My favorite old-Seattle loop — Gold Rush history and Underground tours in Pioneer Square, game days in the stadium district, then dim sum, BBQ pork, bakeries, and museums all over the Chinatown-International District.
Map
I start every downtown history walk under the 1909 iron-and-glass pergola where Seattle basically began.
Pioneer Square Pergola
I still bring every visitor on this 75-minute walk through the buried sidewalks under Pioneer Square — book ahead on weekends.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
I grab a pint at Seattle's oldest bar right after the Underground Tour since it's practically next door.
Merchant's Cafe and Saloon
I love that this free national park museum tells how the 1897 gold rush turned Seattle into a boomtown — open Wednesday to Sunday.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
I duck into this tiny pocket park on the birthplace of UPS for a 22-foot waterfall and a quiet coffee break.
Waterfall Garden UPS
I hang out under the big London plane trees here between gallery hops and before games.
Occidental Square
My go-to Pioneer Square coffee — exposed brick, great almond croissants, and the best people-watching on Jackson.
Zeitgeist Coffee
I line up for the cured-meat sandwiches here — the porchetta and the Mole salami are worth every minute.
Salumi
I come for weekday happy hour oysters straight from Taylor's own Puget Sound farms.
Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar
I catch loud local bands at the self-proclaimed birthplace of grunge whenever I want a real dive-bar night.
Central Saloon
I bring groups here for indoor mini golf, Duffleboard, and local craft beer before Mariners games.
Flatstick Pub - Pioneer Square
I walk down to the restored 1920 pergola on the new waterfront for Elliott Bay views and an ice cream stop.
Washington Street Public Boat Landing
I always look up at the restored ceiling and clock tower here even when I'm not catching a train.
King Street Station
I feel the ground shake at Seahawks and Sounders games here — it's one of the loudest stadiums anywhere.
Lumen Field
I grab cheap seats for a Mariners game and wander the concourse for garlic fries and skyline views.
T-Mobile Park
I enter the neighborhood under this 45-foot gate on King Street and start snacking from there.
Historic Chinatown Gate
I think this is Seattle's best museum — book the historic hotel tour and see the preserved Yick Fung store.
Wing Luke Museum
I stock up on snacks, sauces, and fresh poke here and eat lunch at the food court.
Uwajimaya Seattle
I lose an hour browsing manga, Japanese stationery, and cute gifts at this bookstore inside the Uwajimaya building.
Kinokuniya Bookstore -Seattle
I sit by the grand pavilion here and watch morning tai chi and neighborhood mahjong.
Hing Hay Park
I climb the hillside paths past the stone lantern and the community garden plots for a peaceful view over the ID.
Kobe Terrace
I pay once and play 50+ vintage and modern pinball machines on free play for as long as I want.
Seattle Pinball Museum
I sip hojicha here and peek through the glass floor at belongings left behind by Japanese American families in WWII.
Panama Hotel and Tea House
I text for a reservation at Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurant (since 1904) and always order the miso black cod collar.
Maneki Restaurant
I eat at Seattle's oldest Chinese restaurant for the old-school vibe and to see Bruce Lee's favorite table.
Tai Tung Restaurant
My budget dim sum go-to — plates of har gow, shu mai, and egg tarts every day starting at 9 am.
Jade Garden Restaurant
I grab cheap takeout dim sum here and eat it in Hing Hay Park — the sesame balls are a must.
Dim Sum King
I order a curry beef bun and a malasada from the window here for the best Japanese-French pastries in town.
Fuji Bakery-ID/King St
I come for the ube cheesecake and an ube latte at this Filipino bakery cafe right by the gate.
Hood Famous Bakeshop (Chinatown-ID)
I pick up a box of their famous BBQ pork and roast duck to share — it's been a CID staple for decades.
Kau Kau BBQ Restaurant
I head upstairs late at night for omurice, katsu curry, and garlic mayo spaghetti with a melon soda.
Fort St. George
I order the Phnom Penh noodle soup and the famous chicken wings at this family-run Cambodian spot.
Phnom Penh Noodle House
I bring friends here for fresh spring rolls, rice-paper wraps, and cocktails in a surprisingly stylish Vietnamese dining room.
Tamarind Tree
I go for a big steaming bowl of pho at the Pham family's modern Súp Shop, right in the heart of Little Saigon.
