Our microguides series is inspired by the slow travel movement, encouraging travellers to relax their pace and take a deep dive into one particular neighbourhood in a well-loved city. Rather than a whirlwind itinerary which aims to hit up every must-see attraction, these compact, close-up guides encourage you to zone in, take your time and truly explore like a local.
A few theories exist as to how the sprightly suburb of Capitol Hill got its name. The most plausible dates back to 1901, when real estate developer James A Moore, who mapped out much of its land, supposedly named the area Capitol Hill to entice the Washington State Capitol, home of the state’s legislature, to move from Olympia to Seattle. It never worked.
Back in the mid-1980s, bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Mudhoney all lived (and drank) in the Capitol Hill area, which was once seen as the epicentre of the “Seattle sound” movement that we now know as grunge. Capitol Hill has kept its creative, liberal ethos to this day, and this hip part of town is a colour-popping LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhood with dozens of music venues, coffeehouses and thrift stores, connected by rainbow crossings across the roads. It’s also the proud host of annual events like PrideFest and the famous Block Party music festival.
If you’re visiting Seattle, here’s what not to miss in Capitol Hill.
Do
Catch a concert at Neumos
The 750-capacity Neumos – originally opened in 1992 as Moe’s Mo’Roc’N Café – was the springboard for many notable artists, including an early-career No Doubt, whose 1995 gig saw just 40 people turn up, and Radiohead, whose free-entry show in the same year was so oversubscribed it almost caused a riot. Such was its popularity, British bands like Oasis often chose to start their early US tours here; others like Muse and Adele have played here since. With such a modest capacity you’ll be up close to the next big thing.
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Visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Sip a cup of Joe not far from the original Starbucks store
(Richard Franks)
One of just six Starbucks roasteries in the world (Milan, New York, Shanghai, Chicago and Tokyo), something would be amiss to skip Seattle’s roastery, considering the global brand’s very first store opened just nine blocks away. An immersive offering is in store for fans of the world’s…
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