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Outstanding cocktails and superb tasting plates.

A collection of boutiques between Union and Spring Streets caters to customers for whom price is no object. Fox’s Gem Shop, Brooks Brothers, and St. John Boutique are the best stops for fine gems and jewelry and high fashion galore.

Opening in 1926 as a vaudeville venue, 5th Avenue’s ornate imperial Chinese design was inspired by Beijing’s Forbidden City. It is Seattle’s premier home for nationally touring musical theater.

Start your picnic with an espresso at ETG (3512 Fremont Place N). Cross at the crosswalk just outside the door to 35th Street, turning right to spy the neon-adorned Army surplus missile at 35th and Evanston Avenue N. Turn left on Evanston and walk a block to PCC (600 N 34th), an organic market where you can pick up a delicious carry-out lunch.

Turn left on Evanston for an unobstructed view of the Ship Canal and Fremont Bridge. Turn right along the Canal path, walk about a block until you see the Dinosaur Topiaries at the beginning of the Ship Canal Park, a great place for your waterfront picnic. Catacorner is a historic brick streetcar barn that once housed Redhook , one of the first microbreweries in Seattle. Now, it’s a gourmet chocolate factory. Enjoy the walk down the Canal path, perhaps spotting sailboats or kayakers. When you turn back, exit the park at the topiaries and continue along 35th Street. If you visit during the Sunday Market, you’ll find blocks of vendors and lots of foot traffic. Continue three blocks to Fremont Avenue, by the Fremont Bridge and the sculpture, Waiting for the Interurban (see Waiting for the Interurban) on a traffic island across the street. Turn left on Fre-mont Avenue, and get your bearings at the Center of the Universe signpost a half block later on another traffic island where Fremont Place begins. Stop in Simply Desserts (3421 Fremont Ave N) for the richest treats in town.

Experience scenic Alki Avenue via an easy bike ride along a waterfront bike trail (about 3.5 flat miles each way). Begin at Danny’s Leather & Bikes (3422 Harbor Ave SW) where you can rent beach bikes. Facing Danny’s, head left. Near the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue, you’ll notice Don Armeni Park, where wedding parties and professional photographers often congregate to snap pics of the city skyline. The road curves and becomes Alki Avenue, where you can take in great views with telescopes set up above the sea wall. Public Restrooms appear at the intersection of 57th Avenue SW. As you reach the central part of the beach community, Puget Sound and its ships and sailboats recede from view to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the left.

At 60th Avenue, Alki Beach Park begins and supine bodies populate the sandy stretch. At 61st Avenue SW, look for the miniature Statue of Liberty on the right, built in 1952 on the strip of land early settlers had dubbed “New York Alki”. At 63rd Avenue SW there’s a monument erected to celebrate that landing party’s arrival. Sweet tooths will get justifiably woozy at Alki Bakery , and you can have lunch in the inhouse restaurant. As the street narrows and curves again, you’ll see the Coast Guard Station (3201 Alki Ave), which offers tours of the Alki Point lighthouse on weekends from May to September.

Begin at the terminus of Ballard Avenue at Market Street . Walk down the west side of the street. Get into gear at Kavu (5423 Ballard Ave), an independent retailer of active wear that’s appropriate for dense woods or dinners out. Cross the street to Marley’s Snow-boards (5424 Ballard Ave NW) if you’re considering a ski trip to the Cascade Mountains. Where 22nd Avenue meets Ballard Avenue is a large brick belltower, rebuilt from the original when Ballard’s City Hall tower was destroyed by Seattle’s devastating 1965 earthquake. At 5344 Ballard Avenue, Olivine Atelier entices with a luxurious boutique featuring local and European designer clothing and makeup. At the next intersection, you’ll notice the highly stylized roof crest of what’s now the Starlight Hotel (5300 Ballard Ave NW), which still has “Bank Building” across the top a full century later.

Cross the street. Look for Tractor Tavern , a musical outlet for local and touring musicians who play jazz and country rock. Second Ascent (5209 Ballard Ave NW) specializes in clothing and gear for budget-minded fans of outdoor recreation. Find a remnant of days gone by at Dock Street Brokers (5101 Ballard Ave NW), whose signage matches the style of its century-old structure at 5109 Ballard Avenue. If you’re hungry, turn back and stop in The Other Coast Cafe (5315 Ballard Ave NW) for East Coast-style sandwiches.

Corporate clients as well as leisure travelers take advantage of this outfit’s decent rates for fully furnished and comfortable rooms. Most Puget Sound-area apartments have fully-equipped kitchens, linens, plus all utilities and bi-weekly maid service.

This hotel, situated in a historic building, appeals to guests who prefer location over luxury. There are few amenities, instead the emphasis is on ultra-modern decor. Pike Place Market and the surrounding retail and art-infused Belltown are nearby.

Housed in the beautifully refurbished Kreielsheimer Place (formerly Eagles Auditorium), the long-running A Contemporary Theatre showcases contemporary playwrights. Inside, the cultural center contains four performance spaces, ACT’s administrative offices, rehearsal spaces, and scene and costume shops.

This neighborhood supermarket and gourmet purveyor of prepared food offers customized salads, pasta dishes, and panini (grilled sandwiches) cooked to order, and creative side dishes galore. The store also sells quality kitchenware.