Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

Central Seattle

Map 16

Once a light industrial area on sweet little Lake Union, Paul Allen is still putting the finishing touches on the top half of his pet 'hood. The jewel at the center is the spectacular 12-acre Lake Union Park on the waterfront. Completed in 2010, plans for the park were originally proposed in the early 1900s; Seattleites don't like to rush into anything. Beware the novelty streetcar that ends its tedious two-mile journey here.

✵ The Center for Wooden Boats ✵ 1010 Valley St

206-382-2628

Free boat rides on Lake Union every Sunday!

✵ Lake Union ✵

Connecting Puget Sound with Lake Washington; houseboats, pleasurecraft and biotech.

✵ Lake Union Park ✵ 860 Terry Ave N

Former Naval site now 12-acre urban waterfront masterpiece.

✵ Museum of History and Industry ✵

860 Terry Ave N

206-324-1126

Experience all of Seattle's history from inception to present day.

✵ Uptown Espresso ✵ 500 Westlake Ave N

206-621-2045

Self-proclaimed "Home of the Velvet Foam" but the coffee underneath is just so-so.

✵ Jillian’s Billiard Club ✵ 731 Westlake Ave N

206-223-0300

A club that only frat boys want to be a part of.

✵ 1Hundred Bistro & Bar ✵ 1001 Fairview Ave N

425-455-4278 ✵ $$

A little bit of Bellevue in South Lake Union.

✵ Buca di Beppo ✵ 701 9th Ave N

206-244-2288 ✵ $$

Where your friends have their birthday party if they hate you (and themselves).

✵ Chandler’s Crabhouse ✵ 901 Fairview Ave N

206-223-2722 ✵ $$$$

Not-bad crabs with an excellent view of Lake Union.

✵ Compass Café ✵ 860 Terry Ave N

206-324-1126 ✵ $

This excellent cafe upstages the Museum of History & Industry in which it resides.

✵ Daniel’s Broiler ✵ 809 Fairview Ave N

206-621-8262 ✵ $$$$

Fancy folk (or those whose parents are paying) head here for decent steak.

✵ I Love My GFF ✵ 1016 Republican St

$

Piles of healthy goodness. Arch nemesis of the Famous Bowl.

✵ I Love Sushi ✵ 1001 Fairview Ave N

206-625-9604 ✵ $$

Sushi with a water view.

✵ McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside ✵

1200 Westlake Ave N

206-270-9052 ✵ $$$

Corporate club vibe and an unparalleled $1.95 happy hour burger.

✵ Raney Brothers BBQ ✵

206-371-5078 ✵ $

Suicide food at its most suicidal.