When traveling, I love to do as the locals do. I’m the kind of person who would visit Paris and not go to the Eiffel Tower, opting instead to sit in a sidewalk cafe & sip a glass of dry white wine. But there are some cities where the “touristy things” to are just so great, you can’t help but jump from site to site, taking it all in. Below are some of my favorite, can’t miss Seattle sites.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is famous for a reason: it’s fabulous. Aisles & aisles of vendors selling everything from crabs to salmon to produce to flowers. And the neon – oh, the neon signs! It’s like stepping back to a simpler time, before smart phone apps told us which stalls to visit & the only way to get from here to there was by following the neon signs. Step back into the 90’s by stopping by Athenian Inn for breakfast. You’ll recognize the counter where Rob Reiner & Tom Hanks sat for breakfast & discussed tiramisu in Sleepless in Seattle. Looking for breakfast that’s not on Seattle’s top tourist attraction list? Seattle institution Lowell’s serves up a mean salmon omelet & has an awesome view of the water.
Original Starbucks
It’s hard to avoid coffee when you’re in Seattle. In addition to your run-of-the-mill Starbucks store, there’s also Seattle’s Best Coffee (which is owned by Starbucks), Tully’s Coffee (which I prefer to Starbucks), & any number of local coffee shops seemingly dotting every corner. Yet, reigning king above it all, is the original Starbucks. The store that started it all in 1971 is still going strong across from Pike Place Market. If you’re a coffee lover, you can’t help but stop by & grab a cup o’ joe.
It’s hard to avoid coffee when you’re in Seattle. In addition to your run-of-the-mill Starbucks store, there’s also Seattle’s Best Coffee (which is owned by Starbucks), Tully’s Coffee (which I prefer to Starbucks), & any number of local coffee shops seemingly dotting every corner. Yet, reigning king above it all, is the original Starbucks. The store that started it all in 1971 is still going strong across from Pike Place Market. If you’re a coffee lover, you can’t help but stop by & grab a cup o’ joe.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
Bainbridge Island
Could there be anything cuter than strolling he streets of an island that is only accessibly by ferry? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Bainbridge Island is a small town, population 23,000, accessible by ferry or a single bridge. Taking the ferry over from Seattle is a breeze, especially if you head over reverse of the morning commuters. Once you’re on the island, you’ll find wide sidewalks leading you down Main Street. Make sure & stop by The Traveler, a travel book, map & accessories store (I’m now obsessed with the idea of opening a similar store). Skip the touristy spots on the main drag for lunch & head down by the marina for awesome fish & chips at The Harbour Public House. The best thing about taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island? The dynamite view of the Seattle skyline on the way back.
Lake Union
Thanks to the movie Sleepless in Seattle, the city is now permanently connected to the concept of house boats (or, in most cases (like the house in Sleepless) floating homes). Head to Lake Union to see an amazing collection of floating homes, floating garages (yes, really) & some really beautiful boats. You’ll spot the gray floating home from Sleepless, as well as a number of other fantastic homes & a former gas works plant, which is now a really funky park. One of the coolest ways to check out Lake Union? Hop on a duck boat tour (warning: yes, extremely touristy!)
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
Other really awesome Seattle things to do:
– Space Needle (duh)
– Columbia Tower (a random office building downtown that, for $5, has a great observation deck that allows you to see the Space Needle)
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
– Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
– Salumi
– And, last but certainly not least, you simply must stay at the fabulous Inn at the Market
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
Wow, I am so glad to have discovered your blog. Your pictures are amazing, and I find it very inspiring. I’m starting my own travel-and-blogging adventure, and I’ll keep coming back here for inspiration.
Thanks for blogging!
Sometimes tourist sites are popular for a reason. I like to go to Melbourne (my hometown) and pretend to be a tourist. I catch the city circle tram, take photos of Southbank and get lost in the laneways. It’s fun to be a tourist sometimes, that’s why so many people travel.
I only had two days in Seattle and loved it. I look forward to seeing a few of these spots next time. Great pictures.