Before you know it, everyone will be scrambling to get that last-minute holiday gift. Don’t be one of them! Plan ahead and book an epic shopping getaway to Seattle. Whether you’re after iconic brands on indie makers in trendy neighborhoods, the Emerald City has it all. From vintage and modern duds to works of art, jewelry, books, housewares, high-tech, and more, it’s all here. Ready, set go! We’ll bring you everywhere from popular venues to secret hot spots with a little help from our handy guide.
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Downtown
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Arguably Seattle’s most famous shopping venue, the Pike Place Market is less than a mile from our terminal. While it’s known for fresh produce and flying fish, it’s also a great place to find unique (and non-perishable!) gifts. Start at Delaurenti for the tastiest gourmet stocking stuffers, then head into the market proper (including the lower levels) for everything from pop culture collectibles to ceramics and jewelry.
Head a few blocks to the west to Nordstrom’s flagship store. Don’t let the brand scare you–they have gifts suitable for the runway or the street chic crowd. But, if by any chance you don’t find the perfect thing, Zara, Anthropologie, All Saints, and Urban Outfitters are just steps away.
Finally, circle back towards the water to catch the latest exhibits at the Seattle At Museum and hit the gift shop for the creatives on your list. Or if you really want to win giving this year, step inside the SAM Gallery for a curated selection of local fine art.
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Downtown is the place for a luxurious lunch or brunch. Enjoy the ultimate in French brasserie elegance at Cafe Campagne, Or, go Italian with market fave, Pink Door. (Reservations highly recommended.)
Capitol Hill
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A quick jaunt east of downtown along bustling Denny Way will land you in Capitol Hill’s vibrant, urban playground. Duck into Melrose Market which sits within historic automotive buildings dating to 1919. It’s a more intimate version of famous Pike Place Market. Furthermore, it’s a hidden gem to all but locals in the know featuring creators from the area as your go-to spot for locally-sourced, independently-made items. Check out Glasswing for an amazing selection of on-trend threads, adorable bags and jewelry. Or Butter Home where you can find the Original Duckhead umbrella. Unique and fun with a very useful purpose for those who live in the PNW, it’s made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Looking for something special for the man in your life? Sergius & Bacchus over on East Pike is an independent menswear boutique with a creatively curated collection of hard to find brands, including many that are new or emerging and LGBTQ+ owned. For anyone with a little Irish pride, we love the gorgeous men’s wool scarves that were hand woven in Killarney, Ireland on a 200-year-old loom. If you aren’t sure what to get, consider a gift card. When you buy $200 worth, you’ll get a $50 voucher towards you’re next purchase.
For vintage finds, we can highly recommend Pretty Parlor with vintage styles from the 1950s. Plus, if you’re shopping before Halloween and in need of that perfect retro costume, you can accomplish two things at once. Before you leave the Hill, be sure to pop into the famous Elliot Bay Book Co. If you’re anything like us, it’s easy to wile away an entire afternoon here with over 150,000 titles lining the shelves. Whoops, you might need another day…
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Assuming you’ve already had your caffeine fix, it might be time for a sweet treat at Frankie & Jo’s plant-based ice cream shop. Everything is vegan and gluten-free, even the waffle cones, made from gluten-free oat flour. But you don’t have to have special dietary needs to appreciate the goodness of this place!
Pioneer Square
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Situated in the heart of Seattle, historic Pioneer Square is where the city was birthed. It’s famous for its underground tour and offers an extensive collection of unique, blink-and-you-might-miss-them boutiques. Stylish Flora and Henri is the place to go to buy something your loved ones deserve but didn’t know they needed. There are treasures for men, women, children, and even the family pet. Think vintage-inspired clothes, silk scarves, cashmere socks, sleek tech gadgets, and, for that penguin lover on your list, a charming Nymphenburg Penguin statue.
Have someone crafty on your list? We can’t think of a better place to go than The Works. A small women-owned business, it sells DIY craft kits that include all the necessary materials, instructions, and a “carefully curated playlist to inspire creativity.” Workshops are hosted on everything from block printing to candlemaking too. A kit or a gift card towards a class is sure to be appreciated!
For the kids and kids-at-heart on your list, don’t miss Magic Mouse Toys. Step inside, and suddenly you’re 10 again. It’s a whole lot of fun for all ages with many demo toys to play. Trust us when we say you’re never too old to enjoy the magic here. Filled with some of the greatest toys from across more than 6,000 feet, you’ll probably find something you played with as a child to pick up for yourself. You know, for nostalgic purposes.
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Pop on over to Intrigue Chocolate for a tasting experience. You can enjoy a 2-in-1 here as there are also Chocolate Tasting Kits that are perfect for gifts! This artisan chocolate making and confection company offers unique flavors like Pineapple & Chili, Bourbon & Vanilla, Jamaican Hot Chocolate, and Lavender Jalapeno.
Belltown
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Not far from the downtown waterfront, Belltown is one of Seattle’s hippest communities. Its retail-centric First Avenue offers an enticing lineup of boutiques within a two block radius. Start your exploration by getting in touch with Seattle’s music scene at the funky record shop SinglesGoing Steady. With a massive selection of secondhand vinyl, you might find that record your friend has been searching for to add to his or her collection. Either way, the knowledgeable staff will ensure that you don’t leave without a stack of vinyl for a gift or for yourself, along with excellent recommendations for future listening.
Khulman is an excellent boutique for everything from hard-to-find men’s designers to buttery leather wallets. Plus, you can take advantage of owner Scott Khulman’s helpful expertise to let him guide you to that perfect find. Or, how about a “fancy” ring. Fancy is a female-owned and operated shop that you can feel good about buying from. The in-house line is made using only recycled precious metals, re-purposed diamonds, and redesigns from vintage or “meltable” jewelry. You can even have a custom-designed piece made for that extra-special someone.
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After all that sugar earlier, you might be ready for a healthier bite. Fan of seared sushi? Aburiya Bento House is your own personal sushi Disneyland. And, if you’re in the mood to splurge, it even offers toro nigiri topped with edible gold for indulging like an A-lister. Or maybe it’s the perfect time for a refreshing cocktail. If so, discover a hidden gem of a bar by looking for the wooden door tucked into the alleyway between First and Second Avenue where you’ll find the speakeasy-style Bath Gin & Co.
Fremont
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The self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe,” quirky Fremont is one of the most eclectic spots in Seattle. Great news for shopaholics, particularly believers of the phrase “they don’t make ‘em like they used to.” If that’s you, you’ll find yourself at home in the basement of the Fremont Vintage Mall. It’s a far cry from your grandma’s antique store. In fact, it’s more like a museum than a store, offering curios from nearly every decade for a nostalgia-filled experience.
Fashionistas can’t miss the quality clothing, accessories and jewelry from local designers. That includes Prairie Underground and Pirouette Essentials at Show Pony or Pipe & Row’s hip closet of designs flown in from as far away as Australia and Demark.
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If your sweet tooth can handle more, cap off your day with a visit to Theo Chocolate Factory. Since you’re already here in Fremont, you might as well – it’s one of the top attractions in the city. And, if you have enough time you can take a behind-the-scenes tour, peek inside the “confection kitchen” and witness the chocolate production process in action from bean to bar.
Ballard
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Head to the Nordic-influenced neighborhood of Ballard to shop the burgeoning selection of unique boutiques. For an adventure in all things retro, don’t miss Trove Vintage with a very well-curated and artfully displayed selection of vintage clothing.
Looking for unique PNW gifts? Seattle Sundries offers gifts that were handcrafted right in the region with a focus on natural soaps. Made using all natural ingredients, the variety of scents are amazing. And, they have fun names like Exotic Escapade with a little sweet and a little spice. The Fish Tale soap isn’t fishy, but with the smell of anise, it’s said to be irrestible to fish for that fisherman or woman in your life.
Camelion Design is our favorite spot for a variety of novelty accessories, scented candles, clever letterpress greeting cards and books. The shop’s owner handpicks everything, all of which is made with environmentally safe materials, making shopping for your earth-conscious pals a snap. For affordable, fashion-forward jewelry, trek on over to Baleen. It has a swoon-worthy lineup of chunky gold statement rings, classic bangles and unique earrings. Even better, nearly all are handmade in-house in the attached production studio.
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If the weather isn’t too frightful, or even better, the skies are clear, end your shopping day by soaking up the extraordinary view of the Puget Sound and the Olympics beyond at Golden Gardens in Ballard. If you’re here at dusk, the sunsets are incredible from this vantage point.
BONUS!
If you like outlet shopping, the Seattle Premium Outlets is the place to go. Only a 30-minute drive north of Seattle, it’s easy to get there thanks to the shuttle that departs from the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in the heart of downtown. Once there, you can shop ’til you drop with its impressive collection of more than 130 designer names, including Burberry, Coach, and Kate Spade New York. You’ll find everything from sporting goods to women’s apparel and jewelry. You won’t get hunger either with a food court that includes the Ram Restaurant & Brewery, Cafe Bento, and more.
With an unrivaled local scene, holiday shopping in Seattle is the perfect place to find just the right gifts. You can also expand your fashion horizons and discover your new favorite designer at shops stocking a remarkable array of handcrafted and locally-made apparel and jewelry. But fair warning. Don’t blame us if it doesn’t all fit in suitcase!