WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
We’re excited your spending your Labor Day weekend with us in (occasionally) sunny Seattle, WA.
Here’s a few lists of things to do when you’re not eating, drinking and dancing with us.
The Big Sights:
Here’s the stuff ya gotta see. The big tickets. Things the whole family can get behind. We’re not using the word “tourist trap” here because these aren’t traps at all: they’re totally worth a visit even if you’re a local. And they’re all pretty close together.
Pike Place Market
Yup, the place where people throw fish. Little treasures buried around every corner. A wall covered in chewing gum. There’s even a dairy-themed store painted like a cow. Get a drink at Jarrbarr when you’re done.
Waterfront
We wouldn’t recommend spending your time (or money) at the Crabpot or anything, but the Great Wheel is honestly worth the ride!
Central Library
A temple to knowledge that just so happens to be a beautiful building. Wild views of the city from every angle, and a big red room.
Space Needle
An icon! Ride the Monorail there from downtown for a full World’s Fair experience. It’s our favorite gimmick.
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Seattle Art Museum’s (free) outdoor wing. A great place to appreciate sculpture, look at the Puget Sound, or both!
Smith Tower
Near the location of our wedding ceremony in Pioneer Square. Was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Go to the top.
The Trips:
The stuff on this list will require a little more advanced planning, but is a great way to see more of what the region has to offer.
Bainbridge Island Ferry
This is just about as iconic as everything on the above list, and for good reason! This trip offers you a lot of bang for your buck and a chance to experience our country’s largest ferry system...good chance it’s delayed.
West Seattle/Alki Beach
If you can get over there, Alki Beach offers terrific views of the city and one of Seattle’s two properly-sandy beaches. The main drags are full of fun little spots and feel like a portal into a world before Amazon.
Drive East
The foothills of the Cascades are beautiful, majestic and very, very green. Head east to Issaquah or North Bend for a day trip that can include a hike, the setting of a cult tv show and a waterfall or two.
Northern Neighborhoods
Seattle is a lovely constellation of neighborhoods. Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford and the U District all reside north of Lake Union (and a lot of our wedding stuff) but are still worth a visit. Each has their own quirks and great places to shop and drink.
Swim in Lake Washington
Heads up: Puget Sound is cold. Like, really cold. For a more temperate aquatic experience we suggest hitting the shores of Lake Washington. Find a dock or beach and soak it up.
Recommendations:
Food, drink, shopping and fun points of interest: here’s a tidy list of places to check out, both high and low-brow. In no particular order.
Food:
Le Pichet
Homer
Rondo
Dick’s Drive-In
B-Sides
Ristorante Machiavelli
Loretta’s Northwesterner
Cornelli
Ba Bar
Bait Shop
Reckless Noodle
Dino’s
Honey Court
Bar Del Corso
Little Duck
Tacos Chukis
Pacific Inn
Cafe Lago
Drink:
Otherworld
Jarrbarr
ZigZag
Donna’s
Bait Shop
Analog Coffee
Owl N' Thistle
Screwdriver/Belltown Yacht Club
Montana Bar
Cha Cha
URL Coffee
Hula Hula (karaoke)
Fort St. George
Elm Coffee
Books/Records:
Peter Miller
Zion’s Gate
Elliot Bay Books
Wall of Sound
Arundel
Magus
Singles Going Steady
Twice Sold Tales
Selector Records
Kinokuniya
Easy Street
Bulldog News
Shopping/Retail:
Creature
Faris
Alexandra’s
Lander St. Vintage
Encore Vintage
Glasswing
Atelier
Kobu
Windthrow
Random POIs:
Waterfall Park
Underground Tour
Washington Park Arboretum
Columbia Center (top floor)
Kerry Park
Frye Art Museum (free)
Fremont Troll
Gas Works Park
Bruce Lee’s Grave
Oxbow Park