Downtown

The primary retail shopping area in Seattle is downtown. There are a few malls in the core shopping area, Pacific Place and Westlake Center. The city blocks to the south have a variety of name brand stores. The large department stores are Nordstrom and Macy's. Seattle has all of the same department stores and boutiques you'd expect to find in any major American city, but there are also many gems that you will only find here! 

If antiquing is your goal, try Deluxe Junk in Fremont.  It's located at 3518 Fremont Place N, and its phone number is (206) 634-2733.  For off-beat toys and novelties, Archie McPhee in Ballard can't be beat. If spending $200 on a pair of jeans is more your style, try Sway & Cake on 6th Avenue downtown or Riveted Jeans on 1st Avenue.

If you're in the market for a cool urban bag, stop in at Tom Bihn bags near Pioneer Square.  They're famous for producing items containing French labels that carried political commentary as well as washing instructions!  If you love modernist stationery and office supplies, try PaperHaus in Belltown.  They're not strictly Seattle-only, but their sole other location is in Vancouver B.C.  Urchin is a favorite for contempoary home and personal accessories, and is conveniently located across from must-visit Pike's Place Market.

In recent years, Seattle has seen a major influx of yarn stores.  No matter what the experts are saying (this week) about global warming, Seattleites seem to be gearing up for the next ice age by knitting hats, scarves, and gloves.  It's hard to ride a city bus without seeing a knitter on board.  If you're a knitter or crocheter, try So Much Yarn in Belltown.  This store sells masses of high-end yarn, and has a cozy knitting and sitting room at the back.  Near the University District, visit the Weaving Works.  This shop specializes in yarn, but also carries an extensive array of loose fiber for spinning.

And of course, don't forget the superb Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square.

Outlet Malls

Outlet malls are found outside the city, in North Bend to the east and  near a casino to the north, both 45 minutes away. The newly opened Seattle Premium Outlets, north of Seattle on I-5 (exit 202) has the best outlet shopping around. All the heavy-hitter stores are here, from Restoration Hardware and Coach to Jones New York. It's really worth the drive! If outlets aren't your thing, closer to town you'll find the swanky outdoor mall University Village, and 20 minutes to the east of downtown is The Bellevue Collection.

Shuttle express (info at shuttleexpress.com) now offers transportation on weekends to the Premium Outlett Mall with pickup from several downtown Seattle Hotels.  They charge $45 rt but its about a 60-90 minute ride.  Its a very worthwhile destination with some very high end stores.

Off-Site Links:

http://www.pacificplaceseattle.com/
http://www.westlakecenter.com/
http://www.nordstroms.com/
http://www.mcphee.com/
http://www.swayandcake.com/
http://www.rivetedjeans.com/
http://www.tombihn.com/
http://www.urchinseattle.com/
http://www.paperhaus.com/
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
http://www.somuchyarn.com/
http://www.weavingworks.com/
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/
http://www.uvillage.com/
http://www.bellevuesquare.com/collect...
http://www.elliottbaybook.com/

http://shuttleexpress.com/