TIPS FOR SEATTLE TOURISTS AND MY FAVORITE LOCAL QUILT SHOPS

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Let me give you my insider tips to the local fun and food, and of course, the quilt shops!  I'll help you find where the locals go for fun, as well as the big attractions.  Being a quilter, you can bet that I've scoped out every shop and event for miles around!  I've lived in Seattle for about 37 years, and would love to help guide your visit.   

FIRST, THE QUILT SHOPS! 

• Undercover Quilts, located conveniently for a tourist, at Pike Place Market.  Stocked to the ceiling with fabric and also home to many quilts available for purchase.  Run by a wonderful, friendly owner.
• Quiltworks in Bellevue is a beautiful fabric store with many classes to offer.  Check out their extensive collections of batiks and Kaffe Fassett.
• The Quilting Loft newly opened in Ballard.  This shop is on Market Street and 26th NW - just opened in March 2007.  They have plenty of wonderful new fabrics to choose from!  Not far from Woodland Park Zoo, if you're doing some local sightseeing.
• Gaches Mansion Quilt Museum in La Connor, Washington.  This one requires a two hour drive from Seattle.  They have great revolving quilt exhibits of new and old artists.  Also, it's set in lovely La Conner which is worth a visit in itself.
• Anacortes is a small town to the north of Seattle (about 2 hours out) which has two amazing quilting shops within two blocks of each other on their main street.  I always take advantage of a stop here.  If you are planning a side trip to the San Juans, you'll be passing through here to catch the ferry.
• Pacific Northwest Quiltfest is held on a biennial basis in August at the Seattle Center.  This juried show features the best quilts and quilters of the entire Pacific Northwest Region and is sponsored by APNQ, short for Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters. 

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS

You're probably fairly well acquainted with the more famous sights of Seattle, but I'll list them here anyway.

• Space Needle and surrounding Seattle Center grounds.  If you're here in the summer with kids, don't miss the big fountain that serves as the main water-fun sprinkler in Seattle!  The surrounding grounds include a great collection of rides, arcade games, Science Center, EMP Museum, theaters, home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Key Arena.  The grounds welcome many events year-round. 
• Pike Place Market is a wonderful collection of farmers, flowers, crafts vendors, shops  and restaurants.  Probably my very favorite spot in all Seattle.  The market overlooks the Seattle waterfront and is situated on a series of levels, both indoor and outdoor, on a hill.  One extra claim to fame, the first Starbucks ever is located here (and always full of tourists!)
• Pioneer Square is the old part of downtown Seattle.  It's a great slice of history, with lovely old buildings and streets, Underground Tour, pubs, shops and museums.
• The Waterfront is a festive collection of shops, the aquarium, seafood restaurants and of course, jumping off point to riding the ferries around the Puget Sound.  Don't miss Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, a long time favorite for visitors of all ages.  You'll find an amazing collection of treasures from around the world, including mummies and shrunken heads!
• Woodland Park Zoo has become a world class zoo.  Over the years it has transformed itself from the dark cages of old zoos, to beautiful natural habitats for it's wonderful collection of animals.   New features and exhibits are added every year and are always worth a visit.  In the summer, a very popular series of evening concerts are held weekly in the meadow.

LESS FAMILIAR ATTRACTIONS (BUT WORTH THE TRIP)

• The Fremont neighborhood is definitely the "artsy" community of Seattle.  This is a fun and funky area of town, alongside the ship canal, just north of downtown Seattle.  It proclaims itself to be the "Center of the Universe" with appropriate signage to guide you.  Famous Seattle landmark statues include: "Waiting for the interurban", a bus stop complete with waiting passengers -this one is decorated by locals regularly!  Also, the Troll, up under the bridge, that holds a captured VW bug in one of his huge hands.  And, of course, a giant statue of Stalin also takes residence here.  This is one of my favorite areas to visit - if you come on a Sunday, you'll find the weekly outdoor craft market set up along the canal.
• Madison Park neighborhood and Lakeshore Drive borders our huge Lake Washington.  This is a very upscale neighborhood with lovely shops and expensive homes.  The lake side drive is beautiful and a wonderful way to see some of our natural beauty.
• The Arboretum and Japanese Gardens also border Lake Washington and are situated close to the University of Washington.  These gardens are extensive, with many trails throughout.  Many people canoe close to the shorelines and through the canals.  Well worth a visit for a gardner.
• The University of Washington is a lovely campus to walk through.  Beautiful, historic old buildings grace these grounds, as well as a cherry blossom square that draws crowds of photographers every April.  The Burke Museum houses Native American artifacts, as well as dinosaur relics. 
• "The Ave" as it's known to locals, runs along one side of the University Campus.  This street definitely has a college street feel, as well as local flavor with numerous punk teens enjoying the area!
• Broadway is the main shopping street on Capital Hill.  This area is historic, with beautiful old homes.  Lots of fun shops and food await you here.  Broadway's other claim to fame is it's large gay community that call this area home.
• Greenlake is the place for your daily jog with the locals.  This peaceful lake in the middle of Seattle is situated close to Woodland Park Zoo.  The trails around the lake provide you with a scenic 3 mile hike or jog.  Great for kid, dog and bikini watching (depending on time of year).  Grab your coffee and off you go!
• Discovery Park is a large, natural park with many hiking trails.  It is located in Magnolia, just north of downtown.  You'll find a Native American visitor center and events sponsored by them, trails leading through the woods and to the beach, jog and exercise trails, and ranger lead talks.  A piece of nature in the big city.
• Museum of Flight is situated close to Boeing Field.  This spectacular museum is well worth heading south of downtown.  Planes of all types, ages and styles are housed here in an open, beautiful setting.  Different floors in the building will take you back to WWI and WWII, complete with actors dressed as soldiers asking if you've seen their unit!  A historic Presidential plane is here, and during Seafair, the Blue Angels take up residence.
• The EMP  is short for Experience Music Project.  This is our very oddly housed "blob" on the Seattle Center Grounds (you'll need to see it to understand that description).  If you'd love to experience the history of Rock and Roll and have a chance to make your own music, then you'll love it here!  Our own billionaire, Paul Allen of Microsoft fame, sponsored this passion of his to be built.

HANG OUT WITH THE LOCALS ON OUR FAVORITE CITY BEACHES

• Golden Gardens is a park with sandy beaches, playgrounds, natural wetland habitat, and bordering train tracks.  This park is located along Shilshole Bay, west of Ballard and north of downtown.  This is always a popular spot to suntan, swim, barbecue and have beach fires (in pits only!).
• Alki Beach borders West Seattle and looks across the water at downtown Seattle.  This is a festive spot in the summer with lots of action.  It has the feel of a beach town, with great sandy beach, beautiful view, great people watching and lots of activities.
• Lincoln park also in West Seattle, but on the opposite side.  Here's another large beautiful park with trails leading down to the water.  At the bottom are extensive walking trails, an outdoor saltwater swimming pool and lots of picnic possibilities.

FAVORITE SHOPPING SPOTS

• University Village is a lovely grouping of stores in an outdoor mall setting.  This area was put together with lots of thought to a beautiful setting and a great shopping experience.  There are outdoor cafes, art statues, water features, garden shops and unique gift shops as well as some of the larger retailers.  It's located close to the University of Washington.
• Bellevue Square, although technically not in Seattle, it's just across the floating bridge.  This is probably our nicest indoor shopping experience. 
• Westlake Center is our downtown shopping center.  It's a beautiful, 4 story collection of shops and restarants in the center of downtown.  The surrounding area is home to all the shops your heart desires!
• Snohomish is our local antique mecca.  I'm throwing this one in even though this would be about an hour long drive out of Seattle.  If antiques are your passion, you'll love spending a day in this cute little town!
• Ballard Avenue, Fremont and Broadway all make the list if your interests are more in line with unique, small, artsy shops.

FAVORITE LOCAL FOOD (In my opinion!)

• Red Mill Burgers - great selection of yummy burgers, located close to Woodland Park Zoo and in Magnolia.
• Romio's - our favorite pizza place, gooey and wonderful.  Try the calzones if you're really hungry or want to share (Greenwood and  lower Capital Hill).
• Dick's Drive-in is probably our best loved Seattle tradition.  This family owned burger place is cheap, fun and good.  Old style drive-in is always packed!  You'll find one by the Seattle Center, one in Wallingford, one on Capital Hill and one north Ballard and one in Lake City.  Great spot to feed the kids.
• Salty's on Alki is just right for a special lunch or evening out.  Their wonderful attention to detail shows in every dish and drink.  The view is unmatched - from Alki you will have a large picture window view of the Seattle skyline across the bay.
• Chutney's is where we head when it's Indian food that we want!  Great dishes at a reasonable price.  They are located by the Seattle Center, in Wallingford, in Bellevue and the Univ. District.
• Von's is a great stop if you've been shopping all day downtown and want some great American home cooking.  Great turkey and chicken dinners!  Also, if you find you need a drink about now, they feature cheap martini's and manhattans daily!

BEST COFFEE CAFES (BESIDES STARBUCKS!)

• Caffe Ladro in Fremont is always a popular stop.  Take a break here while you are visiting the area.
• Diva has a number of locations around Seattle.  They have wonderful lattes, occasional designs in the foam depending on your barista!
• Uptown Espresso has my vote for all-time best latte in Seattle.  They also have a number of locations including Seattle Center area, downtown, West Seattle, and more.  This is the home of the silky foam!

 LOCAL FAIRS AND FESTIVALS (you may find my quilt booth at some of these!)

• Folklife Festival for four days around Memorial Day weekend.  It's a huge indoor/outdoor music festival featuring folk music from the U.S. and around the world.  An amazing event, I believe one of the largest of it's kind.  Still free, although they strongly suggest donations.
• Bumbershoot is our music festival on the other end of the summer, over Labor Day weekend.  This one is also an amazing event, featuring well known artists, comedians, and more.  This one requires purchasing tickets, put still worth it for all you see!
• Seafair is our August summer event when the hydroplanes come to town, as well as the Blue Angels, Naval ships, the Seafair pirates and many coordinating events.
• Fremont Festival and Parade is held in honor of solstice in June.  If you're lucky enough to be in town for this one, don't miss the parade.  This is the favorite parade in Seattle, and you know if it's in Fremont, it will be crazy!  Yearly features include much political humor and commentary as well as the onslaught of approx. 100-200 bike riders wearing only flowers and body paint!
• Bellevue Art Festival is the king of all art festivals.  This is the one that you'll want to attend if you're a serious art collector or just looking for an unusual piece of work.  This fair is huge, extending through the parking garage in Bellevue Square and out to the surrounding streets. 
• Best of the Northwest shows are held in April, August and November.  These shows have a following of wonderful NW artists and customers who love them.  These are indoor art fairs.

GREAT DAY TRIPS FROM SEATTLE

• Mount Rainier
• San Juan Islands
• Leavenworth
• La Conner
• Hood Canal
• Olympic Peninsula

We hope you'll visit soon!

Please let me know if you found this guide helpful by voting below.  Thank you!

Check out my quilt shop at Stitches-Quilts-Fabrics-Gifts

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