Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Renton

"Exhibits here explore American pop culture, from David Bowie to Jim Henson to Star Trek. Bring the kids, because The Museum of Pop Culture truly has a little bit of something for everyone. The Museum of Pop Culture: 325 5th Ave N; 206-770-2700www.mopop.org/"

"The Museum of Pop Culture’s Frank Gehry-designed building is stunning, and older kids will love this museum’s focus on contemporary culture. Don’t miss the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and the temporary exhibits."

"The Museum of Pop Culture, established by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in the year 2000, has tons of exhibits that focus on preserving and promoting contemporary popular culture."

"Ascend 520 feet in the air to the Observation Deck (the top of the needles stands at 605 feet!) near the top of the Space Needle. The elevators to the top are part of the thrill!. The 43-second ride in a glass enclosed elevator takes you to the top where you can enjoy the SkyCity (revolving) Restaurant, 360 degree views of the Seattle skyline and harbor, and interactive SkyQ kiosks to play and discover on."

"Can one think of Seattle without visions of the iconic Space Needle?. An absolute must-do when visiting the city is to get close to that needle!. Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle is still one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and for good reason—it really is cool!"

"This is easily Seattle’s most recognized tourist attraction. A trip to the top is well worth the trek; from 520 feet above the ground, you can see panoramic views of the surrounding area below. Consider going at night to see the city lights or at sunset for some amazing views."

"With an extensive collection of world art, from Ancient American to Modern Art to Mediterranean to Islamic to Oceanic to Native American, The Seattle Art Museum, located downtown near the Pike Place Market, is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. They’ve also got a sister Seattle Asian Art Museum in Capitol Hill and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront, which are equally worth exploring. But if you find yourself in Seattle for a day and pressed for time, a visit to Seattle Art Museum is a safe choice, as it’s the most all-encompassing collection you’ll find in Seattle."

"The Seattle Art Museum’s sleek and contemporary digs are as artful as the works that inhabit it. As an institution of Seattle’s art scene, it’s a must-see for any visiting art lover. And while it's not uncommon that a museum’s exhibits play second-fiddle to the permanent collections, here they are one of the main attractions."

"This once-tiny restaurant, greatly expanded in 2007, offers incredible views of Puget Sounds and the bustling market below, courtesy of huge, semicircular windows. Flawless seafood is the name of the game, and it's collected fresh from vendors below. Oyster sandwiches, often eaten at the counter, are much-coveted at lunch, and dinnertime calls forth such delicacies as tortilla-crusted Alaskan halibut, pan-roasted wild salmon and mussels steamed with chorizo, charmoula and cava."

"94 Pike St #32 Technically part of Seattle's famed Pike Place Market -- which is packed with great things to eat and with a ton of tourists, Matt's sits blissfully above the fray (as evidenced by unbeatable views of the market's iconic sign) serving a small, but exquisite lunch menu highlighted by steamed mussels and clams with chorizo & piquillo peppers, and a not-to-be-missed pan-fried cornmeal crusted catfish sandwich with sambal mayonnaise on soft potato bread."

"Geraldine's Counter Restaurant is a bustling all-day American diner that serves hearty comfort food for breakfast, brunch, and lunch in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Located in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle, the eatery offers a menu of delicious food prepared with locally sourced ingredients from regional artisans, farmers, and producers. The breakfast menu features steel-cut oats with fresh fruit, house-made granola with almonds, dried fruit, coconut and vanilla bean yogurt, French toast, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and breakfast sandwiches stacked with scrambled eggs, bacon, arugula, avocado, and hash browns."

"This Columbia City brunch staple is known for their all-day breakfast menu which includes french toast, chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy and the famed ''Geraldine's casserole'' with hash browns, sausage, cheese and eggs. Chicken and waffles."

"A post shared by Sonata at Columbia Station (@sonataatcolumbiastation). Geraldine’s serves up breakfast as you remember. Order up their pancakes of the day — toppings change daily."

"This location is great for game days, business lunches and everyday specialty dining and provides space for meetings, private parties and large events. Elysian Fields usually pours 18 different house-brewed styles and a small selection of guest beers."

"Outdoorsy beers in a South Seattle industrial park Opened after an argument settled over guess how many beers (hint: name of brewery), this SoDo brewer makes a selection of year-round beers and close to a dozen other seasonals on shelves/in bars throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Vancouver, BC, and Michigan (sure ok cool), as well as from its rough-hewn taproom, The Woods. A room presumably named after a place you probably go wandering around after one..."

"Opened after an argument settled over guess how many beers, this SoDo beer-slinger... um, slings a selection of year-round brews and close to a dozen other seasonals on shelves/in bars throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Vancouver, BC, and Michigan, as well as from its rough-hewn taproom, The Woods.How to order: They currently offer free delivery in Seattle every Thursday."

"While those enormous foldable slices shine after a night at the bars, New York–style pies absolutely hold up by the sober light of day. Order online for pickup or third-party delivery. (Don't forget that if you place your delivery order through a restaurant's website, the business typically pays a lower commission to third-party delivery apps.)"

"Makini Howell is a vegan phenom, as evidenced by the brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert menus at her Capitol Hill original, now equipped with streetside patio pods. An online takeout menu also offers family meals, homespun sweets, and an all-day menu that ranges from faux reubens to oyster mushroom calamari. Meanwhile her adjacent salad restaurant, Plum Chopped, puts Evergreens to shame."

"If the prices of Plum Bistro make your eyes water, head to Plum Chopped. Just next door to its sister restaurant, this eatery offers fresh, delicious salads paid by weight. You can pick from their menu or build your own, choosing delights such as Coriander-Rubbed Strami Tofu, Southern Spicy Pecans or fresh tangerines."

"For healthy eating with a Peruvian twist, Pink Salt is an ideal establishment. Located in the cozy Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Pink Salt is owned and operated by Peruvian born restaurateurs who specialize in their national flavors. For years, Peruvian food and drink has been regarded as having the best food in all of South America, blending a wide variety of cultures, including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and African dishes."

"Expat-approved Peruvian fare like lomo saltado, ceviche, and pollo a la brasa (and a kids menu). Order online for takeout or third-party delivery."

"website | delivery radius: nationwide | best for: seasonally-rotating cookies. I remember visiting Lowrider Cookie Co. when they were in a tiny vintage trailer at the Georgetown Trailer Mall, one of the best gift shops in Seattle. Owner Emily Allport started selling her soft cookies around Seattle farmers markets and popups, but now has two retail locations in the Central District and its original trailer in Georgetown."

"In October, Emily Allport’s roving cookie bakery moved into the Georgetown Trailer Park. Most of her cookies are broad and relatively thin, with just the right dash of surprise: In the fall, caramel apple snickerdoodles are properly chewy. Brown butter triple chocolate chunk is your classic chocolate chip, graduated from finishing school."

"Lowrider Baking Company is offering same-day delivery for all of your cookie needs. If you go to their website, you can buy a layered cookie cake, as well as individual slices of cookie cake, pints of Full Tilt ice cream, and even half-pints of milk."

"website | delivery radius: nationwide | best for: Classic cookies and cookie dough. Customers kept asking for one item from Brooke’s catering company menu: her cookies. She realized people loved her recipes for nostalgic cookie flavors like chocolate chip, so she decided to spin off a company named after her daughter."

"Chef Sara Eveland has worked in the Seattle food scene for 15 years. She started selling cookies out of Watson’s Counter in Ballard as a way to share something independent of the restaurants she works in. You can also find her cookies at popups like Chachis Pizza, Big Footlongs, and Good Shape Pizza."

"Show the kids what computers were like back in your day, further back, or even what they might be like well into the future. Started by someone who knows a bit about them—Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen—this museum holds everything from room-sized computers that can do a tiny amount to tiny computers that can do almost anything. And in the lab, you can learn how to use a computer for all sorts of programs—whether it’s digital art, video game design, or even 3-D printing self-driving cars."

"Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10am to 5pm, First Thursdays: 10am to 8pm. Let your inner geek run free at this museum backed yet again by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Living Computers: Museum + Labs celebrates technologies past, present and future, allowing visitors to get up close with vintage mainframes and video games, or explore modern advances on artificial intelligence and how computers and technology shape our world."

"Another Paul Allen special, this technology museum covers the history of computing in all its forms—from giant mainframes to self-driving cars. Robotics, video games and all the latest and greatest in VR and AI are on display and in working order. Ready to dive a bit deeper?"

"To truly feel as if you have stepped back in time, head to Fort Nisqually where you will find a working museum that will show you a slice of life from the 1850s. As you wander around the museum you will find staff members in period garb who are happy to reenact scenes from life in the fort in the days of old. As a result, you can expect to see reconstructions of things such as arts and crafts as well as period professions such as the work of blacksmiths in the 19th century."

"Established in 1833, the Hudson Bay Company used Fort Nisqually to manage its trade program with Indigenous tribes, fur traders, and others in the Pacific Northwest. The Fort Nisqually Living History Museum has reenactors perform daily tasks related to the time period, including broom making and blacksmithing. Self-guided tours take you through authentic buildings at the fort, including guard posts, barracks, and the commander’s home."

"Simply adding to the list of noteworthy Seattle museums, the city is also home to the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history of Nordic immigrants, the National Nordic Museum. There, visitors can explore the culture of the five Nordic countries both at home and how they changed and evolved in the United States, shown through artifacts, photos, and videos. You’ll even find a fully functional 1910 sauna in the museum garden, which an immigrant built to recreate their favorite aspects of home here in the Northwest—just a few feet from a Viking boat, also out back."

"If there’s a Viking in your family, check out the Museum's Nordic Journeys exhibit which is a hands-on, kid-friendly display about the immigration story from the "old country” to the United States, then to Seattle and on to Ballard. For your preschooler, he or she will delight in the free Nordic Stories programs which involves a Nordic story and a related craft. Check out more fun events here. What's New:Family Fun Thursday happens the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. Drop in for special activities."

"Learn all about Nordic immigration to Seattle, Swedish folk tales, and even rosemaling—a traditional form of decorative folk art that originated in the rural valleys of Norway. An inquisitive mind is a must, donning a lusekofte sweater is optional. Nordic Heritage Museum: 3014 NW 67th St.; 206-789-5707"