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Sometimes people think I’m a bit nutty cramming a trip into a weekend like my recent visit to Seattle, Washington. Yeah, I’d never been but I figured a little was better than not at all and that really is my motto for travel in general. I’m not a nomad. I have a home base. Sometimes I’m gone a day or two, sometimes 2 weeks plus but, even with the longer trips, I’m never in one place long. I wish I felt I had more time to really live in the places I visit but I just don’t. So…a little is better than nothing. I get a taste for the place and from that, I can decide if I’d like to return. Where Seattle is concerned the verdict is YES, I’d like to go visit for longer.
I did several things while in Washington, all fun, but these are the 3 things that made me leave Seattle wanting more.
Touring Pike Place
When I asked the question on Facebook where should I spend time in Seattle if I had one day…universally the most popular answer was Pike Place. Now, I’m into markets and love to try the food and snap photos of the flowers, etc. but what made Pike Place extra special for me was that it’s located near the water, so it had spectacular views of Puget Sound. I’m such a water person and found that even on a gray day the Sound was so calming and romantic. No, I didn’t spend all my time staring at the water. I did enjoy watching the famous fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Market toss the fish orders to customers – a definite must see. Another must is stopping by Truffle Cafe and sampling their various delicious foodie products and local Washington wines. Yes, I brought a bottle home. No, I don’t have it any more. BUT, I think my favorite find of Pike Place was Rachel’s Ginger Beer. Their flagship store and bar sells their handcrafted ginger beer products and serves YUMMY drinks. One of my all time favorite drinks is Dark & Stormy and they had their own version of this – not with Goslings Rum – so I was skeptical. It very well may have been the best Dark & Stormy I’ve ever had! Soooo their ginger beer is THAT GOOD.
Experiencing the Nightlife
Leaving the East Coast in the early evening, I arrived in Seattle around 10pm. Since I was there for such a short time, I wanted to make the most of it and insisted on going out that evening. Seattle truly seems to have a HUGE food & drink scene and I wanted to get a small dose of it. The challenge was A) finding a place that served food late into the evening B) it had to be a cool hot spot. A local foodie expert pointed me in the direction of Canon and all my problems were solved. Offering a small but delish menu, I went with the prosciutto, chèvre, arugula & roasted grape flatbread. MMMM. Better still, Canon has the largest collection of spirits in the western hemisphere with over 2600 labels. There was no way Lola was going to be disappointed with her cocktail. Canon has a fun cocktail menu with drinks named ‘Shrouded Roulette’, ‘Campfire in Georgia’, ‘The Hooker’. I went for ‘Swagger’ – a gin based drink with bitter rhubarb, grapefruit & lime. LOVED it! Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, there was quite a hipster scene, the entire street was buzzing. I loved that Canon was fun, funky and small. It felt like a secret hot spot.
Leaving the City Limits
The other thing many people suggested while visiting Seattle was actually taking a drive outside the city to get a sense of the gorgeous scenery. I was able to do just this, taking a road trip east to Leavenworth, Washington. Not too far outside the city limits, the gray skies turned blue and the sunshine came out. The rivers and mountains were stunning, just like I imagined from the movies. What made the drive even better was the sweet ride I got with Sixt. Newish to the US rental car market, Sixt has been worldwide for over 100 years. Not only did I love the amazing & luxurious BMW to get me around but better yet was the service I received from the Sixt staff upon check-in and return. I have never had a better car rental experience in my life. SERIOUS! Seattle and Washington State are truly very special.
Big thanks to Sixt for working with me to experience your superior customer service. Completely ‘Lola Approved’ I look forward to driving another one of your awesome cars soon.
Best weekend of my life. Love you and our trips together! xx
Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted…Reconnecting After Meeting on the Road.
put on your seatbelt Erin because next weekend, Miami, will top our Seattle or any other weekend so far!!!
Glad the Pacific Northwest was an area you’ll come back and visit for a longer stay. I hope you’ll also consider the Canadian Southwest the next time, too. 😉
Henry | @fotoeins recently posted…Vancouver Christmas Market: Opening Weekend
i am so SO SO wanting to go to Vancouver, Henry. dontcha worry!! i’m getting myself there very soon.
Would love to go to Seattle one day!! This trip looked like a lot of fun!!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…My hOtel: Hotel Villamagna, Madrid, Spain @hotelvillamagna
you would like it Mrs. O. there is something very romantic about it. and it’s a big foodie city. i didn’t even begin to scratch the surface with that.
Glad you enjoyed your brief visit to my beloved Seattle. I miss it terribly, but am nonetheless having a great time these past 2 years living/traveling in Southeast Asia!
The only other thing you might have done to get a quintessential feel for The Emerald City: take a ferry. A great way to get skyline pics of the city, and experience the “sea” side of “Sea”ttle.
Dyanne@TravelnLasst recently posted…New Country, New Digs: a.k.a. “I Always Wanted a Summer Home in Asia”
i will definitely do that next visit. i love taking ferry rides and i love the water so that is a GREAT tip. thanks!!
I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest, but it’s really high on my list. I think I’d take advantage of 24 hours, too. Looks beautiful!
Leah recently posted…Michelin-Starred Dining in Hong Kong
The Pacific Northwest is stunning. I had the good fortune to live there for much of 2005. Seattle is one of the great North American Cities, and Portland’s cool too. The Mountains, both Cascades and Rockies, are amazing and beautiful.
Erik recently posted…Iceland’s Bjarnarhofn
you are so lucky!! i’m dying to see Portland too. hear amazing things about it as well.
it’s a great bouncing off point to Hawaii or Asia so maybe you can do a 24 hour layover at some point.
I really love your way of travel and it’s exactly how I like to do it myself. Seattle is very high on my list and it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing Lola!
Sam recently posted…Winter 2013 – Travel Plans
well thank you Sam. i hope to go back to Seattle again soon.
I’ve been curious about Seattle for ages, love the look of all the places you’ve visited!
Graham GlobalGrasshopper recently posted…10 of the best European ski resort party spots
you would like Seattle A LOT. i’m sure you’ll get there soon.
on my bucket list
Hogga recently posted…Why Everyone Should Go Eat a Pecker
should be 🙂
Looks like beautiful countryside right by Seattle! I had been there before for a short business trip and had no idea about a short drive being all I needed to see Mother Nature’s beautiful handiwork!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted…Minneapolis: A City of Arts and Culture
yeah…you know what Raul, i wouldn’t have known it either. but i’m glad i found out 🙂
I have never been to Seattle, but these three items would be high on my list. I would love to explore the scenic areas outside Seattle.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Getting to Khao Yai National Park
that scenic stuff is totally Ted!!
Seattle is truly special! That’s why we call it home. It looks and sounds like you hit some great spots when you were here. Come back again soon!
Seattle Bloggers recently posted…Snowshoeing at Crater Lake National Park
i would LOVE to!! it certainly is a special place. i want to explore some of those islands of yours.
we loved following you & erin during this quick trip, and it’s so great to see your tips all in one place. have never been to seattle, but you make it look right up our alley 😉
the lazy travelers recently posted…no travel required: #frifotos
Seattle is a great city. There is so much to see and so much to do if you spend the time to check it out.
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Lola,
As a Seattle girl, I am totally impressed! I cannot believe you went to Leavenworth. I think every boy who ever wanted to be romantic took me there! I need to check out Sixt next time I’m in Seattle alone. We are renting something just this side of a bus as we are all six going with piles of luggage.
Great post darling.
Kim-Marie recently posted…Top Tips for Enjoying Charleston with Kids