3 Best Sights in Seattle, Washington

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. You'll also find authentic housewares, cosmetics, toys, and more. There's also a fantastic branch of the famous Kinokuniya bookstore chain. The large parking lot is free for one hour with a minimum $10 purchase or two hours with a minimum $20 purchase—don't forget to have your ticket validated by the cashiers.

If it weren't for a small sign on the sidewalk and the faint whiff of cocoa in the air, you'd never know that Fremont has its own artisanal chocolate factory with daily tours. Since it opened in 2005, Theo has become one of the Northwest's most familiar chocolate brands, and is sold in shops across the city. Theo uses only organic, fair-trade cocoa beans, usually in high percentages—yielding darker, less sweet, and more complex flavors than some of their competitors. Stop by the factory to buy exquisite "confection" truffles—made daily in small batches—with unusual flavors like basil-ganache, lemon, fig-fennel, and burnt sugar. The friendly staff is generous with samples. You can go behind the scenes as well, with informative, hour-long tours; reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season.

If it weren't for a small sign on the sidewalk pointing the way, you'd never know that Fremont has its own chocolate factory. Theo has helped to boost the Northwest's growing artisanal chocolate scene and has taken the city by storm, thanks to high-quality chocolate creations. Theo uses only organic, fair-trade cocoa beans, usually in high percentages—yielding darker, less sweet, and more complex flavors than some of their competitors. You'll see Theo chocolate bars for sale in many local businesses, from coffee shops to grocery stores. Stop by the factory to buy exquisite "confection" truffles—made daily in small batches—with unusual flavors like basil-ganache, lemon, fig-fennel, and burnt sugar. The super-friendly staff is known to be generous with samples. You can go behind the scenes as well: informative, hour-long tours are offered daily; reservations aren't always necessary, but it's a good idea to reserve ahead, particularly on weekends.