My review of Seattle’s many many neighborhoods continues. You can find my first collection of Seattle neighborhoods HERE. Dare to go beyond Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the touristy waterfront the really DIG DEEP into Seattle’s vibrant neighborhoods.
One thing I will say about Seattle…it is a HILLY town. You will find yourself constantly driving/walking/biking up and down steep hillsides…and the closer you are to the water, the steeper the hills seem to be. Just a heads up!
Seattle’s vibrant neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods in Seattle for families. Enrich your experience of the city…here’s how.
Pioneer Square
Just south of downtown, this is one of the oldest areas of the city, made famous by the very famous Seattle Underground Tour. I HIGHLY recommend this tour! (No, they didn’t pay me to say that.) Pioneer Square is also the place for the night owl and the party animal, as there are many clubs, bars, and restaurants to explore.
Several art galleries are located here and be sure to check out a couple of the great coffee houses. NOT Starbucks! Take your coffee to go and then check out Waterfall Garden, a nice little urban area with a 22-foot waterfall, located just behind Occidental Square Park. The whole area is just charming, with old-school cobblestone streets and a lively atmosphere.
Downtown
Located near the waterfront, there are many scenic spots to grab that cup of joe, sit down and just enjoy the view. But when you’re ready to get a little more active and let your feet take you where you want to go, check out the Sculpture Park. It’s a combination of art and the outdoors.
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is a building you can’t miss. The building itself may be somewhat unassuming but the real draw to the eye is the 50-foot-tall animated metal sculpture called Hammering Man. Yep, he moves. Inside the museum, multiple floors of exhibitions with art from around the world will entertain you for hours.
For you bookworms, or for those that just love a really cool building the Seattle downtown Library is a must-stop.
Alki Beach
One of the most picturesque areas of town. Beach Drive is Seattle’s answer to L.A.’s Highway 1 running through Santa Monica (minus the impressive Ferris wheel). Stop at Alki Beach Park for killer views of the Seattle skyline across Elliott Bay. Everyone has seen a photo of the Seattle skyline from the north, here is your view from the south. In my opinion, this one is WAY better, because you have the water in the foreground.
Alki Beach is great for taking a stroll, a jog, playing volleyball, or even kayaking and SUP on the water. This area is West Seattle, which is chock full of great eateries with food from all over the globe. California Avenue SW is the main drag that runs north/south right in the middle of West Seattle and has some great restaurants and shops.
Fremont
Located north of the Queen Anne neighborhood is Fremont, home to the famous (or is it infamous?) Fremont Troll. You can find the troll underneath Aurora Bridge, just off of N. 36th St. But there is a lot more to this area than the Troll.
Not far away is N. Fremont and N. 35th Street, where you will find an interesting signpost that allegedly marks the center of the world. It tells you how far away major landmarks are. On Sunday (all year round) check out the Fremont Sunday Market, filled with crafts, vintage clothing, antiques, and food. During the summer and fall, several festivals are held in the neighborhood, a notable one being Oktoberfest.
Matthews Beach
Overlooking the northern end of Lake Washington, on any given summer weekend, local families overrun the place. Tents are set up, coolers are brought out and the entire beach turns into a family-friendly party. This is a great place for the little ones to wade in. Just remember, there is no lifeguard on duty!
It is a quiet, beachside community with residential houses along narrow streets, giving it a quaint, coastal feel.
Ballard
A nice neighborhood that is a little rough around the edges, but the hipster vibe is definitely here, particularly on the trendy street of Ballard Avenue, which is also the best street for shopping. For the beer fans, there are plenty of craft breweries to try out, and great pub food to go along with it.
If you do anything in this part of town, go to Golden Gardens Park. It is hands down one of the best waterfront parks in the city, with a gorgeous view of the Cascade Mountains to the west across Puget Sound. It’s a fairly large beach, with a marina, a snack stand and a big brick building that services as a changing station to get into that swimsuit for a dip in the water.
Another fantastic park here is Carkeek Park. With the west side overlooking the water, there is a nice little web of trails snaking around a forested area. There is even Salmon Slide – a salmon-themed playground for kids, where they can slide through a large-scale fish. There is even a Norwegian museum in Ballard!
