This weekend I got a request for recommendations of places to go and things to do in Seattle. No problem, I’ll just go right to my Seattle blog post and…um…wait a second. I don’t have a Seattle blog post! I’ve written about places I like to go and things I like to do in Paris, Italy, New York, Los Angeles, and Kauai…but not Seattle. Craziness, I say…sheer craziness! Without further ado, are some of my Seattle faves (with commentary, if I feel the need to ramble).
ART
Henry Art Gallery – Often the exhibits at this University of Washington museum are more interesting than what’s going on at the Seattle Art Museum. However, this upcoming Nick Cave exhibit at SAM (nope, not him…different guy) looks super cool.
The Fremont Troll – Fabulous sculpture in a fabulous neighborhood.
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Olympic Sculpture Park – Appreciate cool sculptures while you enjoy fresh air and get some exercise. Last summer there were some great events here, like outdoor yoga and a weekly farmers market. For a longer stroll, keep walking through Myrtle Edwards Park.
My favorite sculpture in Olympic Sculpture Park, Love & Loss by Roy McMakin
FARMERS MARKETS
Pike Place Market – Duh. Even though it’s touristy, I love going there. You have to stop by Piroshky Piroshky and get a (you guessed it) piroshky.
Here’s a list of some of the neighborhood markets and here is a list of others. Seattle’s got tons of them. I love it! I haven’t been to all of them, but out of those I’ve visited, the Ballard Sunday Market is my favorite.
If you’re not particularly looking for produce (they have some, but not as much as Ballard) and feel like checking out some cool handmade stuff, the Fremont Sunday Market is the place to be.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Drew and I LOVE going out for breakfast. LOVE it. We don’t go out for dinner often (so my recommendations there will be lacking), but if you want to know about breakfast you’ve visited the right blog.
Hi Spot Cafe – Lovely restaurant housed in a 1904 Victorian in the heart of Madrona.
Wild Mountain Cafe – Delicious cinnamon rolls (only served on weekends).
Hangar Cafe in Georgetown and The Ridgeback Cafe between Phinney Ridge and Ballard – Justin Taft, who seems like a really nice guy, owns both of these yummy creperies. Try one of their savory crepes or their decadent baked French toast. Or you can do what Drew and I usually do when we go to breakfast – order a savory dish and a sweet dish and split them.
Roxy’s Diner – Three words: Tater Tot Scramble.
5 Spot – Rotating menu and decor featuring food from all sorts of places in the continental U.S. Right now the theme is New Mexico and there’s all sorts of stuff about aliens on display. When you go to the loo you’ll hear a recording of the 5 Spot staff reading an X-Files script. Try the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast – caramelly buttery goodness.
Tilikum Place Cafe – We went there for the first time last Sunday morning and everything was yummy. I like this cafe because it has the feel of being a really nice restaurant with a laid back, cozy atmosphere.
OTHER RESTAURANTS/CAFES/BAKERIES/ETC. THAT I LIKE
Molly Moon’s – Honestly, I only like the Salted Caramel ice cream. The other flavors are a little too bland/subtle for me. But I LOVE the Salted Caramel. It’s probably my favorite ice cream ever.
Top Pot Doughnuts – Go early in the morning, have your latte and doughnut in the cafe, and watch the sun come up (or the gray light up). How can you not be in a good mood after starting your day like this?
Cafe Besalu – A cute cozy place to have a cappuccino and a delicious pastry (or two).
Fresh Flours in Phinney Ridge or Ballard – Both of these locations are cool. They serve Stumptown Coffee (which is my favorite, even though it’s from Portland) and creative pastries.
Café Presse – Go here and pretend you’re French. Fun!
Pie – I am in serious love with this place. It’s a short walk from my apartment and it takes a lot of willpower not to go there every day. Except Mondays. They’re closed on Mondays. Read all about the joy in my Yelp review here.
Delancey – Brandon Pettit (husband of author Molly Wizenberg who writes the awesome Orangette blog, the Bon Appétit Cooking Life column, and has her own memoir/cookbook A Homemade Life) brought New York pizza to Seattle. Stop by and thank him for it.
Row House Cafe – Great soups and sandwiches. Love the cozy atmosphere and friendly service.
Bizarro Italian Cafe – Love the food, love the decor. The Forest Floor Frenzy is a favorite of mine. You have to go to the restroom when you’re there. The men’s bathroom has tons of random funny posed family photos and the women’s has photos of people with their pets.
Pagliacci Pizza – If you feel like staying in and letting the restaurant come to you, order pizza from Pagliacci. This is my favorite pizza in Seattle. Try the Verde Primo but ask for roasted garlic instead of chopped garlic. DELICIOUS.
Burgermaster – Yes, seriously. I’m a vegetarian and I love veggie burgers. Not to mention French fries. I think I actually like French fries more than veggie burgers. Or maybe more than any other food. Except Nutella. Nutella and French fries. That’s the answer to that “what kind of food would you have if you were on a deserted island and could only have two foods” question. Nutella and French fries. And ketchup. Can’t have fries without ketchup. And salt. Ketchup and salt are condiments so they don’t count as food.
Umm…yeah….anyway…
SHOPPING
When I was living in Los Angeles, I was a big shopper. It was like a sport for me. I could have provided you with tons of info about expensive trendy boutiques and tell you where to buy the coolest $1200 orange chair that you really just can’t live without. Now, I’m much more practical. I hardly ever shop. I even go to the library! But when the shopping bug hits (or I need a gift), here are some places that I like to go.
Apple – I know, I know, but I thought you should know where it is in case you have an emergency. I don’t know, say your three week old iPhone 4 falls into the toilet. I mean, umm, not that I would know anything about that or anything…umm. I still don’t have an iPad. I don’t need one. I really don’t. Seriously, why do I need one? Do I need one? Look. They’re so shiny.
PARKS
Even when it rains, it’s fun to be outside.
Green Lake – Get some exercise by walking (or biking or rollerblading) around the 2.8 mile paved path in a gorgeous setting.
Discovery Park – It’s so crazy that you’re still in the Seattle city limits and hiking through the woods. I love this park even though part of it is a sewage treatment facility.
Lighthouse at Discovery Park (photo by Drew)
Gas Works Park – Great place for a summer picnic.
Golden Gardens Park – And yet another great spot for a picnic.
Kerry Park – Probably the most photographed view of Seattle. You have to see the view during the day and at night, so if you’re visiting, you’ll need to go twice.
COFFEE
Did you know that Seattle has coffee? These are my top coffee shop picks, in no particular order.
Stumptown – I know it’s from Portland, but it is SO good.
YOGA
8 Limbs Yoga – I’ve been to the Phinney Ridge and Capitol Hill locations and both are great. If I had to choose, I’d go to the Capitol Hill studio and take one of Douglas’s classes. He’s awesome.
FAMILY FUN
I have to admit that I’ve only been to the EMP and Science Fiction Museum (give me a break, my son is only six months old), but if you’re vacationing with kids here are some things that might be interesting for the whole family.
Out-of-City Adventures
Option 1: Go downtown and hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island. Grab breakfast at Streamliner Diner and check out the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market if it’s going on when you make the trip. Pop into Eagle Harbor Book Co. and buy something to read on your trip home.
Option 2: Head east to Snoqualmie Falls. Unfortunately the hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hey, if you’re here in a couple of years, it’s definitely worthwhile.
Whew!
Okay…I’m done. I’m sure I’ve left some things out, and I’ll be like, “Oh my God! I can’t believe I left that out,” then I’ll come back and update it again. Let’s just consider this a post in progress.
Seattle is awesome.Last updated (only to delete closed businesses, no new additions) – July 2014