Seattle is a lot of things: the hipster hub, a cohesive clash of nature and civilization, but it’s also a destination that should be at the top of your travel list! Here’s why— it has features of a large metropolitan city of modern design as well as beautiful mountains, trails, and natural marvels. In fewer words, it’s a collective experience that unveils the duality of modern life. I recently returned from Seattle, and I was blown away by the city as well as the mountains just visible through the veil of clouds. If the mountains are calling yet you can’t bring yourself to part with the hustle of the city, Seattle is your perfect compromise. The city is truly an experience like no other.
Let’s break down just a few of the unique places in and around Seattle.
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Pike Place Market
If you’ve heard of Seattle, you’ve likely heard of this market, as they usually go hand in hand. Pike Place Market is chock full of goods you won’t find just anywhere, and although it can be crowded, it’s also home to some other features of Seattle easy to recall. One of which is the infamous gum wall. You read that right– this market is home to an alleyway with each wall coated in a bacteria-ridden array of rainbow gum. It makes a great picture spot as long as you stay a fair distance, as the gum is from all walks of life and the Seattle sun warms it and keeps it sticky. You may be prepared for how the gum wall looks, but you may not think of how it smells, and to that, I would answer this: pretty gnarly.
Close your eyes and imagine the smell of bubble gum. Now add a few hints of sweat and that of summer heat. Let it ferment for a bit and you have the smell of the gum wall. Yeah, I didn’t think it was all that appetizing either.
Another key feature of the market is the first Starbucks. Starbucks has erupted into a chain of successful coffee shops, and as I currently write this from a Starbucks on my break, I can see the appeal of a space like Starbucks. As you can probably infer, the people of Seattle likely loved Starbucks and it expanded to cross the nation and abroad. Today, you will find several Starbucks throughout the city, some of which share the same block. The flagship store in Seattle shares many characteristics with the modern stores of today, but it still dons the original logo.
Now I’m going to backtrack a bit to express more about the market itself. So, when you enter beneath the giant red market sign, if you look to your right you will see a fish merchant, and if you wait just a few moments, you’ll be able to see a quick performance of the merchants tossing a large fish to each other. It’s a small quirk of the market, but still worth checking out (just don’t get hit with the fish!). If you’re a fan of neon signs as I am, you’ll find your fill of signs as you walk through the market. Some wares available that I can recall were lavender bunches, leather notebooks, various fish, bread, cheese, and MUCH more.
Don’t forget to hit the shirt merchant at the end of the market just past the first Starbucks, I got the cutest coffee shirt there!
Luna Park Cafe
This was my first stop in the city, and it did not disappoint. Luna Park Cafe fed my hunger as well as my fascination with vintage and retro designs and artifacts. Looking for a blast to the past or just a source of nostalgia? Look no further than this rockin’ cafe. Luna Park Cafe has an assortment of all-day breakfasts as well as burgers, salads, and sandwiches. They also have an assortment of milkshakes that looked REALLY good. Seriously, if you’re in the area you need to stop by and enjoy their great food and atmosphere.
The Space Needle
The Space Needle is another feature of Seattle that connotates the city, as the needle is a crucial aspect in identifying Seattle. You can almost see it from all angles of the city, and it is notorious for its needle-like appearance that seems to border the sky. The hub where the needle is located is filled with street merchants and entertainers alike, and there are also museums just steps away. One of these museums is the Museum of Pop Culture, and another is the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit. Both can be bought in a bundle at the kiosks below the needle, and each is mesmerizing and exciting in its own way.
Just as I didn’t expect to ever reach the top of the Eiffel Tower, I also didn’t expect to reach the top of the Space Needle. I always thought that the beauty of these icons was one to be observed from the ground, but now I know, the tops of both monuments are accessible via elevators. The top of the Space Needle is extraordinary, and a few of the surrounding buildings have been painted with 3D images for the viewing of needle-goers. I spotted a large spider and butterfly from the top, but if you find anything more, please let me know in the comments.
There is even a cafe stationed at the top that serves a variety of coffees and food (also similar to the Eiffel Tower). If you do make it to the top of the needle’s cafe, try the garlic and parmesan fries. Trust me on this one.
Below the tip-top of the needle is a staircase that will lead to a bottom floor within the UFO-shaped dome. This area is especially neat, as there is a glass floor that rotates beneath your feet. From here, you can see the world from above while revolving around the center of the needle. It’s a view you’re not going to want to miss.
Wallace Falls State Park
This is one of the highlights of my trip, and just outside of Seattle, it’s a trail worth visiting. The trail itself is 4 miles in total– 2 miles to the top and 2 back down, but even for a rookie like me, it wasn’t too strenuous. You will come across three sections of the waterfall on the hike, and as you climb higher the waterfalls become more pronounced.
Andrew and I used the falls as an opportunity to shoot more long-exposure shots, and after a few missteps, we captured what we were looking for. The most enjoyable section of the falls to shoot was the second stop. At the second stop, the water in this waterfall was far more detailed than the first and allowed for more of an airbrushed look. The top of the trail was the perfect viewing point for the peak of Wallace Falls, the largest point in the falls and a major photo op.
Whether you’re visiting Seattle for a few days or a long period of time, make sure Wallace Falls State Park is on your list!
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Deception Pass State Park
On the subject of nature and its beauty, I present Deception Pass State Park. Before heading to the airport, my group and I stopped at Deception Pass for just a few moments. Because we were crunched on time we were only able to stay for a short time. In those few minutes, I witnessed a view I won’t ever forget. There is a bridge for vehicles with pedestrian sidewalks on each side, and the view from that bridge is mesmerizing. Water seems to reach and wrap around the horizon, and the isles of hills and trees complement the pale blue of the sea.
You can hike Deception Pass, and if I hadn’t been in such a rush, I would have loved to experience the hike. From the bridge, I could see those hiking and inching closer to shore to reach a view of the sea at ground-level. I bet that view was beautiful.
If you happen to be in the area, bring a camera and a sense of adventure and get out there and explore all this pass has to offer!
THE COFFEE
I think this goes without saying, but Seattle is the birthplace of the coffee scene we know and love today! If you’re as caffeine-obsessed as I am, Seattle is the place to be.