the mccartys
the mccartys

Seattle Recommendations

For any specific questions, feel free to PM us!


GENERAL

Fremont Troll // you know that one scene in 10 Things I Hate About You when they’re in front of that creepy looking rock statue? That’s here in Seattle. You can just drive-by and steal a glance :)

Pacific Science Center // great exhibit for kiddos! It also has an IMAX theater.

Pike Place Market // probably a must if you’ve never been to Seattle, however I wouldn’t recommend staying downtown. also fun fact, the “original” Starbucks that is there isn’t actually the original. The original one was located at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971-1976 and the present one is at 1912 Pike Place.

Seattle Public Library downtown // just Google it. great for free!

Seattle Art Museum //

Seattle Underground Tour // I haven’t done this but Aaron has and says great things about it. I’m waiting for some friends to visit so I can tag along!

Space Needle // personally, I wouldn’t recommend this… for an even better view, I would say the Sky View Observatory at the Columbia City Tower. It is the tallest building in Seattle. Or the Smith Tower.

Starbucks Reserve // a good tourist-y thing to do. we don’t think the coffee is the best but it is a cool space.

The Washington State Ferry // if you’ve got an extra few day(s), and have never been on the ferry! Take a short day trip to Bainbridge or Whidbey Island or plan to spend a weekend in Orcas Island.

BOOKSHOPS

Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe // a cute bookstore that sells more nerdy books and they serve coffee from Kuma Roasters, which are our second-favorite coffee roasters. Also serves really great food!

Elliot Bay Book Company // located in Cap Hill which is a great central spot next to other fun, trendy places

Third Place Books in Seward Park // bookstore attached to Chucks Hop Shop (beers on tap + wine)

CUTE BOUTIQUE SHOPS

Columbia City Bouquet // local flower shop. sells plants, gifts and greeting cards.

Lucca Great Finds // also along a great street with plenty of other amazing shops… this is just one of my faves

BARS

Bathtub Gin // a speakeasy in Belltown

Deep Dive //

Doctor’s Office // would recommend reservations! get the TDO Spanish Coffee for a fun show ;)

Knee High Stocking Co. //

Needle & Thread //

Shibuya Hifi //

BRUNCH

Ba Sa // on Bainbridge Island… great modern Vietnamese restaurant, creative takes on traditional dishes (have never been for brunch but it looks amazing!)

Geraldine’s Counter //

Redwing Cafe // great spot for Vegan/GF

Smith //

Meet the Moon //

The Wandering Goose //

COFFEE

Aroom Coffee // really amazing Vietnamese coffee… the Pandan latte!!

Elm Coffee // sick spot in Pioneer Square. Aaron did the floors here!

Empire Espresso //

Hello Em // another yum Viet coffee shop

La Marzocco // attached to KEXP, a local radio station. Aaron also did the floors here :)

Milstead & Co. //

Moonshot Coffee //

Olympia Coffee Roasters // our favorite roasters!

Push and Pull //

Santo Coffee //

ICE CREAM & DESSERT

Deep Sea Sugar and Salt // cake by the slice and so good.

Flour Box // donuts! only open Thurs-Sun… opens at 10am but line usually starts around 845am… people wait 1-2hrs for the donuts consistently. Flavors change every few weeks. 

Frankie & Jo’s // plant-based ice cream. actually pretty good!

Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery //

Indigo Cow // really yummy and popular Japanese soft serve

Molly Moons //

Paper Cake Shop //

Salt & Straw //

LUNCH/DINNER RECS

***For quick lunches and/or groceries, I would always recommend PCC Markets. Always a great selection of local foods and quick, fresh meals.

8oz Burger & Co. //

Bar Del Corso // weird hours but really good pizza. usually pretty crowded.

Bar Melusine // oysters.

Bateau // once the cut is sold for the day, it’s gone!

Bottlehouse // wine, cheese and bread. need I say more?

Cutting Board // kinda more of a hole-in-the-wall feel, but really yummy sushi. plan to spend some monies here.

Danbo Ramen //

El Camion // quick, cheap good tacos.

Exit 5 Korean BBQ // this spot is actually in Renton, but is in a good outdoor shopping area

Fonda La Catrina // yummy Mexican foods

Kilig Seattle // Filipino + PNW flavors

Milk Drunk // chicken sandwiches and soft serve!

Musang // definitely need reservations. delicious Filipino food

Proletariat Pizza // family-friendly. GF. has an original BW photobooth in the back for $4 a pop!

Tacos Chukis // try their classic pineapple tacos

Tomo //

Tomo Sushi //

Un Bien // probably the best sandwich I’ve ever had

PARKS 

Cal Anderson Park // right next to Molly Moons in Cap Hill.

Gas Works // great in the summer for picnics and kite-flying.

Golden Gardens // definitely check out the Ballard Locks as well if you’re in this area

Green Lake Park // a 2.8 mi loop. very popular spot in the summers.

Jefferson Park // .75 mi loop. fun playground! great view of the city in Beacon Hill.

Kubota Gardens // beautiful 20-acre garden in South Seattle.

Olympic Sculpture Park // outdoor park by the Seattle Pier.

Seward Park // a great 2.5 mi loop in South Seattle. I’ve taken Libby on a handful of walks around here. Also lots of hilly trails for running. Great playground

Volunteer Park & Conservatory // cute little conservatory in the park and the Seattle Asian Art museum is right there as well.

Washington Park Arboretum //