A Perfect Day on Phinney Ridge

If we had to design a perfect Saturday in our neighborhood — the kind we'd take a visiting friend on — this is the day we'd plan. It's walkable end-to-end, hits all our favorite spots, and ends with a sunset on the rooftop deck.

8:30 AM — Coffee at Herkimer

Start at Herkimer Coffee on Greenwood Ave. They roast their own beans, the baristas know what they're doing, and the morning light coming through the front windows is honestly cinematic. Grab a cortado and a pastry from the case. If it's a clear day, walk a block and post up on a bench to people-watch — dog walkers, joggers heading to Green Lake, neighbors catching up.

9:30 AM — A Loop Around Green Lake

Walk down the hill (about 10 minutes) and join the 2.8-mile paved loop around Green Lake. This is what locals do. You'll see runners, strollers, pups, paddleboarders if it's warm enough. The loop takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. Stop at the boathouse for water or a snack. If you've got energy, rent a kayak or paddleboard for an hour.

11:30 AM — Brunch at Pacha Collective

Cross over to the Tangletown/Woodlawn side and grab brunch at Pacha Collective. It's plant-filled, gorgeous, and the food is genuinely good — the breakfast burrito, the açaí bowls, the tomato soup with sourdough are all excellent. If there's a wait, put your name down and walk a block. Worth it.

1:00 PM — Wander Back Up to Phinney

Stroll back up the hill toward Phinney Ridge. Take Greenwood Ave so you can poke into the shops. Phinney Books is a tiny but mighty independent bookstore. Labels Consignment is great for unique vintage women's clothing. If it's a Friday in summer, the Phinney Farmers Market runs from 3–7 PM in front of the Phinney Neighborhood Center — go.

2:30 PM — Woodland Park Zoo

A short walk from the townhome, Woodland Park Zoo is consistently ranked one of the country's best. You can do a quick visit in 90 minutes or get lost there for half a day. We especially love the West African forest and the new sea otter habitat. Even non-zoo people end up charmed by this one.

5:00 PM — Aperitif at Chez Phinney

Head back toward Greenwood Ave and pop into Chez Phinney, a self-serve wine bar where you can taste before you commit to a glass. It's small, dimly lit, and feels like a secret. Order a cheese board, sit at the bar, and decompress.

6:30 PM — Dinner

Two directions depending on the mood:

Cozy and lively: 74th Street Ale House — English-pub vibes, famously good gumbo, perfect for a Saturday night.

Special-occasion dinner: Lioness — modern Italian, beautiful room, great cocktail program. Make a reservation.

Casual and excellent: Sophon — chef-driven Cambodian, James Beard recognition, unforgettable food.

9:00 PM — Dessert + Rooftop

Stop at Nutty Squirrel Gelato on the way home — get the lemon cookie or pistachio. Then bring it up to the rooftop deck of the townhome. By 9, the city lights are on, the Olympics are silhouetted, and if you're lucky, the sky is doing something theatrical. This is the part where, every time, our guests say "I get it now."

Pour something. Sit. Breathe. Welcome to Phinney Ridge.

— Liz