Arrive by Monorail, Light Rail or Streetcar
Plenty of people pass through Westlake Center without buying a thing, because it works as one of downtown's main transit hubs. Ride the Seattle Monorail to its southern terminal on the mall's third floor, aboard a line built for the 1962 World's Fair and now an official City of Seattle landmark.
Head downstairs instead and you reach the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, home to stops on Sound Transit's Link light rail. The South Lake Union Streetcar ends nearby at McGraw Square, a tiny plaza at Westlake and Stewart where a 1913 bronze statue of Governor John McGraw keeps watch.
Shop and Snack Along Pine Street
Seattle's main shopping district fans out around the mall and the park, pulling in locals and visitors alike. Start your walk along Pine with these anchors.
Nordstrom Downtown Seattle
Find the flagship Nordstrom at 500 Pine Street, on the corner of 5th Avenue, in a building that also houses the company's headquarters and once served as the flagship of Frederick & Nelson. Browse designer and everyday clothing, shoes and beauty, or book services such as alterations, personal stylists, monogramming and Barbour jacket repair and re-waxing.
When you need a pause, settle in at Habitant for wine, cocktails and small plates, or grab burgers and sandwiches at Nordstrom Grill. Curbside pickup runs from the 6th Avenue entrance, just north of Pine.
Zara at Westlake Center
Zara's flagship is now the most prominent tenant inside Westlake Center and the main reason many fashion shoppers still walk through the mall's doors. Cross 5th Avenue afterward to Nordstrom for an easy two-store loop.
Bites on Pine
Grab a quick meal at Bites on Pine, the food hall on Westlake Center's second floor and, as of early 2026, the only food court left in the building. It is a handy stop for commuters and shoppers before catching the monorail upstairs or the light rail below.
Pacific Place
Pacific Place, the other downtown mall in this cluster, sits close enough that Nordstrom describes itself as near both. Its arrival in the 1990s pushed Westlake Center to remodel for larger tenants. Spend an afternoon among local makers and food at spots such as The Handmade Showroom, Ghost Gallery, Simply Seattle, Pumarosa Candles, Enchanted Teas, Din Tai Fung Seattle and Pike Place Chowder, then catch a film at the AMC Pacific Place 11 cinema.
MarninSaylor
For a gift with more personality, stroll down to Pike Place Market, selling farm goods, fish and crafts since 1907. Inside, the bright MarninSaylor shop is known for Donut Cats, soft plush toys handmade from fleece and felt, a playful souvenir for families and anyone hunting for something fun.
Stórica Studio
Head to Stórica Studio on Western Avenue downtown for minimalist infinity-welded jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces and rings. It is a fine choice when you want a lasting keepsake from Seattle instead of a T-shirt.
Landmarks Along Pine
History travels with you on this stretch. Just west of Westlake Center, the Bon Marche Building at 300 Pine Street is City Landmark No. 108, the former flagship of a department store that began as a small Belltown storefront and later the main Macy's Northwest store, which has since closed.
Directly across Pine, Westlake Park serves as downtown's town square and reopened after a makeover in May 2026. Continue up the street to the Paramount Theatre at 9th Avenue and Pine, a 1928 movie palace that now hosts Broadway tours, concerts and comedy. Nearby, Freeway Park stretches over Interstate 5, linking downtown with the Seattle Convention Center and First Hill.
The Story Behind the Westlake Block
Before the mall, this spot was an open pedestrian area. The block of Westlake Avenue between Pike and Pine closed to cars in the 1950s, the first monorail terminal opened here on March 24, 1962, and locals called the space Westlake Mall. From the early 1960s until 1976, a giant bearded Santa statue appeared there every December.
Redevelopment took decades. In 1981 the Washington State Supreme Court struck down an earlier plan because the city had used eminent domain for what was essentially a private mall, and architect Victor Steinbrueck later sued over the scale of a new proposal. The 1984 settlement added an open plaza along Pine to protect views and public access, construction began in 1986, and a 2012 to 2014 renovation removed much of the original greenery and the third-floor balcony.
