Pike Place Market & Beyond: A Downtown Seattle Guide for Foodies & Culture Lovers
Curated By
Taylor Holland
Curator’s statement
Seattle has one of the most iconic skylines in the world, in my not-so humble opinion. What better way to experience the breathtaking views of the Salish Sea and Olympic Mountain Range than staying right downtown near Pike Place Market? There are so many amazing things to do in this incredible city, that taking it neighborhood by neighborhood really lets you see all the faces and personalities of Emerald City on their own. If you don’t have Seattle on your 2026 bucket list, I am hoping you will after this quick destination guide to one of the best neighborhoods in the city.
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Things to do in Seattle
Take a journey into the past, by joining an underground tour to learn all about the waterfront’s colorful history.
Embark on a foodie tour of the market. This is the best way to see the market for many reasons. 1. You get to eat the entire time! 2. The market is a maze, so having an expert lead you around is very helpful. 3. Did I mention you get to eat—and it is a generous amount of food! 4. The market is iconic, and must be explored one way or the other, so might as well do it on my favorite tour of the city.
Venture to the many rooftop bars for amazing views of the Sound and Olympics. My favorite is The Nest at the top of The Thompson hotel.
Grab dinner and a show at Can Can Culinary Cabaret. This is legitimately my favorite place in the whole city. I try to see every show (they change about every three months or so). They have amazing food that you can enjoy while you take in the show, or have an amazing date spot if you want to be wowed by the burlesque performances.
Rent out a virtual golf bay at Hotel 1000 with way more game options than just golf. They have two bays so you and your friends can take over, have amazing food and drinks from All Water, and get competitive.
Relax with a massage and spa package from a variety of hotels—my favorite has been Hotel 1000’s spa. With a personal changing room complete with sauna and shower—it hasn’t been beat yet for me.
If you want to venture out of this neighborhood, catch a Torrent or Storm game at Climate Pledge Arena—just a short walk north. I would recommend a drink and appetizer at McMinnimans in Queen Anne before the game (grab a passport if you plan on exploring WA and OR more).
Another iconic thing to do is go to the top of the Space Needle. This is technically at the Seattle Center and not necessarily downtown, but we let it slide. Built for the 1962 World Fair, this gem has been a staple in the skyline ever since. The view from the top is incredible! The food is okay if you want to indulge when you get to the top. This is very touristy, so buy your tickets ahead of time, but something you must do at least once in your lifetime.
Places to eat & drink in Seattle
Pike Place Market
Mint Progressive: Their modern take on Indian cuisine is out of this world. What they do with vegetarian dishes is unlike anything I have had before. I didn’t miss the meat one time. My mouth is literally watering writing about them. I know what I am getting for dinner tomorrow night.
The Dressing Room: Mentioned above, but had to mention it again. The food here never misses. They change their seasonal food and beverage menu up so there is always something new to try. I don’t have a go-to order because everything is so good, I try something new each time.
The Fog Room: Views on views on views. The ambiance is very sleek. I love being up here when the fog layer settles over the water—iconic and moody.
The Nest: The views! The cocktails are good, too, with excellent service and great vibes.
All Water: Restaurant at Hotel 1000 with a wide variety of options to please anyone in your group. My favorite thing on the menu is their crispy chicken sandwich with fries.
O Mart: Some of the best lumpia and traditional Filipino food I have had so far. Made with love and tradition in every bite.
Pike Place Chowder: One of my favorite bowls of chowder so far. There are other amazing options in the market as well. So I encourage you to do your own taste test via chowder crawl.
Il Mercado: The absolute best empanadas in town! Empanadas are one of my favorite foods (maybe my absolute favorite?) and I have tried empanadas whenever they are on a menu in town—and these are #1 for me!
Need to know
Parking downtown is hard to come by and usually has two-hour time limits. There are some garages with longer limits, but come at a slightly higher cost. If you plan on driving or needing a car for the rest of your trip, valet park it with your hotel for your time downtown. This is going to be $50 - $70 per night, but super safe—you don’t have to move it every two hours, or worry about a ticket.
If you go to a show at the Can Can, there will be an option to tip the performers. You can do this via cash in a hat that they will bring around, or venmo. Whatever you are comfortable with, but make sure to tip! They are amazing and deserve it.
Seattle is hilly. If you plan to walk, be mindful of that. North and south down 1st Street (the street that runs where most hotels are and just up from the market) is pretty flat and easy to navigate. East and West is a bit of a different story. The market still has cobblestone streets, adding to its charm and slipperiness when raining (not that it does that at all here). Pack good walking shoes and be prepared.
Seattle is a very casual and open city. You can dress however you want to in most places and will be completely fine. There is very little judgment here unless you wear an opposing team’s jersey. Dress to the nines, or rock up in your chucks and sweatshirt—you are welcome here.
Travel Advisor
Taylor Holland
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