Seven days in Seattle
Description:
If you really want to see the best of what Seattle ha* to offer without submitting yourself to guided tours or wa*ting time in area* that look exactly like every other big city in America, this is the trip for you.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Seattle
You can start your day with an impeccable brunch at Café Campagne or Steelhead Diner; or you can save room to sample some fresh pa*tries, fruit and snacks along the way. Pike Place Market ha* all the delicious edibles you can imagine. Try to get there before noon a* it can get pretty packed in the afternoons especially on weekends. Pick up some white truffle oil or truffle butter from La Buona Tavola, just next door you’ll find gourmet herbed vinegars at Sotto Voce. De Laurenti carries hundreds of specialty artesian cheeses and many of them will fare just fine in your hotel fridge until you can get them home. The Pecorinos and Parmesans will la*t for a month or more so stock up and throw a ta*ting party when you get home. They also carry an extensive selection of imported meats so you may want to pick up some salami or prosciutto. You can find homemade huckleberry jam and fireweed honey on the main floor of the market which make perfect gifts for friends and family back home and are absolute musts for any well-stocked pantry. Definitely check out Market Spice Tea where you can find an extensive tea selection, perfect herbs de province and Tellicherry black pepper corns which are va*tly superior to regular pepper. You can even arrange to have salmon or halibut shipped home upon your return after watching the fishmongers toss fish around at Pike Place Fish Co. Since you’re travelling you can’t take full advantage of the gorgeous produce but you can always a*k the grocer to rinse some berries for you to enjoy just down the street at Victor Steinbrueck Park where you can enjoy the view of the Islands and watch the ferries float by. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle head up Post Alley to the Ta*ting Room where you will find a cool retreat chock full of the best wines the Northwest ha* to offer, sidle up to the bar and order a ta*ting combo. One of the nicest things about the ta*ting room is that they don’t bother stocking the large producers or low quality wines so you can count on every gla** to be well balanced and complex at a good value. The Apex Semillon and Cabernet are outstanding and you can have them ship ca*es or half ca*es home. After you’ve had a chance to relax a bit you can head back down to the market and check out the arts and crafts or head up to Matt’s in the Market for dinner and enjoy the sunset. Their food is outstanding, all the produce is fresh from the market that morning and the fish will practically swim off your plate. After diner you can slip down to Il Bistro for one of their dozens of single malt scotches or stop by Zig Zag for hand crafted c***tails made by Seattle’s finest bartender, Murray.
1
Café Campagne
Location:
view in google maps1600 Post Alley
Between Post Alley and Pine Streets
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206/728-22332
Osteria la Spiga
Location:
view in google maps1429 12th Ave.
Between Pike Street And Union Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone:
1 206 323 88812
Stimson-Green Mansion
Location:
view in google maps1204 Minor Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
+1 206 624 04742
Museum of Flight
Location:
view in google maps9404 E. Marginal Way S
Seattle, WA 98168
Phone:
206/764-57202
Alki Beach
Location:
view in google maps1702 Alki Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Phone:
+1 206 684 40752
Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA)
Location:
view in google maps410 Dexter Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone:
+1 206 728 19802
Pike Place Market
Location:
view in google maps85 Pike Street
Between Pike and Pine sts. at First Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
206/682-74532
Aoki Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar
Location:
view in google maps621 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone:
1 206 324 36332
Tango Tapas Restaurant & Lounge
Location:
view in google maps1100 Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206/583-03822
Monsoon Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps615 19th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone:
1 206 325 21112
Kalaloch Lodge
Location:
view in google maps157151 US Highway 101
Seattle, WA 98331
Phone:
+1 866 525 2562 / +1 866 525 25622
Palace Kitchen
Location:
view in google maps2030 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206 448 20012
Crepe De France
Location:
view in google maps93 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206 624 21963
Pike Place Fish
Location:
view in google maps86 Pike Place
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
800/542-77324
Matt's in the Market
Location:
view in google maps94 Pike St
Corner Market Building
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206/467-79095
Il Bistro
Location:
view in google maps93-A Pike St. and First Ave
At First Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206/682-30496
The Zig Zag Café
Location:
view in google maps1501 Western Ave # 202
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206 625-11467
Pensione Nichols
Location:
view in google maps1923 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
+1 206 441 7125Day 2 - Seattle
Historic Seattle Tour Start your day with a beautiful brunch at Maximilien in Pike Place Market and then walk south along First Avenue to Pioneer Square. Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle, you can get a great sense of Northwest history by taking the Seattle Underground tour and perusing the many shops of the area. The architecture is unique to the region, and many of the buildings were constructed in the late 1800’s. A ma**ive fire deva*tated the area around the turn of the century and due to periodic flooding, when the area wa* reconstructed they raised the street level to the second floor so what you see today is actually the windows of the second floor of the older buildings. Wander up to the Smith Building and take the beautiful bra** elevators to the observation deck to enjoy a stunning view from what wa* the tallest building west of the Mississippi until the Space Needle wa* built in 1962. The best artesian cured meats are made at Salumi in the Iron Horse Building. Definitely try their handcrafted salami. They offer fabulous sandwiches which you can eat there while watching the toy train circle the crowds of government workers and corporate droves who are keen enough to know a great Italian eatery when they see one, or take your meal to go and find a corner in the Waterfall garden just around the corner which is the perfect urban oa*is. The best way to digest is to head back down to the waterfront and take a round trip ferry from the pier, either to Bainbridge or Va*hon. Without a car there is nothing to see on Va*hon a* the town center is a few miles from the ferry dock, but Bainbridge ha* some cute shops, however, the main point is to get out on the water and enjoy the view of the Olympic Mountains and the Skyline. The trip will take about 30 minutes each way. When you get back you can walk up to the Wild Ginger for dinner where you can ta*te the absolute best pan A*ian food the city ha* to offer. Top off the night with a drink at the Alibi Room where beautiful people are served substantial c***tails by tattooed ladies.
1
Le Pichet
Location:
view in google maps1933 First Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206/256-14992
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Location:
view in google maps319 Second Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone:
206/220-42403
Salumi
Location:
view in google maps309 Third Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone:
206/621-87724
Waterfall Gardens
Location:
view in google maps219 Second Avenue South
Between South 2nd Avenue Extended & Main Streets
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone:
+1 206 684 4075 (Information Center)5
Wild Ginger
Location:
view in google maps1401 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206 623 44506
Alibi Room
Location:
view in google maps85 Pike Street, Suite 410
Seattle, WA 94101
Phone:
206 623 31807
Seattle Waterfront
Location:
view in google mapsAlaskan Way
From South Main Street to Denny Way
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
+1 206 223 17678
Washington State Ferry
Location:
view in google maps2901 3rd Avenue
(mailing address)
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
+1 206 464 6400 / +1 206 515 3400Day 3 - Seattle
Capital Hill Tour Capital Hill is the heart of Seattle’s thriving music and culture. Take a cab to Café Presse for breakfa*t then wander up and down the Pike/Pine Corridor. Many of the shops sell clothing by local designers and locally made crafts. Head over to the Frye Museum for an unique perspective on cla**ical art and a great chance to see some cutting edge modern exhibits. Have a beautiful lunch at Crave on 12th Avenue and then walk northea*t to Volunteer Park. Check out the A*ian Art Museum which holds one of the most extensive A*ian art collections in America. There is a fabulous view of the Olympic Mountains and the Space Needle and the Conservatory houses a beautiful collection of plants from all around the world. The park wa* designed by the Olmstead Brothers (who designed Central Park in NYC) around the turn of the century and there are glorious specimens of giant sequoia and giant redwood which are nearly a century old. There is a beautiful dahlia collection a* well a* a splendid rose garden in bloom over the summer months. The water tower is a lovely vantage point, you can climb the interior stairs up to the top to a 360 degree vantage at the crest of the city, and those interested in rock climbing may find its exterior walls enticing, you can see chalk marks all the way to the top. After enjoying a gorgeous sunset over the Space Needle and Olympics, you can head back down to the row of restaurants along 12th Avenue. Lark is one of the best places to experience fundamentally Northwest cuisine. Their food is almost entirely locally procured - local lamb, quail, phea*ant, salmon, and a great variety of produce and artesian cheeses and house-made desserts have given Lark a reputation a* one of the best restaurants on the west coa*t. Since they don’t take reservations for parties of less than six you can put your name in early and head next door for a drink at their sister bar Licorace next door. Licorace ha* developed small plate and c***tail pairings that ranges from Lemongra** martini coupled with tuna tartar to Geoduck ceviche with a Mojito made with single malt rum or if you’re a wine fan, they have an extensive selection of local and imported wines to couple with the Salumi plate in ca*e you didn’t have a chance to visit Salumi in Pioneer Square. When they call you over you should order whatever strikes your fancy because everything on the menu is spectacular. After dinner, head out for a show at Seattle’s hottest nightlife venues. Neumo’s, Warroom, ChopSuey or CHAC, you can get a drink before the show at the Cha Cha, Linda’s or the Comet. If you’re in the mood for something more low-key, head over to the Hideout or the Rosebud.
1
Café Presse
Location:
view in google maps1117 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone:
206 709 76742
Frye Art Museum
Location:
view in google maps704 Terry Ave
At Cherry St
Seattle, WA 98164
Phone:
206/622-92503
Cal Anderson Park
Location:
view in google maps1635 11th Ave
Seattle, WA
Phone:
(206) 684-40754
Crave
Location:
view in google maps1621 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone:
206 388 05265
Volunteer Park
Location:
view in google maps1247 15th Ave E
(at Prospect St)
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone:
+1 206 684 45556
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Location:
view in google maps1400 E. Prospect St
Volunteer Park
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone:
206/654-31007
Licorous
Location:
view in google maps928 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone:
206 325 69478
Lark
Location:
view in google maps926 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone:
206/323-5275Day 4 - Seattle
Seattle Art Tour Art lovers have recently discovered that Seattle ha* finally come into its own when it comes to art. There are several major museums with extensive world cla** collections, but Seattle’s private galleries offer a glimpse into cutting edge artistic movements and the best local and regional art being produced. One day really isn’t enough to see it all since many of the galleries are in different neighborhoods so try to set a*ide two days if you can. Start your day with a light breakfa*t at Maximillien if its Sunday or at Le Pichet any other day of the week. Head south on First Avenue for two blocks, you’ll see the Museum on the Ea*t side of the Street. If you know a thing or two about art, the curation will amuse you a* the juxtapositions of artistic themes and movements is quite clever. After a couple of hours, you’ll probably want to get off your feet so head back up to Post Alley in Pike Place Market where you’ll find Steelhead Diner. Try the caviar pie a* a starter, and then move on to salmon. If you have room, their crème caramel is superb and it goes perfectly with the Apex Semillon. If it is a beautiful day you can take a stroll in the Olympic Sculpture Park but if not, take a cab to the Henry Art Gallery in the University District. Be sure to get on the road before 3:30 because the traffic can be atrocious. Since traffic won’t die down until 6:30 you can take the opportunity to see the Burke Museum on the north end of the University of Wa*hington Campus. By now you’re probably hungry and thirsty so since you’re already in the north end of the city this is a great chance to experience Lark which wa* recently named one of the ten best new restaurants by the New York Times. Its quite popular so be sure to make a reservation. If you can’t get in, you can probably get in at Sitka and Spruce on Ea*tlake.
1
Maximilien In The Market
Location:
view in google maps81A Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
1 206 682 72702
Seattle Art Museum
Location:
view in google maps100 University Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
+1 206 654 31003
Steelhead Diner
Location:
view in google maps95 Pine Street
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
206 625 01294
Olympic Sculpture Park
Location:
Seattle,5
Henry Art Gallery
Location:
view in google maps15th Avenue North East and 41st Street
University of Washington, 15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone:
206/543-22806
Burke Museum
Location:
view in google mapsNortheast 45th Street and 17th Avenue
University of Washington, 17th Ave. NE and NE 45th St
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
206/543-55907
Tilth
Location:
view in google maps1411 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone:
1 206 633 0801Day 5 - Seattle
There are four main options for getting a chance to see the beautiful mountains, rivers and forests in the Northwest and you should decide ba*ed on what interests you most. If you love beaches and forests, the Pacific Coa*t or the San Juan Islands are your best bet. If you pine for jagged peaks and alpine lakes, Mt. Rainier or the Alpine Wilderness are where you want to go. If you’re most interested in volcanic geology then you should drive down to Mt. St. Helens. All of these options require a car rental unless you want to sit on a crowded bus for a guided tour. If you don’t have the time to leave the city, then there are plenty of great options right here in Seattle. Snoqualmie Falls is a short 40 minute drive from Seattle. Head Ea*t on I 90 and follow the signs. Salish lodge ha* amazing food so make sure to stop in for a bite. If you're looking for something more strenuous, head straight to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Alpine Lakes Wilderness isn’t for the faint of heart. If you don’t have the gear you can rent it at REI. The hike in is 10-15 miles depending on which lake you are heading to. The views are absolutely spectacular so it’s well worth the climb but be sure to pack accordingly. Even during the summer months you’ll at lea*t need a 0 degree bag at this elevation because it’s a bit windy and there’s nothing worse than a cold night’s sleep after hiking all day. There are a few things you can pack to make the hike so much ea*ier and that’s really all you should pack, carry a* little with you a* possible because by the 7th mile the extra pair of pants seems much heavier. Take a shell, a fleece, long underwear, shorts, quick dry pants and extra smart wool socks. You can do the hike in cross trainers but there is an ea*y stream crossing so bring some sandals. There is water so if you want to save some weight you can pack a water purifier and save yourself room for a nice single malt scotch or a bottle of wine from the Ta*ting Room or Delaurenti (don’t forget your bottle opener). The best way to watch Aurora Borealis is with a perfect Barolo or Laphroaig. You’ll need a tent and a sleeping pad for sure because this is alpine terrain and it’s exposed and not so soft. Be sure to bring a bear bag and a rope to hang your food from a tree away from camp. The ea*iest way to make dinner is to infuse olive oil with chopped garlic, chili flakes black pepper and fresh ba*il and use that a* the ba*e for everything you make. If you bring a collapsible fishing pole you can probably catch trout but bring plenty of pa*ta just in ca*e, you’ll have quite an appet**e. Pack a couple of baguettes (you can hang them off the side of your pack), specialty cheeses and salami for lunch. Cuc**bers and carrots are ea*y to pack but tomatoes always perish. Give up on gourmet coffee, Nescafe or tea is so much more practical. Breakfa*t oatmeal with freshly picked huckleberries from around the campsite is so delicious. Remember to pack a map, compa**, first aid kit, fla*hlight, iodine, extra energy bars, space blanket, a few lighters and a fully charged cell phone but turn it off so you can save the battery in ca*e you need it. Enjoy!!!!
3
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Location:
Seattle, WA 98288Phone:
425-775-9702Day 6 - Port Angeles, Seattle
To get to the Olympic Rain Forest you take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge and head north to Port Townsend. Drive along Highway 1 around the northern tip of the Peninsula, through Forks to the west coa*t. You’ll hit the Hoh Rainforest and the Queets River both of which have extraordinarily lush emerald green rain forests and pristine rivers teeming with salmon. You can get a permit from the Tribal office if you want to check out the Sea Stacks on the beaches near the Queets, but if you drive south you get to the coa*tal section of the Olympic National Forest. Third Beach is a mile hike from the road and offers secluded primitive campsites and spectacular views. If you’re not interested in camping there are cabins for rent along the beach and motels in Forks but you may need to call ahead during the summer months. Its also entirely possible to rent a beach house for larger groups, some of which have hot tubs and sauna*. The restaurants aren’t the best so you may want to pack some fruit, baguettes, cheese and cured meats from Pike Place Market for the trip. When you eat out, the fish of the day or crab is always the best option. You should plan for an overnight stay since its a four hour drive.
2
Port Angeles, Washington
Location:
view in google maps121 East Railroad Avenue (Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce)
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone:
+1 360 452 2363 / +1 877 456 8372 (Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce)3
Sol Duc
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-452-45014
Olympic National Park
Location:
Seattle,Phone:
360-452-45015
Olympic Rain Forest Scenic Drive
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-288-25256
Hoh Visitor Center
Location:
Seattle,Phone:
360-452-45017
Hoh
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-452-45018
North Fork
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-452-45019
Staircase
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-452-450110
Hoh Rain Forest
Location:
view in google maps18 miles east of US Highway 101
Seattle, WA 98831
Phone:
+1 360 374 6925 (Hoh Ranger Station)/ +1 360 452 4501 (Park Headquarters)11
Queets
Location:
Seattle, WAPhone:
360-452-4501Day 7 - Seattle
Start your morning with breakfa*t at Crepes de France in Pike Place then walk four blocks to Westlake Center where you can ride the Monorail to Seattle Center. If you make a reservation for lunch at the Space Needle you won’t be charged for the elevator ride to the observation deck. Enjoy the 360 degree view of both the Ca*cades, the Olympics, the city skyline, the Puget Sound and Lake Union. If you’re interested in Science Fiction or Music, head to the Experience Music Project, otherwise jump in a cab to Fremont where you can get a cup of tea at the Still Life Café, walk up to the Troll under the Bridge and then continue by bus or taxi to the Boat Street Café if you’re in the mood for quiet, provincial French cuisine or to the Aqua Verde Paddle Club for the best halibut tacos on the west coa*t. You can rent kayaks and paddle west to Ga* Works Park where you’ll have a fabulous view of the city or Ea*t to the Arboretum where you’ll find turtles and a wide variety of birds nestled among the wetlands. After a beautiful day on the lake you’ll want to head back to your hotel, tidy up and walk up First Avenue to Marco’s Supper Club. Start with the fried sage leaves and their ahi tuna is outstanding and you can’t go wrong with their wine list.
1
Seattle Center Monorail
Location:
view in google maps370 Thomas Street
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone:
+1 206 905 26202
Seattle Center
Location:
view in google maps305 Harrison St
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
206/684-72003
The Space Needle
Location:
view in google maps400 Broad St
Seattle Center
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
206/905-21004
Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum
Location:
view in google maps325 Fifth Ave. N
Seattle Center
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
877/EMPLIVE5
Still Life in Fremont Coffeehouse
Location:
view in google maps709 North 35th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone:
206 547 98506
Fremont Troll
Location:
view in google mapsN 36th St
(Under the Aurora Bridge)
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone:
+1 206 632 15007
Agua Verde Cafe
Location:
view in google maps1303 NE Boat St
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone:
206/545-85708
Boat Street Cafe
Location:
view in google maps909 North East Boat Street
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone:
1 206 632 46029
Gas Works Park
Location:
view in google maps2101 North Northlake Way
(at Meridian Avenue)
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone:
+1 206 684 407510
Washington Park Arboretum
Location:
view in google maps2300 Arboretum Dr. E
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone:
206/543-880011
Marco's Supperclub
Location:
view in google maps2510 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone:
1 206 441 7801