book this hotelShopping in Seattle
Seattle has some department stores in the classic sense: large emporiums where men, women and children can rig themselves out from top to toe for any occasion, and which also stock bed linen, towels, jewellery, leather goods, household equipment, toys, perfume, body care products and lots more besides.
Downtown Seattle Shopping
Epicenter: Seneca and 4th Ave., Seattle WA
Seattle's downtown shopping district is a compact square of several blocks with brand names like Urban Outfitters, Gap and Nordstorm. Fashion boutiques like Betsy Johnson and Isadora's Antique Clothing dot the urban landscape and offer Seattle shoppers more eclectic options. Downtown Seattle shopping can feel like Fifth Avenue, especially as you stroll by fashion stars like Banana Republic or Nike occupying their own buildings. Westlake Center Plaza, a nearby mall, features local and international home designers as well as a top floor food consortium. If the Seattle rain catches you, shoppers can duck into Pacific Place and shop at Ann Taylor and J. Crew or catch an afternoon flick on the top floor movie theatre. Seattle shoppers tired of schlepping around their shopping bags can unwind at the many fine high-end spas and salons or duck in for a latte at Nordstrom Cafe.
First Hill Shopping
Epicenter: Madison and Boren Ave., Seattle WA
First Hill, also dubbed "Pill Hill," is located atop the downtown center and is an intensive but brief hike from Pioneer Square. Although not a main tourist stop for Seattle visitors, the Hill boasts St. James Cathedral where a mosaic tile floor is on view and the Frye Art Museum, with free admission and representational art, is just a block away. On Madison Avenue, Seattle shoppers can take a lunch break at Pizza Orgasmica or a coffee break at one of three Starbucks located on the same corner. It is easy to understand why because Starbucks caters to the doctors and residents of Pill Hill's medical community.
Fremont Shopping District
Seattle, WA
This compact Seattle shopping block attracts MWS (moms with strollers) taking in the sunshine through the Sunday Fremont Market browsing for a bargain at the retro and vintage stores while weekday worker bees shop-hop during their lunchbreak looking for atomic age martini glasses. This is also a haven for fashionistas who hate the snob factor of downtown Seattle boutiques but can find big-name designers without the attitude.
