Downtown and Belltown

Downtown is one of the most difficult areas of the city to sum up—in sharp contrast to the residential neighborhoods, it doesn't really have a personality of its own. Although developers are starting to build luxury condos here, the neighborhood is still mostly a business hub. Except for the busy areas around the Market and the piers, and the always-frenetic shopping district, a lot of Downtown can often seem deserted.

Within the core of Downtown—which is bounded on the west by Elliott Bay and on the east by I-5, stretching from Virginia Street to Yesler Way—are several different experiences. The waterfront and much of 1st Avenue are lively and at times touristy, thanks to Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the piers, which have several kid-friendly sights as well as ferries to West Seattle and to Bainbridge Island. As you head east from Pike Place Market, you soon hit Downtown's shopping and entertainment district. You won't find anything particularly "Seattle" here, except for the fantastic flagship Nordstrom department store—this is where big chains like Banana Republic, Sephora, H&M, and the Gap are concentrated. You will find a lot of activity, though. In addition to the shopping, there are multiplex movie theaters, a multistory arcade, and a few popular chain restaurants.

Heading south of Pike Street toward Yesler Way, Downtown gets a little quieter. This area is also referred to as the Central Business District and holds mostly office and municipal buildings. There are a few sights scattered about, however, including the remarkable Central Library and a few art galleries; the tail-end of the 5th Avenue corridor has a few higher-end shops. There are a few major cultural sights, too, including the Seattle Symphony's elegant concert venue, Benaroya Hall, and a few of the city's major theaters.

Belltown is Downtown's younger sibling, just north of Virginia Street (up to Denny Way) and stretching from Elliott Bay to 6th Avenue. Not too long ago, Belltown was home to some of the most unwanted real estate in the city; the only scenesters around were starving artists. Today, Belltown is increasingly hip, with luxury condos, trendy restaurants, swanky bars, and an ever-increasing number of boutiques. (Most of the action happens between 1st and 4th avenues and between Bell and Virginia streets.) You can still find plenty of evidence of its edgy past—including a gallery exhibiting urban street art, a punk-rock vinyl shop, and a major indie rock music venue that was a cornerstone of the grunge scene—but today Belltown is almost unrecognizable to long-term residents. Except for the stunning Olympic Sculpture Park, the area doesn't have much in terms of traditional sights, but it's an interesting and characterful extension of Downtown. Though the number of homeless people in the neighborhood can be off-putting, Belltown is generally safe during the day and is very pleasant to explore.