Madrona Neighborhood, Seattle - Part 1

To really experience Seattle life (and not pay for parking), you have to visit the downtown neighborhoods. One of the smaller, overlooked districts, and home to the late Kurt Cobain, is Madrona. This is an unexpected row of restaurants and shops among a residential area, which is why I love it. How fun it must be to walk to the neighborhood coffee shop in your sweats on a Saturday morning. This is a couple hour trip, but if you would like to make a day of it, drop down the hill to Lake Washington Blvd. There are several miles to drive, walk, hike or bike and gorgeous homes to drool over.

 The Hi-Spot Cafe, located in a 1904 Victorian home, 

 has kept their tried and true menu for 35 years, Zagat rated, 

and serving an average of 250 breakfasts on Saturday mornings. 

http://www.hispotcafe.com/index.html

They serve Fonte', a local roasted coffee.

 Their specialty: plate sized Cinnamon Rolls--yum!

 Cupcake Royale, one of the first cupcake shops to hit Seattle, 

has found their niche somewhere between their pink and brown color scheme, 

and good, old-fashioned cupcakes in a fun variety of flavors.

http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/thecupcakes.html

 Quality, hand-crafted coffee roasted by Stumptown

We ordered the Coconut Bunny** sigh**

St. Clouds, also Zagat rated, features live music on
Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
http://www.stclouds.com/

 A Turkish Bistro with a 95% Zagat rating and ...bellydancers!

http://www.bistroturkuaz.com/gallery.html

Guesthouse, a fine vintage/gift boutique and interior design consulting studio 

has that amazing blend of rustic and elegant charm.
http://guesthouseseattle.com/

Parisian flee-market style, hand-crafted pillows from London,

gold-flecked chocolates, you need to visit this store. 

Directions
From I-5 South:
Take Exit 164A: Dearborn St./ James St.
Turn Right on James St.
James becomes Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.

From I-5 North:
Take Exit 165A towards James St.
Stay straight to go onto 6th Ave.
Take the 2nd Left onto James St.
James become Cherry St.
Turn Left onto 34th Ave.