South Lake Union Seattle, WA

David Denny claimed the land at the south shore of Lake Union in 1853. He used the land to operate a sawmill and export timber via the lake to points along the West Coast. He also set the stage for SLU's semi-industrial nature, and factories and warehouses dominated the district when the mill shut down in 1988.

In the mid-1990s, led by Paul Allen's Vulcan Realty, the neighborhood's transformation began. Revitalization included residential housing developments, transportation improvements, high-tech and biotech industry additions and the landing of the economy-boosting Amazon.com main campus.

Located in the former Navy Reserve Armory at Lake Union, the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) houses a permanent collection of artifacts that documents the history and development of the Puget Sound area.

SLU and Amazon host an annual block party with food, drinks and activities designed to bring families and neighbors together.

Whether you're looking to enjoy a quick casual bite, a filling weekend brunch or a fine dining experience, SLU delivers. A variety of eateries run along Westlake Avenue and the shoreline of Lake Union.

For authentic Italian cuisine in a casual setting, La Toscanella fits the bill. This bakery-cafe serves up pastas, paninis and pastries freshly made by hand each day. Try the chicken panini with pesto, arugula and red peppers pressed in freshly baked foccacia bread, or savor the butternut squash pasta served piping hot in cheesy tomato sauce. Good luck choosing a pastry from the display case, napoleons, almond croissants and fruit tarts are all delectable options.

Chandler's Crabhouse on Lake Union gives you scrumptious, beautifully presented meals and spectacular lake views. A crowd favorite, the Whiskey Crab Soup made with lobster stock, Dungeness crab, whiskey and sherry keeps the locals coming back for more. Take advantage of the daily Happy Hour, from 3:00 p.m. until closing, and enjoy $3 off of small plates, $1 off of beer and $9 off of a pitcher of sangria.

For an evening of dinner and drinks, Ten on 9th gives you the comfortable cocktail lounge experience. Stick with the classics, or sample the signature craft cocktails such as the Needle in the Sky made with Hendrix gin, vermouth and fresh grapefruit juice. When you're ready to eat, treat your taste buds to the juicy trio of lamb sliders with pickled slaw and honey yogurt dressing. They come very highly recommended.

If you're looking to enjoy a night of drinks and socializing, stop in at the Brave Horse Tavern. Browse the big list of brews and ales, and enjoy discounts on drinks and snacks during the late night happy hours running from Sunday to Thursday. Music venues and clubs are easily accessed in the neighboring districts.

SLU is an extremely walkable area. The stroll from central SLU to Seattle Center takes about 15 minutes. For safe cycling, bike lanes intersect the neighborhood including a major bike lane that connects SLU to the University District.

Lots, underground garages and ample street parking give you lots of places to drop your car. Short-term street parking costs $1.50 per hour except for evenings and Sundays when parking is free.

Several city buses provide frequent service with stops throughout the neighborhood. From its terminus at the lake, the energy-efficient Seattle Streetcar dissects the community from north to south, travels through Denny Triangle and reaches its southern terminus at the Westlake Hub in downtown's Retail Core.

To get home after an evening of shopping or an evening of drinks, hail a taxi and let Seattle Yellow Cab take care of the driving. If you have a preference for a particular vehicle type, check in with Uber and choose your ride.

If you feel like getting behind the wheel on the freeway, hop on I-5 at the neighborhood's eastern edge for express trips north to the Canadian border or south as far as the Mexican border.

The SLU neighborhood welcomes residents, visitors, children and dogs to enjoy the park system free of charge.

The popular 12-acre Lake Union Park provides green space, walkways and waterfront views for outdoor relaxation in the middle of the city. Enjoy a brisk walk with your dog or a pleasant lakeside picnic with the family, or just sit back and watch as the kayaks, seaplanes and sailboats share the water.

If you feel like kicking around a ball with the kids, Cascade Playground in central SLU is the place to go. The park features two children's play areas, an open field, a basketball half-court, paths and picnic areas. You can walk your dog then sit down for a bite to eat while the kids burn off some energy in the playground.

In the summer, pack a blanket and some popcorn, and take the family to Cascade for evening movies in the park.

As you would expect from a neighborhood with all the amenities of urban living, SLU's cost of living comes in higher than average, but it still beats the cost of living in greater Seattle.

Renters make up more than 80 percent of the population, and one-bedroom rental rates average $1,400 per month.

You won't break the bank for routine expenses. A trip downtown via the streetcar costs $2.50, and a beer enjoyed with friends will set you back about $5. If you plan to do some driving, expect to pay about nine percent more than the national average at the pumps.

SLU provides a good mix of shopping options along the Westlake Corridor, and scattered throughout the neighborhood. Retailers range from Pedini Seattle for the modern, upscale crowd to Goodwill for the bargain-hunters.

Open seven days a week and serving SLU since 1972, the Pacific Supply Company on 12th Avenue is an independently owned and operated hardware store. It stocks an array of items, including cleaning products, electrical and painting supplies, housewares and lumber.

Meeting the neighborhood demand for puppy paraphernalia, Scraps Dog Bakery supplies high-quality foods, treats and accessories for your canine best friend. Take Fido in and try to choose from the selection of chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, comfy beds, cozy sweaters and other essentials for the urban dog.

Located in south SLU, Whole Foods takes care of the district's grocery needs. With emphasis on locally grown organic foods and fresh, flavorful produce, this supermarket has a farmer's market appeal. If you prefer to shop from the comfort of home, go online to make your grocery choices and have your shopping delivered.