A Seattle local shares 12 less-touristy things to see and do in the city, from chocolate tours to hidden speakeasies

I think one of the best ways to learn about a city is to check out its independent bookstores, and Third Place Books is my favorite in Seattle. The name is a nod to sociologist Ray Oldenburg's concept of third places, which are spaces where we exchange ideas and find community outside of our homes, workplaces, or schools.The concept of bookstores as a third place or second home resonates with me, and I think you'll agree after seeing Third Place Books.

My favorite location is in Ravenna, which has a parking lot, small café, and author events that you may be able to catch during your visit — I still remember the first book signing I attended there by the musician, writer, and illustrator George Watsky. Browse around to find your next favorite book or grab a sticker or card on your way out. Other great local bookstores include the Elliot Bay Book Company in Capitol Hill, the used bookstore Ophelia's Books in Fremont, and Arundel Books in Pioneer Square.

Calling all chocolate lovers, especially if you're a fan of organic, fair-trade-certified chocolate, for a fun tour of how chocolate is made at Theo Chocolate factory. If you're interested in learning more about the origins of cacao, how chocolate goes from bean to bar, and the history of a local chocolate business, sign up for the hour-long Theo Factory Experience. On the tour, you'll taste the difference between various milk and dark chocolates so you'll know your favorite combination, and samples of chocolate bars and confections are included.

Afterward, check out the Theo Chocolate gift shop to try full-size chocolate bars that are made in the factory, or the caramels and other confections made in-house, which I often give to loved ones for birthdays and holidays. A crowd favorite is the cinnamon horchata bar. The factory also offers classes and events like chocolate-bark decorating and making hand-rolled ganache. The Theo Chocolate Factory is located next to the year-round Fremont Sunday market, so I recommend stopping by on a Sunday if you want to experience both.

If you're visiting Seattle on a weekend, there's a decent chance you'll be near a farmers' market. Some of my favorites include the Fremont Sunday Market, University District Seattle Market, and Ballard Farmers Market, which offer fresh produce, baked goods, and local treats like honey and homemade jam.

Local markets are also some of my favorite places to grab breakfast pastries, fresh fruits and veggies, and even handmade souvenirs like cards and stickers that I give to loved ones. The markets are usually on rain or shine, so check the forecast and bring an umbrella if it's cloudy.

I can't talk about Seattle without mentioning Starbucks, especially because there are 137 locations in Seattle alone. If you want an immersive Starbucks experience, head to the flagship Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill to try its cold brew, barrel-aged coffee, and even some signature cocktails. If you come with a group, grab a flight to sample a few different offerings. You can pair your coffee with pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and desserts from Princi, the in-house Italian bakery.

If you're looking for coffee other than Starbucks, there are local shops on almost every corner — I love the Vietnamese coffee and ube lattes at Coffeeholic in Columbia City and Greenwood and Boon Boona Coffee in the Central District.

Whenever I visit a new city, I always buy stickers and postcards from local artists so I can put them in my memory book or mail them to friends. Skip the touristy spots near Pike Place and head over to the International District, where you'll find Sairen, a modern, creative shop filled with Japanese, Hawaiian, and Seattle-made goods including clothing, accessories, stationery, and more.

You can also check out Ballard's Sip and Ship, which is full of cards and gifts that can be shipped immediately, not to mention a coffee and snack bar to enjoy while you wait. If you're hoping to find specialty food and gifts to commemorate your trip to the Pacific Northwest, you can't go wrong with Pacific Northwest Shop, which has locations in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle as well as Tacoma.

You'd be remiss not to enjoy ice cream at Seattle favorite Molly Moon's, which sources 90% of its ingredients from small business owners like jam makers, beekeepers, strawberry farmers, and coffee roasters in the Pacific Northwest, including Theo Chocolate, Olympia Coffee, Sugimoto Tea, and more. Best of all, it has rotating flavors every month, so there's always something new to try for return visitors. If you're not sure where to start, order a flight, which includes a kid's scoop of all their flavors, which you can customize with toppings like chocolate shell, Thin Mint cookie crumbles, lemon curd, and more.

If you prefer vegan, gluten-free, or plant-based ice cream, check out Frankie and Joe's, which has locations in University Village and Capitol Hill. It makes flavors daily with coconut milk and homemade oat milk, sweetened with alternative sugars like dates, maple, and coconut sugar, and mixed with nuts and superfoods. Its top sellers are Mint Brownie, Chocolate Tahini Supercookie, and Salty Caramel Ash, but they also have three monthly flavors you can test. I recommend sampling a few before picking your flavor, as they're all unique.

If you're hoping to avoid the crowds at the Space Needle but still want a bird's-eye view of Seattle, the Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center is the spot for you. It's hard to beat the 360-degree view of the city from the observation deck on the 73rd floor, which, at over 900 feet, is the tallest in the Pacific Northwest. From there, you can see the Cascade Mountains, Elliot Bay, and more. And if you catch the city on a good day, you might even see a cotton-candy sky during sunset. Enjoy a drink at the Sky View Café & Bar before making your way back down.

If you're looking for something a little quieter and away from the crowds, check out the rooftop deck on the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 for stunning views of Seattle, passing cruise ships, and the Seattle Great Wheel, which is usually lit up at night. The rooftop deck may not be open if there's a docked cruise ship or boat, so I recommend calling ahead to ask.

The Museum of Museums is a contemporary-art center, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Its mission is to encourage artists in Seattle through exhibitions, education, and conversation.

Expect rotating exhibits depending on the time of the year, but one staple you can always count on is the gift shop, which offers a selection of objects from antiques to sculpture (I once saw ancient Byzantine coins there), and don't be afraid to ask the volunteer shop attendant to learn more about each one. Even the museum's bathrooms have art installations, so explore each nook and cranny of the space before heading to your next destination.

After a day of adventuring, you might want to relax and spend some time on the water. Rent a boat from The Electric Boat Company for a cruise around Lake Union and take advantage of each boat's built-in stereo with surround sound. There are suggested routes around Ballard Locks and Portage Bay, so you can choose your rental time and speed depending on how much you want to see. Boats can accommodate six to 12 people, and you have to be 25 years old to drive the boat, so keep that in mind before booking.

If you prefer a cheaper or more low-key activity in the water, rent a canoe, single kayak, or double kayak at the Waterfront Activities Center near the University of Washington-Seattle campus or Agua Verde Paddle Club. It's worth calling ahead to make sure they're open, and know that boats are rented out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A tried-and-true spot if you're looking for art and nature is Olympic Sculpture Park, a nine-acre park with Seattle's largest downtown green space. If you want to skip the crowds at Kerry Park and spend less time looking for parking, Carkeek Park offers views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain, and it's free and open to the public. And if you're looking for a more trafficked spot for a picnic, stop by Gas Works Park, where you'll find locals basking in the sun (if it's out) no matter what the temperature is.

Famous for a reason, Pike Place Market is a must-see spot to grab local eats and seafood, buy fresh flowers, and take a photo in front of the iconic "Public Market" sign. But I also encourage visitors to venture down from Pike Place to the Seattle waterfront, where you'll find the Seattle Great Wheel, aquarium, and more. There's also free parking in this garage if you get your parking validated by one of the waterfront businesses in the area.

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