Inspired by: The Best of Seattle

the best of seattle

What I knew about Seattle before we left was that #1- it had a Space Needle, #2- it had a vibrant market where people threw fish and #3- it was only a couple of hours away from Vancouver. Perfect for our road trip! And now, after visiting, I have learned (thanks to our underground walking tour) that it is a city with an interesting history, a place that any foodie would love and a great place to spend time as a couple. I only had a couple of days here and it wasn’t nearly enough! With that being said I do have a small, yet comprehensive, list of my best of Seattle.

#5. Taking a Food/Drink Tour

To get an appreciation of the city below, we did an underground walking tour. Yup, super touristy, but fun! To get an appreciation of some of the great food and drink offered in Seattle, we did a tour with Savor Seattle. They were ranked #1 on Tripadvisor and after our Booze & Bites Tour, I can definitely see why. I loved that we could sample small dishes and unique drinks at several places, and then go back for a full meal later on if we wanted. Our guide was so knowledgeable and really fun and he gave us a lot of recommendations of what else the city had to offer.best of seattle

I thought this was the perfect way to start off the trip AND we met another lovely couple who we ended up hanging out with for the rest of the night.

#4. Bathtub GinBathtub Gin

I had to include one unique place on my list. After our tour with Savor Seattle, our guide recommended we check out this very small Speak easy style cocktail bar located in a back alley in Belltown. You would walk right by if it wasn’t for the plaque on the wall. Inside, its quiet, dark and reminiscent of those old underground hang outs. But the best part? The bartenders here are so talented that you can do a dealer’s choice – say your poison (gin, vodka, whiskey…) and an adjective (sweet, savoury, spicy, refreshing…) and they create whatever their hearts desire. We ended up with some amazingly unique drinks! So much fun!Bathtub Gin Bathtub Gin

Similar to Bathtub Gin, was the Pink Door, which unfortunately was booked up while we were there. But just another reason to love Seattle; you never know which turn down an alley will find you an amazing place to dine.

#3. Coffee Hopping

As we strolled the downtown streets, I couldn’t help but notice how many small, adorable cafes there were. Now, your list of things to do in Seattle may include the big stuff like go to the Seattle Aquarium, spend time at the waterfront, go up the Space Needle, etc. but in between all that big stuff, it’s the small stuff that makes a trip complete. And for me, discovering the intimate cafes with delicious coffee and sweet treats is the best kind of small stuff while on vacation. We had a yummy breakfast at Lola one morning and then sampled coffee at Moore’s, which came recommended to me by the lovely Janna. If we had had more time, there would have been some stops at Le Panier, Top Pot, & Hi Spot Cafe. Heard amazing things about these three places, so check them out for me!!Original Starbucks

Oh and if you are a Starbucks fan, check out the first location in Pike Place!

#2. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Ever since I found out my Nana loved this place when she visited, I wanted to see it myself. And she was right to love it. There is something magical about the Chihuly museum. The vivid colours, the incredible detail and the sheer imagination of this talented man inspired me. The best of SeattleThe best of SeattleThe best of SeattleHere’s Ryan bathed in the coloured light from the Persian Ceiling. It really made me appreciate the relationship between light and colour and how important it is for design.The best of SeattleDrawing inspiration from the ocean floor…The best of SeattleHis outstanding chandelier series.The best of SeattleAnd even though the glass sculptures were the show stoppers, I really appreciated the textiles and the simple drawings that showcased Chihuly’s initial designs. The best of SeattleIf I could have bought a sketch by this man, I definitely would have!The best of SeattleThe glass house took my breath away!The best of SeattleDon’t worry! I’m not actually touching a chandelier! Just a little excited jump shot 🙂 Yay for Chihuly!

#1. Pike Place

The best of SeattleNo trip would be complete without a stop in the Pike Place Market! Actually we spent more than a stop here because you really need time to explore its nooks and crannies. First thing’s first though, make sure you have an empty stomach! Make sure to stop at Pike Place Chowder for lunch or Beecher’s for their world famous Mac&Cheese. Heavenly!The best of Seattle

I loved watching the fishermen at the Pike Place Fish Co. You could hear their songs and camaraderie long after leaving. Catching fish looks hard though! No attempts on my part! The best of Seattle The best of SeattleWalking through the market, I so wished I could have bought a bunch of flowers to take home with me!The best of SeattleOh! And, a quick stop at the gum wall will have you both grossed out and ready for a photo op.best of seattle

We loved our time in Seattle and will most definitely go back again someday! The best of Seattle