In the event you’re contemplating dwelling in Seattle, you could be aware of the town for its bustling waterfront, lush evergreen forests, and the picturesque San Juan Islands. Seattle is also called the birthplace of Starbucks, the Area Needle, and the flying fish at Pike Place Market. However these are only a few of the issues that set Seattle other than different main metropolises. So what else is Seattle identified for? From waterfront actions and exquisite inexperienced areas to the unimaginable artwork scene and entry to nature, you’ll rapidly uncover numerous extra the explanation why Seattle is such a fascinating place to reside.
Possibly you’ve simply moved and are renting in one in every of Seattle’s many neighborhoods, maybe Phinney Ridge or Montlake, and need to get to know your metropolis higher. Or, perhaps you’re inquisitive about what it’s prefer to reside right here earlier than relocating to the Emerald Metropolis. Both means, this metropolis has a lot to supply.
What’s Seattle identified for?
The West Seattle neighborhood
“The neighborhood alongside Seashore Drive options a number of marine parks which might be simply accessible from Constellation, Commorant Cove, Emma Schmitz View Level to Lincoln Park,” says author Rhonda Porter at The Beach Drive Blog. “Cormorant Cove has a seaside the place individuals launch kayaks and paddle boards and depart small treasures for others to seek out. It’s common to see individuals lined up with their binoculars to look at Orcas from Emma Schmitz, and Lincoln Park is a jewel by itself with a saltwater swimming pool and trails to discover.”
Simply quarter-hour from downtown, West Seattle is a laid-back neighborhood with its personal distinctive character. With peaceable seashores to stroll alongside whereas having fun with the Seattle skyline and Bainbridge Island, the miles of beachfront supply an amazing alternative to get outside. The Junction is the place you’ll find procuring, eating, concert events, and extra.
The temperate climate
“Seattle is exclusive as a result of the climate is seldom harsh, so you possibly can take pleasure in being exterior any time of the 12 months,” says Susannah Dhamdhere, native restaurant proprietor of Lassi and Spice. “Each season has distinctive magnificence, and the woods and water are pretty year-round. With our reasonable local weather, there’s hardly ever a day when you possibly can’t take your canine for a stroll or cease by your favourite native espresso store.”
The spectacular views
Photographer Lisette Wolter Mckinley of Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary shares, “My favourite half about dwelling in Seattle is the various jaw-dropping lovely locations there are proper exterior my door. From parks with mountain views to properties with sound views and in every single place with territorial views. There’s something fairly magical about operating previous a seal pup warming itself on the seaside, listening to a harbor seal barking within the distance, looking out the horizon for an orca pod, or recognizing a seaplane buzzing overhead. Water is the lifeblood of Seattle, and on a sunny day you possibly can see kayakers, SUP, ferries, and sailboats jockeying to take pleasure in the perfect a part of Seattle: the water.”
Journey round each nook
“With out query, the perfect factor about Seattle is that journey is round each nook,” says journey blogger thekarebear. “Not solely do we have now almost 500 parks, but additionally ample entry to the saltwater Puget Sound, freshwater lakes, and mountain views. It’s no marvel many hikers, bikers, and paddlers thrive within the Emerald Metropolis.”
Limitless alternatives to get exterior
“My favourite factor about Seattle is the power to discover many numerous out of doors areas,” shares way of life blogger Sierra Lifestyle. “With three of the nation’s finest Nationwide Parks at your step, there are countless alternatives for mountaineering, backpacking, and adventuring in the summertime, paired with world-class snowboarding within the winter. But when the mountains aren’t your factor, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the outside by staying native to Seattle and experiencing parks and seashores like Golden Gardens and Alki, the place Volleyball video games, unreal sunsets, and night bonfires are the norm. From the ocean to the mountains, there aren’t many cities the place you possibly can take pleasure in so many alternative out of doors actions in a single place. That’s why I like Seattle.”
Discovery Park
“Discovery Park, positioned in Seattle’s quaint Magnolia neighborhood, is each expansive and scenic,” says native blogger Living Healthy in Seattle. “Stroll by way of the plush evergreens and discover the rocky seaside whereas taking meditative views of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. Pack a picnic together with regionally brewed San Juan Seltzers plus a delicious Macrina Bakery baguette, or swing by a Madison Valley favourite, Cafe Flora, for seasonal vegetarian fare loved by omnivores and plant-based people alike. Their refreshing seasonal cocktails are onerous to cross up.”
Discovery Park is a simple option to escape the hustle and bustle of the town and has one thing for everybody, boasting views of Mount Rainier, the Olympics, and the Cascades. Stroll alongside the 12 miles of strolling trails resulting in open meadows, forests, and the historic West Level lighthouse.
The Olympic Sculpture Park
This award-winning, nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront is Seattle’s largest downtown inexperienced house and is about one mile north of the Seattle Artwork Museum.
Native artist Melanie Biehle shares, “The Olympic Sculpture Park is one in every of my favourite locations to go to in Seattle. I like that you simply get to expertise artwork and nature concurrently. Viewing Alexander Calder’s Eagle with Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop is breathtaking.”
The neighborhood
“If you shut your eyes and assume Seattle, what possible pops into your head are the flying fish on the notorious Pike Place Market, ferry boats, and ‘Gray’s Anatomy,’ however Seattle is a lot greater than 5 blocks of tourism,” states Audrey Marlatt, Seattle Meals and Drink Blogger at Foods of Audrey. “Seattle is various rock, inclusivity, small enterprise, and neighborhood. You see this in wonderful companies reminiscent of The Marble Room, Trophy Cupcakes, KEPX x Caffe Vita, La Fontina Siciliana, and City Sweats.”
Pike Place Market
“It may not be a hidden gem of Seattle, however indubitably, Pike Place Market is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Seattle. Whether or not you want historical past, tradition, artwork, views, or meals, the market has all of it,” says Kelly, native blogger of Our Adventure Journal. “Pike Place Market has over 500 distributors, so no two visits to the market are alike. Along with promoting native produce, meals, and crafts, you should buy espresso on the oldest-operating Starbucks retailer, try the gum wall, and admire views of the Seattle waterfront. The market is dynamic and captures the spirit of Seattle, so it’s a spot we regularly go to.”
Seattle espresso
“When family and friends come to go to, they at all times giggle after I say I’m taking them to my favourite espresso place as a result of it might be one in every of six locations,” explains Kara McKeage, Founder and CEO of Pepper’s Personal Assistants. “Being a Seattle native, I want the classics. In no explicit order, Vivace’s sidewalk espresso stand on Broadway, Monorail’s espresso stand on Pike St, the hidden gem of Lighthouse Roasters in Fremont, Cafe Vita at KEXP or Pike Road, and All Metropolis Espresso in Georgetown.“
Methods to get to know Seattle
Go on a meals tour
One of many many causes to maneuver to Seattle is its thriving meals scene. Eat Seattle Tours has food-tasting excursions of Pike Place Market and South Lake Union. These excursions are led by chef guides who share their culinary perspective from the industrial kitchen to spotlight a few of the unimaginable eating places within the Seattle space.
Get pleasure from dinner and a present at The Pink Door
“The Pink Door is a must-visit restaurant in Seattle–it’s probably the most distinctive restaurant on the town, despite the fact that some might contemplate it a vacationer lure,” states blogger Travels With Elle. “Vacationer lure or not, it’s a ton of enjoyable. This iconic spot not solely serves up nice Italian meals but additionally gives classic jazz vibes and amusing leisure every day. From the trapeze girl to full of life jazz ensembles and cabaret exhibits to tap-dancing saxophone gamers, you by no means know what’s in retailer for the night time. It doesn’t matter what leisure present is featured, it is going to hold you entertained all through your whole meal.”
Discover Columbia Metropolis
“Most individuals solely go to South Seattle throughout SeaFair, however there’s a lot extra to Columbia Metropolis and the encircling space,” says native photographer Suzi Pratt. “From the sunshine rail cease, you possibly can stroll to historic downtown Columbia Metropolis, dine at neighborhood favorites like Geraldine’s, Island Soul, and Jackalope, or seize a espresso and browse information at Empire Espresso. Afterward, stroll or bike right down to Genesee Park by way of the playfields, and stroll south on Lake Washington Blvd. It’s 1.7 miles to Seward Park, the place mountaineering trails wind by way of old-growth forests with entry to dozens of lakeshore seashores alongside the best way.”
Seize a fast chunk at one of many many meals vehicles
With over 500 meals vehicles within the Seattle space, our meals cellular vendor neighborhood presents delicacies from all around the world. From Uzbekistan to BBQ, Mediterranean to Laos, the Seattle meals truck scene is an effective way to assist native companies and check out one thing new. Go to SeattleFoodTruck.com to seek out the place your subsequent meal is parked.
Stroll by way of the Seattle neighborhoods
“Seattle presents a little bit little bit of every thing accomplished impeccably properly,” states Sarah Adler, entrepreneur and founding father of Simply Real Health. “Whether or not it’s wandering the charming streets of Ballard, ducking out and in of outlets with sizzling matcha in hand within the bustle and buzz of the Sunday farmers market. Or perhaps it’s strolling by way of the quiet metropolis again streets of Pike Place with Mt. Rainier and the water maintaining you firm as you bump into a hidden lunch spot. Or, maybe you pop over to one of many islands for a bakery cease or early dinner. One factor is for positive, every neighborhood is exclusive with its personal attraction and pocket of fantastic meals to discover.”
Get pleasure from nature
“What’s nice about Seattle is that there are such a lot of alternatives to take pleasure in nature proper exterior your yard,” shares Empathic Govt Coach Susan Choi. “Whether or not that’s visiting the Arboretum and having fun with a seasonal stroll, picnicking at Fuel Works park whereas watching the sundown, or taking the Mukilteo Ferry to Whidbey Island to go to Earth Sanctuary, there are a mess of the way to benefit from the pure facet of what Seattle has to supply. In the event you’re an adventurous soul, you possibly can even enterprise as much as the North Cascades Nationwide Park for a weekend of mountaineering.”
Take the Bainbridge Ferry
Conner Cayson, digital marketer at Find Me In Seattle, recommends getting on the Bainbridge Ferry out of the Downtown Seattle ferry terminal. “In the event you choose to carry your automotive alongside, it’s going to value round $40 roundtrip, or in case you stroll on, it’s slightly below $10 complete each methods. The journey is about half-hour and gives a spectacular view from the water of the downtown skyline.”
Cayson goes on to clarify, “If you arrive on Bainbridge Island, there are cafes and wine bars, regionally owned outlets, and some tasty eating places. I like to recommend making a dinner reservation at Ba Sa, an elevated Vietnamese restaurant on the finish of Winslow Approach. They’ve a trendy inside, some out of doors seating, an amazing bar, and really tasty meals. It’s strolling distance from the ferry terminal and gives the chance to see the principle avenue on the island as properly.”
Discover the restaurant scene
“Seattle has arguably the most effective restaurant scenes within the nation, bringing flavors of the world collectively in a scrumptious melting pot,” explains Revolution PR, a public relations company in Seattle. “Spend a day consuming your means throughout the town, beginning with a non-jittery increase of caffeine and therapeutic adaptogens from Matcha Magic in Bellevue. Subsequent, make your option to Bounty Kitchen for a nourishing breakfast sandwich or Fat’s Chicken and Waffles for the perfect waffle within the metropolis. Then onto Just Poké for a sustainably-sourced seafood or vegetarian lunch that gained’t weigh you down. Get pleasure from a night eating expertise with specialty cocktails and genuine Italian at Coltiva Pizzeria e Barra. And, as a result of there’s at all times room for ice cream, don’t miss Frankie & Jo’s plant-based, gluten-free ice cream with areas across the metropolis.”
Splurge on a meal with a view
“I believe the most effective issues to do in Seattle is to expertise the eating places with their views,” shares Kara Myers, recipe blogger of Sweetly Splendid. “A few of the finest meals I’ve ever had with distinctive views was in Seattle. I like the Japanese A5 Wagyu at Daniel’s Broiler, which supplies you a stunning view of downtown Bellevue. The mashed potatoes at Salish Lodge are unimaginable, with a view from the hearth tables of Snoqualmie Falls you possibly can’t discover anyplace else. Farine Bakery is a spot you possibly can take pleasure in scrumptious breakfast (I like to recommend the Liege waffle) on a quaint downtown patio. You may’t miss Salty’s, the place you expertise scrumptious, informal seafood with an impeccable view of the Seattle skyline.”
Go to Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
“One among our favourite quintessentially Seattle actions is visiting Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle and watching the cheesemaker’s means of cheddaring at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, house of the cheddar-style Flagship cheese,” shares cellular cheese store Street Cheese. “You may watch from the glass home windows exterior or come inside and have a snack whilst you watch–though gluten-free people like us have to seek out meals elsewhere. For us, meaning hitting Ballard, Seattle’s historically Scandinavian neighborhood. If it’s early, we go to Wildflours Gluten-Free Bakery for breakfast or brunch and to seize just a few loaves of bread and pastries to take pleasure in with a few of Washington’s many native cheeses (we have now 50 licensed creameries in our state). Or, if it’s later within the day, we are able to’t cease ourselves from consuming on the Viking-themed Skal Beer Corridor. Though Skal does have many floury delights on their menu, there may be lots to eat for the gluten-challenged, and every thing is unbelievable.”
Go to the Woodland Park Zoo
“Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo is without doubt one of the metropolis’s hottest sights. Right here, there’s a lot to see and do that you simply’ll simply spend hours exploring the entire zoo,” explains meals and restaurant web site Noms Magazine. “Simply animals alone, the zoo has over 900 creatures so that you can be taught and spectate of their specifically created bioclimatic zones, which finest attempt to replicate their pure habitats. Which means having the chance to wave at a towering Giraffe, speedy Jaguar, Penguins from the desert coast of Peru, and plenty of extra. We love and suggest the zoo as a result of it’s so uncommon to see a few of these animals proper earlier than you. It makes such a enjoyable expertise along with household or a liked one. Earlier than leaving, make sure to take a soothing stroll across the rose backyard with nearly 3000 roses.”
Have date night time in downtown Seattle
“I look fondly again on my years dwelling in Belltown with my husband earlier than we purchased our first house, so one in every of my favourite issues to do in Seattle is to have a downtown date day and night time,” shares blogger and photographer Cortney Bigelow of The Grey Edit. “Roaming by way of Pike Place Marketplace for flowers and native artisan procuring adopted by champagne and oysters at Maximilien. Wandering by way of Submit Alley and grabbing a comfortable cocktail at Zig Zag alongside Pike Place Climb. Stopping by your resort (both Resort Theodore or Palihotel) to clean up earlier than an evening out — drinks and dinner at The George inside the Fairmont Olympic. If you get up, seize espresso at Storyville, breakfast on the Crumpet Store in Pike Place, and roam the waterfront in direction of Elliott Bay Park to take in the smells of the Puget Sound and buzz of the town earlier than going again house.”