What To Do in Seattle (A Quick Music-History Tour)

We're approaching a long weekend, which always brings more tourists to town. In case you're coming to visit Seattle to see some of our city's music history landmarks, I've prepared a must-see list for you. Locations in Seattle proper unless otherwise noted.

Museums & Parks & Cemeteries

• Experience Music Project (EMP): "Nirvana - Taking Punk to the Masses" exhibit on now through April 2012 At the base of the Space Needle, downtown
• Viretta Park (aka "Kurt Cobain Park"): Adjacent to the former Cobain house; fans often leave memorabilia here in tribute 151 Lake Washington Boulevard East
• Greenwood Memorial Park: Where Jimi Hendrix is buried. Again, bring candles & other mementos to leave behind. Fun fact: my grandparents are buried mere steps from Jimi's final resting place. 350 Monroe Ave Ne (Renton, WA)
• Sound Garden: I really wanted to tell you to visit this sound-sulpture park run by NOAA and where Soundgarden, the band, got its name. But apparently it's still on very restricted access post-9/11 and is not open on the weekends...If you happen to be in Seattle on a weekday, consider checking it out. Magnuson Park is a great place to picnic, too. 7400 Sand Point Way NE

Rock Clubs & Other Famous Buildings:

• The OK Hotel: Lore says Nirvana first unveiled "Smells Like Teen Spirit" here. It's also the setting of the coffee-shop where Bridget Fonda's character works in Singles. Now it's an apartment building... so take photos from the outside. 212 Alaskan Way S
• The "Singles" apartment building: Snap a picture; later, PhotoShop in a photo of Matt Dillon sitting on the steps playing sappy love ballads on his guitar. E Thomas St & 19th Ave E (Capitol/First Hill neighborhood)
• Feedback Lounge: Owned by local grunge hero & Lame Lister Jeff Gilbert. 6451 California Ave SW (West Seattle)
• Sub Pop Records: No explanation necessary. 2013 Fourth Avenue

Record Stores

• Singles Going Steady: A great place to while away time and take home some musical treasures. 2219 2nd Ave Ste C

Recording Studios

• London Bridge: Tucked away off a busy thoroughfare north of Seattle, this studio recorded seminal records from all of your favorites - Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden... 20021 Ballinger Way NE #A, Shoreline (north of Seattle)
• Studio X: A favorite of Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder 2212 4th Ave

Eateries

• Beth's Cafe: Famous for its 12-egg omelet. Bring your antacid. I drank a lot of diner coffee here growing up... 7311 Aurora Ave N.
• Mama's Mexican Kitchen: Not necessarily grungy, but kitschy and delicious. You deserve a margarita. 2234 2nd Avenue

Outerwear

• Destee Nation: Commemorate your visit with a t-shirt of your favorite local establishments (current and past). Examples from the much-beloved/RIP category: Fallout Records, Sunset Bowl. 3412 Evanston Ave N. (Fremont neighborhood)
• Experience: The place to buy Docs back in the day. They're still stocked! 912 Alaskan Way along the waterfront. (Near the OK Hotel)

Etc (Non-grunge)

• (Updated 6/28): KEXP: I'm upset with myself that I initially left this public radio station off the list. The station is vital to the music scene, and larger community, in Seattle. Swing by their headquarters for a tour and soak in the magic. 113 Dexter Avenue North
• The gum wall: Self-explained. Add your piece. Across from the entrance to the Alibi room (great for drinks!) at 85 Pike St near the Pike Place Market
• Original Starbucks: Be prepared for crowds and buskers playing music while you wait (let us know if you spot anyone famous) 1912 Pike Pl
• Lakeview Cemetery: Bruce Lee fan? Visit his grave. 1554 15th. Ave. E (Capitol Hill)

A couple of suggested circuits:

Swing up to Capitol Hill in the morning. Visit the "Singles" building, drive over to see Bruce Lee's grave, then head downtown for lunch at Mama's. Have a margarita or two, then go record shopping at Singles Going Steady. Crashing? Head down to the Pike Place Market (visit the Sub Pop building on the way) then hit up the first-ever Starbucks, then wander down to the gum wall.

Start your morning at Beth's. Stuffed to the gills, drive to the Waterfront and cruise by the OK Hotel. Swing into Experience for some new shoes. Leave them in the bag. You have a big walk ahead of you. Climb the Harbor Steps (University St.) from the waterfront up to 1st Ave. Wander toward the Market, swinging by the gum wall on your way into the Alibi Room for a drink. Head north through the market to Starbucks, then up to Belltown to see Sub Pop and Studio X. Consider a movie at Cinerama (not on the list above, but very awesome.)