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One day vacation: Culture, great food highlight trip to historic Seattle neighborhood

By Sally Zeiger Hanson/Herald columnist

Destination: Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood

As neighborhoods go, Georgetown has it all: History, promise, momentum and giant boots. As the oldest continuously settled neighborhood in Seattle, Georgetown is a gem that seems to be on its way out of its recent obscurity.

We discovered Georgetown by way of the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. The Duwamish Tribe claims Chief Seattle as its own. As one way of preserving its traditions, the Duwamish Tribe recently opened the Longhouse on East Marginal Way to the public. When we arrived, a tribal event was just concluding so we were lucky enough to get in on a visit with some of the active tribal members. In the Longhouse is a cultural center that showcases turn-of-the-century photos, voice recordings of the Duwamish language and sells traditional arts and crafts made by tribal members.

We ventured across the street to see the Duwamish River, the waterway that has supported the way of life for the Duwamish for so many years. At the poetically named T-107 park, we were able to access the water. The garbage-strewn shore, abandoned pilings and factories in the distance were in diametrically opposed to the preservation efforts witnessed in the Longhouse. We did enjoy the art along the path in the T-107 park that depicted the journey that salmon make when they spawn.

Because no One Day Vacation is complete without a great meal, we headed to the fabled Stellar Pizza in Georgetown. Stellar Pizza takes their food and drink seriously. They brag that they have “no crap on tap” and that all of their ingredients are local. After I learned that they make the sauce and dough daily, I was able to move beyond all the great appetizers and sandwiches on the menu straight to the pizza. Our meal was fabulous and we are still discussing whether it might have been the heaviest pizza we’ve ever met.

Our post-heavy pizza stroll through the neighborhood brought us to a store called Great Stuff that was filled with unique objects and décor including old turn-of-the-century circus murals on tarps. Our walk also took us past the iconic Hat ‘n’ Boots from the 1950s, the historic Corson Building and some great bakeries. Georgetown has great ambience and all the makings of a star on the rise.

Georgetown details

The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center

Address: 4705 W. Marginal Way S.W., Seattle

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Web stite: www.duwamishtribe.org/longhouse.html

Cost: Free admission

Stellar Pizza, Ale, and Cocktails

Address: 5513 Airport Way S., Seattle

Phone number: 206-763-1660

Web site: www.stellarpizza.com/

Great Stuff Vintage Furnishings

Address: 5517 Airport Way S., Seattle

Phone number: 206-763-1660

Web site: www.greatstuffseattle.com/

The Corson Building

Address: 5609 Corson Ave. S., Seattle

Phone number: 206-762-3330

Web site: www.thecorsonbuilding.com/

Notes: Features a prix fixe menu and wine maker dinners.

Hats ‘n’ Boots

Address: Now located in Oxbow Park on Corson

Web site: www.hatnboots.org/

As a lifelong Puyallup resident, Sally Zeiger Hanson has been taking One Day Vacations here in the Puget Sound for years. To join the conversation about the fun that can be had close to home, contact he at:sallyzeigerhanson@gmail.com or on her blog at htt