Capitol Hill

While it's best to enjoy in the summer, this neighborhood is easily a perennial favorite day or night. Filled with incredible restaurants/bars, entertaining show venues, quirky shops, and picturesque old homes, you're sure to have a blast. It feels like a hipsters paradise, but there is a lot of Seattle history around the area if you look close enough and talk to older locals. I suggest walking up from downtown (20-30min walk) and stopping when a bar or restaurant catches your eye. Have a quick meal/drink then head out for some shopping. Be sure to check out Elliott Bay Book Co. --a lovely local bookshop which will surely have something to tickle your fancy. End with treat on your way back downtown, Maggie Moo's is a popular ice cream joint or get your caffeine fix at Starbucks Reserve Roastery.

We were staying above one of the coolest restaurants on Capitol Hill, called Harry's Fine Food with a great view of Seattle tower and Puget Sound at the end of the street.
As the light rail train from the airport has a direct line to Capitol Hill, we did not need to rent a car, plus the fact that A, parking was just about impossible and B, Uber service was only minutes away from everything on capitol Hill. Every morning our walk up hill to Broadway in the heart of Capitol Hill, was a new adventure, as there are so many interesting buildings old and new, places to eat and shop and small parks to see.
The Public bus goes to Lake View Cemetery were Bruce Lee’s Grave is located next door to Volunteer park with its classic Conservatory, Statues of William H. Seward and the Black Sun. There is a Memorial to veterans of the Spanish American war, and the 444.5 feet above sea level water tower and observation deck with incredible views of the surround country side.
The lovely Cal Anderson Park and its fountains and the statue of Jimi Hendrix are all part of Capitol Hills surprises.
We had been told that Capitol Hill was the gay neighborhood of Seattle. but I guess that was in the past, as except for a couple of worn out rainbow crosswalks and the odd flag, there was nothing different from any other neighborhood.
Besides the Unicorn with its old pin ball machines downstairs! The Comet Tavern built in 1910 a pure old school Seattle dive Bar, The Crescent Lounge, full of colourful caricatures, and Karaoke 7 nights a week, The Hula Hula Bar with interesting food and Tiki drinks that are out of this world, Linda’s Tavern with its Cowboy-themed and ranch like décor where Kurt Cobain (RIP) used to hang out, Poquitos Mexican restaurant with its popular state of Oaxaca specialty, called Chapulines, or chile-lime toasted grasshoppers, and for something completely different the Blade and Timber Axe throwing place, not for the old or faint hearted, but fun and very North West.
On a different note there are a great verity of religious buildings, there are a few worth visiting, like the German United Church of Christ, with its service in German, Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, where in true Greek tradition the church celebrates at least one saint every day of the year, and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the oldest parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia in the United States.
There are too many good eating places on the hill, but I guarantee whatever you like, it is here somewhere.

TIP: We spent Five days just eating and drinking on Capitol hill and still did not see it all, so phone before you go so as not to miss out.

Capitol Hill is a great place to take friends who happen to be visiting Seattle. But don't take your car unless you really need to. Take the light rail. Not having to deal with finding parking will make your visit more fun. There are nice parks, beautiful old homes, and lots of places to eat and shop.

Full disclosure: I live here and am a bit biased. However, I have lived in Seattle for 30 years and know the city well. If you are visiting from out of town and want to get a taste of Seattle culture, this is a place to do it.

The best area right now in Capitol Hill is the "Pike/Pine Corridor". It is basically the area from downtown up to 12th Ave on both Pike and Pine. Some of the best restaurants/bars in the city are here. Oddfellows, Po Dog, Barrio, Quinns, Honey Hole, Sun Liquor can go on and on.

Plus you have the last great independent bookstore in the city; Elliot Bay Books.

This is definitely the heart of Seattle culture as well as the gay area of Seattle. Don't be scared away if you are straight, however. This area is definitely main stream. For the best in gay Seattle, check out Purr, Lobby, Q, Pony; all within the Pike/Pine area.

Capitol Hill has a diverse population (young, old, gays, students, poor, rich, hip, etc.) and seems to offer something for everyone. Simple homes and apartment buildings stand near elegant mansions. Casual eateries mingle with upscale restaurants, such as Altura, which I recommend for a special occasion. And many bars attract a young crowd at night.

My favorite Seattle bakery -- the tiny Crumble and Flake -- brings me to the hill often. I'm usually after a macaron or two (equal to any I've had in Paris) but sometimes opt for a croissant, canole or scone. And I can never resist going into Stumptown Coffee Roasters, where I know I'll always get a fabulous espresso.

The funky, old Harvard Exit beckons to those who like independent films. I've seen many good ones there. Nearby, Volunteer Park (named after the Spanish American War veterans) offers grassy expanses for picnics or play, the Seattle Asian Art Museum and a Victorian-style conservatory filled with plants. Just north of the park, Lake View Cemetery has the much-visited grave site of martial arts expert Bruce Lee and his son, action-film actor Brandon Lee.

Closer to Downtown, Elliott Bay Book Company offers thousands of books for sale. The staff of this independent, family-owned bookstore are the most knowledgeable of any I have interacted with in bookstores worldwide.

For tourists who want to get a "feel" for Seattle beyond Downtown, Capitol Hill is a good neighborhood to wander through. It is about a 20-minute walk uphill from Downtown to reach the central part of the hill, but buses go to the area frequently. For those with cars, there is both free and metered parking.

I always thoroughly enjoy my visits to Capitol Hill regardless of how much money I happen to have on me. I love even just window shopping around the town. Some of my favorite stores include Metro (a clothing store) and Red Light (vintage store). I've gotten so many cheap and unique items from Capitol Hill. I also attended gay pride parades and talked to a lot of intelligent and interesting people just roaming the streets. It's my favorite place in the world.

I have been to Capitol Hill many times. I enjoy the variety of vegan food available. There are many cute and cool shops to visit. I could spend days there and not get bored.

I don't get it. Several people had told us to visit Capitol Hill and up we went and down we came. A waste of time. What did we miss? As far as we could make out this is an area for the more energetic druggie and homeless person as the hill as a bit of a climb.

The area between Pike and Pine street has the best nightlife in town. Mostly hipster bars, with the most pronounced one Linda's. Expect ot see people dressed up with whatever kind of clothes. If you do not welcome diversity, stay out of here. That is the perfect place for open-minded persons.

We went here for a stroll on a Sunday and don't really know what the fuss is about. It's just a neighborhood with cafe's.
Maybe we missed something but we walked up and down Broadway trying to find anything, but left and walked to pike market.