Seattle Culture
Foot Traffic Rises Again in Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle Association: Slow recovery continues
Nearly 1.9 million visitors came downtown last month. Downtown averaged 85,000 daily workers, a 16% increase from February 2023. That, however, is only 57% compared to the same period in 2020, right before the pandemic.
The Indie Darling
Known for its gritty, industrial past, Georgetown now boasts an eclectic mix of locally-owned cafés, restaurants, and shops
“When I first arrived in Seattle, I was working in a welding shop in Georgetown, and I also lived on Airport Way,” says Tim Ptak, who opened the popular diner Smarty Pants in 2003. “There was nowhere to eat except for grabbing fried chicken at the Shell gas station, and I wanted to open a place where people could get a good lunch and grab something to drink after work.”
Illustration by Martin Haake
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Been to White Center lately? How about Everett or Edmonds?
Seattle’s neighborhoods — suburbs included — are as varied as the landscapes that surround them. Each has its own character and charm. The city’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity fuels that sense of belonging, and fosters a shared responsibility for the well-being and growth of each community.
Illustration by Martin Haake
Must List: 5 Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Sep 26 - Oct 02
Symphony highs, street feasts, and brewed delights
Summer’s over, but fall in Seattle is a real charmer. The air’s cool, the pumpkin patches are open, and the city’s gearing up for the spooky season. In case you missed them, here are some stories to check out…
It’s 2024, and Yes, We’re Still Very Asian
Very Asian Foundation returns to Seattle for second fundraiser
Running a startup nonprofit feels a lot like having your first child — you have no idea what you’re getting into. It ages you in dog years. I remember those early days in Shoreline, navigating sleepless nights, and wondering why anyone would choose this relentless path more than once. The duality of caregiving hit hard: I felt hopeful for the future yet utterly exhausted…
A New Play With Old Roots
World premiere production of 'Mrs. Loman Is Leaving' examines identity and expectations
For actor-turned-playwright Katie Forgette, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman — often considered one of the greatest plays of the 20th century — has resurfaced again and again throughout her life. Starting with a theater class in high school (then in college, and again in grad school), Forgette studied the text under instructors who held it in such high regard that they often discouraged her probing inquiries about its protagonist…
The Numbers Point to a Downtown Seattle Recovery
The city’s core is slowly inching its way back
Visit Seattle says downtown Seattle hotels sold 403,000 rooms in August, the second-highest monthly total since March 2020. More than 3 million unique visitors came downtown — that’s 96% of August 2019 numbers, and a 6% increase year over year…
Filmmaker With Seattle Ties Debuts New Movie
Escape from Extinction: Rewilding includes both the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo
His brother lives in Kirkland. He has shot several commercials here, including promos for Monday Night Football. And you may remember his 2012 movie, Grassroots, based on the true story of former local journalist Grant Cogswell, who helps his friend run (unsuccessfully) for Seattle City Council. It was shot in Seattle and featured several iconic places, including the Space Needle and the Comet Tavern. For that, he was given a key to the city…
Must List: The Top 7 Events in Seattle This Week
Sep 19 - Sep 25
Fun parties, fascinating stories, and dreamy music
Hey, Seattle! What’s up with these foggy mornings? They’re making it way too easy to stay in bed, right? But then the sun pops out, and we get a final taste of summer. Have you pulled out your cozy blankets yet? We’re holding off… for now. This week, we’ve got stories about hidden gems in…
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