If there were ever a perfect place to actually live up to the shop-until-you-drop cliché, downtown Seattle just might be it. Bring some comfy shoes, grab the credit card with the highest limit and explore all of the best options in the downtown core — all in one day.
Morning
Stop by one of the hundreds of downtown coffee shops or stands to kick-start what will be a marathon shopping day. Then hit some of Seattle’s most upscale boutiques — St. John, Louis Vuitton and Luly Yang Couture — many of which are sprinkled around some of the city’s posh downtown hotels such as the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle. Keep the theme of indulgence going by sampling treats at one of downtown’s emerging artisan chocolate shops, such as The Chocolate Box, which features melt-in-your-mouth bites from lots of local chocolatiers.
Afternoon
Drift back to reality near First Avenue and Pike Street, where the bustling
Pike Place Market begins. Stroll through the upper-level stalls of flowers, fruits, veggies and handmade goods (such as honey-infused bath products and blown-glass jewelry), then head down to the lower level for a collection of out-of-the-ordinary and charmingly kitschy shops.
The Pike Place Market area is a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat — and rest weary feet — as foodie-favorite restaurants, cafes and food stands abound. Then stop by the first-ever Starbucks store for a shot of caffeine to power an afternoon of even more shopping.
Nearby, shopping centers beckon. Get lost in Pacific Place, which boasts Barneys New York and plenty of big-name shops. Or wander the fabulous Nordstrom flagship store, adjacent to Pacific Place. The not-to-miss boutiques and stores of City Centre and Westlake Center are also close by.
Evening
Take a break to be pampered at the chakra-enhancing
Ummelina International Day Spa or one of many other downtown spas. Once revived, continue on First Avenue into the Belltown enclave of downtown, which is lined with chic, independent boutiques and dotted with top-notch galleries such as
Canlis Glass.
End the day by collapsing into one of the cozy booths at a Belltown-area bistro and sipping on a signature cocktail while perusing the mouthwatering menu.