Sodo & Georgetown
Seattle's Sodo was originally "South of the Dome", referring to the now-demolished Kingdome; to keep some sense in the name, it is sometimes explained now as "South of Downtown". Georgetown picks up from Sodo somewhere around Spokane street and extends south to Boeing Field and is Seattle's thriving emerging arts neighborhood, full of great restaurants, coffee houses and funky taverns tucked between industrial buildings.
Get in
Map of Seattle/Sodo-Georgetown
By car
Taking the Michigan/Corson exit off of I-5 will take you right into the heart of Georgetown.
By rail
The Central Link light rail that connects the University of Washington and Downtown Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport makes a stop at the Stadium and SODO stations. Fares from Downtown are $2.25.
See
- 1 Museum of Flight, 9404 E Marginal Way S (next to Boeing Field), ☏ +1 206 764-5720. Daily 10AM to 5PM except 1st Thursday of month 10AM to 9PM. The name tells you right away whether you personally will find this interesting; at minimum, it will get you inside on a rainy day. The area consists of an indoor area that is further divided into the history, jet age, airport operations, and space travel, and an outdoor section where you can sneak inside retired airplanes. The collection includes 131 aircraft and spacecraft ranging from wood and fabric crates to the SR-71, Space Shuttle Trainer, a retired Air-Force One and a Concorde. Tours to the vicinity of the airport inside a van are available, but most spots do not allow cameras for security purposes! The Museum offers a large educational outreach program including weekend family workshops, the Aerospace Camp Experience (ACE) summer day camp, and an aviation high school. $20 adults, $12 youth (5-17), children (4 and under) free, $17 active military and seniors (65+). Lower fares available for groups of more than 10 people. Free on first Thursday of the month from 5PM until 9PM.
- Coast Guard Museum Northwest, Pier 36, Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way S, ☏ +1 206 217-6993. MWF 9AM-3PM. A small museum with thousands of Coast Guard related items. free.
Do
- 1 CenturyLink Field, 800 Occidental Ave S, ☏ +1 206 381-7555. Home to Seattle's beloved Seahawks American football team and Sounders soccer club, CenturyLink Field is an impressive open air sports arena with great views beyond the goal posts. The stadium itself is notorious for being deafening while the so-called 12th men cheer for the Seahawks. If you can't make it to the game, you can join a tour to see a glance of the history of the teams that call the spot home. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30PM and 2:30PM for $12, $5 for child ages 4-12, $8 ages 65+.
- 2 Safeco Field, 1250 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 206 346-4287. Safeco Field, home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team, is one of the finest ballparks in the country. Right field bleacher seats enjoy a panoramic view of Downtown and Elliott Bay. An element of the unique atmosphere is the train whistle that sounds each time a Mariners' home run occurs. The stadium offers anything from traditional ballpark dogs and the famous garlic fries to fine gourmet fare and local beers. The aroma of food is everywhere inside the park. There couldn't be a better way to spend a summer evening with friends and family in Seattle. You can tour the stadium for $10, $5 children ages 3-12. Schedules vary by season, but there are always tours at 12:30PM and 2:30PM, except during game days. You can buy the tickets online or at the Mariners pro shop.
- Georgetown Art Attack (Airport Way South). Every second Saturday of the month, 6-9PM. Local artisans present a stellar array of visual and performing arts throughout the historic industrial arts corridor. Featured studios include The Georgetown Arts and Cultural Center, Vecta Photo, The Georgetown Atelier, Nautilus Studio, Krab Jab Studios, Tenaya Sims, and many, many more.
Buy
- 1 Tom Bihn Bags, 2203 1st Ave S (at Walker), ☏ +1 206 652-4123. Backpacks, laptop bags, messenger bags and more designed and manufactured in Seattle.
- Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, 5805 Airport Way S, Manager@georgetowntrailerpark.com. Sa 12PM-7PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Vintage & artisan market.
Eat
Budget
- 1 Dona Queen Donut & Deli, 2445 4th Ave S (Next to Arby's), ☏ +1 206 622-5127. M-Sa 4:30AM-4:30PM. This quiet, unassuming mom and pop place, quite simply has the best doughnuts in town. While Krispy Kreme and Top Pot get all the hype, Dona Queen consistently produces a great selection of raised and cake doughnuts; the maple bars are fantastic. And as if that weren't enough, they offer a full array of breakfast and lunch items as well as Korean specialities.
- 2 Hallava Falafel, 5825 Airport Way S (between Homer St & Doris St), ☏ +1 206 307-4769. Tu-Th 11AM-7PM, F 11AM-10PM. From a small, even by cantina truck standards, school bus yellow van Hallava serves up some helluva good falafel as well as shwarma, for those who want to get their carnivore on.
- 3 Marination Mobile, 2401 Utah Ave S (across from Starbuck's Corporate Building). Th 11AM–2PM. A cantina truck, with a cuisine all their own; a cross between Korean and Hawaiian (Kalbi Beef, Spicy Pork, Miso Ginger chicken and Kimchi) mostly served in a corn tortilla for excellent portability. Oh, and of course, spam is represented on the menu! Marination Mobile is new to the scene having started operations in July 2009, but have been posting their trials and tribulations since early spring. They also suggest that you follow them on Twitter for updates.
- 4 Pecos Pit BBQ, 2260 1st Ave S (across from Starbuck's Corporate Building), ☏ +1 206 623-0629. M-F 11AM-3PM. Brave the long lines for one of the best pulled pork sandwiches in town. This is a very popular Sodo lunch spot for local workers, so going after 1:30PM might lessen your wait. From their ordering window they offer different degrees of heat in their sauces, be forewarned: their hot is hot. 'Spike it' if you want a sausage link with your sandwich. Know what you want before it's your turn, so you don't hold up the rest of the line. Make sure that you get a fork and plenty of napkins, you're going to need them.
- 5 SODO Deli, 3228 1st Ave S (between Horton & Hanford), ☏ +1 206 467-0306. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 5PM-9PM. "A Sandwich the Size of Your Head". This mom and pop sandwich shop makes huge sandwiches to feed the hard working people who work around the Seattle waterfront. Their specialties include the Italian meat trio (ham, pepperoni and salami loaded with veggies on a pub roll), a Reuben, and Tim's Way meatloaf. $8-$10.
- 6 Squid and Ink, 1128 S Albro Pl (Georgetown), ☏ +1 206 763-2696. Tu-Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-5PM. Amazing all vegan, mostly wheat-free food with mock seafood theme.
Mid-range
- 7 Hangar Cafe, 6261 13th Ave S, ☏ +1 206 762-0204. M-F 7AM-3:30PM, Sa-Su 8AM-3PM. A former residence across from Boeing Field has been transformed into a tiny restaurant specializing in brunch. They are famous for their crepes and their Bloody Marys, although their small menu has a good variety of other breakfast and lunch items to choose from.
- 8 Hudson, 5000 E Marginal Way S, ☏ +1 206 767-4777. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-3PM. A new restaurant from the owners of Smarty Pants. Hudson is a contemporary American restaurant with a heavily Southern influence; pulled pork omelette, spicy shrimp and grits. Has a full bar and some good happy hour specials, $1 cans of PBR, anyone?
- 9 Pig Iron Bar-B-Q, 5602 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 206 768-1009. Tu-F 11AM-8PM, Sa noon-8PM. A busy lunch spot on weekdays. The Pig offers up some great 'Que', the brisket is especially good, with your choice of sauce on the side. Don't overlook the sides including jalapeno/spinach casserole and cornbread stuffing, as well as the more traditional slaw, potato salad and some seriously good beans. Full bar.
- 10 Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole, 5606 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 206 762-7900. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa noon-2AM. Slim's has cultivated a roadhouse decor and feel. Featured on an episode of Guy Fieri's Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives on Food Network. Chili is the star attraction and they offer several varieties; Texas red, brisket and bean, chili verde and turkey white bean. Just as with their counterparts at the Pig Iron next door, don't ignore the sides (jalapeno mac & cheese, white cheddar grits, oh my!). They also feature live music. 21 and older only.
- 11 Smarty Pants, 6017 Airport Way S, ☏ +1 206 762-4777. M-Th 11AM-2AM, F-Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-3PM. While their slogan Beer, Booze and Grub just about says it all, it's the sandwiches that are the main attraction. From a list of fifteen there are many choices to tempt you. The Rueben is very good, indeed and their grilled cheese is a solid rendition on a classic. They are quick to make substitutions for vegetarians. Full bar and brunch available F-Su.
Splurge
- 12 The Corson Building, 5609 Corson Ave S, ☏ +1 206 762-3330. W-Su 6:30PM-10PM. The Corson Building is trying very hard to develop a rural setting in a very urban surrounding. This is a very chef inspired and driven restaurant and your only opportunity for fine dining in Georgetown. Dinner is served at certain times (check website) and at communal tables. You generally get to choose between two entrees and are left to the devices of the chef for the rest of the meal which is served 'family style' on large platters and/or in bowls passed between diners. Wine pairings and flights of wine are offered for an additional cost.
Drink
- 1 9 lb Hammer, 6009 Airport Way S, ☏ +1 206 762-3373. Daily 5PM-2AM. An unpretentious, laid back bar. Nobody has tapped into the Georgetown vibe more. Dimly lit and cavernous, it's a good place to hangout with friends. While it's quiet early in the week, weekends can get very busy.
- 2 All City Coffee Georgetown, 1205 S Vale St, ☏ +1 206 767-7146. Stop by every Saturday morning to hear DJ Tamlin spinning reggae. Free Wi-Fi.
- 3 Jules Maes Saloon, 5919 Airport Way S, ☏ +1 206 957-7766. Closed Sunday. Fans of tater tots unite! Jules Mae is a happening bar in Georgetown and a popular venue for live music on weekends. Their food is a couple notches above standard bar fare.
- 4 Marco Polo Bar and Grill, 5613 4th Ave S, ☏ +1 206 762-3964. A long-time Sodo institution, embodies all that you expect from a working class bar, a variety of good, cold beer served in chilled glasses, stiff, reasonably priced mixed drinks and some cheap, fried food to sop up all that booze. Their pressure fried chicken is the stuff of local legend.
- 5 Pyramid Alehouse, 1201 First Ave S (Across from Safeco Field), ☏ +1 206 682-3377. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Strategically located across from Quest and Safeco fields, very popular indeed, especially on game nights. They specialize in their own microbrews, although, at this point they are a pretty big brewery. They offer the classics, with their excellent Hefeweizen and IPA as well as some rotating seasonal varieties. Food is your typical pub grub; burgers, sandwiches and fried food. They do offer a selection of salads and other light fare to round out the menu. 21 and older only.
- 6 The Siren Tavern, 3403 4th Ave S, ☏ +1 206 223-9167. A working-class bar that has stayed true to its roots. Jukebox, pool tables, dart boards and plenty of beer on tap. Who could ask for anything more?
- 7 Showbox SoDo, 1700 1st Ave S. Sister venue to the original Showbox across from Pike Place Market, Showbox SoDo offers a variety of live music acts, check website for upcoming events. There is also food, of the burger and pizza variety, and drinks available from the lounge.
- Georgetown Brewing Company, 5200 Denver Ave S (I-5 exit 162), ☏ +1 206 766-8055, sales@georgetownbeer.com. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00. Craft brewery in the middle of Georgetown.
- Machine House Brewery, 5840 Airport Way S, ☏ +1 206 402 6025. W-F 3PM-9PM, Sa 12PM-9PM, Su 12PM-6PM. A small craft brewery that exclusively serves English-style cask-conditioned ales.
Sleep
- 1 Georgetown Inn, 6100 Corson Avenue South, ☏ +1 206 762-2233. One of the decent options in the district with modern rooms. Some rooms provide a kitchenette. From $110.
- 2 Silver Cloud Inn - Stadium, 1046 1st Ave S (at Royal Brougham), ☏ +1 206 204-9800, toll-free: +1 800 497-1261, fax: +1 206 381-0751, management@stadium.scinns.com. $150+.