Today I’m sharing my Seattle Washington Travel Guide. The city is surrounded by mountains, water, and evergreen forests. I visited for a quick summer vacay this July with my Dad and two sisters. I fell in love with the West Coast that week and never wanted to leave.
They may call Seattle The Rainy City but we were blessed with sunshine and warm weather. I wanted to share some of my insider tips (including the best hikes!) for making the most of this beautiful place.
Where to Hike:
Mount Rainier
In the summer, the entire city spends almost every day outdoors, and we were no exception. My favorite day trip was to Mount Rainier National Park. It’s about an hour and a half away and the drive was beautiful. We did a seven-mile hike called Glacier Basin. It’s a moderate hike perfect for families and people wanting to take it easy. Along the way, we stumbled upon this unreal looking turquoise lake.
We hadn’t planned on swimming but we weren’t going to let that stop us from taking a dip. After we laid out to dry we continued up the mountain stopping to look at wildflowers, streams and enormous redwoods.
Snoqualmie Falls:
Snoqualmie Falls located east of Seattle. We did the popular hike to the bottom of the falls and then drove a bit further to a more secluded area. Leftover pizza and roadside blackberries proved to be the best picnic lunch. We spent hours stacking rocks, climbing trees and swimming in the chilly water.
Where to Stay:
Seattle is very much a city of neighborhoods, and if you only see downtown, you’ll miss out. Instead, stay a little further in Capitol Hill, a neighborhood packed with hip bars, eateries plus laid-back coffee shops and indie stores. There are tons of charming AirBnBs.
Where to Hangout:
Gas Works Park
On the shores of Lake Union opposite downtown Seattle, Gas Works Park is built on the location of a former coal/gas plant. It now serves as a place where visitors and locals alike can spend the day outdoors.
Elliot Bay Book Company
In a time where physical book-buying seems to be on the wane, this hometown independent bookstore serves as a reminder of why we buy paper books. I could spend hours scanning the shelves. Not to mention reading my newfound book in the attached coffee shop. Elliot Bay Book Company is the best bookstore I have EVER been to. I picked up a copy of The Alchemist while I was there and spend the rest of the trip reading it.
Ballard Farmer’s Market
Farmers Markets are my jam. So, of course, we had to visit one of Seattle’s most popular seasonal markets. And wow, just wow. The west coast really has it all. The produce went on for miles. Well not really miles, but it sure felt like it. I wish I could have taken more with me, but alas, stuffing carrots, dalihas and all the other goodies in my suitcase didn’t seem like the smartest decision.
Where to Eat:
Icecream: Salt and Straw & Frankie and Jo’s
No vacation would be complete without ice-cream. We tried two of the west coast’s most popular craft ice-cream stores. While Frankie and Jo’s is plant-based ice-cream, Salt and Straw is known for its unique flavors.
Cafe Flora:
Vegetarian & vegan cuisine made from local and organic produce. Try the black bean burger, it’s to die for!
Poke Bowl:
I don’t have a specific place to recommend because they’re good everywhere. I ate the one below out of a food truck in a local park.
The Independent Pizzeria:
Located on the water in Madison Park this restaurant is family style and serves brick oven pizzas. We tried the Norwalk, Farmer, and Newhaven. Yes, we ordered three pizzas to split between the four of us. That’s what happens when you spend all day hiking and work up an appetite!
Seattle stole my heart. The next time I visit I might not ever leave. There’s one thing I know for sure. I’ll be back.
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