Seattle! Who knew!? I’ve flown through this city countless times on my way home to Alaska and somehow always believed I’d been to Seattle, apparently not!  Granted, I was lucky enough to get blazing-hot-summer Seattle – but wowza, this place is magical. It has the same summer energy I found living in Portland  (ok, so maybe I technically lived in Vancouver, WA . Don’t hate, it counts, and no state income tax!) – I’m talking about that, “we live every sunny day like it’s our last” kind of energy that only people who weather 30 days of straight rain can exude. Californians take sunshine for granted. These NW folk know how to DO summer! Lucky me got to dip my toes in it for 4 days on my way home to Alaska. Best. Layover. Ever.

Thanks to my fabulous tour guides Shannon and Dominic, I can now recommend how to spend a few days in Seattle. Here are the not to be missed spots:

Madrona  (where I stayed)

• Hi Spot for coffee or breakfast/lunch (great turkey burger but scones a little meh..
• Bottlehouse for garden patio delightfulness, delicious rosé and I’m told you can buy a “Guzzler” and bring their beer home with you!
• And of course you can’t leave Seattle without a glassybaby!

Botltlehouse: darling neighborhood wine bar in Madrona

Madrona Neighborhood Map

100% merlot rosé at Bottlehouse

Capitol Hill

• Rooftop snacks and more rosé at Terra Plata. Herb and veggie garden lining the deck is just another reason I love the Seattle aesthetic. The hand cut fries and fresh garbonzo beans in cumin salt are to DIE for.
• Dinner at Poppy. Stuffed myself to the gills and had the most lovely and accommodating waitress to my “nothing from the cow” dietary requirements.
• Stroll through Melrose Market and pick up a bottle of wine. Found my (& Alice Waters’) favorite Bandol rosé!
• Brunch at Oddfello’s Cafe. Fresh squeezed mimosas with dungeness crab benedict. Yes please!
• Browse the enchanting Elliott Bay Book Company to find your next great read. Etiquette question: Is it bad form to take photos of the books you want with your iPhone and purchase them online later?

Terra Plata rooftop

Elliott Book Company – wish I could embed the sme

Pike’s Place Market

• Seeing a guy throw a fish and taking a photo at the gum wall had to be done. Highly recommend sitting on the water eating a piroshki (potato and mushroom followed by the cinnamon apply bun, mmmm)  and taking in some serious people watching.
• Didn’t try it but told by a reliable source that Turkish Delight is also fabulous and no stop at the market is complete without a drink at the Alibi Room

Fremont/Ballard

• Farmers market on Sunday. We bought a fresh bouquet of sweat peas, quenched our thrist with a fresh squeezed lemonade and ogled at the deep fried PB&Js
• Fremont offers outdoor cinema and if you’re lucky enough to be there Aug 3rd you can attend the R. Kelly Trapped in a Closet Singalong.

Deep fried PB&J

Geo duck – so disturbing!

Misc other adventures

• Seeing Seattle from the water gives a whole new perspective. We spent the day cruising in the sunshine amongst float planes and kayakers, checking out the many styles of lake side mansion and picking out our favorites. I must say Bill Gates place (at least that’s what they told me) is very tastefully done and one of my favs. Saw another with a full skeleton of a T-Rex in the foyer…dying to know if its real. #whatpeoplewillspendmoneyon
• Pizza at The Independent in Madison Park. Lake views, great pizza, outdoor seating, hip vibe.

Sleepless In Seattle Houseboat

Me, Dominic and Shannon getting ready for our boat day!

Mt Rainier

My “office” at S&D’s house

Me, Shannon and the skyline