SEATTLE, USA
I was raised in the areas surrounding Seattle.
It’s one of my favorite places on Earth from June - August.
It’s still a gorgeous haven of natural wonders the rest of the year, just a little grey.
Eat:
Harvest Vine - Must visit. Must sit at the bar in front of the chefs. Might need to reserve. Spanish deliciousness.
Dick’s Drive-In - Any location. Best fast-food burgers in Seattle. Great fries and shakes.
Zig Zag Cafe - A step down from Pike Place. Jazzy place to eat and drink well.
ROCCO’S - Mouthwatering pizza that makes your wallet hurt.
Bangrak Market - A little slice of Bangkok in downtown Seattle. Usually busy but tables seem to rotate fast. Reserve.
List - Kind of a snooty upscale New York vibe but with an amazing happy hour. Bartenders are super friendly too.
El Gaucho - The definitive upscale steakhouse. Pretty cuts of beef that cost a pretty penny.
Linda’s Tavern - This is the spot for hungover Capitol Hill-ites. The dishes do not disappoint. Nor do the mimosas.
Lost Lake Cafe - A classic diner with excellent food. Connected to The Comet (see below).
Crawfish House - Head on over to West Seattle for a classic cajun crawfish experience.
BagelBop - If you’re visiting Pike Place and craving a bagel they do a good job here. They practically pour on the cream cheese, just a head’s up.
Mint Progressive Indian - Upscale Indian food that doesn’t disappoint.
Drink & Dance:
Diller Room - The nothin’ fancy place to get badass fancy cocktails. Great bartenders, low-key vibes.
Jarr Bar - Cocktails, wine, and Tapas. Great little spot.
White Horse Tavern - A unique place where every kind of Seattleite can be found. And I mean every kind. It’s a great intimate place to sit down and conversate, or just stare at all the Seattle paraphernelia on the walls.
Black Cat Bar - Great dive that’s always buzzing with people at the bar and has Big Buck Hunter in the back.
Bathtub Gin - The only real speakeasy I know of. Cocktail excellence. Try to sit at the bar, the lower floor is better if you have a group.
Jupiter Bar - The pinball bar of Belltown. Tons of games, good beer, great times. Bring cash.
Comet Tavern - One of Capital Hill’s finest dive bars. You might have to fight for a table but it’s a great place to hang.
Unicorn Tavern - A ridiculous and colorful bastion of alternative lifestyles and outlandish cocktails. I think they have shows on the bottom floor sometimes.
Sea Monster Lounge - One of my favorite places to see live music and dance. Look for their funk nights.
White Heron Cellar - A cute wine bar in Pike Place’s underground floors. Gorgeous view of the water.
Garage Billiard & Bowl - All in the name. Good spot. Little pricey.
Monkey Loft - Funky welcoming venue for DJs and good dancing. Get there early unless you’re fine in line.
See:
Pike Place Market -One of the oldest farmer’s markets in the USA. The street level is full of restaurants, hole-in-the-walls, bars, flower shops, grocery stalls, etc. The lower floors have some very unique shops and restaurants. Definitely explore.
Sail the puget sound - Strongly recommend doing a sunset sailing trip in the summer months. Usually takes about 2 hours. I’ve always booked with Sailing Seattle and they’ve never disappointed. Bring some snacks and drinks.
Space Needle - Big pointy tower with history. Another obvious one. Also has a lounge up top.
Laser Dome at the Pacific Science Center - Mesmerizing laser shows set to albums by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and more. Don’t miss this.
Ballard Locks - Watching the boats rise and fall is an excellent way to spend the afternoon. If you’re int he right season you can also watch the salmon climb their ladder.
The Lakes - Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Green Lake, Lake Union. Pick a lake, find a beach. Relax for the day. Rent a kayak or a paddleboard. Maybe a motorboat. Like time is primetime in the summer.
Hiking - There are so many places to hike, I’ll just name a few major ones: Rattlesnake Ridge, Cougar Mountain, Tiger Mountain, Poo Poo Point, Discovery Park. I recommend downloading the AllTrails app.
Museums - The Frye, The SAM, MoPop. All worth a visit. Tons of smaller galleries to be found as well.
Jefferson Park Golf Course - Nice little city course that was easy enough to handle for an amateur like me.
Bainbridge Island - Take a day and hop on the ferry over to see a different side of Seattle and hit some wineries.
Note:
Seattle is dealing with a homeless crisis that’s very in your face. Be careful walking downtown, particularly at night. The further you get from downtown the less intense it tends to be.
There are so many places beyond metro Seattle that are worth checking out, so seriously hit me if you’re looking for something beyond downtown.
Seattle is a culinary and mixology paradise. There are way too many good places to eat and drink.
If you are looking for something or somewhere specific, feel free to contact me.