Seattle is my home, and I love my city! The city is laid-back, the people are down-to-earth, and the seafood is oh-so-fresh. While Seattle is urban enough to keep you busy, its proximity to the mountains and water keeps you refreshed and grounded. I get asked all the time about “what to do in Seattle” so I finally created this city guide!
MORNING
Coffee
You’re in Seattle, so you have to start the day off with coffee! While Starbucks originated from this city (the original one is in Pike Place Market), there are plenty of delicious, local coffee roasters and cafes to visit.
Espresso Vivace 227 Yale Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 |
Caffé Vita 1005 E Pike St Seattle, WA 98122 |
Analog Coffee 235 Summit Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 |
Seattleites love brunch — who doesn’t?! But here, brunch is an art. We’re talking fresh-out-of-the-oven warm biscuits with crème fraîche and seasonal preserve… a lemon ricotta pancake the size of your face… Dungeness crab eggs benny… Good morning, indeed.
The London Plane 300 Occidental Ave S Seattle, WA 98104 |
Tallulah’s (post here) 550 19th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 |
Westward (post here) 2501 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103 |
Pike Place Market
Though touristy, Pike Place Market is a historic part of Seattle that is still fun and bustling today. Stroll through, watch guys throw fish, try fresh local fruit, and stop by the flower stands for an Instagram shot. For a disgustingly fascinating experience, you can swing by the Gum Wall, an alleyway so covered in gum you can smell the mixture of tutti frutti and mint upon approaching.
Since all the walking may work up an appetite, snack around! Sample the creamiest Greek yogurt (marionberry pie is my favorite), slurp up a bowl of tomato bisque filled with cheese curds, and finish off with an ice-cold Moscow Mule.
Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt 1500 Pike Place Seattle, WA 98101 |
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese 1600 Pike Place Seattle, WA 98101 |
Rachel’s Ginger Beer 1530 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101 |
Shopping
Beyond Nordstrom, which is native to Seattle, there are quite a few beautifully curated concept stores in the area. From high-end (Margiela, Rick Owens, Acne) to Northwest chic to US-made goods in a shop/bar, you can buy yourself a slightly more elevated souvenir than a Space Needle magnet.
Totokaelo 1523 10th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 |
Glasswing Shop 1525 Melrose Ave Seattle, WA 98122 |
E. Smith Mercantile 208 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98104 |
The food + drinks game in Seattle is strong. You can feast in plenty of places in the city, but you’ve got to start with a platter of local oysters: Kumamoto, Olympia, Pacific, and Shigoku are some of my faves. After dinner, enjoy a scoop or two of locally-made ice cream in a fresh waffle cone. Then, end the trip at a Prohibition-era themed bar/speakeasy, sip craft cocktails (earl grey martini is my go-to), and hypothesize about how much bacteria is on the Gum Wall.
The Walrus and the Carpenter (post here) 4739 Ballard Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107 |
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream 917 E Pine St Seattle, WA 98122 |
Tavern Law (post here) 1406 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 |
So great! We visited last fall, but found that we were running from edge to edge of the city a lot. I love this list, and I am pinning it for a potential future trip! XO -Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
This is such a great city guide! I'll have to refer back on my next trip to Seattle!!
http://www.tailoredandtrue.com
I'd love to visit Seattle soon, and this is so helpful! Great post!
Amber | y a c h t s m a a n
This is such a fun post! I love weekend trips to Seattle since it's just a short drive away. Will have to check out some of your recommendations next time I'm up there!
xo, alison*elle
I've heard nothing but amazing things about Seattle. Always dying to visit. This guide is filled with so many beautiful photos and great recommendations. Thanks for sharing!
XO
VanityPear
Love this city guide Carolyn! Great job! 🙂 Turns out more than half is what I sent to that blogger who's coming to visit. haha… great minds think alike! 😀
xo – Sheila
http://www.sheislovelyblog.com
Seattle is amazing. I blame it on Grey's Anatomy but I have been wanting to visit it for years.
Love this post! Seattle is seriously the best!
Great city guide and photos, I';ll need them when I come down and visit.
http://www.racheldinh.com
hı dear great post!!
wold like to follow each other on GFc G+ and instagram? please let me know on my blog so l can follow back .. thank you kiss
http://beautybeybi.blogspot.com.tr/
I've been dying to go back to Seattle. I LOVE your photos + want to book a trip ASAP! Fab scarf BTW!
xx
Carly
http://bunbunbook.com
Seattle looks like an amazing city! I would love to visit your recommendations sometime x
http://www.totalmodisch.blogspot.co.uk
Awesome city guide. Def adding your recommendations to my to-do list for my trip to Seattle. Lovely photos.
xo
A
http://www.greigemarket.com
i went to seattle this summer and i completely loved it!!! i totally need to return there and try even more of these lunch and dinner spots!!! 😀
Have a great week!
Animated Confessions
This is a fantastic guide! I've actually never been to Seattle, but it's on my list!
Jessie
http://www.dressdinedwell.com
Looks like such an amazing day!
xo, jill
http://www.BornFancy.com
I have totally bookmarked this post for when I finally do get to go to Seattle! It's been on my list for a looong time. I visited when I was a child and have always wanted to go back! Thanks for the tips!
be the plebeian
it makes me wanna go to Seattle..thank your for the detailed guide..i love the skirt you are wearing!
xoxo Eva | http://www.becausepassion.com
I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog! Your images are fantastic and you're so adorable! Hello, new favorite 🙂
xo Annie
http://www.laircake.com
Wow, Great job!! Thanks for sharing this city guide!!
Love,
Kisses and hugs from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
So many great places that I love!!! This is a great guide Carolyn!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
Mmm that lemon ricotta pancake looks amazing! Wouldn't have considered going to Seattle as it's not one of the uber tourist'y hot spots (I don't think?) but it looks like a place with a really nice vibe!
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
I'm a new reader and I'm soooo in love with your blog. Your photos are lovely! 😉
♡ Marissa Jamie : Mars La Luné ♡
such lovely photos
http://www.thefashionfraction.com
Oh this post is awesome Carolyn! Love all your images and how fun they are. Awesome guide! Need your tips for HK because I'm heading there next month!!
Hope you'll check out my page and let me know your thoughts!
Helen xx
http://CH1K.com
Lovely post! Thanks for this. Your photos are so beautiful♥♥
chocolateandsunset.com
Gorgeous photos, totally captures Seattle and cool for me to see because I've never been there!
xo,
Emma
http://www.sassystreet.com/
such a great great post 🙂 and i looove your skirt!
mfashionfreak♥blog
this is such a great idea! I love this post! I'm definetly bookmarking it for if I ever get to go to Seattle! I love the pictures!
http://www.rosegoldheart.blogspot.com
Ah! Seattle looks amazing! I am putting this gorgeous city on my must visit list stat!
Great guide, you're making me want to plan a trip to visit your city again very soon!
http://the-party-dress.com
Ive always wanted to go to Seattle, can't wait to see it for myself someday!! Love love love your skirt!
http://www.tusksandtails.com
Love this guide! Thanks for sharing 🙂
One of the best guides to Seattle right here! 🙂
Omg, I've been to Seattle several times and how did I not know about the disgustingly pretty gum wall?! lol!
Hi Huong! haha Next time you visit, you can check out the gum wall and get super grossed out/intrigued by it. 😉
Ooh, what a great little guide! I have never been to Seattle, but have heard great things and want to move there soon! I'm curious to know, what is the city like for young professionals!?
Lisa
http://www.theeverydayelevated.com
Hi Lisa! I'm biased but I think Seattle is an AMAZING city for young professionals. People are so active, community-driven, and down-to-earth. There is a range of activities for all sorts of hobbies: people love to bike, rock-climb, hike, shop, drink, drink coffee, garden, cook, etc. I'm never bored here. Yet Seattle is also so chill that it never feels too busy in a bad way. If you do move here, I wish you the best and let me know if you want any recommendations!