Seattle/South

South Seattle is a broad swath of the city between I-5 to the west and Lake Washington to the east. It is the most ethnically diverse part of not only Seattle, but arguably of the entire United States: the area served by the 98188 ZIP Code, roughly the eastern half of this district, consistently ranks among the country's most diverse postal codes. It has not historically been a flashy area, but continued development, especially along Seattle's original light rail line, is raising its profile.

The area is comprised of numerous neighborhoods, including:

• Beacon Hill — A mostly residential neighborhood with a variety of parks, restaurants and bars, as well as commanding views of the mountains and Downtown.
• Columbia City — Once a forgotten part of the city left to decay, this revitalized gem offers great restaurants, bars, live entertainment, movie theaters, art galleries, and shops. Also, be sure to explore the Columbia City Library, an updated Carnegie library.
• Mount Baker — Classic tree-lined streets with stately bungalows mark this mostly residential neighborhood on the shore of Lake Washington.
• Othello — A bustling multi-cultural neighborhood sprouted from this light rail station, offing a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
• Rainier Valley — Home to more immigrants than any other neighborhood in Seattle. Small shops and restaurants abound, particularly African and East Asian.
• Seward Park — A grand park is the centerpiece for this neighborhood along Lake Washington south of Mount Baker.
• South Seattle — In addition to the area, "South Seattle" can also refer to a small residential neighborhood west of Mt. Baker.

47°33′18″N 122°17′35″W

Map of Seattle/South

Interstate 5 (I-5) runs along the western boundary of this district and offers several exits into various neighborhoods of South Seattle.

Interstate 90 (I-90) runs along the northern boundary of this district. Exit 3 leads to Rainier Ave S.

Rainier Ave S and Martin Luther King Jr. Way are the two main thoroughfares that run north and south through the district.

The Link light rail 1 Line has several stops in the district, from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Federal Way to the south, and from Downtown, U District, North Seattle, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood to the north. A train runs every 8-15 minutes from 5:00 to midnight. $3

• 47.57949-122.31171 Beacon Hill Station, 2702 Beacon Ave S.  (updated Dec 2025)
• 47.57655-122.297692 Mount Baker Station (Rainier Ave S & S Forest St).  (updated Dec 2025)
• 47.55976-122.292643 Columbia City Station, 4818 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.  (updated Dec 2025)
• 47.53808-122.281534 Othello Station, 7100 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.  (updated Dec 2025)
• 47.5226-122.279395 Rainier Beach Station, 9132 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.  (updated Dec 2025)

The Link light rail 2 Line stops on the northern edge of the district, from Downtown Redmond, Bellevue and Mercer Island to the east, and from Lynnwood with the same stops as the 1 Line.

• 47.5903-122.3026 Judkins Park Station, 1451 23rd Ave S.  (updated Apr 2026)

King County Metro bus routes #7 and #42 travel along Rainier and MLK, respectively, with frequent service seven days a week; the 7 is also one of the few routes to operate between 1 and 5AM. The #36 travels the length of Beacon Hill with connections at the Beacon Hill light rail station. East-west bus service is limited to local routes.

Like most of Seattle, there is a fair amount of built in bike lanes but some of the hills can be intimidating to unaccustomed cyclists. The city maintains bike maps with all cycling infrastructure.

• Lake Washington Boulevard is a scenic 8 mi (13 km) route that hugs Lake Washington. There are views of the lake, small sections of forest, meadows, and the Cascade Mountains. From the north end at Coleman Park (just south of Interstate 90) the trail runs all the way to Seward Park in the south.
• The I-90 Trail is a dedicated multi-use path running from Jose Rizal Park in Beacon Hill, crossing Rainier Ave to Mount Baker, Mercer Island and Bellevue.

• Lakewood Marina, 4500 Lake Washington Blvd S (north of Seward Park), ☏ +1 206-722-0660. Tu-Sa 11AM - 5PM 24-hour security gate with tenant access, Summer hours 10AM - 5PM Memorial Day—Labor Day. limited guest moorage is available on this Lake Washington marina which includes a small craft boat launch. Not near any facilities except parks so other transport should be arranged. 
• Seward Park creates a small protected harbor on the north shore that is popular for overnight moorage, especially in the summers.

• 47.5889-122.30171 Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, ☏ +1 206 518-6000. W 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-7PM, F-Su 11AM-5PM. Short but powerful museum on the history of Blacks in the Northwest. $7 adult, $5 children 4-12, students, seniors; free the first Thursday of every month.  

• 47.5666-122.3072 Jefferson Park, 3801 Beacon Ave S (on Beacon Hill, 0.5 mi south of Beacon Hill Station). 4AM - 11:30PM. Seattle's sixth largest park at 45.2 acres, this park designed by the Olmsted Brothers offers unparalleled views of the Duwamish River, downtown and the Olympic Mountains. It is the home to the Jefferson Park Golf Course, Jefferson Park driving range, Jefferson Skatepark, tennis courts (lighted), basketball courts, the Jefferson Community Center, Jefferson Lawn Bowling, and Beacon Mountain an ecologically oriented playscape with a water park in the summer.  
• 47.5559-122.25153 Seward Park. This wooded Olmsted park takes up a large peninsula surrounded by Lake Washington. Attractions include kids activities in the summer, great scenery, and a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) paved level path that circles the whole peninsula.  
• 47.512-122.26574 Kubota Gardens, 9817 55th Ave S, ☏ +1 206 684-4075. Daily 6AM-10PM. In 1927 Fujitaro Kubota bought 5 acres (20,000 m²) of logged-off swampland in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle and began his garden. Kubota Garden has since grown into a stunning 20-acre (81,000 m²) landscape that blends Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants. Kubota was a horticultural pioneer when he began merging Japanese design techniques with North American materials in his display garden in 1927. The Gardens are a spectacular setting of hills and valleys, interlaced with streams, waterfalls, ponds, bridges, and rock outcroppings with a rich array of plant material. Free.  (updated Jul 2017)

• 47.5641-122.28841 The Beacon Cinema, 4405 Rainier Ave S (in Columbia City), ☏ +1 206 420-7328, [email protected]. Vary by movie times. A relatively new movie theater focused on specialized programming.  
• 47.55727-122.284512 Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 722-3009. Tu-Su 6PM-2AM. Great place to see a band play.  

• 47.5587-122.28751 Columbia City Farmer’s Market, S Edmunds St between 37th Ave S and the alley at 36th. W 3-7PM, May 1-October 16. Over 40 Washington State farmers and small food vendors make this market a popular weekly destination; market days are full of the colors and sounds of shoppers from around the world who live and work in this historic neighborhood.  
• 47.5575-122.28472 Andaluz, 4908 Rainier Ave S (between Ferdinand and Hudson), ☏ +1 206 760-1900. M-Tu noon-6PM, W F Sa noon-8PM, Th noon-7PM, Su noon-5PM. Women's clothing, jewelry and accessories.  
• 47.5577-122.28573 Bike Works, 3709 S Ferdinand St, ☏ +1 206 322-4368. Tu-F noon - 6PM, Sa 11AM- 6PM, Su 11AM - 5PM. Bike Works is an innovative organization centered around bicycles that combines youth development, community engagement, bicycle recycling and a social enterprise bike shop to help build a sustainable and healthy community.  
• 47.5582-122.2854 Columbia City Gallery, 4864 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 760-9843. W-Su 11AM - 7PM. An artists’ cooperative that brings together emerging and professional artists working in diverse media. The gallery provides an exhibition space for local artists, additional space for exhibits by guest artists and a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages.  

South Seattle's remarkable diversity is reflected in its dining scene. In particular, it's the place to find Seattle's best Southeast Asian and African cuisine. There are many gems tucked away at unassuming intersections in residential areas. However, most are clustered around Beacon Hill, Columbia City, and the other light rail stations.

• 47.57541-122.309561 Bar del Corso, 3057 Beacon Ave S, ☏ +1 206 395-2069. Tu-Sa 5-10PM. Wood-fired pizzas, Italian dishes (salumi, cheeses and desserts), Italian wines/cocktails, and local beers on tap. Pizzas up to $20.  
• 47.580858-122.3138992 Carnitas Michoacan, 2503 Beacon Ave S, ☏ +1 206 323-3688. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa Su 10AM-8PM. Mexican taqueria featuring traditional ingredients such as lengua and chuletas ahumadas.  (updated Aug 2020)
• 47.5793-122.31373 Delite Bakery, 2701 15th Ave S (one block west of Beacon Hill Station), ☏ +1 206 325-2114. M-F 7:30AM - 6:30PM, Sa 7:30AM - 6PM. A Beacon Hill gem, great Pan de sal rolls and excellent for little sandwiches Up to $5.  
• 47.57467-122.309314 El Quetzal, 3209 Beacon Ave S (a few blocks south of Beacon Hill Station), ☏ +1 206 329-2970. Family-friendly, but not your standard Tex-Mex, lots of amazing specials and good for large groups. Connected to a full bar with its own menu and unique drink specials.  

• 47.5582-122.28555 Columbia City Bakery, 4865 Rainier Ave S (at Edmunds St, east of the Columbia City Station), ☏ +1 206 723-6023. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa Su 7AM-5PM. Excellent bread, pastries, cakes, and coffee. Mostly a dessert or snack place, though the ham and Gruyère croissant makes for a nice light lunch. Most pastries about $3.  
• 47.55797-122.284886 Geraldine's Counter, 4872 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 723-2080. Tu-F 7AM-9PM; Sa Su 8AM-3PM. Classic American comfort food with fresh, local ingredients and a sophisticated touch.  
• 47.55813-122.285437 Island Soul, 4869 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206-329-1202. M-F 11AM-2PM, M-Th 5-9PM, F 5-10PM, Sa 2-10PM. Authentic Caribbean cuisine from chef Bobby Laing.  
• 47.55845-122.285578 La Medusa, 4857 Rainer Ave S, ☏ +1 206-723-2192. Tu Th 5-9PM, W F Sa 5-10PM. Italian restaurant billed as "Sicilian soul food" from chef Julie Andres.  
• 47.55719-122.284499 Tutta Bella Pizzeria, 4918 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206-721-3501. 11AM-10PM. Award-winning Neapolitan pizza, certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. More laid-back than their several other Seattle locations.  
• 47.55756-122.285210 Wabi Sabi, 4909 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 721-0212. M-F 11:30AM-2PM, Sa 12:30-3:30PM, Su-Th 4:30-9PM, F Sa 4:30-10PM. Contemporary-themed sushi bar and Japanese restaurant.  

• 47.52994-122.2702211 Sunset Cafe, 8115 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 733-0342. Daily noon - 9:30PM. Central and South Seattle are by no means short of good Ethiopian restaurants, but this one is definitely a standout for its food. Service is friendly, if not the most efficient.  

Like the rest of Seattle, South Seattle takes its coffee very seriously. Although there are several chain coffee shops like Starbucks, for the genuine experience visit one of these shops to rub elbows with the locals. Many of the establishments listed above (e.g. Tutta Bella, Columbia City Bakery) are also excellent for coffee.

• 47.55855-122.284241 Empire Espresso, 3829-A S Edmunds St, ☏ +1 206 659-0588. Columbia City Coffee.  
• 47.57962-122.311892 The Station, 1600 S Roberto Maestas Festival St (north of Beacon Hill Station), ☏ +1 206-931-1357. Daily 7AM-5PM. Cozy neighborhood coffee shop with friendly owners and nice revolving art shows.  
• 47.57461-122.30933 Victrola Coffee Roasters, 3215 Beacon Ave S (0.25 mi (0.40 km) south of Beacon Hill Station). Neighborhood coffee shop limited food and cool map of Beacon Hill on the wall.  

Seattle is well known for its local craft beers and most pubs carry a variety of local breweries.

• 47.55774-122.284784 Lottie's Lounge, 4900 Rainier Ave S. A neighborhood-centric lounge with full food menu and inspired original cocktail specials.  
• 47.57641-122.309965 Oak (3 blocks south of Beacon Hill Station). This bar boasts a wide selection of local craft beers, mixed drinks and a well developed menu.  
• 47.578477-122.3118726 Perihelion Brewery, 2800 16th Ave S (Across the street from Beacon Hill Station), ☏ +1 206 200-3935, [email protected]. Beautiful and comfortable brewery. Live music, outdoor seating, and creative Northwest pub food.  (updated Aug 2020)

Generally a residential area, South Seattle does not have a wide variety of places to stay. Visitors not staying with friends tend to find hotels downtown or near SeaTac Airport.

• 47.575042-122.2901031 Casa de Esperanza, 3317 S Hanford St (at 34th Ave S), ☏ +1 206 734-1994. Bed and breakfast near Mount Baker Park and Lake Washington. From $80.  

Rainier Beach has long held a reputation as the roughest neighborhood in Seattle. While this has been slowly but steadily changing as the light rail brings gentrification to the area, it's still considered to be a place to avoid at night.

Seattle Public Library offers open Wi-Fi at all branches, using the SSID spl-public. Public computers with Internet access and basic office software are available for up to 30 minutes for those without a SPL library card; get a temporary pass from the circulation desk. All services are free.

• Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave S (2 blocks south of Beacon Hill light rail station), ☏ +1 206 684-4711. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM.  
• Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 386-1908. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM.  
• NewHolly Branch, 7058 32nd Ave S, ☏ +1 206 386-1905. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM.  
• Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave S, ☏ +1 206 386-1906. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM.