1st Ave, Belltown

First Avenue isn't the closest street to the waterfront, but offers the most history of the city. The positive aspects arguably outweigh the negative, though some people don't find this to be a very comfortable avenue to be on downtown. Several condo complexes line the north end with boutique shops and small restaurants, but the biggest draw for any tourist is going to be the entrance to Pike Place Market. The flower shops, cultural cuisine and handcrafted art at the market make it a very popular destination spot. Unfortunately, the area around the market has some establishments that deter crowds, like De'ja Vu and the Lusty Lady. If you can look past the seedy aspects of the street, you'll find some great night spots, outstanding restaurants, gorgeous architecture, unique storefronts and terrific history of the city.

Tell me what other tree-lined street winds along a well-established waterfront and has even half the things to do that First Avenue offers? Whether you're looking for a wonderful stroll on a lazy afternoon or a hopping night life, First Avenue offers all this and more. There are outdoor sculptures and let's not forget historic Doc Maynards, the departure point for the famed Seattle Underground tour. If you haven't taken the tour, especially if you're a local, you owe it to yourself to go and see the oldest "Crapper" in the country! Where? First Avenue of course!

Not only is the Pioneer Square area where Seattle got it's start, but it's also where lots of Seattleites got to shake their booties! On 1st Ave we have jazz clubs, nightclubs, late night restaurants, hot dog stands, adult entertainment and a number of other things to do once the stars twinkle and the moon has risen. WHen the sun reins the sky you have antique stores, book shops, a year round farmer's market, (which Seattle is famous for), a huge newly renovated art museum, an army surplus store, and, my favorite, a tour of underground Seattle. The city was raised after the fire that pretty much destroyed the city, back when everything was wood, but there were still storefronts and whatnot and the original street level and the tour of Seattle's underground wonders begins on 1st Ave at Doc Maynard's. 1st Ave in Seattle is a wonderful place and I encourage everyone to spend a day and a night there, you won't be bored, I promise.

I love going downtown, parking the car, and taking a walk around.

1st Ave is one of my favorite spots.

First you have the world famous Pike Place Market. I know it's touristy, but I get a kick out of watching them toss fish, and I really like the shops underneath the thing. It's got some really great headshops with some different stuff than you might find other places in the city. There's a little park sitting area out the backside, but be careful, a lot of the time the place is crawling with junkies and homeless. They don't take no for an answer.

Walking down the street you'll see a few strip clubs. Most of those are new within the last ten years or so, but the one that's historic is the Lusty Lady. It's owned by women and may be just the aversion therapy you need.

Along the way there are tons of cool shops, and that sort of thing, it's actually quite an upscale area.

Keep walking, and you'll eventually get to one of my favorite parts of town Pioneer Square. This is the place where people lived when they first came to Seattle.

The Seattle Underground is here, and although I thought it was pretty boring, it is an interesting thing to see at least once in your live. I have to say I didn't really get why the city was built so much higher.

One of the best parts of Pioneer Square are the bars. They have bars to suit every taste. My favorite is the New Orleans Creole bar. It has great food, live music, and super drinks. Expensive, but one of the best things to do on a night out.

After nearby Pike Place, the birthplace of Starbucks, 1st ave is a neat street. Here you have access to great food like Ivar's Sea Food, a hot dog shack, and odd little curios. There are two Ripley's style stores with really crazy stuff in them and touristy stuff to buy. The water views are great and their is a free light rail system here to take you around the city.

1st Avenue intersects Pike Street and it's where all the tourists gather to shop at Pike Place Market. I wouldn't hang out after dark, though. When I visited, 3 people were shot here the night after I spend all day walking up and down this street. Overall, it's a great Seattle experience (minus the shootings), and right along the water, you couldn't ask for a better view.

First Avenue used to be unsafe at night and for that matter in the daytime too. Thatr was years ago and 1st Avenue has undergone a transformation. At the north end the famous Pike Place Public Market remains unchanged but the neighborhood has become more upscale. At the south end you'll find Pioneer Square and old Seattle. A few blocks south are QWest and Safeco fields (Seahawks and Mariners). There's plenty of public parking though a bit expensive.