jonesdonahue

Columbia City is a hidden gem, right on the outskirts of Seattle. For young professionals who are tired of the grunge and grind of Capitol Hill, Columbia City will seem a welcome relief.

Nestled on a hill, the Columbia City library first greets you as you drive south along Rainier Avenue. If you take a left, you’ll find yourself driving past the Rainier and Genesee playfields—the latter of which is home to an off-leash dog park.

Keep going straight and you’ll find a bustling strip along Rainier Avenue—boutiques and fitness centers, local coffee shops and restaurants. At a glance you’ll see Caribbean, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese cuisines—and that’s just to name a few. A couple of new apartment complexes have sprouted up in the last year, and with them a new PCC Market has also expanded the dining selection.

If you’re looking for entertainment, the Ark Lodge Cinemas is a great spot to catch a flick, while the Columbia City Theater, a music venue, is sure to have a spectacular line-up. Dance the tango at GymSmithy or get an evening massage at BodyGood. Want to head into Seattle? The light rail is only a couple of blocks away—you can be there and back in no time.

As for nightlife, several local watering holes await, including the Columbia City Ale House, Rookie’s Sports Bar & Grill, the Hummingbird Saloon, and the Flying Lion Brewery. Both the Royal Room and Lottie’s Lounge are fun places to have a late-night bite and a drink—often with live music in the background.

In the summer, Columbia City really comes alive. Edmonds Street bustles on Wednesday afternoons with the Columbia City Farmer’s Market, and one Sunday each month, the Columbia City Beatwalk encourages artists and musicians to shimmy out to the streets, instruments in hand.

With its creative charm and small-town style, Columbia City is truly one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets.