Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NEED TO KNOW
Opening Hours
Shops are usually open from 9am or 10am to 5pm or 6pm (9pm in shopping
malls) Monday to Friday, as well as noon to 5pm or so (later in malls) on week-
ends. Some places, like record stores and bookstores, may keep later hours, such
as from noon to 8pm or 9pm.
Taxes & Refunds
A 9.5% sales tax is added to all purchases except food to be prepared for con-
sumption (ie groceries). Unlike the European VAT or Canadian GST, the sales tax
is not refundable to tourists.
Shopping by Neighborhood
» Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront Big-name brands in downtown; small-time
no-brands in Pike Place; tourist kitsch on the waterfront.
» Pioneer Square & International District Expensive antiques and carpets in Pioneer
Square; cheap Asian supermarkets in the ID.
» Capitol Hill & First Hill Huge selection of indie boutiques, esoterica, sex toys, and
one of the nation's best bookstores.
» U District Cheap vintage clothing for tight student budgets and abundant bookstores
for fact-hungry undergraduates.
» Fremont & Green Lake Junk stores and vintage-clothing shops being gradually
pushed out by fancier boutiques.
» Ballard & Discovery Park Card-game emporium, weird T-shirt prints, rare vinyl and
artsy Sunday-market stalls.
Lonely Planet's Top Choices
Elliott Bay Book Company Great books, top readings, and snug on-site cafe.
Bop Street Records Every musical genre, overseen by passionate staff.
Market Magic Classic Pike Place Market throwback.
 
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