Oct
11
2009
Bordered by the waterfront, the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Garden, Monorail and Westlake Center, Belltown is Seattle’s hippest happening neighborhood. Boasting more than 27 condo buildings, Belltown can also claim some of the city’s finest boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs, along with some of its best new and renovated architecture.
This wonderful area was once (and not that long ago) a low-rent industrial arts district built on re-graded land. When you hear “Denny re-grade,” that flattened down hill area includes Belltown. A little slice of history remains at the corner of Vine and Western Avenue. Built above the street level and surrounded by a hand-made mosaic wall is the Belltown P-Patch and a couple of old cottages that serve as reminders to the fact that in the 1850s, this is where the shoreline stopped. Today, that former shoreline is one of the city’s truly international landmarks––the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park, an eight and one-half acre expanse of gentle rolling hills dotted with impressive art and laced by sidewalks that end at Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront.
Belltown is very close to just about anywhere in downtown Seattle: Pike place Market, Westlake Center mall, the Seattle Center, Elliott Bay and even Pioneer Square. If you enjoy nightlife, you only need step out your door for some of the city’s iconic venues: Jazz Alley, the Pampas Room and the Lava Lounge. You can also dine on cuisine from just about any continent––French: Le Pichet, Brasserie Margaux; Italian: Branzino, Assaggio, or Barolo; Japanese: Wasabi Bistro; North African: Marrakech; Mexican: Mama’s Kitchen, Dos Amigos; seafood: Flying Fish, Etta’s or Fish Club; Greek: Lola’s; Northwest: Dahlia Lounge, Lampreia, Cellars; and many more.
Shopping is also delight in Belltown. Pick up a fleece jacket at Patagonia and diamonds at EE Robbins… grab some guest towels at Bed, Bath & Beyond and a bargain vintage at Cost Plus… For dinner fixings, just head to Pike Place for everything fresh. Anyone looking for the ultimate urban lifestyle experience is sure to find it in Seattle’s Belltown.
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