Seattle: Making the Most of a Long (and Perfect) Week-End in the Emerald City

Seattle, the land of perpetual drizzle and coffee-induced dreams! Nestled in the far reaches of Washington State, just shy of cozying up to its friendly neighbors up north in Canada, it is a place where umbrellas are as essential as oxygen!

Dubbed "the Emerald City" for its lush greenery (courtesy of enough rain to drown an ark!), Seattle is a postcard-perfect mix of majestic mountains, shimmering lakes, and forests so thick you'll need a machete and a compass to navigate.

🤷‍♂️ Why Did I Drag Myself To This Place? Honestly, sometimes I am tired of California's desert-like droughts and want to swap my 100 SPF sunblock for a heavy raincoat, gloves and a beanie; so I decided to grab my stuff and packed my bags for a wild weekend escape to Seattle, and I just know my pores are gonna throw me a party for this! I also have a friend in Seattle who’s always ready to drag me to the city’s coolest spots (thank you, Steve!)

Seattle offers a unique combination of natural landscapes, a fairly dynamic culture, and a rather interesting urban style. It's like nature, culture, and city life got together for a wild party.

Seattle sits pretty on the east coast of the Pacific, about one hundred miles shy of where the US and Canada play peekaboo with each other. It's like being in the cool kids' club, surrounded by Puget Bay's watery hugs and Puget Sound's 'come-at-me-bro' stance, stretching its arms towards the ocean. And let's not forget the neighbors: there's Mount Rainier, standing like a grumpy giant to the east, and the San Juan Islands chillin' to the northwest. Oh, and lakes? Yeah, Seattle got those too, like Lake Washington and Lake Union, just hanging out, keeping it cool.

With such primo geography, Seattle's got it all: nature's beauty, mountain vibes, and enough water to make Poseidon jealous. Flying in, you'll catch glimpses of Mount Rainier and the downtown skyline, and oh boy, is it green! Like, 'Kermit the Frog's closet' green.

So, get ready to dive into the Emerald City ...

The first thing to check out in town, bright and early on your first morning, is obviously the Space Needle, Seattle's iconic tower that screams '60s chic louder than Austin Powers.

Standing tall at 184 meters, this baby boasts a flying saucer look and a viewing platform on top where you can spy on the city, its skyscrapers, the surrounding mountains, and even the Puget Sound.

So, get ready to go "outta this world" and snap some Insta-worthy shots from the tippy-top!

You come back down to solid ground, but hey, the Space Needle party ain't over yet! Don't even think about leaving without swinging by the Chihuly Museum (attached to the tower, no less!). This place houses a mind-blowing collection of glass art by Dale Chihuly – think spectacular installations, bold sculptures, and glass pieces that are as unique as a unicorn in a suit. It's like Picasso met a glassblower and they decided to throw a rave!

Oh, and fun fact: Chihuly's the mastermind behind the ceiling at the Bellagio's entrance in Las Vegas. Plus, besides the indoor galleries, the Chihuly Museum comes with some seriously swanky outdoor gardens where you can stroll through carefully curated spaces and pretend you're in your own glass kingdom.

For the afternoon, we're off to Pioneer Square, one of Seattle's original neighborhoods that's been around longer than avocado toast trends. Tucked downtown, it's got that charming, quaint vibe – you know, with its cobblestone streets, brick buildings straight outta ye olde times, and an artsy ambiance.

Pioneer Square isn't just any old neighborhood; it's like the birthplace of Seattle, where the city popped out of the ground back in 1852. They even named it after those brave souls who said, "Hey, let's settle here!" Cue the applause for the pioneers.

Now, get ready to dive into the ultimate tourist trap: the covered market. And if you can brave the endless line of caffeine fiends, make sure to swing by the first Starbucks café (pictured below), where the coffee revolution started in America. Just be prepared for a long line!

It's also a hoot to stroll along the water by the big wheel, especially if the weather's playing nice. Sure, it's tourist central, but hey, even locals gotta admit it's a nice spot for a leisurely walk and a spot of lunch or dinner. Plus, you can arrive in Seattle by ferry, and this is the spot where that big boat drops you off – talk about making an entrance, am I right?

On day two, we're ditching the city and heading for the hills, because let's face it, trees are better listeners than traffic jams. Seattle's like that cool kid at the party surrounded by forests and mountains, and all it takes is a quick car ride (just enough time for a sing-along to some Nirvana, Macklemore, or Pearl Jam hits!) to find some good spots for a hike.

With more nature than you can shake a stick at, the possibilities are endless – you might stumble upon hidden waterfalls or stumble over roots, who knows? And sure, you could venture out to Mount Rainier, but even though I've hit up Seattle more times than I can count, that's still on my "to-do" list. Hey, it's all about keeping some adventure in your back pocket, right?

If you've got a bit more time on your hands, Seattle's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the stunning Olympic Peninsula and its mossy wonderland! Cruising through this peninsula is like stumbling into a fairy tale – think epic vistas, big trees, lush greenery and moss hanging around like it's waiting for an invite to a fancy party.

But that's not all; you'll also stumble upon the Pacific Northwest's version of paradise: beaches with amazing rocky formations. Check out my article on Olympic National Park for the full scoop; trust me, it's moss-tastic!

Hey, don't forget, Seattle's not just a haven for coffee addicts and tree-huggers – it's also a major tech hub, home to big shots like Amazon and Microsoft. Yup, this city's a breeding ground for innovation, drawing in tech pros like moths to a flame. And while you're strolling around town, you might (or might not) notice that Microsoft and Amazon aren't just building offices – they're crafting whole modern neighborhoods. You might even spot the "Microsoft" bus line, ferrying Bill Gates' minions (I know one of them!) to their HQ outside the city.

But wait, there's more! Seattle's also home to Expedia, Nordstrom, and Alaska Airlines.

And for that perfect skyline shot with the Space Needle, I've got just the spot: Kerry Park in Queen Anne. If the weather plays nice, you might even snag a pic with Mount Rainier photobombing on the right. The first photo in this article? Taken during the day from Kerry Park. The one below? Nighttime magic, baby.

The Quick Recap (Too Long To Read Edition)

🌟 What Was The Highlight Of My Trip? Well, like pretty much everyone else and without trying to be too original, I gotta say, I was totally smitten with the Space Needle – it's like the Eiffel Tower of Seattle! You gotta climb all the way up to soak in the beauty of Seattle from up high. And hey, at the foot of the tower, you can't miss the souvenir shop – it's a sight to behold all on its own!
📅 How Many Days? A weekend's plenty for downtown Seattle, but hey, you could always throw in a side trip to the Olympic Peninsula; add in Portland and a slice of Oregon (seriously stunning state), and you've got yourself the ultimate road trip up the northwest coast.
🎒 What To Pack? Well, make sure you've got a couple of sun dances up your sleeve before you arrive because in Seattle, it ain't no joke; it rains like cats and dogs! Don't expect blue skies all the time and be sure to pack your raincoat or umbrella.
⚡ Energy Level For This Adventure? In Seattle, my energy level was shockingly manageable - think ‘pleasantly tired’ rather than my usual ‘barely functioning.’ I didn’t push the limits with any death-defying hikes or marathon sightseeing sessions; instead, I took the leisurely route with relaxed strolls through Pike Place Market, plenty of scenic people-watching, and indulging in Seattle’s coffee scene (because what better excuse to sit down than another cup of coffee?). I even managed to squeeze in some nap-worthy downtime at Kerry Park without completely dozing off. All in all, I left Seattle feeling more ‘refreshed traveler’ than ‘walking zombie’ - a small miracle in my book!"