Seattle is home to Amazon and Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing airplanes and close friends, the emerald city does not disappoint. Its cool, urban, eclectic and outdoorsy feel makes this city a real pearl if you ask me! You’ll find many art galleries, book stores and an amazing independent coffee scene. What’s more with fresh seafood, craft beer, architecture and gardens and parks with amazing views! This was my second time visiting Seattle and certainly not my last.
To Do | Eat | Pike Place Market | Galleries | Bookstores | Parks
What to do in Seattle
Amazon Spheres - My friend, who works for Amazon, showed me around the three glassed domes, spherical conservatories that are part of the Amazon headquarters campus. The Spheres are home to more than 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries. Open for public twice a month on Saturday. Register in advance. 2111 7th Avenue; Seattle, Washington, United States - seattlespheres.com
Pike Place Market - A 113-year-old farmers' market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront. Famous for its fishmongers with flying fish, produce stalls, craft stands and specialty food shops. Tourists flock around here but certainly worth a visit. Don't miss out on The Gum Wall, the seat of Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle and the first Starbucks. Scroll down to read more about the restaurants in and around Pike Place Market. 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - pikeplacemarket.org
The Ferry to Bainbridge Island - Take the Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island for great views of the Seattle's skyline. You can also wonder around in the cute charming village of Winslow where you'll find antique shops, art galleries, bookstores, cafes and restaurants.
The Seattle Public Library - What a cool building. Designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Ramus. This 11th floor building houses over more than 1 million books. Visit the 10th floor for some nice city views. When leaving the building don't forget to swing by the shop. They sell donated books for a bargain and even wrap your gifts in cool secondhand posters. 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States - www.spl.org
Bill & Melinda Gates Visitor Center - You can't ignore Microsoft in Seattle. The Bill & Melinda Gates Visitor Center lets you explore the foundation's global charity work via exhibitions and guided tours. North, 440 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98109, United States - discovergates.org
Chihuly Garden and Glass - If you go crazy on glass installations you should visit this art museum and sculpture garden of Dale Chihuly. 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States - chihulygardenandglass.com
Smith Tower - You can visit the tower observatory with stunning 360 degree views of Seattle and open air viewing deck. 506 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States - smithtower.com
Space Needle - City landmark and icon of Seattle. I have been twice to Seattle and never went up. I do think you can get nice views somewhere else too. However, I expect breathtaking views. 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States - spaceneedle.com
The Boeing Factory - Just north of Seattle you can visit The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour. We went in 2014 and where impressed by the factory. Especially the boys liked it a lot. 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275, United States - boeing.com
Underground Tour - A network of underground passageways and basements in Pioneer Square, Seattle that were at ground level when the city was built in the mid-19th century. You can now do a tour. 102 Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98104 Seattle, United States - undergroundtour.com
Where to eat in Pike Place Market in Seattle
Beecher's - For Mac-n-Cheese fans on a mission. An institution and so much more. 1600 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - beechershandmadecheese.com
Le Panier - You can smell Le Panier from a distance. A French Bakery with a queue around the corner. You wonder why... 1902 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - lepanier.com
Pike Place Chowder - Award winning clam chowder. 1530 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - pikeplacechowder.com
Piroskhy Piroskhy Bakery - Delicious Russian pastries. Sounds more complicated than it is. Various locations - piroshkybakery.com
Three Girls Bakery - Old school bakery from 1912 in the Pike Place Market crafting pastries, breads, soups & sandwiches. There is a very wide variety of pastries and coffee. 1514 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - threegirlsbakery.com
The Pink Door - Mentioned three times by locals as one to visit in the market. Italian food overlooking Elliot Bay. 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, United States - thepinkdoor.net
Where to eat in Seattle
Cafe Allegro - Tucked away in an alley. This coffee house is around since 1975. You can feel the cool university vibe here. It's the first espresso shops in Seattle. Alleyway, 4214 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, United States - seattleallegro.com
Grand Central Bakery - Fresh baked bread, panini's, pastries, salads and soups. You name it, they got it. Great for lunch or a quick bite. Various locations - grandcentralbakery.com
Joey Kitchen - Convenient located for when you have done your (half) day of shopping at U-village. 2603 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States - joeyrestaurants.com
Kamonegi - A local! A pocket-sized Japanese restaurant specializing in handmade soba noodles, tempura and more. 1054 N 39th St, Seattle, WA 98103, United States - kamonegiseattle.com
Macrina Bakery - If the woman on the bus tells you - OH YES - you know it's a winner. Divine bakery. Try a morning roll. Various locations - macrinabakery.com
Manolin - Ceviche and other seafood. Inspired by Mexico, Caribbean, Scandinavian and Asian flavours. And a cool interior. 3621 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103, United States - manolinseattle.com
Galleries in Seattle
Galleries, galleries, galleries everywhere in Seattle. The best ones you'll find around Pioneer Square. My favourite one is Foster / White Gallery. Henry Art Gallery near the University of Washington is also one not to miss.
Henry Art Gallery - University of Washington, 15th Ave NE &, NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
Bookstores in Seattle
Arundel Books - Perfectly located next to the Grand Central Bakery. Arundel is a new, used and rare bookstore. 212 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, United States - arundelbooks.com
Globe Bookstore - Another book store on the other side of the Grand Central Bakery selling used books. 218 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, United States - pioneersquare.org/the-globe-bookstore
Magus Books - What a great books shop. Magnus Books is a great independent shop stocking more than 70,000 used & rare books covering a wide range of genres. You can find almost everything here. 1408 NE 42nd St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States - magusbooksseattle.com
Parks in Seattle
Discovery Park - The largest park in the city in the Magnolia neighborhood. Great for hiking and nature-watching. You'll find meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, sand dunes etc. Perfect leisure activity for a sunny afternoon.
Gas Works Park - Former Gas Work Plant is now a popular public park where you admire panoramic views of lake Union and the Seattle skyline. Remember the film 10 Things I Hate About You?
Kerry Park - For the fans of Grey's Anatomy this backdrop is familiar. Not a park though.
Occidental Park - Located in Pioneer Square. More a square than a park but you can play games like ping pong and chess.
Waterfall Garden - A small hidden garden with a waterfall and a few seats in Pioneer Square
Fun Facts about Seattle
Dick's Drive in Restaurant - Opened before Mc Donalds and never changed the menu. An institution. Various locations - ddir.com
Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks. The world's largest coffee chain opened its first outlet in 1971 in Pike Place Market. The place doesn't have the original interior anymore but you can buy a unique mug that is only sold here (if you care ;)
Want to know more about Seattle
Visit the official website of Seattle
Reading books about Seattle
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Movies about Seattle
10 Things I Hate About You
Sleepless in Seattle
Where'd You Go, Bernadette