World City Guide

Further Distractions

Capitol Hill
Once the residence of Seattle’s wealthiest citizens, today it is populated by the city’s most diverse and youth-oriented population. The Broadway district, just south of St Mark’s Cathedral, is where to find the city’s gay community, grunge rockers, hip hoppers and people of many cultures, who share the area with long-time residents of the historic mansions, elegant old homes and classic apartment houses. In contrast are the tree-lined streets that border stately 19th mansions. It is also home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 Galer Street, Lakeview Cemetery, 1554 15th Avenue East, and the Frye Art Museum.

Throughout the area are numerous boutiques, entertainment venues and coffee houses, particularly along Broadway Avenue East, between East Denny Way and East Roy Street and along Pike and Pine between Boren Avenue and Broadway. Young people come in search of cheap, funky clothes whereas the others seek the area out for fashions that are a little ‘out there.’

Nearby, the Central District/South Seattle neighbourhoods have long been the heart of the city’s African-American community and, in the 1930s, the area began establishing a reputation for jazz and blues musicians. Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Ernestine Anderson have all lived here at one time.

Transport: Bus routes 2, 3,4, 10, 12 go to different sections of Capitol Hill.

Ballard
Seattle’s Scandinavian heritage remains evident in this now trendy maritime neighbourhood of north Seattle, where the Alaskan fishing fleet winters at Fishermen’s Terminal before embarking on its quest for salmon. The Hiram M Chittenden Locks provide the link to the saltwater beyond. A walk along the Locks is a unique experience, with underwater windows from which to watch migrating salmon. Historic Downtown Ballard has brick streets, numerous galleries and lively taverns full of local music. From May to September, there is a Sunday market with fresh produce and crafts on sale. The Nordic Heritage Museum is also located here. This is the country’s only museum honouring immigrants from the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) in collections of photographs, costumes and century-old fishing and maritime implements. The Ballard Chamber of Commerce (see below) can offer additional sightseeing tips.

Ballard
Tel: (206) 784 9705. Fax: (206) 783 8154.
E-mail: info@ballardchamber.com
Website: www.ballardchamber.com
Transport: Bus 17 north from Downtown.

Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 Northwest 67th Street
Tel: (206) 789 5707. Fax: (206) 789 3271.
E-mail: nordic@intelistep.com
Website: www.nordicmuseum.com
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1200-1600.
Admission: US$6 (concessions available).

Washington Park Arboretum
On the shores of Lake Washington, south of the University District on Union Bay, 6km (4 miles) east of downtown Seattle, is an 93-hectare (230-acre) park, with over 4,800 species of rare trees and other flora, both native and imported. The impressive Japanese Garden has koi pools, a mountain-inspired waterfall and a traditional teahouse.

2300 Arboretum Drive East
Tel: (206) 543 8800.
E-mail: wpa@u.washington.edu
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/
Transport: Bus 11, 43 and 48.
Opening hours: Daily 1000–1600 (visitor centre); 0700–dusk (grounds).
Admission: Free.

Japanese Garden
100 Dexter Avenue North
Tel: (206) 684 4725.
Website: www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-dusk (1 Mar-30 Nov) 1000-2000 (28 May-4 Sep).
Admission: US$5 (concessions available).

Alki Drive
Along the water, out in West Seattle, the 4km (2.5-mile) white sandy beach along Alki Drive is the point where the first white settlers arrived in 1851, before retreating to the less windy site on Elliott Bay. The view over Puget Sound and the city skyline is considered one of the best in the city. In summer, the beach is filled with families and children picnicking, swimming, sunbathing and eating the speciality fish and chips.

Alki Drive, West Seattle
Transport: Bus 17 to Alki, Admiral District departs from Second Avenue and Pike Street or bus 56 to Alki Beach departs from First Avenue and Pike Street.

Fremont
A walk through this funky, fun neighbourhood (Seattle’s Left Bank) will bring a smile to your face. Having named itself the ‘Center of the Universe,’ it has commemorated this fact with a ballistic missile. The missile is atop a roof on 35th Street and Evanston Avenue. Check out the stainless steel curly-cues that adorn the building that houses Stone Mountain Creamery. Also of note is a statue of Lenin, the Fremont troll under the bridge and unique boutiques, ethnic restaurants, consignment shops and quirky coffee shops like the Good Café, which offers ‘coffee, scones and live girls.’

Fremont area between Dayton and Fremont Avenue N and 34th and 39th Streets
Transport: Bus 5 to Fremont stop. Ask the bus driver how to get to the shopping area.