Hey, hey beauty! I hope you’re having a great week so far! I’m so excited to bring you my long-overdue guide to the perfect trip to Seattle! Whether it will be your first time visiting the city or the 10th, I’ve got some fun ideas on places to eat, stay, and see in Seattle that will have you begging to extend your stay!
My boyfriend Alex and I have visited Seattle 3 times now, and fall more in love with the city every time! While our trips have been short, we’ve managed to fill them with exciting things to do that we haven’t seen anywhere else. Our trips have mainly been spent on foot, exploring every corner we can! Don’t worry, it really isn’t as rainy as much as everyone hypes it up to be!
Since we live in L.A., we love to fly there! The flights are also relatively cheap, even when we’ve booked pretty last minute. Seattle is one of those cities where you can easily travel to and explore without a rental car. We’ve used a few Uber’s here and there, but for the most part we prefer to soak in all it has to offer by walking from neighborhood to neighborhood. Maybe it’s the abundance of cafés that attract me with their aroma of freshly ground coffee beans nearly everywhere I turn, or simply just the hip, yet real, crowd of interesting people that keep me feeling some type of way and craving to come back for more.
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WHERE TO STAY:
- If it’s your first time visiting Seattle and you want to be in the heart of it all, staying downtown is your best bet! We loved our stay at the W Seattle, which is nestled in the perfect location between all of the top attractions that are likely on your list to see! If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel that captures the energy of the city, you will love it here!
- Still staying in the heart of downtown, we absolutely adored staying at the Kimpton Alexis Hotel on our first trip to Seattle! It’s a boutique hotel, so you get more of a cozy, charming feel in my opinion. Our room was incredibly spacious, plus it’s pet-friendly! You gotta try the Bookstore Bar & Café in the hotel if you stay here (or even if you don’t)! We ate breakfast here a few times, and also grabbed a drink before dinner! Too cute!
- If you want to stay just outside of the hustle & bustle of downtown, but still in a super-walkable area, you’ve gotta check out Capitol Hill! It’s by far my favorite neighborhood in all of Seattle. It’s super charming, energetic, and downright hipster-central. While we’ve never stayed at a hotel here, we always find ourselves spending a lot of time here! There are so many unique bars, restaurants, and shops sprinkled throughout Capitol Hill, it would surely be a great option! Honestly, I’d prefer to stay in an adorable Airbnb here to really feel the vibe of this neighborhood! You can get $40 off your stay with my invite here! I’ve gathered a few of my absolute favorite listings in the area like this adorable apartment, this dreamy garden loft, or this stylish garden cottage!
- Lastly, if this isn’t your first rodeo & you’re looking for a change of scenery, I can’t say enough good things about the AC Hotel Downtown Bellevue! It’s a short drive to the heart of Seattle and is also the perfect place for a staycation if you already live in Seattle! I did a full recap of my stay here, including the location, restaurants, and the incredible hospitality in my hotel review here!
WHERE TO EAT:
- Plum Bistro in Capitol Hill is one place Alex and I keep coming back to, solely for their spicy mac n’ yease appetizer. Holy YUM! It’s an entirely vegan restaurant with an Insta-worthy airy & industrial atmosphere. It’s also a great spot to enjoy dinner before heading out to one of many nearby bars. Note: they don’t take reservations for parties less than 6, so get there on the early side during the weekends. Regardless, it’s well worth any wait!
- Oddfellows Cafe + Bar is one of our favorite repeat weekend brunch spots. It’s not a vegan restaurant by any means, but there are a few options, such as avocado toast or my personal favorite, the quinoa & french lentil bowl (sans the egg). While the food is tasty, I personally keep coming back here because of the atmosphere! While there’s usually a wait, it goes by pretty fast since it’s so spacious. Last time I was there, I learned that 90% of the interior/furnishings are recycled or repurposed, which adds to the undeniable charm of this place.
- Mr. West Cafe Bar is another adorable weekend brunch spot you’ve gotta try! I mean, they have a freaking waffle bar. Need I say more?!
- For more of our favorite spots to eat, check out my post about the 5 Vegan Spots In Seattle You Have to Try!
Fuzzy Cardigan | Topshop Jeans | Studded Boots | Bag
WHERE TO DRINK:
- Canon is one of those bars that you must stop by for a drink presentation you won’t find anywhere else! I gotta say, the original drinks are not cheap, but they are seriously inventive. I got the Bright Idea cocktail with vodka (instead of tequila) and wow was it delicious! It comes in a glass the shape of a light-bulb, how cool is that!? Other fun drinks? The Gnome Chomsky comes in a copper gnome, and the Bubbles ‘N Baths drink is presented in a ceramic bath tub! For all you whiskey drinkers, Canon carries the largest selection of American whiskey in the world!
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer is a Seattle chain, but I love the one located in Pike Place Market! Choose your favorite ginger beer flavor for a fun moscow mule, or enjoy a ginger beer float for a yummy treat!
As far as grabbing a drink at a coffee shop, I wouldn’t know where to begin! Every time we visit, we like to try new places. There are so many unique cafes at every corner, you really can’t go wrong!
WHAT TO DO / SEE
- Pike Place Market is the iconic waterfront public market that pretty much anyone who visits Seattle will hit up right away. Sure it’s touristy, but it’s something you gotta experience. Grab some fresh flowers and see the fish fly while enjoying live music from local artists that post up outside of the market! It’s a great place to walk around during the day and try some quick bites from a variety of vendors. While you’re there, you gotta stop by the…
- Gum Wall! I’m sure you’ve seen this all over Instagram anytime someone goes to Seattle, but hey you gotta go at least once, right? If you haven’t heard of it, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a colorful wall full of chewed gum. Wow, that sounds so appetizing! It makes for a funky backdrop for a photo, or you can add your own gum to the wall!
- Ferries are such a fun way to spend an entire day, and I highly recommend if the weather permits! You can choose from a variety of places to travel to by ferry, but Alex and I loved Bainbridge Island! It’s only a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, and is the cutest small town to enjoy shopping, bike riding, and the sunset!
- MoPOP, otherwise known as the Museum of Pop Culture, is also a really cool experience unlike many traditional museums! Its roots are in rock ‘n’ roll, science and pop culture, with a lot of interactive exhibits as well! If you love Nirvana, horror films, Marvel, The Wizard of Oz, or Jimi Hendrix, you will absolutely love spending a good chunk of your day here!
- Gas Works Park is a fun place to spend a sunny afternoon or watch the sunset! It’s named after the large abandoned gas plant nestled in the rolling hills of the park. I love this place because you get awesome views of all of Seattle! A lot of people also have picnics here, which I would definitely do next time!
- Ballard is one of our favorite spots to hang out in as well! Specifically, the intersection between Market Street and Ballard Avenue. Go to the Sunday farmer’s market, browse the adorable shops along the cobblestone streets, and get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants! Grab a drink at Macleod’s Scottish Pub to top off your night!
- Space Needle is probably the most iconic attraction in Seattle, yet I’ll admit I have never gone in it! Whether you prefer to take the ride up to the top or not, just seeing it is pretty cool!
- The very first Starbucks ever!! Every basic betch’s dream! No but really, it’s pretty cool to see where it all began. Stop by after exploring through Pike Place Market for a drink, or just to see it on the outside. That’s okay too 😉
- The Starbucks Reserve Roastery, located in Capitol Hill, is another go-to for all you Starbucks fans! The space is gorgeous, and you can try a wide variety of menu items you wouldn’t find at a normal location!
- Looking to shop? Check out the Pacific Place or Westlake Center downtown!
Alright guys, that about wraps it up for my Seattle travel guide! I hope you found some new spots to add to your list next time you visit this amazing city!
Have you ever been to Seattle or live there now? Comment below your favorite spots I must hit up next time!
xx
