Name: Lesley
Neighborhood: Ravenna
City: Seattle, Washington
My Home: 1913 Craftsman / 4 bedroom with 1 bath
We moved to Ravenna last fall, and we love it because it is so walkable, as well as an easy commute to my husband's job at the University of Washington (a short bike ride away). Within a few blocks, we have grocery stores, bookstores, restaurants, parks, an excellent high school, a frozen custard shop and many cafes.
Lesley's Guide to Ravenna
One of our favorite things is walking around the neighborhood with our dog, enjoying all of the interesting houses and lovely gardens.
1. Best Vintage Shop, Thrift Store, or Flea Market
- SILHOUETTE ANTIQUES & GIFTS: 1516 NE 65th Street
This cute shop is just a few blocks away, and full of unique and lovely things. The woman who owns it has been running this shop for 35 years - we love to buy things from her and do our part to keep this neighborhood treasure around!
2. Favorite Bookstore
- THIRD PLACE BOOKS: 6504 20th Ave NE
This is a great bookstore, with a broad selection of new and used books and very helpful staff. There is a Greek cafe within the store, that is the perfect place for a quick lunch, or espresso and biscotti, while shopping. I think this is one of the best bookstores in Seattle, and I am so glad it is in my neighborhood.
3. Favorite Coffee Shop, Café, or Restaurant
- PEAKS FROZEN CUSTARD: 1026 NE 65th Street
This local frozen custard shop is wonderful, not only for its delicious frozen custard, but also for its friendly owner who is active in the community. They have different flavors every day. We keep their calendar of flavors pinned to our bulletin board to help us choose the perfect evening to stroll over for a cone or sundae.
4. Best Place to Pick Up Groceries
- WHOLE FOODS: 1026 NE 64th Street
It is really nice to have one of the few Whole Foods Markets in Seattle be within walking distance of our house. Although we tend to buy much of our summer produce at the local farmers market, for milk, eggs and other staples (and vegetables the rest of the year), Whole Foods is great to have around!
5. Best Neighborhood Park
- COWEN & RAVENNA PARK: 5849 15th Ave NE
This park is truly lovely. The main part is a deep forested ravine with a seasonal creek at the bottom and multiple trails and paths. We love to walk through here with our dog, and enjoy the peaceful solitude tucked within this busy neighborhood.
Thanks, Lesley!
Photos: Lesley Pettigrew
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
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Homesteaders' Cocktail Recipe: Lovage Simple Syrup
Comments (16)
Ravenna was one of my dream neighborhoods when I lived in Seattle. It's gorgeous. Sigh...
Hey! I *also* live in Ravenna!
Great photos - they really make the neighborhood look beautiful. (Not that it isn't!)
What's going on in the shot of the marching band? Is that the Roosevelt high school band?
The pogo stick on the roof of the garage concerns me
Yes, that is a picture of the Roosevelt band, taken from my living room window. They are actually very, very good. I really like that they practice in the neighborhood sometimes.
Glad you liked the pictures!
I think you are right, there are lots of healthy grocery stores in Seattle. Puget Consumers Coop (PCC) is one I really like, and they have a number of branches around the city, but unfortunately there isn't one within walking distance. In this particular neighborhood, we have QFC, Safeway and Whole Foods, and of those three, Whole Foods works out best for us. : )
So, Whole Foods doesn't qualify as a healthy grocery store? I mean, sure, it's an expensive healthy grocery store, but still...
We have a year-round fruit and vegetable stand as well, and the University District farmer's market is quite close by. There is the Greenlake PCC, which is not really quite within walking distance, but is not far.
So, I feel pretty lucky.
Very, Very good is even an understatement for the Roosevelt High band. Their jazz band routinely makes the finals for Essentially Ellington, the ne plus ultra of HS jazz band competitions.
The U-District farmer's market is year-round, which is awesome.
Ahhh. Sigh. I lived on Ravenna from 2001 to 2003. I was just in Seattle last weekend. I miss that hood. I loved walking around the whole foods (just to look at all the food- couldn't afford much) and I use to love Scarlett Tree- can't wait to try out the new location.
Ah yes, Scarlett Tree! I haven't been to the new location yet, but they made the most wonderful breakfasts.
A couple of other wonderful things in Ravenna:
Ten Thousand Villages - fair trade ethnic handicraft store
Pies N'Pints - a "pub" where they serve savory pies (think chicken pot pie), except they're in a pocket of crust, and they can be floated in a soup, covered with cheese sauce, etc. Plus, pints! And live music.
Ravenna is one of the neighborhoods I used to live in while in Seattle! I remember that band going by my house.
aww man that makes me miss seattle. I worked a skip away at beth's. and shopped at the pcc. which had the same prices as whole foods.
Lesley, Great virtual tour of Ravenna! I used to visit Seattle frequently while I was a student in Portland, and later for work, but have yet to visit your neighborhood. I look forward to visiting one day and (I hope) getting a private tour :) And, although independently owned grocery stores are my preference, having Whole Foods as the best store in the neighborhood is most certainly *not* a saddening situation - only for those unaware of the privilege in which their lives are steeped. Without it, La Jolla would've been an even greater cultural and food desert for me. ;) Misha
Good that you love your neighborhood.
I have lived in Seattle (including a stint in a lovely house in Ravenna) off and on for 38 years. I am done with it now, finding the people to be (in general) as chilly and dour as the weather, though the houses can be pretty and the n.
sorry, the neighborhoods always look very nice and cozy. Just finally decided that the NW is not the place for me.
Hmm. I've never considered Seattlelites "chilly and dour," although, like the Swedes and the Irish, they do lean toward a certain existential weltschmerz. Weather can do that. But the payoff? When the sun comes out, the landscape is green to the point of luminosity, and Mt. Rainier floats over the city like a pastel cloud.
I agree with princesspea, I've lived in different countries and cities (including Seattle) and I also found Seattlelites to be rather chilly. I really liked how quirky and original they are, I share many of their values but the whole time I was there I wished they were more joyful and friendly.