3 Best Sights in International District, Seattle

This huge, fascinating Japanese supermarket is a feast for the senses, and a 2020 remodel makes it easier to navigate the colorful mounds of fresh produce and aisles of delicious packaged goods, with unique sweets and savory treats from countries throughout East and Southeast Asia. A busy food court serves sushi, Japanese bento-box meals, Chinese stir-fry combos, Vietnamese spring rolls, and an assortment of teas and tapioca drinks. It's almost a department store, with housewares, cosmetics, toys, and more. There's also a fantastic branch of the famous Kinokuniya bookstore chain. The large parking lot is free for two hours with a minimum $20 purchase—don't forget to have your ticket validated by the cashiers.

One of the only museums in the United States devoted to the Asian Pacific American experience provides a sophisticated and often somber look at how immigrants and their descendants have transformed (and been transformed by) American culture. The evolution of the museum has been driven by community participation—the museum's library has an oral history lab, and many of the rotating exhibits are focused on stories from longtime residents. Museum admission includes a guided tour through the East Kong Yick building, where scores of immigrant workers from China, Japan, and the Philippines first found refuge in Seattle (check the schedule, as this is the only way to see this section). The museum also offers weekly guided tours of the neighborhood along rotating themes.

More arcade than museum, this space puts a collector's life's work in play: more than 50 pinball games line up on the two floors, all included in the price of admission. The games rotate out frequently, and the collection includes machines from as far back as 1934 right up to recent releases. Entrance includes unlimited games, so take a break to chat with the staff, who can point out interesting features like the cigarette holders on the older machines. Children under 7 are not permitted to play.