Seattle

AKA The Emerald City and The Rain City. Both are true! This beautiful, lush, green large city has many fun places to experience and check off your bucket list!

What to Do

Pike Place Market

You really can't say enough about Pike Place Market! This 9-acre historic district has been running since 1907. Each time I’ve come here I spend about 3-4 hours and I keep wanting to come back for more as there are so many vendors, shops, restaurants, and sights to see. Three highlights of the marketplace are the Fish Market, the Gum Wall, and the original Starbucks. The line is always very long at the OG site, so we only took pictures in front of it. There are so many other places to eat here. My favorites are listed in the “Where to Eat” section below. You can park on the streets surrounding the market with “pay to park” (easiest to do this in the morning hours), or in closeby parking garages.

Pike Place Fish Market

The Fish Market has been at Pike Place since 1930. In 1986, former owner John Yokoyama wanted to make his market world famous. He did just that by only selling fresh, highest quality seafood, and by its famous fishmongers (those who sell fish) who entertain by throwing fish. Its current owners, veteran fishmongers Jaison Scott, Ryan Reese, Sam Samson, and Anders Miller, have continued Yokoyama’s world famous market. They now ship the seafood nationwide.

My friends somehow convinced one of the fishmongers to let me catch a fish! This is a lifetime highlight of mine as I had heard of this place when I lived on the east coast, and I actually got to join in! From doing this, I learned that the tossed fish go not to customers, but to the bears at the zoo.

Gum Wall

In the early 1990s, guests waiting in line for a show at Unexpected Productions would stick their gum on the wall to pass the time. The managers tried to keep it clean, but soon there was no stopping it. Since then, the gum wall has only been stripped clean once in November 2015. It took 130 hours to remove 2,350 pounds of gum. Ick!! Here are the directions. Don’t forget your gum! (But if you do, some of the local stores have it).

Space Needle

“What’s so great about the Space Needle?” Well, it tests your fear of heights with the views from the top and its glass floor. At the top, you will see the magnificent Olympic National Park mountains from one angle, downtown Seattle with its skyscrapers and sports stadiums, Mount Rainier off into the distance, and nearby Lake Union and its surrounding neighborhoods. From the glass floor (which is one floor just below the top), you can see the Chihuly Garden and Glass and the funky exterior design of the Pop Culture Museum. For parking, we used the Spot Hero website which gave us 3 hour parking for $8 at the KOMO garage. It was hassle-free! I also recommend purchasing Needle tickets ahead of time if you know what time you will be there. I went on a Saturday midday and did not get a time slot until much later in the day. Luckily we wanted to see more of the museums, so we spent our time at the other museums in the Seattle Center first, then came back to the Needle.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

This museum right next to the Space Needle showcases the beautiful glass-making of Dale Chihuly, who was born in 1941 in the nearby city of Tacoma. In this museum there are only about five rooms, but each delivers one main piece of artistic expression, giving you a “wow” moment as you walk through the doorway. Outside, a green garden is enhanced by glass art and a unique view of the Space Needle.

Pop Culture Museum

I had no idea what to expect of this museum, but as soon as I saw the glasses that Daniel Ratcliffe wore in the first Harry Potter movie, I was won over! There are many different sections of this museum including but not limited to: Fantasy (where the glasses were), horror films, science fiction, and famous musicians who came out of Seattle (Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam). It felt like this place just kept on going! Each of these exhibits were extensive with information, pictures, and paraphernalia to make you feel closer to them. We could’ve spent all day in this museum, but it is possible to go through it in about 2 hours if you do it quickly.

Seattle Aquarium

The Aquarium is just one block south of Pike Place Market. Coming from a city that has a National Aquarium, I was a little weary going in but I was very happy that I did! The first exhibit you approach as you enter is hands-on with sea anemones! If you put your finger in the anemone, it will slowly close its tentacles over your finger. They also had an octopus that we watched eat a crab. At the outside exhibits, we saw seals and sea otters which was our favorite part of this place! We watched the workers feed the adorable little sea otters, who were so excited to eat.

Fremont Troll

In the Fremont neighborhood underneath a bridge features an art installation of a troll holding a car. The city held a contest in 1990, and Steve Badanes, a house builder, won. Along with some students and his then-girlfriend, they sculpted the troll in 1990 and it was unveiled on Halloween. You can climb parts of the troll to take pictures. According to a local, the most popular touristy pose is when you try to pick its nose! Here are the directions. Parking is free in the neighborhood, just check the signs!

Hot Tub Boats

On their FAQs page, a few times it asks “Is this for real?” It sure is!! A few of my friends from Maryland separately sent me TikToks of these hot tub boats on the water in Seattle. I couldn’t resist and checked it off my bucket list my last weekend here! There are a few different companies you can use for Hot Tub Boats, but the link above is what we used as it was the cheapest but still with good reviews. The boat fits 6 people maximum. We had a blast soaking in the views while enjoying the scenery and each other!

Seattle Sounders Soccer match

When in Seattle, one of my favorite things to do was to head to Lumex Field in the downtown area. These soccer matches are like no other - everyone joined in on all of the chants, and we were all on their feet the entire time we were there! Apparently this is very much like going to a soccer match in Europe as the owners tried to emulate the feel of a Euro game in Seattle.

Where to Eat/Drink

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese at Pike Place

One of my best friends said this is the best macaroni and cheese she’s ever had. So, of course I had to try it, and I can definitely say the same! The penne noodles hold the cheese perfectly that is made right in front of you to make it not only the best, but the freshest macaroni and cheese you will ever eat. It is very filling, just a warning! This cheesy place opened its doors in 2003.

Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place

This mouth-watering Russian bakery is right next to the original Starbucks and originated in 1992. If the line is long at this bakery it is okay as they are very efficient to keep the line moving. Kelly and I tried their Beef & Cheese Piroshky which is to die for! We also enjoyed the chocolate cream hazelnut roll.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

This “fancier” Starbucks in Capitol Hill is a larger version of a Starbucks with three sections: coffee bar, regular bar, and a food bar. The food is made right in front of you! You will probably be waiting in line at the coffee bar, but it is worth it for its signature drinks; one of which looks like a milkshake. If I stayed longer, I definitely would’ve tried the espresso martini at the bar :) This place offers tours for 8 guests or more.

Percy’s & Co. in Ballard

This bar has delicious drinks in a really cute atmosphere on a very nice street and section of Ballard. We also really liked their fried pickle appetizer and french fries. One of my distant family members lives in Ballard and recommended this place for drinks.

Parish NW in Ballard

We came here after the Hot Tub Boats for a southern-style flare. All of the food we had was amazing. We all wanted to try each other’s dishes and each was full of flavor! This place was also recommended to me by that family member mentioned above.