EAT
Pike Place Market is a local institution. From piles of fresh fruit and vegetables to seafood chilling on ice to flower bouquets, the market has it all. While you’re here, sample the Dungeness crab cakes at Etta’s. I also recommend dropping by the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Capitol Hill for a cuppa, heading to Matt’s in the Market to try their market fish with roasted cauliflower and romanesco while taking in views of Elliott Bay and going to Fran’s Chocolates for sublime chocolates in beautiful packaging.
DRINK
The Capitol Hill area is known for its vibrant nightlife. Rock Box is a swanky Japanese-style karaoke club. There’s also Garage Billiards, which offers bowling and billiards, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant. I also recommend Triple Door if you’re looking for something with a speakeasy feel or Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley to enjoy live music – they have a great rotating line-up of acts.
EXPLORE
Seattle has a plethora of natural attractions, including a few islands in Puget Sound that are easily accessible via ferry. You can board a boat at the waterfront near downtown Seattle and head over to Bainbridge Island, or visit the Snoqualmie Falls. Closer to the city centre, there’s the Space Needle, which features a recently renovated observation deck; Chihuly Garden and Glass, a museum that has a comprehensive collection of art from Dale Chihuly; and the Museum of Pop Culture, which boasts interactive exhibits.
SHOP
Head to the flagship location of outdoor brand REI, where you will find everything you need to hike, bike and camp in style. For the perfect souvenir, Made in Washington has you covered. There are also lots of great, eclectic stores clustered around Pioneer Square.
TIPS
Purchase an ORCA card for US$5 once you get to Seattle. These transit passes can be used on streetcars, the light rail, buses and more, and it costs US$8 for an all-day pass. Seattle is built on seven different hills, so when your legs get tired, you can easily hop into a taxi or rent a shared bicycle via the Lime app.
llustration by Dan Matutina
SEE ALSO: 6 under-the-radar places to visit in Seattle
This article was originally published in the April 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine