Capitol Hill
Like a rum-soaked tiramisu, Capitol Hill is wonderfully layered and steeped in both character and intrigue–-you never know what you might encounter. Take a breath and bite into the Hill with an open mind and a sense of adventure. It's delicious.
Capitol Hill presents an interesting juxtaposition of old and new, rich and poor. Fabulous Edwardian mansions mingle with brick apartments and low-income housing—and the shopping reflects this blend of income and interests. You'll find dollar stores half a block from museum-quality antiques galleries, and egalitarian bookstores next to boutiques with sky-high prices. During the day, the Pike–Pine Corridor is a hotbed of great independent shopping and sleepy coffee shops, although at night this strip pulses with live music, dance clubs, street food, and high-end dining. Broadway is a mixed bag of the cool and the tacky—if time is limited, stick to Pike–Pine.
Best Time to Go
It's best to wrap up before 5 pm if you're here only to shop. The Hill comes alive as night falls, and you'll have to push through dinner crowds.
If, however, you want to experience Pike–Pine in all its glory, stick around and take advantage of the late hours many stores keep in this strip—many stay open until 7 pm and some don't close until midnight.
Refueling
Cupcake Royale. Try the cupcake of the month or flavors like the peppermint patty and the tiramisu, made with Stumptown coffee. 1111 E. Pike St., between 11th Ave. and 12th Ave., Seattle, Washington, 98122. 206/328–6544; www.cupcakeroyale.com.
Espresso Vivace. At one of the city's original kings of coffee, the espresso is as pretty as it is divine. 532 Broadway Ave. E, at E. Roy St., Seattle, Washington, 98102. 206/860–2722; www.espressovivace.com.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Yep, it's a Portland import, but Seattleites have swallowed their pride with this one, as the coffee is just too good to ignore. 616 E. Pine St., between Belmont Ave. and Boylston Ave., Seattle, Washington, 98122. 206/329–0115; www.stumptowncoffee.com/.
Best for…
Books and Music
Elliott Bay Book Company: Books and more books. If you want it, they probably have it.
Everyday Music: A huge selection of used music in a store open until midnight.
Wall of Sound:A wide variety of new and used records.
Clothes and Footwear
Edie's Shoes: Comfy, trendy, get-you-noticed shoes for men and women.
Le Frock: Vintage Chanel and new Gucci are packed into this classy consignment shop.
Totokaelo: Innovative high fashion for men and women.
Quirky Gifts
Area 51: Score fun coffee mugs or midcentury side tables.
NuBe Green: Environmentally friendly home goods.
Retro Home:Everything from figurines to midcentury-modern furniture.
