Best Seattle-Area Malls/Shopping Centers (Tacoma, Bellevue: buying, university, shopping mall)

[RJ8089]

Agree with my list? I might be missing stuff, but these come to mind first. If you haven't been to either of these places, you should go! Seattle area malls compare well to any of the malls in other cities, especially now that many have been remodeled and expanded. And I've been to many many of malls across the country!!

Here's my list of Best Seattle-Area Malls/Shopping Centers

BEST INDOOR MALLS

Tie 1. Bellevue Square/Lincoln Square (yes, I combined them, they are right next to each other)
Tie 1. Westfield Southcenter (Tukwila)
2. Alderwood Mall (Lynnwood)
3. Pacific Place/Westlake (Downtown Seattle) (yes, I combined them, though they are different)
4. Tacoma Mall
5. Northgate Mall/Thornton Place (Seattle - North)
6. South Hill Mall (Puyallup)
7. Westfield Capitol (Olympia)
8. The Outlet Collection (formerly "The SuperMall") (Auburn)
9. Factoria Mall (Bellevue)

BEST OUTSIDE/OPEN-AIR SHOPPING CENTERS

1. The Shops at the Bravern (Bellevue) - Because it's so nice! Ha!
2. Redmond Town Center
3. The Landing in Renton
4. Kent Station
5. Wig Shopping Center/Parkway Supercenter (Tukwila)

Runner ups, but not least: The Commons at Federal Way, City Center (Downtown Seattle), Lakewood Towne Centre, Uptown Gig Harbor

[Hemlock140]

For indoor, I would move Southcenter way down below South Hill, and would never park one of my better vehicles there and stay long at night. I would move Factoria up to just above Alderwood, and insert Crossroads above Factoria.

For outdoor, I would drop Bravern to after the Landing, because they have nothing I would ever buy there other than Sur La Table and I walk by the Pike Place store every day.

[seattlerain]

I try to stay away from shopping malls and don't remember the last time I was in one.

[Ira500]

University Village is missing, and deserves to be on the list somewhere.

[Blondebaerde]

For a bit of wandering around, Alderwood and/or Bellevue Square. Won't disagree.

In fact Bellevue Square is festive in winter, around Christmas. I haven't been there in awhile; you've actually got a good idea there. Not to actually buy anything, but just get out for a bit. It's a bit of a fashion show and I'll surely be under-dressed. Oh dear oh dear! LOL.

Ira's right, IMO, about U Village: can be a pleasant walking experience and I'm hard-pressed to not spend time at the Crate and Barrel.

I don't like to park at any of them. Thus, I've embraced the mass transit.

Nor, anymore, am I buying much at malls: in my case, the bulk of what I need and want can be shopped fast online. Amazon, mostly. I'm guessing as that becomes ever-more ubiquitous, malls will definitely be niche. They already are, to some extent.

Specialty items, mostly Ducati or Porsche-related: frankly, I'll turn up at the respective dealerships. That's more about relationships, though.

[flyingsaucermom]

I was hoping for a list of where you can buy the city's best croissants.

[fnh]

Yes I was also thinking that U Village should be on that list! How I fondly remember the Ernst and the QFC way back when. We do still enjoy walking around there but mostly we go to Pacific Place or other points downtown.

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

I was hoping for a list of where you can buy the city's best croissants.

Le Panier in Pike Place is our go-to croissant place. It's especially wonderful when you get there early in the morning before sunrise and can watch the vendors across the way setting up their stalls. Like stepping back in time.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by fnh

Yes I was also thinking that U Village should be on that list! How I fondly remember the Ernst and the QFC way back when. We do still enjoy walking around there but mostly we go to Pacific Place or other points downtown.



Le Panier in Pike Place is our go-to croissant place. It's especially wonderful when you get there early in the morning before sunrise and can watch the vendors across the way setting up their stalls. Like stepping back in time.

Oh, don't remind me. I walk through there every morning and smell the baking, but they are not open yet.

I also love the Cheese Croissants at Larsen's Danish Bakery.

[angelenogirl]

Originally Posted by Ira500

University Village is missing, and deserves to be on the list somewhere.

I think it's the best outdoor mall. It's got as much charm as a mall can have.

[sean98125]

Yep, U Village should be at the top of the outdoor mall list. Great stores, easy parking with the new garage added in the NE corner, pleasant atmosphere.