If you're visiting downtown Seattle, you absolutely must go to 3rd Avenue. The metro tunnel will let you off right there. To the south there is an area called Pioneer Square, which is more historic. It has some nice older bookstores and a few bars. As you get closer to Belltowne there is a Macy's and Bed Batha nd Beyond. There is a bit of everything in this area...restaurants, shopping, coffee, art, and plenty of nightlife activities. The area is really cool; it's historic, but funky too.