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Wall Of Sound
One of the coolest record stores in town, this smart shop stocks music you've never heard of, from obscure noise artists to gypsy folksongs, but nothing the owners and staff wouldn't listen to at home. The wall of magazines, comics and small-press books is top-notch too.
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Westlake Center
This shopping center is the veritable pumping heart of the retail district. One of the Rowse Company developments found in practically every sizable US city (notably Atlanta's Peach Tree Plaza, Boston's Faneuil Hall and Portland's Pioneer Place), Westlake Center is filled with national boutique chains and has a top-floor food court. This is also where the monorail stops and starts on its 1.2-mile trip to and from Seattle Center.
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Wide World Books & Maps
Travelers will want to make a pilgrimage to Wide World Books & Maps. In addition to a great selection of travel guides, this pleasant store offers a full array of travel accessories and a staff of seasoned globetrotters. Ask for a calendar of events such as slideshows and author readings.
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Wild Salmon Seafood Market
At Wild Salmon Seafood Market - in the Fishermen's Terminal on the south side of the Ballard Bridge - you can buy fresh salmon and shellfish directly from the fisherman who caught it. The market will ship fresh fish at reasonable prices.
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Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
This landmark shop on Pier 54 now has a lesser sibling, Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe Too - but never mind that. The original is where you'll find cabinets of shrunken heads, piglets in jars and dried puffer fish - not for sale, of course, just for atmosphere. Also not for sale are the famous black diamond, Chief Seattle's hat, a variety of stalagmites and some cool fortune-telling machines. A Mt. St. Helens 'snowglobe' for sale has 'ash' for snow.
