Best neighborhoods in Seattle

6 areas in Seattle, United States — what each one feels like, who it suits, and roughly what it costs.

Ballard ($) — Nordic roots, breweries, locks Best for Beer + neighbourhood feel. The salmon ladder at the locks and a brewery on every block. An old fishing town rebuilt as a low-rise brewery district. Getting around: RapidRide D line + car
Queen Anne ($$) — Hilltop views, old houses Best for Views + families. Kerry Park's postcard view, and the Seattle Center below. Steep, residential and quietly expensive. Getting around: Buses + a steep walk
Capitol Hill ($$) — Bars, bookshops, rainbow crossings Best for Nightlife + coffee. The best bar density in the city, and a park with mountain views. Seattle's cultural centre and its LGBTQ+ heart. Getting around: Link light rail at Capitol Hill
Fremont ($) — Canal-side, quirky statues Best for Value + strolling. The troll under the bridge and a canal path into the city. Self-declared centre of the universe; low-key and green. Getting around: Buses + Burke-Gilman Trail
South Lake Union ($$) — Tech campuses, new towers Best for Business + modern rooms. New hotels by the tech campuses, walkable to the Space Needle. Built by Amazon in a decade; glassy and busy on weekdays. Getting around: Streetcar + walkable
Downtown ($$) — Market stalls, waterfront, ferries Best for First-timers. Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and ferries to the islands. Office core; walkable, and steep in every direction. Getting around: Link light rail + ferries