WHAT TO DO WHEN…
YOU HAVE THREE HOURS TO KILL
Best for a bit of culture
Visit the Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s an amazing outdoor waterfront museum with contemporary sculptures and amazing views of the Puget Sound, Space Needle, and Olympic Mountains. What’s more it’s free to the public.
Top shopping
Hands down, Pike Place Market. There’s no better place to grab fresh farm produce, flowers, local artist trinkets, a tasty bite to eat, and to catch a glimpse of the famous fishmonger station.
Must check out
Seattle Center – the architecture alone is eye-candy with an incredible legacy of buildings left from the 1962 World’s Fair from some of the foremost architects of the time. Be sure to see the US Science Pavilion and the Space Needle and to walk around to see all the view points.
Jump in a cab to
A neighbouring town like Ballard or Freemont. In both you’ll find quaint obscure shops, tasty restaurants and fabulous people watching. The Ballard Locks are one of Seattle’s biggest tourist attractions and you can spy the famous Troll Monument under the Aurora bridge in Freemont.
Secret Finds
Bars: In the evening check out the Bath Tub Gin, a speakeasy with prohibition style cocktails. In the daytime make a beeline for JarrBarr known as ‘The Best Little Bar in Seattle’ which has great drinks and small bites.
Bookshop: Elliot Bay Book Co. is a full service multi-level gem located in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle which has a killer café/bar called Odd Fellows.
Coffee Shop: The original Starbucks located in Pike Place Market.
Best brunch stop
Without a doubt try Portage Bay Café. Offering a range of many healthy options there is also an amazing waffle bar and six varieties of eggs benedict. Alternatively take a quick water taxi from downtown Seattle across the Puget Sound over to West Seattle where you will find Salty’s on Alki Beach, which is pricey but there’s an amazing display and variety of food on offer including an amazing selection of NW seafood. It also has the best view of Seattle.
Best lunch stop
Il Corvo has the best pasta in the city. They are only open for lunch and when they sell out, they sell out. Prepare to stand in line and sit family-style in the dining room.
Best dinner experience
This has to be the very special Pink Door located in Pike Place. With Italian fare, burlesque shows, cabaret, music and trapeze (as well as many other surprises) it also has excellent food and unique décor.
Where can you buy healthy takeaway food?
HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café located in the Queen Anne area of Seattle has superfoods galore with plant-based soups, juices, salads and so on.
YOU NEED TO IMPRESS YOUR BOSS/ CLIENTS
The go-to eatery
Aqua by El Gaucho is unbeatable for fine seafood on an amazing waterfront pier. Alternatively try one of the many upscale (not stuffy) steakhouses like Daniels Broiler in the South Lake Union area of Seattle. Offering waterfront dining with amazing steaks, seafood and a piano bar. You can watch a sea plane or two taking off or landing during your dining experience.
Best place for a meeting
Head to the Goldfinch Tavern at the Four Seasons Hotel which has great views of Seattle waterfront. Classy and quiet with amazing fresh cuisine, it also has an excellent happy hour if your meeting runs into the evening.
Best hotel
There are too many to choose from. If you are creatively inclined, try the Hotel Max, The Sorrento, isa historic boutique hotel, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is an elegant luxury destination and the Thompson Hotel, is a contemporary urban boutique hotel and landmark that attracts entrepreneurs and philanthropists from around the world.
Best for after dinner cocktails
During the summer months, or on a clear night head to M Bar a killer artsy rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set, or try The Nest at the Thompson Hotel which is another rooftop bar with stunning views and fun place to see and be seen.
YOU’RE TRAVELLING ALONE
Best hotel for solo travellers
The Hyatt Regency which is located directly in the heart of downtown won’t leave you feeling lonely. It has a convenient location for getting in and around the area with great amenities. Alternatively try the Inn at the Market which is a fun boutique hotel and the only one located in Pike Place Market. It has ocean views, a rooftop bar, and is walking distance to several of Seattle’s iconic attractions.
Best restaurant for a solo diner
Millers Guild at the Hotel Max has a cozy, rustic, no fuss, relaxed vibe with live fire cooking and excellently friendly staff.
YOU NEED A STYLE HIT
Where to go for stylish work clothes
Head downtown to Seattle Nordstrom for its extreme variety and knowledgeable, stylish staff who can advise (without being annoyingly pushy). They will look and look until it’s been found. Also great for shoes and accessories.
Where to go for special occasion clothes
Again, Nordstrom for all the same reasons, or Anthropologie for their uniquely special finds. If you’re looking for luxurious, one-of-a-kind, modernist fashion then head to Tokokaelo which is located in the Capitol Hill area with loads of other shops nearby.
YOU NEED TO STAY WELL WHEN AWAY
Best hotel with wellness facilities?
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, a classic, luxury hotel in Seattle which seems to have it all. Home to the Penelope & Beauty Bar day spa there is also an amazing health club, including a pool and personal trainers upon request.
Best spa
Penelope & The Beauty Bar (see above) is 3000+ square foot of spa which will accommodates all of your beauty and wellness needs from a mani/pedi to lash extensions, massages, sugaring, detoxifying treatments to make-up application and WAY beyond. Definitely worth a visit.
Where to get a great yoga class
Ritual House Yoga on 19th is a locally owned and operated studio in Capitol Hill. Hugely popular with incredible teachers, regulars say it is life changing.
Where to do a great HIIT class
Orange Theory is a 1-hour heart rate based fitness class. Expect to leave feeling like you can conquer the world – it’s fast paced, high intensity, coach driven, fun, has great music and encouraging members… an extremely well rounded and efficient workout.
Best health food store
PCC Community Markets offer locally grown and organic groceries and goods. With knowledgeable and friendly staff there are several locations in and around the Seattle area.
YOU ARE IN NEED OF BEAUTIFICATION
Best place for a blowdry
Bowie Salon & Spa for a high standard of service in a laid back environment. Habitude in Ballard has a more earthy and natural vibe and has world class stylists as well as a spa.
Best facial in town
Spruce Apothecary in West Seattle has an incredible shop with an array of holistic beauty, wellness and lifestyle brands. Their facials are also amazing. Also, Skin Spirit at University Village has a excellent staff that administer a variety of medical grade facial options with a serene but welcoming atmosphere.
Best for eyebrows
Look no further than BellaMetrics for microblading. Owned and operated by Ashley Cohen, her attention to precise detail and colour are incredible. For a brow wax head to Waxing the City in Ballard who take their time to really work with the clients’ needs and wants. A quiet and comfortable atmosphere.
DON’T LEAVE SEATTLE WITHOUT CHECKING OUT
Deep Dive under the Amazon Spheres for incredible cocktails.
Ice Cream at the Kurtwood Farm Shop, and buy ALL his cheeses to take home.
The Fuji Bakery, an artisanal bakery in the International District.
Market Grill for fresh seafood at Pike Place Market.
Dinner at Bar Del Corso on Beacon Hill.
A show at Neumo’s on Capitol Hill, a funky Seattle staple night club.
Delicious bites at Tacos Chukis.
In the nicer months, grab some beverages, pack a lunch and rent an electric boat to putt around on Lake Union.
Taking a stroll or a run around Green Lake. Roughly 2.8 miles. Loads of restaurants and bars surround the lake that is ALWAYS buzzing with people of all ages.
Checking out the Pacific Science Center.
Shopping for amazing vintage finds at Red Light in the University District.
Buying a stash of donuts at Top Pot in the Denny Triangle before heading for the plane.
