A Day in Seattle
[Or, 10 Wonderful Things to Do and See]
I’ve been spending a lot time in the Northwest lately and the summers there are so beautiful and flirtatious I’ve really come to love it. Seattle itself is a great city – there are so many things to do, it’s very walkable, the public transportation system is convenient, the people are funky and the food is fantastic. Here’s a guide to making a great day in Seattle, with 10 places* I’m really in to right now:
8am Walk over to Bedlam Coffee in Belltown for an excellent cup of coffee, a cute barista that calls you “Darlin”, and a thick slice of cinnamon toast with orange marmalade. They’re always playing great tunes, it’s a super-cozy living room vibe inside and great people watching outside.
10am Head down to the waterfront and watch the sailboats pass behind the Aquarium, then get on the Great Wheel for a phenomenal view of downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound.
12pm For lunch, walk up Capitol Hill to Li’l Woody’s. Their Cap Hill Fried Chicken Sandwich (with bacon and cheese) is absolutely to die for. You’ll need a Roger’s Pils from the Georgetown Brewing Co. to wash it all down!
1pm Walk around the corner to Sitka and Spruce for a cup of coffee and a peek around their beautiful market. There’s a bakery, an incredibly fresh butcher, beautiful flowers and snacks galore.
3pm The REI store in downtown Seattle is such a neat place I have to make a visit there when I’m in town. On the outside they have 3 stories of waterfalls and native trees and plants, and inside there’s the best selection of outdoor gear, knowledgable staff, inexpensive rental equipment and classes.
5pm I’m a sucker for afternoon sweets and Cupcake Royale has that base totally covered. Their Stumptown Coffee with Dark Chocolate Ribbon ice cream is so good but if I really crave an indulgence I’d reach for the Whiskey Maple Bacon Crack ice cream in a waffle cone. Yep.
6pm In the afternoon the Westlake Park fills up with interesting people playing life-size chess, performing the electric violin, breakdancing and hanging out. I love to people watch here as the tourists mingle amongst the hobos and the Occupy Seattle kids prepare for their next rally.
8pm Head back into Belltown and hit up Shorty’s for the best dive bar/hotdog stand/pinball arcade/lounge experience. This place has a special place in my heart ever since I made a high score on the Indiana Jones pinball and I love going there for a veggie dog and some sportsmanship.
Midnight When you’re ready to hit the hay head over to the Ace Hotel to catch some classy, low-key Zzz’s in their comfy, private mini-hotel. And get up early for a homemade waffle breakfast!
* There’s no way I could fit everything I love about Seattle into one 10-item list and there are MANY more places I’d love to tell you about…maybe later?
