Seattle 101: Four Fun Things to Do in Belltown

September 28, 10:55 PMSeattle Newcomer ExaminerShiwani Srivastava

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Olympic Sculpture Park // Courtesy www.seattle.gov

Welcome to part four in a series designed to get newcomers exploring each and every neighborhood in Seattle.  And for you weathered Seattleites, think of this less as a scavenger hunt and more as a rediscovery of the city you sometimes take for granted.

This week, we head to Belltown, which wasn't always the happy hour hotspot that it is today.  Back in the day, it was a low-rent arts district where you could often catch Seattle greats like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. 

So here are a few spots that highlight the best of Belltown -- old and new:

1.) The Olympic Sculpture Park - This 9-acre sculpture park is more than just a park -- it's an urban green space built on a former industrial site, a beautiful beach with spectacular views of Puget Sound, and a collection of remarkable contemporary sculptures. It's a fun trip for anyone, art lover or not.

2.) Belltown Art Galleries - Reminiscent of its artsy past, Belltown's collection of art galleries is the best in the city.  They range from the innovative and wonderfully strange (like Roq La Rue and Art/Not) to edgy and hip (Halogen and Free Sheep Foundation).  Most are within a small radius, so make a day of it! 

3.) The Crocodile Cafe - Sadly, gone are the days of the original Crocodile Cafe, which bolstered bands like Nirvana and Death Cab for Cutie.  Seattle music fans were crushed when The Croc abruptly closed in 2007, but the name lives on in a newer, shinier, venue.  Still worth catching a show there, all the same...

4.) Belltown Happy Hours - Whether you'd rather down beers at a dive bar or sip martinis at a lounge, Belltown's got a happy hour for you.  There are longstanding favorites like Belltown Billiards, Cyclops, and Lava Lounge, and some newer additions like Barolo and Umi Sake House.  Why not try them all?

So once again, happy exploring, and I'll meet you in Queen Anne next week!

For more info: Missed the other parts of this series?  No problem.  It's never to late to start exploring:

• Seattle 101: Four Fun Things to Do in the U-District
  Seattle 101: Four Fun Things to Do in Fremont
  Seattle 101: Four Fun Things to Do in Capitol Hill