Places to go in Seattle

There are too many to list but we’re highlighting some of our favorites.

Pike Place Visit: Go watch the fish be thrown, visit the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company for fresh made donut holes while you wait (I am not sure we have ever skipped this when going to the market) as you wait for the next fish to be thrown, Beecher’s Cheese for the BEST mac and cheese, visit the first Starbucks, and so many vendors to try international cuisine and of course seafood.  Also stroll through the stalls of art vendors, local florals, and lots of other goodies.

Ballard Locks: Watch the boats travel to and from salt water (Puget Sound) to fresh water (Lake Washington ship canal).  You can also see salmon running through the fish ladder in an underground viewing area; in September it’s near peak for both Coho (Silver) and Chinook (King) salmon.  Also a beautiful botanical garden just outside the locks on the north side.

Golden Gardens or Carkeek Park.  Both overlooking Puget Sound.  Golden Gardens is one of the largest beaches with nice sand and beach volleyball.  There are also firepits set up for bonfire on the beach.  It can get busy on nice days.  Carkeek is smaller, Alison’s favorite place to sit and watch the boats, soak up some sun, read a book and just relax. At low tide, you can also see some small tide pools.  Carkeek is connected to lots of wooded trails too which are great to explore.  More remote than Golden Gardens.  Both have amazing views of the Olympic mountains beyond Puget Sound.

Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum  The Space Needle provides an amazing panoramic view of Seattle on a clear day.  Tickets can be combined with other Seattle attractions, including the Chihuly Museum which has incredible exhibits of spectacular blown glass from a local Seattle artist.

University Village (“U-village”),- An outdoor shopping center with some of our girls favorite stores.  We think they go there at least once a week. 

Seattle Aquarium - Go for the Sea Otters and watch them as long as you can handle the cuteness.  Also an incredible touch pool of Northwest tide pool fines. 

Green Lake - A paved 2.6 mile path around a lake for walking, running and biking.  Ian and Alison have walked hundreds of miles around this lake and never tire of it.  You can also rent paddleboards and paddleboats. Also, the site of Alison and Ian’s first date.