Seattle is definitely a wandering town, from the downtown hub and its urban parks to the niche museums, specialty stores, and nature reserves. Within these streets and neighborhoods, you’ll find heaps of hidden treasures to discover and numerous ways to spend an afternoon if adventure tugs your heart. And, what better way than bicycling to see the city close up?
Here are our favorite spots. Be sure to stop by our café (at 590 Bell St) for a printed guide, to experience the tokyobike, and get a few additional tips!
Our very first Fulcrum Coffee café reflects our love of the Pacific Northwest — with warm, natural materials and delightful coffee in its many expressions. The café is as minimalist as can be, allowing our guests to focus on the essentials: good conversation, laughter, a quiet moment, a nice view. With a spacious patio, it’s a place to gather as the weekend begins.
590 Bell St, Belltown
Seattle’s waterfront is ever-changing — by the season, and by the city’s dynamic expansion. And Sculpture Park is a perfect urban respite, regardless of the weather. Explore the park’s 9 acres, and experience its stunning views of Puget Sound’s Elliot Bay, the seclusion of Richard Serra’s Waves, and the warmth of the enchanting modernist pavilion.
2901 Western Ave, Waterfront
Harry’s Fine Foods often flips those cold, wet, grey days upside-down, with refined comfort food that motivates us to get outside, and more importantly get us on a bicycle. Then, there’s the rare intimacy and warmth that comes from a packed Saturday morning, not to be missed.
601 Bellevue Ave E, Capitol Hill
The Station Café is a community like no other, really the day-to-day cultural hub of the diverse and thriving Beacon Hill. Nowhere in the city will you feel more welcome. Try the Mexican Mocha, Luis and Leona’s signature espresso drink, kickin’ with a little spice, and delicately blended with a colorful conversation.
1600 S Roberto Maestas Festival St, Beacon Hill
Make sure to visit this Seattle staple early to avoid the tourist mob, especially in summer. But if you’ve got a curious culinary mind, this is a great place to educate yourself about flavors. Talk to a farmer to understand his or her farming approach, or try a new odd-looking fruit or vegetable to surprise your palate. And, be sure to treat yourself to the market fundamentals of fresh fried donuts, candied cherries, or Beecher’s cheese.
Pike and 1st Ave, Downtown
Houseboat living is uniquely Seattle, providing some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets to those who dwell within. But only a precious few get a glimpse into this magical world on the water. Grab a picnic lunch, a book, or a few friends, and get a peek at this unique way of life by visiting one of these hidden mini-city parks.
- Terry Pettus Park, 2001 Fairview E
- Lynn Street Mini Park, 2291 Fairview E
- Roanoke Street Mini Park, 1 E Roanoke St
Within the heart of Capitol Hill is this wonderful café that carries high-performance Rapha biking gear — including all-important rain jackets – and some great food and espresso. For many, this is the nucleus of biking culture, where enthusiasts share stories, adventures, and routes. If you need help, ask Zac or his knowledgeable staff for urban rides or journeys out of the city. You can also join one of the weekly “social spins” and make some new friends.
301 E Pine St, Capitol Hill
There’s nothing like walking into Glasswing to buy yourself a new sweater and discovering the store has other plans. This is a store where you can easily get a little dreamy! Every corner has been curated to appeal to your senses, infusing color, scent, and texture to the shopping experience. It’s a place where you should expect the unexpected — and allow your emotions to soar a little.
1525 Melrose Ave, Capitol Hill
This gorgeous indoor market is one of our favorite starting points. It’s home to local award-winning restaurateurs and food purveyors, all serving up tasty, fresh delectable from the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy this urban refuge, set within a refurbished, historic automotive buildings from the early 1900s. This is a great weekend destination, and we think, the perfect place to stop for your weekend bike-ride picnic supplies.
1531 Melrose Ave, Capitol Hill
Have your happy hours of late been defined by stale onion rings and tepid, inexpensive beer? Spend your next one at Bar Vacilando, and discover an exceptional blend of authentic, friendly people and an exceptional menu of classic dishes, reimagined and reinvented. Honestly, we think their website says it all: “Be free from the humdrum of being someone or getting somewhere. Have a seat, take a sip, relax.”
405 15th Ave E, Capitol Hill
Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in Seattle, Peter Miller Books is a treasure trove of gorgeous books on design, furniture and architecture, as well as special art supplies and design objects. It’s not so much a book store as it is an institution of inspiration. Owner Peter Miller’s knowledge is vast, his selection is beautiful. He makes it almost impossible for anyone to leave the store without a book in hand and a muse on one’s shoulder. And leave a little artistic doodle at the interesting selection of writing instruments.
304 Alaskan Way S., Post Alley
Why tokyobike X Fulcrum Coffee?
At Fulcrum Coffee, we’re drawn to beautiful objects — and the people driven by their passions to create them. We think tokyobike has all of these qualities and more. The bicycles are simple, minimal, thoughtfully designed. Its people are wonderfully attentive, inventive collaborators and curators of beautiful experiences. They’re unyielding in their commitment to shape, balance, delight, and design simplicity. We’re grateful for how they inspire us in our own search for sourcing and roasting our coffees.
We have a minimal supply of these limited-edition bikes, and they’re available in a small (53 cm), medium (57 cm), and large (61 cm) frames. You can purchase the bike online here (free shipping), or see it in person at our new cafe located at 590 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121
Beyond the bicycle:
Our collaboration with tokyobike also led to the creation of an original origami poster by one of our designers, Mark Beard. You can see this work, here.