Downtown Seattle from Kerry Park. You know you want this on your Instagram.
It’s fall in Seattle and quite possibly the most perfect time of the year to be here. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves have finally turned (it’s been unseasonably hot—thanks, El Niño!) and the smell of fire pits and beachside bonfires is in the air. Sure, it still gets a bit rainy, but it wouldn’t be Seattle without a few gray days! In this post, though, we’re going to take a closer look at West Seattle: a funky, quirky, very (very) up-and-coming neighborhood that should be high on any visitor’s list. Homes are being gentrified and beautified at a smart clip, the views from the hills are outrageous, there are tons of things to do and… It’s only three-and-a-half miles from Downtown. We’ve seen quite a few deals on airfares lately, so if you have the chance to get to the Pacific Northwest, we have a few suggestions on what to do in West Seattle.
Note: After writing the bulk of the article we noticed most of the suggestions had something to do with food, so we added a jaunt to Vashon Island at the end to help you burn some of those calories off. Sort of.
Head to Alki. Alki is the westernmost point in the West Seattle district and home of the famous Alki Beach Park. The 2.5 mile-long sandy beach is a great walk year round and a favorite with locals and visitors alike (definitely the place to see and be seen!) There’s also wide beachfront pathway for walking, biking, rollerblading, dogwalking—you name it—and there’s plenty of parking available along Alki Avenue. This time of the year there’s a distinct chill in the air, so expect to see the occasional bonfire on the beach. But even though everyone’s breaking out their North Face and REI down jackets, the excellent selection of eateries (some dating back to the early 1900s)—not to mention the wicked views and spectacular sunsets—keep it busy way after sundown. We certainly recommend trying the stalwarts such as Spuds (est. 1935) for fish and chips, but newer establishments like Phoenicia keep us coming back for more.
View of Alki Beach in West Seattle.
Grab a taste of the Far East. With Seattle being basically the closest city to Asia on the American mainland, it’s no surprise there’s a plethora of incredible Asian restaurants not just in Chinatown-International District. From highbrow to the not-so-much, the competition your taste buds will be quite pleased. Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, Korean, Cambodian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese… take your pick. The culinary adventurers at Zagat put together a wonderful list of “The 8 Hottest New Asian Restaurants in Seattle” that we urge you to peruse, and we kindly remind you there’s no better way to clear away any autumn chill than with a steaming hot bowl of Vietnamese pho rice noodle soup with beef.
Pho, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Pastries, pastries, pastries… No, seriously: along with a ridiculous amount of coffee shops (yes, there’s more to coffee than Starbucks, Virginia), West Seattleites have opened an astounding number of bakeries that very well could rival those in Paris. Not only that, but this place takes its vegan, organic and gluten-free needs way seriously, meaning anyone with a preference will find treats made to the most stringent specifications. The best part about it? They’re actually delicious. Two fine examples are Bakery Nouveau, so incredible people flock to it from every part of the city and Alki Bakery, which may seem a bit commercial nowadays but still manages to keep standards just as high as when they began 25 years ago. In fact, you’ll find an outpost of theirs at the airport—and yes, dear, you must take a treat with you on the plane.
Then there’s Macrina Bakery, which is technically in SoDo (South Downtown) but we’d be really remiss not to mention it. Let’s just say it started with bread baked by the gods and now offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, cakes, catering and more—all still created by the aforementioned gods.
Food from the gods at Macrina Bakery.
Hop on a ferry to Vashon Island. One of West Seattle’s attractions for those who live there or stay for a visit is it’s central location, meaning it can also serve as a fun “home base” from which to explore other cool things nearby. Vashon Town is just five miles south of the north end ferry terminal servicing West Seattle and Port Orchard—but a world away in terms of ambiance. After all, you’re on an island! Think slower pace, true relaxation, friendlier people and some jaw-dropping natural settings (ok, Seattle has lots of those, but the sunsets here are… Out. Of. This. World.) Seattle natives love having a getaway like this in their own back yard, while visitors will find a day trip (ok, maybe an overnight) is a fantastic addition to their itinerary. Vashon is easy to love, with its restaurants, galleries, shops, historical sights and many outdoor activities to enjoy in such a tiny (13 miles long by 8 miles at its widest) island.
This? It’s on the “to-do” list at Vashon.
So there you have it: a (very) short list of what to do in West Seattle. We could go on and on, but we’re thinking this little taste of what’s here should be more than enough to pique your interest.
Safe travels!
