Welcome to Seattle

As you know, I like to travel on a budget, but that isn't for everyone. So my very amazing God Father has created Uncle Dave's Guide to Seattle. All the amazing places to see, eat, and shop when traveling to this amazing city with a little extra change in your pocket. 

“I hope you find the information contained within informative and helpful when it comes to planning your itinerary. With family living in the Seattle area, and visiting at least once a year for the past 30 years, I would like to think I have offered up some suggestions that have been tried and tested.” -Uncle Dave

RESTAURANTS:

• Icon Grill: One of my parents’ favorite places, the Icon Grill serves Americana comfort food like meatloaf and macaroni-and-cheese dishes in a more up-scale atmosphere. Desserts feature such unique options as “Decorate your own Sugar Cookies”. www.icongrill.com

• Metropolitan Grill: Hands down one of my favorite places to eat in Seattle. The “Met” is a classic steakhouse with a very clubby atmosphere. This is the place where Seattle’s movers and shakers come to eat meat. Bill Gates dined here will Bill Clinton. The Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee are served table side in the traditional fashion (flames and all) and are not to be missed. www.themetropolitangrill.com

• Wild Ginger: Probably one of Seattle’s most popular restaurants, Wild Ginger serves up contemporary Thai/Pacific Rim style food in a modern setting. This is the home of the original “Satay Bar”… the first in the nation. As with the above mentioned restaurants, reservations are a must. www.wildginger.net

• Top Pot Donuts: A newer entry to the Seattle culinary scene that has quicklybecome an institution, Top Pot Donuts are some of the best donuts you will find anywhere. With locations throughout Seattle (including the downtown area), it would be well worth making a pilgrimage to one of their locations. www.toppotdoughnuts.com (watch the Travel Channel and Cooking Channel videos on their website to get a good idea about this place).

• Kidd Valley Hamburgers: Another local favorite, Kidd Valley hamburgers are a delicious change from the chain hamburger restaurants. A throw back to the hamburger joints of the past, Kidd Valley serves classic hamburger restaurant fare such as thick milk shakes and handmade onion rings. Their garlic french fries are legendary and served at all three Seattle sports stadiums. www.kiddvalley.com

• Fran’s Chocolates: While not a restaurant, this upscale chocolatier located in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown makes some of the most delicious chocolates you will ever put in your mouth. My hands down favorite is the milk chocolate covered caramels with smoked sea-salt on top. Their taste tempting website is located at www.franschocolates.com.

• The Pike Place Market: Seattle’s most famous landmark, this is where Seattleites go to count down the New Year under the Pike Place Market neon clock. A veritable smorgasbord of shops and boutiques, Pike also houses a famers’ market on the first floor. Make sure you catch the “show” at Pike Place Fish www.pikeplacefish.com beneath the Market clock where fishmongers toss salmon over customers’ heads giving a new meaning to “flying fish.” Pike Place’s website is www.pikeplacemarket.org. While technically not in the Pike Place Market but rather across the street, you can pay homage to an American icon by visiting the very FIRST Starbucks location… yes the café that launched a coffee empire.

• Seattle Art Museum: If you like art museums, then you should plan a stop at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). You cannot miss the building… just look for the huge “Hammering Man” kinetic sculpture in front. For more information visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.

• International District: Made up of mostly Asian (Chinese and Japanese) restaurants and business, this is the place to go for authentic Asian cuisine. Should you make the trek out there, make sure you visit Uwajimaya (www.uwajimaya.com), probably one of the largest Japanese emporiums on the West Coast. More of a grocery store than anything else, Uwajimaya also sells Japanese trinkets, and is connected to Kinokuniya Books… supposedly the largest Japanese bookstore outside of Japan. If you run out of things to do, then think about an excursion to the International District.

• Space Needle: Built for the 1962 Worlds’ Fair, the Space Needle has become the symbol of the city of Seattle. As with most such structures, you can take a ride to the top where the view is spectacular. Contained within the Space Needle is an uninspired eatery aptly named “Sky City Restaurant”. I would NOT waste one of your Seattle meals here… go for the view then go to Wild Ginger! www.spaceneedle.com

• Seattle Underground Tour: I do recommend this tour for something a little different and unique. You start the tour in Pioneer Square, and then proceed underground for a tour of Old Seattle under streets and buildings. Apparently, after the Great Seattle Fire (yes Seattle had a “Great Fire” too) which occurred in the late 1800’s, some of the newer construction was simply built on the foundation of the old buildings, so in effect what was the first floor now became the basement level. It all is every interesting and worth exploring this different view of Seattle. www.undergroundtour.com

In addition to the chain stores (up-scale and down-scale) you can find in any major US city, here are a few of the more regional stores of interest:

• Nordstrom: The store that started it all, Nordstrom’s flagship store #1 is located in downtown Seattle and is spread out over several stories. Their shoe department takes up an entire floor (apparently paying tribute to the Store’s early beginnings as a shoe store).

• Nordstrom Rack: The Nordstrom Rack (or just “The Rack”) is the discount outlet arm of Nordstrom and offers lady shoe-a-holics several floors of shoes at great bargains. For many women visiting Seattle, a trip to this store is like making a holy pilgrimage. They do offer some men’s items too.

• Eddie Bauer: Another retailer founded in Seattle, their downtown store is the flagship of the chain and carries a few items not found in the branch stores.

• Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking: A co-op for wood craftsman from all over the US, but with emphasis on the Pacific Northwest, you will find some incredible pieces here ranging from furniture to small bowls. If you like wooden art, this is the place to visit. www.nwfinewoodworking.com

• Shops at Pike Market: I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to the huge variety of restaurants and shops in and around the Pike Market. The best way to approach this area is just wander through the market and adjacent alleys and go exploring.

• Fireworks Galleries: With several Seattle locations (including two at the SEATAC Airport), this store is packet with fun, kitschy goodies and a good place to find “not your run-of-the-mill” souvenirs. You can see more of their wares at www.fireworksgallerie.net.

• Malls: There are two “vertical” malls downtown for your shopping pleasure… The Pacific Place (www.pacificplaceseattle.com) and The Westlake Center (www.westlakecenter.com). Check out their websites for the collection of stores located in each mall.