South Lake Union

Explore

This dynamic district by the lake has seen plenty of positive change since the arrival of Amazon and other tech giants. Learn about the region’s captivating maritime history at the Museum of History and Industry (860 Terry Ave N) and the The enter for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St), where you can rent a sailboat or human-powered watercraft. You can also get out on the lake with a rental from Seattle Donut Boat Co. (1001 Fairview Ave N) or the Electric Boat Company (2046 Westlake Ave N). Afterward, walk toward downtown to explore the bustling tech corridor of Amazon-owned buildings and surrounding businesses that define this zone. Tour the plant-filled Seattle Spheres (2111 Seventh Ave) every first and third Saturday of the month, or enter the glass orbs any day of the week to savor Italian-inspired fare at Willmott’s Ghost (2100 Sixth Ave).

Eat and Drink

Fuel up for the day at Joe & the Juice (2118 Seventh Ave), Scandinavian oasis Café Hagen (1252 Thomas St), or Japanese bakery Fresh Flours (432 Eighth Ave N), where you can snack on savory biscuits and azuki croissants—these fluffy “cruffins” are filled with red bean pastry cream. At Seattle staple Portage Bay Cafe (391 Terry Ave N), hearty favorites include mole verde burritos, shakshuka, and biscuits and gravy. For a fast, casual meal prepared by a friendly staff, try Mamnoon Street (2020 Sixth Ave), with its creative Middle Eastern dishes like fatteh, mujadara, shawarminis, and build-your-own-bowls topped with fragrant sauces and pickled goodies. When happy hour rolls around, score a waterside table on the patio of White Swan Public House (1001 Fairview Ave N) and feast on local oysters, scallops, and other regional specialties, or head to Astra Hotel’s Altitude Sky Lounge (300 Terry Ave N), perched 16 stories above the ever-evolving cityscape, for local wines and cocktails with inspired names like “I Gotta Be Me.”

Shop

Load up on gear for upcoming adventures at REI’s (222 Yale Ave N) flagship store, which features the 65-foot-tall Rock Climbing Pinnacle wall and a short biking-hiking loop on which to test new gear and apparel. As you explore the many interesting retailers at the Hall at 400 Fairview (400 Fairview Ave N), pick up coffee treats from Caffe Ladro, fresh flowers from Verde & Co, or new eyewear from locally owned Urban Optix.