Capitol Hill

Seattle

Seattle's liveliest neighbourhood for nightlife, coffee and independent shops, with Volunteer Park and the city's LGBTQ+ scene, just east of downtown.

Best for Nightlife

Transport: 4/5
Sights: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Quiet: 2/5
Food: 5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$210/night · 10 min to Westlake

See hotels in Capitol Hill

Why stay here

Seattle's best nightlife and cafés
Volunteer Park and independent shops
Light rail to downtown and the airport

Who should stay here

Nightlife lovers
LGBTQ+ travellers
Repeat visitors

Not ideal if…

You want quiet nights
You want a big choice of hotels
You have mobility issues on steep streets

What it's like

Capitol Hill is Seattle's most vibrant neighbourhood: Broadway and Pike/Pine are lined with bars, clubs, cafés, record shops and restaurants, and it's the heart of the city's LGBTQ+ life. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is here, Volunteer Park has a conservatory and the Asian Art Museum, and stately First Hill sits just south.

It's the best base for nightlife and a local feel, with a light rail station to the airport and downtown. Hotels are few, the streets are steep, and it's loud around Pike/Pine at weekends.

Best streets and sub-areas

Pike/Pine corridor
Bars, clubs and restaurants.
Broadway
Shops, cafés and the light rail station.
15th Avenue East
Quieter neighbourhood high street.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Capitol Hill station on the Link 1 Line, the First Hill Streetcar along Broadway, and buses.
To Westlake: About 10 minutes
From Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA): About 45 minutes: Link light rail 1 Line direct from the airport to Capitol Hill station.

Nearby attractions

Volunteer Park
Conservatory, water tower views and the Asian Art Museum.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Starbucks' flagship coffee roastery on Pike Street.
Cal Anderson Park
Neighbourhood park at the heart of the Hill.

Where to eat and drink

Pike/Pine
Cocktail bars, clubs and late-night food.
Broadway
Cafés and casual restaurants.

Where to stay in Capitol Hill

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

Hotel Sorrento

Why we like it: Italianate 1909 hotel on First Hill with a fireside lounge.

Typical mid-range rate in Capitol Hill: ~$210/night

Check availability

Best value

Silver Cloud Hotel Seattle Broadway

Why we like it: Good-value hotel on Broadway by the streetcar.