Sylvan Hotel inspired Historical Walking Tour(s)

By Rose Lindsey

We here at Hinton Publishing are thrilled to share that our Belltown walking tour, held on Sunday, October 19th, was a resounding success! From 1 pm to 2 pm, we had an incredible time guiding attendees through the streets of Belltown, exploring the former hotspots that feature prominently in The Sylvan Hotel.

In partnership with Friends of Historic Belltown, we took a deep dive into the vibrant energy of 90s Belltown, just as the neighborhood was transitioning into the new millennium. We met up at 2203 1st Ave, the site of the original Frontier Room, a beloved Belltown institution. From there, we walked through the area, sharing stories and history of the local landmarks that shaped the culture and vibe of that era.

The tour wrapped up at Mixed Pantry, a fantastic Belltown business that focuses on AAPI culinary essentials. There, we got to enjoy the Fahm Swagapino Pop Up Party, a lively celebration of Filipino American culture. Mixed Pantry generously invited us to join their event, which ran until 4 pm, giving us the perfect opportunity to continue supporting local businesses and celebrating Filipino American History Month. It was a particularly meaningful collaboration, as The Sylvan Hotel author, Frannie James, is Filipina, and this partnership allowed us to honor that important aspect of her identity, as well as the book's connection to the community.

If you weren’t able to join us in person, don't worry! The Belltown walking tour is now accessible on Clio, a free platform dedicated to preserving local histories. You can explore the tour at your own pace, with photos, descriptions, and excerpts from The Sylvan Hotel that correspond to each location.

But that's not all! We’re excited to announce that there are more walking tours coming up. We’ll be hosting another Belltown historical walking tour soon, and we’re also planning a Capitol Hill historical tour. Dates for both events are still to be determined, so stay tuned for the announcements. We can’t wait to explore even more of Seattle’s rich history with you!

Thanks to everyone who came out to make the day so memorable. We had a blast and can’t wait to bring more events like this in the future!