LIVING IN
SOUTH LAKE UNION
Located on mercer and 5th Ave, Auditorium is a prime location. It puts you within arms reach of Seattle’s unlimited attractions. A booming hub for Amazon and the biotech industry, South Lake Union is crammed with buzzing bars, hip eateries, and lunchtime food trucks. In Lake Union Park, the waterside Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) highlights Seattle’s history, businesses, and inventions. The Center for Wooden Boats runs sailing courses and rents sailboats, rowboats, and canoes. Kayakers and paddleboarders float under seaplanes on the lake.
EAT
Rooftop views and Mediterranean-influenced dishes are available year-round in Mbar’s heated, glass-enclosed perch, while the building’s ground floor is worth a stop for Meat and Bread’s porchetta and salsa verde. Along the docks of Lake Union, do an early lunch or a late-night bite at Ba Bar —think Vietnamese street-style snacks and pho. For a taste of classic Seattle à la restaurateur Tom Douglas, order a pint and pretzel from Brave Horse Tavern or a homemade buttermilk biscuit topped with bacon butter and seasonal jam at Serious Pie & Biscuit.
PLAY
The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) bridges the city’s past and present with interactive exhibits and some of Seattle’s most iconic artifacts, from a Boeing B-1 seaplane to the fire-engine-red “R” from Rainier Brewing Company. Nearby, delve into Northwest maritime heritage (or even take a boat out on the water) at The Center for Wooden Boats, or tee up for a round of nine-hole mini-golf paired with local brews at Flatstick Pub. Back at the trio of spherical conservatories that make up the Seattle Spheres, sign up in advance to stroll the indoor rainforest on two Saturdays a month.
SHOP
Find Asian snacks and staples plus plenty of grab-and-go bites at Kai Market, the first satellite outpost of mega-grocer Uwajimaya, housed in market-style food and retail hall. While you’re there, stop by neighboring boutique Verde & Co for floral inspiration. Adventure enthusiasts can pay homage at REI’s expansive flagship location, complete with a climbing wall, mountain bike test trails, and outdoor gear as far as the eye can see. To experience one possible future of convenient commerce, download and activate Amazon Go’s app, grab your supplies and walk out the door—the digital transaction is lightning-quick, no cashiers necessary.