Local Highlights

Things to Do in Capitol Hill

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With so many things to do in Capitol Hill, you’ll never be bored

If you’re thinking about visiting or living in Seattle, you’re probably already familiar with historic and notable places like Pike Place Market, the Naval Yard, and Puget Sound. However, you might be less familiar with Seattle’s neighborhoods. There’s the bohemian neighborhood of Fremont, the laid-back residential areas in West Seattle, and the biotech hub of South Lake Union. However, Seattle, Capitol Hill is arguably one of the hottest neighborhoods in the seaport city.

Looking for things to do in Capitol Hill Seattle? A little research will show you that there are tons of ways to have fun and relax while you’re in this neighborhood. Check out our guide of things to do in Seattle, Capitol Hill whether you are spending the day or night. You might just find that this area is your new favorite place!

What is Capitol Hill Known For?

Capitol Hill is a popular Seattle area. In fact, it’s often called “Seattle’s coolest neighborhood,” and for a good reason. Situated on a hill just to the east of Downtown Seattle, this neighborhood boasts parks with breathtaking views of this Washington city. The neighborhood is known for offering many different things to do in Capitol Hill, as it’s home to trendy bars and eateries, lively gay bars, casual coffee shop spots, and independent stores. Most are within walking distance of one another, which makes Capitol Hill the perfect spot to explore downtown Seattle on foot. 

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is also known for its strong community vibes. This is due to a combination of the area’s friendly, liberally minded residents and the many events that the neighborhood hosts each year. Two of the most popular occasions are Seattle PrideFest in June and the Capitol Hill Block Party in July. Clearly, Seattle neighborhoods are all about community and fun.

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What Are Good Restaurants in Capitol Hill?

The Seattle culinary scene is well-known among self-described foodies, and the Capitol Hill neighborhood is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. Whether you’re looking to have a leisurely brunch or you want to meet up with friends for happy hour, you can find tons of great places to chow down.

One of the top restaurants in Seattle is in the Capitol Hill area: Skillet. This charming restaurant’s interior and brunch menu provide the feel of a diner, and patrons can order comfort food from an all-day breakfast menu. Fried chicken, which visitors call both crispy and juicy, is one of the most popular offerings from Skillet.

For fans of flavors from exotic locations, NUE is the perfect spot. Often described as a destination for adventurous eaters, the eatery serves up dishes with flavors inspired by Pakistani, South African and Malaysian cuisine. The Jumbo Chicken Wings and the Pineapple Cornbread are among two of the most beloved dishes.

Seattle is famous for offering delicious sushi, and Momiji is one of the best places to get it in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The restaurant offers dozens of specialty sushi rolls, including the Capitol Hill Roll with seared salmon and sweet chili soy glaze, and the portions are generous. Adding to the relaxed and cool vibe of the eatery is a glass-encased Japanese garden in the center of the restaurant.

Bakery Nouveau is a great place to satisfy a sweet tooth, as the eatery offers buttery, flaky and decadent dishes. The staff serves up its beloved, twice-baked chocolate croissant as well as macaroons, pastries, quiches, and sandwiches. The offerings and laid-back atmosphere make Bakery Nouveau a great place to enjoy brunch and lunch.

Nothing goes better with brunch and pastries than a cup of coffee, and luckily Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood features a wealth of coffee shops. From Victrola Coffee Roasters, which offers kind baristas, ample seating and coffee roasted at their Pine Street location, to Little Oddfellows in the back of the Elliott Bay Book Company, there’s plenty of places to grab a cup of joe.

Before moving on from our discussion of the Seattle food scene, it’s important to mention the historic Eastern Market, which opened in 1873. Right in the heart of Capitol Hill, this market is a destination for fresh, locally sourced food and handmade arts and crafts. As you shop this beloved market, you can enjoy live music performed by bands from a wide variety of genres. This adds a fun ambiance to nightlife in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

What Is There to Do in Capitol Hill?

There’s no shortage of fun and interesting things to do in Capitol Hill Seattle. Whether you love going to venues to enjoy live music or you’re a fan of spending some time in a neighborhood park, the Capitol Hill neighborhood has something for you.

One of the most beautiful parks in all of Seattle is Volunteer Park, and it just so happens to be in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The centerpiece of this park is a Victorian-style conservatory that features five unique display houses. Each house has a different theme, so you can take a self-guided tour to see everything from ferns and palms to cacti and succulents. In addition to the conservatory, you can also find a wading pool to help you cool off on a hot day and beautiful sculptures throughout the park. Additionally, you can climb the park’s 75-foot water tower to enjoy views from the highest point in neighborhood. Best of all, it’s free to enjoy.

If you’re a fan of Asian art, you’ll want to make your way to the middle of Volunteer Park to visit the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Don’t let the museum’s smaller size fool you. Seattle Asian Art Museum is home to an impressive permanent collection that features both ancient and modern Asian art. You can also enjoy the beauty of the colored vases by Ai Weiwei in a special exhibit. Many of these artistic locales have a self-guided tour available so you can take in everything around you.

Another one of the tranquil things to do in Capitol Hill is visiting the Japanese Garden in the middle of the Washington Park Arboretum. The garden contains a koi pond, Japanese maples, formal garden designs and a Shoseian teahouse straight from Tokyo, Japan. This beautiful space is a wonderful place for quiet reflection and relaxation. Within the Washington Park Arboretum, you can also find plants from Australia, Cascadia, Chile, China and New Zealand. It’s like taking a day trip around the world.

Seattle is famous for its music scene, so checking out a music venue is one of the best things to do in Capitol Hill at night. The Crocodile has been hosting big names in music since 1991. Nirvana, Pearl Jam and R.E.M. all performed there in the past, and artists like Macklemore and the Head and the Heart delight patrons with live music today. You can also visit the Back Bar while you’re there to grab hot pizzas and cold beers in a cozy space.

Neumos is another Capitol Hill music venue that hosts artists and bands from a wide variety of genres. This means you can stop by Neumos one night and listen to indie rock, and then go the next day and take in some metal or hip hop. Names like Adele, Bush, Muse, Radiohead and Vampire Weekend have all played here.

If you want to add to your media collection at home, you’ll want to stop by Spin Cycle. This record store sells everything from vinyl and cassette tapes to games and movies. You can browse the impressive collection of classic punk rock albums or reach out to the knowledgeable and friendly staff to help you find even the most obscure pieces of media.

Finally, no list of things to do in this Seattle neighborhood would be complete without mentioning the nightlife in the neighborhood. For fans of bars with a speakeasy vibe, Needle & Thread is the perfect place to visit. You’ll enter through their sister bar called Tavern Law right next to Seattle University. After using a vintage phone to unlock a door in the back corner, you’re inside, and the world is your oyster because there’s no drink menu. You can just order whatever you like and the bartender will whip it up.

For people who love breweries, Redhook Brewery on Pike Street is a great destination for beer fans. This versatile brewery focuses on experimental beers, including a malty Mexican lager and even a guava milkshake IPA. The space feels modern and industrial, providing ample opportunities for visitors to relax with friends or play shuffleboard in the back room.

You Can Enjoy All the Things to Do in Capitol Hill as a Seattle Resident

Once you become a resident of Seattle, you can take advantage of all the fun activities and delicious restaurants in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. With so many fun things to do in Capitol Hill, Seattle, you’ll never run out of ways to keep yourself entertained.

If you’re interested in living in Seattle, stay tuned! We’re opening homes across the city this year. Follow us on Instagram to get the latest updates.

Sources:

  1. https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/washington/articles/10-things-to-see-and-do-in-capitol-hill-seattle/
  2. https://www.femalefoodie.com/restaurant-reviews/capitol-hill-restaurants-seattle/
  3. https://www.thestranger.com/visitors-guide/2017/05/10/25131246/the-strangers-guide-to-the-best-coffee-shops-in-seattle

 

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