Jun 24, 2024
4 min read
The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Seattle
Get your Starbucks fix and let's get going! There's so much to see and do in the Emerald City, from the obvious Space Needle to the more niche Grey's Anatomy reenactments, and the hipster cafes and shops along the way. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about Seattle's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.
Ballard
Ballard is an upscale and residential with a historical food and shopping scene.
"Situated on Puget Sound, with impressive views of the Olympic Mountains, Golden Gardens Park attracts visitors from all over the city, especially during sunset hours. Located in the northwestern part of the city, Ballard is accessible by bus, including the RapidRide line, making it easier to get to and from downtown." -
Time Out"Polished, hot, and hyped, Ballard awaits visitors looking for a way to make their weekend trip a little bit swankier. Once a Scandinavian fishing village, Ballard still brims with pride in its bayside location and working-class roots. Have fun dancing the night away here, but don’t forget to get up and explore its nautical past." -
Thrillist
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is an upscale and hip area, Seattle's primary gayborhood, home to city landmarks and great food, shopping, and nightlife scenes.
"
What was once the heart of the city’s gay community has blossomed into the heart of the nightlife and restaurant communities -- yes, these things are related. A short hike or light-rail ride up the hill from Downtown changes the scenery from office buildings and work wear to a mix of auto-shops-turned-food halls…
" -
Thrillist"The most urbane Seattle neighborhood, Capitol Hill is home to many of the city’s award-winning restaurants and bars. As the city’s LGBTQ hub, the vibe is young, hip, artistic and literary with a prominent nightlife scene. Because of the close proximity to downtown, this eclectic area is easy to get around in, with plenty of public transit options." -
Time OutQueen Anne
Queen Anne is a more lowkey residential area home to city landmarks and great skyline views.
"To get a view of a posher side of the neighborhood, take a steep hike (or jump on a bus) up Queen Anne Ave N, aka "the Counterbalance," to a markedly different neck of the woods and some of the best views of the Seattle skyline." -
Lonely Planet"With a wide range of restaurants, bars and nightlife opportunities on your doorstep—not to mention a close-up view of the Space Needle—Lower Queen Anne is a great choice for those wanting to be within walking distance of Seattle Center." -
Time Out
West Seattle
West Seattle is a hip residential area with a great food scene, home to famous city landmarks.
"A laid-back residential area to the west of downtown, West Seattle has a small town feel—which may come as a surprise to first-time visitors to the Emerald City. The most popular areas of West Seattle are the Junction, a buzzy commercial district with a mix of indie shops and hip dining establishments, and Alki Beach Park. " -
Time Out"
Spread over a hilly peninsula, the neighborhood spins on two hubs: the de facto downtown called “the Junction” at the intersection of California Ave SW and SW Alaska St (whose indie record store, one-in-a-million bakery and smattering of great restaurants make worth the visit) and the…famous beach and its promenade.
" -
Lonely PlanetBelltown
Belltown is a hip residential area with great food, nightlife, and shopping, and it is near city landmarks.
"Walkable and conveniently located, Belltown is the most densely populated neighborhood in Seattle, filled with trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Just north of downtown and on the waterfront, Belltown is the ideal area for those wanting to revel in the hustle-and-bustle of the city, whether for business or pleasure." -
Time Out"Belltown is near the Seattle Center, the former site of the legendary 1962 World’s Fair that has tons of the city's top things to do, such as the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass. The green lawns and fountains attract gawking tourists and families looking for a retreat from the bustle of downtown." -
Lonely Planet
