Seattle - Washington State - page 55

with each block as you move away from Yesler Way going north or south and as
you go east from the waterfront.
STREET MAPS If the streets of Seattle seem totally unfathomable to you, rest
assured that even longtime residents sometimes have a hard time finding their
way around. Don't be afraid to ask directions. You can obtain a free map of the
city at the airport Visitor Information Desk or from the Seattle's Convention
and Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center (see above).
You can buy a decent map of Seattle in most convenience stores and gas sta-
tions around the area or, for a greater selection, stop in at Metsker Maps, 702
First Ave. ( & 800/727-4430 or 206/623-8747; www.metskers.com).
If you're a member of AAA, you can get free maps of Seattle and Washington
state, either at an AAA office near you or at the Seattle office, 330 Sixth Ave. N.
( & 206/448-5353 ).

THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN BRIEF
DOWNTOWN This is Seattle's
main business district and can
roughly be defined as the area from
Pioneer Square in the south, to
around Pike Place Market in the
north, and from First Avenue to
Eighth Avenue. It's characterized by
steep streets, high-rise office build-
ings, luxury hotels, and a high den-
sity of retail shops (primarily
national chains). This is also where
you'll find the Seattle Art Museum
and Benaroya Hall, which is home
to the Seattle Symphony. Because
hotels in this area are convenient to
both Pioneer Square and Pike Place
Market, this is a good neighbor-
hood in which to stay. Unfortu-
nately, the hotels here are the most
expensive in the city.
FIRST HILL Because it is home
to several large hospitals, this hilly
neighborhood just east of down-
town and across I-5 is known as Pill
Hill by Seattleites. First Hill is
home to the Frye Art Museum and
a couple of good hotels.
THE WATERFRONT The Seattle
waterfront, which stretches along
Alaskan Way from roughly Wash-
ington Street in the south to Broad
Street and Myrtle Edwards Park in
the north, is the most touristy
neighborhood in Seattle. In recent
years, however, Seattleites have

been reclaiming the waterfront as a
new residential area, and the north
end of Alaskan Way is now lined
with water-view condos. In addi-
tion to the many tacky gift shops,
greasy fish-and-chips windows, and
tour-boat docks, the waterfront also
has the city's only waterfront hotel
(The Edgewater), the Seattle
Aquarium, and a few excellent
seafood restaurants.
PIONEER SQUARE The Pioneer
Square Historic District, known for
its restored 1890s buildings, is cen-
tered around the corner of First
Avenue and Yesler Way. The tree-
lined streets and cobblestone plazas
make this one of the prettiest down-
town neighborhoods. Pioneer Square
(which refers to the neighborhood,
not a specific square) is full of
antiques shops, art galleries, restau-
rants, bars, and nightclubs. Because
of the number of bars in this neigh-
borhood, late nights are not a good
time to wander here—plus, the
number of street people in this area is
off-putting to many visitors.
THE INTERNATIONAL DIS-
TRICT Known to locals as the
I.D., this is the most distinctive of
Seattle's neighborhoods and is home
to a large Asian population. Here
you'll find the Wing Luke Asian
Museum, Hing Hay Park (a small