By James Grixoni
Welcome to Seattle! This ever changing, ever growing, evergreen wonder of the world is the largest city in Washington so there’s plenty to do and discover. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you visit periodically, this beautiful city has a concoction of classic gems as well new and improved attractions, landscapes and experiences to be had by all. So if you’re looking for fun things to do, all in the style of a local, then look no further!
I’ve lived all over the world and I have to say, Seattle is one of the only cities where you don't need to rent a car or even drive to get around quick and safely. The transit system is good, with Seattle's public transportation system being a collection of good bus lines and trains and then you also have the choice of ubers, lyfts and even bicycles to rent, offering visitors an exciting scenic experience to complement their time in the city. We even have a “transit to trails” system that takes nature seekers up to hiking trails nestled in the cascade mountains.
Alki (which means “by and by” in Chinook) is located in the equally beautiful town of West Seattle. If you are looking for the most stunning scenic views of Downtown Seattle, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains; look no further. The two-and-a-half-mile beach offers not only scenic views, but a plethora of amazing restaurants that will suffice any want or craving.
Photo: seattle.eater.com
The Cascade Mountain Range offers some of the greatest hiking and camping imaginable and it doesn’t hurt to feel like you are in the middle of a Tolkien Novel either. Those mountains are truly magical giving anyone a feeling of escape and grounding while offering a wide range of trail hiking and camping spots, from novice to professional.
Photo: theboldbrunette.com
If hiking and camping aren’t high on your bucket list of things to do and you're looking for more of a day trip escape, you couldn’t have picked a better city. The University of Washington Arboretum has the aesthetics of stepping into Japan and then all of a sudden you are in the Redwood Forest and before you know it, you could swear you are in the Queen of England’s private garden. We also have the second largest city park in the country located at Point Defiance in Tacoma (just south of Seattle). But my personal favourite would have to be Discovery Park located in the neighbourhood of Magnolia. Discovery Park has a serenity about it; from the top of the cliffs overlooking Puget Sound to the rocky shore Lighthouse on the beach below, these city parks will amaze.
So many options and you should try them all! Seattle is the best at catering to the widest variety of taste buds and cravings. Each restaurant vibrates at its own frequency of creativity and culinary genius. The breweries and pubs on the other-hand re-define the title of brewery and pub. The innovation and ingenuity of what lies in the Fremont and Ballard neighbourhoods will give any beer connoisseur a run for their money.
Seattle is going through a massive overhaul when it comes to its infrastructure. New towers seem to pop up every day as new businesses thrive. As a tourist, this will be a treat for the eyes! The contemporary designs in architecture allow the towers to take on an artistic look and with each step you take and block you walk, the cityscape transforms itself into an ever changing metallic and glass metropolis.
We all want the birds eye view and now you have more options than just The Space Needle. The Seattle Great Wheel can be found on Pier 57 and will give you great views of the city and Puget Sound. The Columbia Tower (Seattle’s tallest skyscraper) has an observatory on the seventy third floor; you are so high up that The Space Needle looks like a miniature model of itself. If you have a fear of heights I wouldn’t recommend the Columbia Tower but on the contrary if you love heights, this is going to be one of the coolest things you'll find to do here.
A not so well-kept secret about the Seattle Waterfront is that the waterfront isn’t just limited to vendors, restaurants and piers. If you walk a little bit further north you will run into Sculpture park, an outdoor museum and garden that spans the remaining waterfront. It’s beautiful, relaxing and free to be enjoyed by all.
As I said earlier, if you are a beer connoisseur Fremont and Ballard are the places for you. But what I didn’t mention earlier is that if you are a restaurant connoisseur, a club connoisseur, a pinball connoisseur, a connoisseur of Sunday markets, a connoisseur of yoga studios and holistic health businesses, of vegan bakeries and non vegan bakeries, a connoisseur of brilliantly acted theatre, of biking and kayaking … oh let’s be real, if you are a person who simply wants to explore the community, well, you don’t need to be a connoisseur for that. Visit these twin towns.
If you are still undecided on what to do or where to go I always point visitors in the direction of CityPass. CityPass is a booklet of tickets that will get you into all the major exhibits and sites of Seattle and then some. This program will most definitely suffice most people needs in navigating this beautiful city. But at the end of the day, all that really matters is are you happy and having a good time right? Stay safe and I’ll see you in Seattle!
