Seattle What's Where Map
- Downtown. This part of town is easy to pick out—it's the only part of Seattle with skyscrapers. Seattle's governmental buildings are here, along with most of the city's hotels and many popular tourist spots, including the evolving waterfront, recently expanded Pike Place Market, and Seattle Art Museum. Just north of Downtown, Belltown is home to the Olympic Sculpture Park, as well as boutiques and nightlife.
- Seattle Center, South Lake Union, and Queen Anne. Queen Anne, north of Belltown, rises up from Denny Way to the Lake Washington Ship Canal. At the bottom are the Space Needle, the Seattle Center, and the Experience Music Project museum. South Lake Union—home to Amazon's massive HQ and a neighborhood in major transition—has the REI superstore, lakefront, and some eateries and hotels.
- Pioneer Square. Seattle's oldest neighborhood has historic redbrick and sandstone buildings, plus galleries, niche shops, and a small cluster of innovative eateries. A few sketchy elements clash with the carefully maintained facades.
- International District. Once called Chinatown, the I.D. is a fun place to shop and eat. The stunning Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience and Uwajimaya shopping center anchor the neighborhood.
- First Hill and the Central District. Nicknamed "Pill Hill" for its abundance of hospitals, the First Hill neighborhood has only one must-see: the Frye Art Museum. Farther east is the Central District, which is way off the tourist track, but has some beautiful churches and street art.
- Capitol Hill. The Hill has two faces: On one side, it's young and edgy, full of artists, musicians, and students. On the other side, it's elegant and upscale, with tree-lined streets, 19th-century mansions, and John Charles Olmsted's Volunteer Park. It has some of the city's best restaurants and nightlife.
- Fremont. This 'hood on the northern side of the Lake Washington Ship Canal used to be the neighborhood for artists and hippies; it's now an interesting mix of pricey boutiques and restaurants obsessed over by foodies. Up the hill, residential Phinney Ridge includes the Woodland Park Zoo.
- Ballard. Skirting the mouth of Shilshole Bay, Ballard's main tourist attraction is the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. This historically Scandinavian neighborhood is now booming with new builds, and is worth a visit for the dining, shopping, and year-round farmers’ market.
- Wallingford. A large residential neighborhood that keeps a low profile, Wallingford starts at the ship canal with the wonderful waterfront Gas Works Park. Its booming commercial strip along North 45th Street has a few excellent restaurants. Directly north of Wallingford is Green Lake, whose park has a 3-mile paved path that circles the lake.
- The "U District." The University of Washington's vast campus is truly lovely, and the surrounding neighborhood can be both gritty and inviting. Loads of ethnic restaurants and a large student population keep things lively.
- West Seattle. On a peninsula west of the city proper, West Seattle's California Avenue has some appealing shops and restaurants. Gorgeous Alki Beach offers views of the Seattle skyline. Lincoln Park is an ideal place to hike or relax on the beach.
- Eastside. East of Lake Washington, the Eastside suburbs are home to Microsoft. Bellevue is the most citylike, with its own skyline, an art museum, and high-end shops and restaurants. You can also visit Redmond, Woodinville wineries, Marymoor Park, or head into the mountains.
