City Guide
Seattle, Washington
Five places worth the detour in Seattle. Start with the underground tunnels in Pioneer Square, where the original 19th-century storefronts sit entombed beneath the modern sidewalk.
At a glance: 6 place guides, vibes that skew historic and boutique.
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Our picks in Seattle
Ranked. Start at the top and work down as far as your weekend allows.
- 1
Seattle Underground: The Sunken Streets of Pioneer Square
A subterranean labyrinth that preserves the city's original street level. You walk past storefronts and alleyways that were built over when the new city rose one story higher.
- 2
Museum of Pop Culture: Seattle’s Shimmering Tribute to Fandom
Frank Gehry's building is known locally as the Blob. The monorail runs directly through the center of the structure, which houses deep dives into horror and sci-fi.
- 3
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop: Seattle's Century-Old Cabinet of Wonders
Mechanical sideshow toys and naturally preserved mummies on the waterfront. This family-run shop has been collecting bizarre natural marvels since 1899.
- 4
Fremont Troll: The Concrete Giant of the Aurora Bridge
Climb the concrete limbs of an eighteen-foot giant. It turned a neglected bridge underpass into a landmark where you can scale the sculpture itself.
- 5
Seattle Meowtropolitan: Caffeinated Cuddles and Feline Adoptions
Drink themed lattes in a custom playground filled with catwalks and bridges. All the cats here are adoptable through King County animal services.
Know before you go
Guided tours are the only way into the underground passages. If you head to the cat lounge, remember that reservations are required. They limit capacity to ten people at once. Parking near the bridge troll is tight, so leave the car several blocks away in Fremont. The monorail offers a specific view of the pop culture museum.
Common questions about Seattle
How do we find the underground tour?
Look for the cast-iron pergola and the totem pole in Pioneer Place Park. Tours leave from Doc Maynard’s Public House.
Is the Sound Garden sculpture open?
The NOAA campus is shut to the public now. While you can see the steel pipes from a distance, the grounds are restricted to authorized personnel.
Where is the best place to see the oddities shop?
You can find it on Pier 54. It sits right next to Ivar's Restaurant on the waterfront.
Can we just walk into the cat cafe?
You need a booking to enter the lounge area. This keeps the environment calm for the ten visitors and the resident cats.
