• Central Located in Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest saloon (established in 1892) is a regular music stop on the club circuit. Nirvana, Soundgarden, and countless unknown bands have all played its small stage, and the bar still hosts live music every night.
  207 First Ave. S.; 206-622-0209.
• Lola This popular Belltown establishment from local star chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas serves Greek-inspired fare like lamb kebabs in a red-wine glaze.
  2000B Fourth Ave.; 206-441-1430.
• Tavolata A communal table that seats 30 is the focal point of this swanky Italian spot. Handmade pasta complements an all-Italian wine list.
  2323 Second Ave.; 206-838-8008
• Matt's in the Market This cork-popping, plate-clanking lunch favorite is shoehorned into a space two flights above the market hubbub of Pike and First Streets. Try the steamed clams.
  First and Pike; 206-467-7909.
• Monsoon This family-run Vietnamese spot on Capitol Hill does great spring rolls, and has a wine list noted for its Alsatian whites.
  615 19th Ave. E.; 206-325-2111.

• Elliott Bay Book Co. & Café This large, eclectic, independent book store hosts daily readings and is a decent place for a shot of coffee.
  101 S. Main St.; 206-624-6600.
• Utilikilts On the north side of Pioneer Square Park stands this symbol of new Seattle. The company's eponymous, cult-favorite garment can best be described as a cross between a skirt and a tool belt.
  620 First Ave.; 866-666-6985.
• Boston Street This kids' store is the place to nab vintage clothes for the coolest tyke in the hood.
  1902 Post Alley; 206-634-0580.
• Nordstrom Known nationwide for its obliging service, Nordstrom is still considered a local store in Seattle — where it all began.
  500 Pine St.; 206-628-2111.
• Fireworks Gallery Now with outposts throughout the city, this is the original Seattle store selling arty jewelry and tchotchkes for the home. 210 First Ave. S.; 206-682-9697.
• REI At the flagship store of the classic outdoor-gear supplier, shoppers test their skills against the 65-foot-tall freestanding climbing wall.
  222 Yale Ave. N.; 206-223-1944.

At Seattle's Pike Place Market (First Ave. and Pike St.), join the crowd gathered in front of the rowdy fishmongers who expertly toss their catch across the counter.

"Don't make the error everyone else does and call it Pike's Place," warns best-selling author Jonathan Raban about his hometown's premier attraction. "It's Pike Place."

Tucked in every cranny of the 100-year-old market's nine acres are authentic gems, from Rachel the brass piggy bank to the quirky Gum Wall in Post Alley. Stop by the Sanitary Public Market Building, so named because when it opened in 1910 horses were forbidden inside. Facing the market's main building is the original Starbucks, which made its debut here in 1971 (note how the original Starbucks logo has morphed).

Local institution Metsker Maps on First Avenue sells gifts with a geographic or nautical theme. One block south of the arcade, unique stores worth browsing include Undercover Quilts, Lark in the Morning Musique Shoppe (for acoustic instruments), and Vital Tea Leaf, a Chinese-style tea house/shop.

• BauHaus Books and Coffee This high-beamed, airy space on Capitol Hill no longer sells books but still has a friendly, quirky vibe and popular sidewalk tables.
  301 E. Pine St.; 206-625-1600.
• Cherry Street Coffee House At this funky independent java hut north of Pioneer Square Park, you get your joe in an actual ceramic cup.
  103 Cherry St.; 206-621-9372.
• Macrina Bakery You'll have a hard time deciding among the orange currant scones, Budapest coffeecake, specialty breads, and more at this Belltown cafe.
  2408 First Ave.; 206-448-4032.
• Starbucks At the mother of all Starbucks, the joe's the same but note a few key differences from its many progeny, like the store's original logo on the front window.
  1912 Pike Place; 206-448-8762.
• Three Girls Bakery Sink your teeth into a hot meatloaf sandwich at this lively spot in Pike Place Market.
  1514 Pike Place; 206-622-1045.
• Zeitgeist A trendster crowd and art shows make this café a welcome pit stop during an exploration of Pioneer Square. Regularly scheduled art shows and music performances create buzz.
  171 S. Jackson St.; 206-583-0497.