48 Hours in Seattle -- what to see/eat? (Bainbridge Island, Pacific: home, neighborhoods)

[bpnyd]

I'll be in Seattle for about 48 hours, and am looking for some tips on must sees, hidden gems, and places to eat. Don't mind hitting up a few touristy attractions, but it would great to hear about the off-the-beaten-path/non-touristy things to do as well. I plan to walk practically everywhere and explore as much of the neighborhoods as I can.

For food, I eat anything and everything, so am looking for interesting and/or ethnic spots that the locals go to. Holes in the wall are great, as are places to dine solo.

(Also, is Pike Place Market worth checking out, or is it considered more of a tourist trap?)

Thanks in advance the recommendations! Looking forward to enjoying your city.

[CrazyDonkey]

The Market is worth it. Go in the morning to avoid the crowds. Hit the Athenian in the Market for breakfast - ask for a window table (view of Elliott Bay) - Seafood Restaurant | Seattle, WA. Or for Happy Hour (4 to 9 Mon-Sat) in the lounge.

Tour the Underground in Pioneer Square: UNDERGROUND TOUR ($22) or https://www.beneath-the-streets.com/ ($19, smaller groups). Also in Pioneer Square: The Klondike Gold Rush Museum (free): https://www.nps.gov/klse/. Food: Salumi or Tat's Deli. (Note: You will see quite a lot of homeless. Missions/shelters are in the area.)

East of Pioneer Square: International District and Little Saigon. Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese restaurants. See: Uwajimaya (http://www.uwajimaya.com/).

Take the Water Taxi to Alki (King County Water Taxi - King County $5.25) or the Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island (WSDOT - Ferries $8.20 RT).

[leastprime]

Burn your insides out early, at Pecos Pit BBQ takeout only, across from Starbucks hdqtr, close to Museum of Flight (US99, 1st Ave).

Ivars for clam chowder and plank roasted salmon sandwich at the ferries(US99/AlaskanWay)

Segway tour across the street (us99) from ferries.

[homesinseattle]

bp, hop on the monorail downtown and go stand beneath the Space Needle. It's touristy but a very cool structure. You can also check out the Chihuly Garden Glass exhibit there and visit the excellent EMP (Experience Music Project). You'll get a taste of the grunge explosion here as well as see some very cool Hendrix guitars.

I second the International District, save a couple hours for the small but excellent Wing Luke Museum. Hop a Lyft up to Fremont and the the Troll under the bridge. Go over to Ballard and walk out to the Chittenden Locks, cool to watch the boat traffic coming through. Walk to the other side of the locks, go downstairs and check out the salmon ladder, I think the Chinook and Sockeyes are running now, quite a site.

[MJ5150]

13 Coins for a sit down meal. It's a local chain, and Seattle's take on Denny's, but nicer.
Dick's Drive-In for greasy burgers and fries. Dick's is a Seattle institution/legend.
Storyville for coffee when you're by Pike Place Market. While you're there, walk up a block to the Biscuit ***** (word for a female dog).
Uptown Espresso when you're closer to Seattle Center. Home of the velvet foam, and it sure is. Grab of slice of Zeke's Pizza around the corner, it's good.
Slate Coffee is my favorite coffee in Seattle, but that's up between Ballard and Woodland Park Zoo. You need to go into that one for the full experience, like the deconstructed mocha or a flight of African coffees.
Cafe Ladro does not disappoint for coffee either, especially the Café Medici. There's one up by the Paramount.
Stay out of Starbucks.
I am a small batch coffee roaster, so I can go on and on and on about coffee, but I'll stop.

Von's is a good place for a martini and other adult beverages.
The Pink Door has great Italian food and entertainment while you're eating.....trapeze artist, burlesque show, etc.
If you like whiskey and BBQ, Kickin' Boot in Ballard is a top choice.
Serious Pie makes some great pizza.

If you want some ice cream, Molly Moon's is your spot. Ice cream makes you happy, and they are experts.

Talk a walk up to Capital Hall and roam up and down Broadway. You'll see some very creative and original people, as well as expose yourself to all kinds of rad places to eat. It's different though. If you're conservative and nervous in unfamiliar situations, don't head up there.

Smith Tower is a cheaper and less crowded alternative to the Space Needle if you want to get up high and look around Seattle from above.

-Mike

[bpnyd]

These are great recs -- thanks so much!

[elkotronics]

13 Coins for a sit down meal. It's a local chain, and Seattle's take on Denny's, but nicer.
Dick's Drive-In for greasy burgers and fries. Dick's is a Seattle institution/legend.
Storyville for coffee when you're by Pike Place Market. While you're there, walk up a block to the Biscuit ***** (word for a female dog).
Uptown Espresso when you're closer to Seattle Center. Home of the velvet foam, and it sure is. Grab of slice of Zeke's Pizza around the corner, it's good.
Slate Coffee is my favorite coffee in Seattle, but that's up between Ballard and Woodland Park Zoo. You need to go into that one for the full experience, like the deconstructed mocha or a flight of African coffees.
Cafe Ladro does not disappoint for coffee either, especially the Café Medici. There's one up by the Paramount.
Stay out of Starbucks.
I am a small batch coffee roaster, so I can go on and on and on about coffee, but I'll stop.

Von's is a good place for a martini and other adult beverages.
The Pink Door has great Italian food and entertainment while you're eating.....trapeze artist, burlesque show, etc.
If you like whiskey and BBQ, Kickin' Boot in Ballard is a top choice.
Serious Pie makes some great pizza.

If you want some ice cream, Molly Moon's is your spot. Ice cream makes you happy, and they are experts.

Talk a walk up to Capital Hall and roam up and down Broadway. You'll see some very creative and original people, as well as expose yourself to all kinds of rad places to eat. It's different though. If you're conservative and nervous in unfamiliar situations, don't head up there.

Smith Tower is a cheaper and less crowded alternative to the Space Needle if you want to get up high and look around Seattle from above.

-Mike

Oh, man, these are awesome ideas for doing while kickin' around Seattle. Great ideas - I want to fly back home and go for a long, long walk. Thanks for sharing, MJ5150!

[Chilkoot]

The Pink Door-Trapeze Artist, new wrap around bar. We couldn’t get reservations in May but were able to walk in and easily found a spot at the bar.

Din Tai Fung for Steamed Dumplings. It’s fairly new and very busy in Pacific Place. We went for an early lunch on a Sunday morning and we’re able to get right in. Got busy fast though.

Serious Pie

For a drink, Bathtub Gin in Belltown. A short, interesting, walk from the downtown core area.

[homesinseattle]

Indeed Chilkoot, love the Bathtub Gin! If it gets too late though, good for a first time Seattle visitor to be aware of their surroundings. That time of night, it can get a little too "interesting" in that alley next to the place. Just be loud and travel in a pack. I also really like Green Leaf provincial Vietnamese restaurant, the delicious Belltown outpost of the venerable International District hotspot-great bar too. It is located 4 ish blocks north of Bathtub Gin in the character-filled basement of the historic Labor Temple building.

[Chilkoot]

Yeah, late for us is 10pm so hasn’t been much of a problem although there are areas we avoid when it gets dark. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Green Leaf.

As mentioned the Smith Tower is good. Gives a bit more intimate view of downtown since it’s less than 500’ tall. Also the Columbia Center Sky View Observatory. Sunsets can be spectacular from there. Our preference over the Space Needle.