's landscape and personality as the coffee, rain, mountains, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle.
1076 locals recommend
Seattle Selfie Museum
92 Union StSAM has been the center for world-class visual arts in the Pacific Northwest since 1933. Visit SAM to see a museum carved into the city, as much a part of Seattle's landscape and personality as the coffee, rain, mountains, Pike Place Market, and the Space Needle.
Parks & Nature
The Arboretum is a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Washington. Jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle, its 230 acres contain a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. Take a walk through the Arboretum and discover this beautiful living collection.
313 locals recommend
Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens
2300 Arboretum Dr EThe Arboretum is a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Washington. Jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle, its 230 acres contain a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. Take a walk through the Arboretum and discover this beautiful living collection.
The Seattle Japanese Garden is a 3.5 acre garden in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle. Located in the southern end of the Washington Park Arboretum, it is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in North America, and is regarded as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the United States
203 locals recommend
Seattle Japanese Garden
1075 Lake Washington Blvd EThe Seattle Japanese Garden is a 3.5 acre garden in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle. Located in the southern end of the Washington Park Arboretum, it is one of the oldest Japanese gardens in North America, and is regarded as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the United States
Made up of 3,426 glass panes fit into a wood and iron framework, this Victorian-style greenhouse structure is modeled on London's Crystal Palace. Inside, the Volunteer Park Conservatory is divided into five display houses: bromeliads, ferns, palms, seasonal, and cacti/succulents.
Free admission for all first Thursday and Saturday of each month.
101 locals recommend
Volunteer Park Conservatory
1400 E Galer StMade up of 3,426 glass panes fit into a wood and iron framework, this Victorian-style greenhouse structure is modeled on London's Crystal Palace. Inside, the Volunteer Park Conservatory is divided into five display houses: bromeliads, ferns, palms, seasonal, and cacti/succulents.
Free admission for all first Thursday and Saturday of each month.