A vampire tour of Seattle: Things to do, sites to see, to put you in a "Twilight" mood

Vampires have been an enduring figure in popular literature (and the pop consciousness) since Bram Stoker's 1897 "Dracula." But Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" books, and the movies they've spawned, have inspired a whole new degree of vampiric devotion.

Meyer's fans have turned tiny Forks, Wash. — the setting of the series — into a tourist destination. You don't have to drive to the Olympic Peninsula, though, to partake in the vampire-mania that's sweeping the country in advance of Friday's opening of "New Moon," the latest "Twilight" movie.

Seattle has its own haunts happy to welcome people besotted by vampires and vampire tales. Forget the zombie pub crawls that are so popular these days, and really sink your teeth into the city.

A vampire tour of Seattle

In "Twilight," the first book and movie in the series, heroine Bella Swan and her undead crush, Edward Cullen, dined on mushroom ravioli at Port Angeles' Bella Italia restaurant. You can re-create the scene for yourself by picking up some freshly-made crab ravioli and marinara at DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine (1435 First Ave., 206-622-0141, www.delaurenti.com).

Next stop: Scarecrow Video in the University District for some flicks (5030 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-524-8554, www.scarecrow.com). The video store's vast vampire holdings include these titles, recommended by the knowledgeable staff: 1958's "Horror of Dracula"; "Martin," made by "Night of the Living Dead's" George Romero; "Near Dark," about a vampire biker gang; "Blacula"; "Vampires: Los Muertos" — Jon Bon Jovi as a vampire hunter; "The Hunger" and the "Blade" trilogy. But F.W. Murnau's silent 1922 classic "Nosferatu" tops the list.

"Nosferatu" also happens to be the favorite of Gayle Nowicki, owner of Gargoyles Statuary (4550 University Way N.E., 206-632-4940, www.gargoylestatuary.com). The leaf-strewn shop, where lanterns hang from tree branches, carries coffin-shaped purses, batlike candleholders, vampire bat plaques and other gothic accouterment. You can even get a set of fangs custom-fit to your mouth by Victor Moray on Saturdays this month ($60).

Gargoyles also hosts an art opening tonight for illustrator Heidi Estey, and Keith Waters, whose epoxy clay werewolves realistically howl.

This brings us to another "Twilight" character, Jacob Black, a member of La Push's Quileute tribe and a major rival of Edward's for Bella's affection. "According to their ancient creation story, the Quileutes were changed from wolves by a wandering Transformer," reads the history on www.quileutenation.org. Download the free PDF book "Raven Tales" to explore how the world works, and how to behave, as told through fascinating fables. Then, check out the Tlingit Yéil X'eenh (Raven Screen), from 1810, at Seattle Art Museum (1300 First Ave., 206-654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org.)

No undead tour of Seattle would be complete without some atmospheric music to set a spooky mood. Search out The Vogue, now located beneath Neighbours (1509 Broadway, 206-324-5358) on any Saturday night. Until 3 a.m., DJs mash '80s, industrial and darkwave to a pulp, for a room brimming with timelessly idiosyncratic style.

If that's too scary for you, visit Wallingford's Chapel Performance Space (Good Shepherd Center, Fourth Floor, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., 206-789-1939). The all-ages venue, a 100-year-old building with enormous ceilings and stained glass, hosts frequent shows of adventurous experimental music. Alaskan composer John Luther Adams on Nov. 21 and Seattle Phonographers' Union on Dec. 11 are two good bets for a powerfully mood-altering experience.

One more live-music alternative: Catch a concert of "death jazz" played by Seattle band The Vampirates on Friday at theU. District's Lucid Jazz Lounge (5241 University Way N.E., 206-402-3042).

Finally, for the truly adventurous seeker, there's Burien's A Mark of the Vampire tattoo shop (14842 First Ave. S., 206-243-1219, www.markofthevampiretattoo.com). No, there's nothing particularly Transylvanian or Twilighty about the place: No coffins or skulls, and manager Keith Danielson says vampire mania was actually more pronounced when Anne Rice's books were hot. But if you're thinking of inking a pair of batwings on your ankle, or a vampire bite on your neck, we can't think of a more appropriate — or less threatening — place to do it:

"If we only did vampire and evil stuff we wouldn't be in business," says Danielson. "I tattooed a city council member a couple of weeks ago — we get every walk of life."