Shopping in Seattle

So you've already spent plenty of time browsing the stalls and shops at Pike Place Market and combing downtown's array of boutiques and shopping centers - yet you've still got a serious shopping craving. Not to worry. There's plenty more retail therapy to be had in Seattle. Here, we give you the scoop on three of the city's lesser-known shopping areas where you can mingle with locals and delve deeper into the neighborhood shopping scenes.

Ballard
N.W. Market St. is the main drag that cuts through the Ballard neighborhood, and it's a good place to begin. Discover hip vintage finds, upscale home decorations, and offbeat gift items along this busy corridor where you'll see neighborhood folk out running their errands.

Next, wander down Ballard Ave. N.W., which heads diagonally away from N.W. Market St. This pretty brick lane is lined with independent boutiques ranging from chic shoe shops and artsy jewelry stores to upscale men's and women's clothing shops. Should you need a break from all the splurge-worthy shopping, there are also plenty of friendly cafes sprinkled along Ballard Ave.

Fremont
Fremont's shopping action centers around the intersection of Fremont Ave. and 36th St. Both streets are packed with trendy boutiques as well as low-key record shops and coffeehouses. Evanston Ave., 34th St., and other surrounding lanes have more gems to discover, so feel free to wander. If you happen to be in this neighborhood on a Sunday, be sure to visit the Fremont Market, a European-style flea market brimming with secondhand finds, artisan goods, antiques, and more.

Belltown
Just a stone's throw from Pike Place Market, Belltown's downtown location has become Grand Central for Seattle hipsters in recent years. That translates into ultra-hip shopping opportunities for visitors. Along First Ave. between Lenora and Broad Streets, you'll be tempted by nearly every doorway. Uber-modern design and stationary shops mingle with bohemian-inspired clothing boutiques. Need to rest your feet for a moment? Stop in at one of the plentiful coffee joints, bakeries, or bagel shops.