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My Long Overdue Seattle Recommendations

06/18/20 | Seattle, Travel, United States, West Coast

Travel Blogger at the Original Starbucks in Seattle - Pike Place Starbucks

In the last few weeks I am sure you have noticed tons of companies changing their tunes – from posting black squares to promising to be more diverse but I cam across an article a few days ago of one brand putting this to action.   Amazon, one of the most famous companies in Seattle, has opened a homeless shelter across eight floors of their headquarters which allows for social distancing, according to Business Insider.   And that got me thinking about Seattle. 

Similar to Stuttgart, Germany when I was living in New York over the course of two years I visited Seattle more than 15 times and though each were for work I had at least a few hours on each trip to explore the city.  So please take these recommendations with a grain of salt as I am not a local or a true tourist but here are my favorite things to do in Seattle: 

(1) Space Needle – I have been up the tower twice and both times as I sped up the tower the Grey’s Anatomy theme song was playing in my head.  It is not cheap,  around $35 per person, but behind 605 feet in the air and seeing all of Seattle really is quite gorgeous and on my second visit I timed it with the sunset which made for some pretty photos, even if it was overcast. And this is likely number one in all of the other Seattle recommendations you have read too: 

Rose and the Space Needle

(2) Elliot Bay and The Seattle Great Wheel – Elliott Bay is the heart of the Central Basin of Puget Sound and has been the heart of the city since the 1850’s when it was a port city.   It is also now home to The Seattle Great Wheel.  a giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 in the heart  Elliott Bay which takes you 175 feet into the sky. 

(3) Chuily Glass Gardens  – Located at the base of the space needle this showcases the studio glass of Dale Chihuly.  This is also a bit pricey ($21 for adults and $14 for kids) but for a two hour visit and in my opinion, I would highly suggest it. (You can also ready my full post about it here).

Space Needle with Chihuly Glass Sculpture

(4) Visit Starbucks Reserve Roastery – Not to be confused with the firs store this is not just a store but an actual store that roasts coffee, seres, wine, and is just nine blocks from our original Starbucks Pike Place location. 

(5) Pike Place Market – As my boyfriend loves to remind me, many things in England are older than America but this market is 108 years old and I think it is worth bragging about.  Besides being a popular tourist spot is a market frequented by locals with more than dozen fishmongers, produce stalls, flower vendors and specialty food shops. 

Seattle Recommendations - Public Market Center

(6) Purple Wine Bar  -I was introduced to the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar by my then-boss on one of my first business trips to Seattle and it became a true go-to (you can find it on 1225 4th Ave).  I would suggest one of their tasting flights and their food is quite good too – check out their killer reviews. 

(7) Gum Wall  – While you visit Pike Place Market take a five minute detour down the Post Alley and take a look at what might be one of the least sanitary places I will ever recommend because it is exactly as described, a brick wall covered in used chewing gum located.  It makes for quite an insta shot though: 

Seattle Recommendations - The Gum Wall

(8) Puget Sound – This body of water is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean and one of the prettiest places in the Pacific Northwest.  Much of the city is built on the side of this sound and it is quite beautiful.  Please there are ferry boats.  And I have a thing for ferry boats.  (If you know Grey’s Anatomy, you will know that reference)   
 
View of the Seattle Bay
 

(9) Get Coffee at the Original Starbucks  –  The Pike Place Starbucks store is now almost 50 years old and is often referred to as the “Original Starbucks” as it was the first store.  THe green mermaid is one of the most famous logos in the world but did you know it used to be brown?  You can still buy merch with the brown mermaid, take a look at the logo below: 

Original Starbucks in Seattle - Pike Place Starbucks

And then a few more assorted Seattle photos, just beacause!

Public Market in SeattleSeattle Recommendations - View from the Space NeedleOffice Views of the Space NeedlePike Place Starbucks Holiday Coffee at the Public Market in SeattleSeattle Recommendations - Travel Blogger on the top of the Space Needle

And then a few places that were recommend that I have not had the chance to visit yet; the Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Art Museum, and Kerry Park  – something for next time!

 

What do you think of my Seattle Recommendations? 

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Comments

  1. Amy Aed says

    June 18, 2020 at 4:41 pm

    Oh man I miss Seattle so much! This post is making me so nostalgic about my time that I spent in the city. I can’t wait to go back, and when I do I will definitely bear this guide in mind!

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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