After moving back from Paris this summer we realized one of the things we missed most about living in Europe was the ability to take a little 4 day trip once a month. Everything is so close together in Europe so it is easier to get from country to country. And since you aren’t going to0 far it isn’t too expensive. I decided that I wanted to try to take more trips like that in the US. To make the trips inexpensive we have to watch for airfare deals and we are making efforts to visit places where we have family and friends to save on hotels. This week we are in Seattle and are having a great time exploring the city. I haven’t been here since I was 14 years old so it all feels new. Everything is so festive for the Holidays so even the grey weather is sort of charming. I would love recommendations for places to eat + shop if you have them.
Hong
December 12, 2012
A twice baked chocolate croissant from Bakery Nouveau. Enough said.
If I wasn’t working this weekend I’d offer to take you out on a sail on Puget Sound. The Orcas have been making regular visits of the shores of Lincoln Park and Alki!
Maria
December 12, 2012
Many great recommendations already. I would add that especially if you have the kids with you a trip to Queen Anne is a great fit. It is easy to get to from downtown by bus and very walkable and has everything from parks to eating to shopping to views. And since there are locations of many places recommended you could do it all in one neighborhood.
There is a great small chocolate shop that carries Theo chocolates and so much more http://www.chocolopolis.com/
There is a great game shop that also has a game library and you could hang out and play a game with the kids if time allowed http://www.bluehighwaygames.com/servlet/StoreFront
Several great shops (here are a couple)
http://www.charleyandmay.com/
http://www.queenannedispatch.com/
http://stuhlbergs.com/
Lots of great places to eat from casual to more fancy depending on what you are looking for. Below are a few but there are several more as well.
Homegrown (http://www.eathomegrown.com/
http://www.mezcaleriaoaxaca.com/ (award winning new location of La Carta de Oaxaca recommended above)
Betty’s
Portage
5 spot
Macrina’s Bakery
Also there is a Molly Moon location or a Top Pot depending if you are looking for great ice cream or great donuts (or both!)
And you can’t miss the amazing view of downtown from Kerry Park and just below there is a playground so the kids can run around a bit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Park_(Seattle)
Really if you are staying downtown you could easily take the bus up and spend the day walking and relaxing in Queen Anne shopping, playing and eating great food.
For Downtown The Pink Door is our favorite and they are totally great with kids. For breakfast Etta’s and Steelhead Diner are delicious and easy to do with kids as well. The kids area of the downtown library is great as is Soundbridge just outside the symphony.
We have family in Palo Alto and have been thinking about taking the train down…how was the ride? would love to hear how it went.
enjoy!
Maria
Pauline
December 12, 2012
Go on a ferry ride or take a walk along the farmers market in Ballard, eat cider donuts in the drizzle, then warm up with warm, delicious, cozy food at Revel. And I can’t believe no one’s mentioned it but Besalu also in Ballard probably has the best croissants and pastries outside of Paris or New York. It’s a must taste.
Ainsley
December 12, 2012
Welcome! Be sure to spend sometime exploring Ballard!
Carrie R
December 12, 2012
Welcome! I am so hungry after reading all of these. I’m never cooking again. I hope you’re enjoying your trip. I’m loving seeing the city through your eyes on Instagram. It feels new to me again.
M.E.
December 13, 2012
I totally second Thai Tom in the University District – so unique, so amazing. Might be tricky with the kids, but something worth trying.
Aimee
December 13, 2012
Sounds like you are getting some great recommendations.
If you randomly find yourself north in Bothell there is a thai restaurant that is hands down the best thai in the united states. they have a crispy garlic chicken entree that will blow your effing mind. Yelp Pen Thai Bothell. We call it crack chicken.
Also if you have a hankering for Crown Burger there is a hole in the wall in Bellevue called Broiler Bay. Fry sauce. Pastrami. Greasy. Delicious. Happiness.
Have fun in our town!
Kayti Clayton
December 13, 2012
Depending on how far you want to go and what you like to do, downtown Edmonds (about 25 minutes from Seattle) is so cute during Christmas time. Great for if you’re looking for some boutique shopping in a cozy little town. There are some BEAUTIFUL parks down in Leschi on Lake Washington – great for photos too. There are some great places to eat down in Ballard, Paseo is a bright pink shack near Golden Gardens who make wonderful sandwiches (all different kinds) and use freshly baked bread only – they close when they run out so get there at a decent time. Right down the block from Paseo is Ray’s Boathouse who has a great happy hour with some killer calamari. If you’re into fun dining experiences, I love Marrakesh which is a sit down, eat with your hands, Moroccan restaurant – belly dancers included in the evenings. If you want to see some snow while you’re here – just drive North about 45 minutes to an hour to Arlington and they have snow on the ground! There’s a great Christmas Tree farm that we just went to that has a huge fire outside, cider, sweet and snacks, etc. Obviously you can’t lug a tree back home but I just love the snow!
cindy
December 13, 2012
I agree! Le Pichet!
Jessica
December 13, 2012
My boyfriend and I went in July for the first time and we loved it! Feels like a cleaner SF, huh? We hit up the market day morning for coffee and pastries. We got the city pass which was great because we did things we ordinarily wouldn’t have done (like go to the zoo). We absolutely loved our dinner at Purple. I felt silly ordering the lobster Mac and cheese but I’m. Still. Thinking. About. It. Delicious. Unfortunately, it is not a place for you boys, but if you could get a sitter for a couple of hours, I would recommend!
Teresa @ TheThingsWeWouldBlog
December 13, 2012
I did a little “City Guide” for Seattle that is mostly food recommendations. Hope you’re enjoying our rainy town!
http://thethingswewouldblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/36-hours-in-seattle.html
Katy
December 13, 2012
Love reading the recommendations! As an official Seattlite, it is always interesting to hear what others think is great about the city. Lots of encouragement to go to Ballard which I do agree with but it always makes me chuckle. I remember when Ballard was just full of old Norwegians and drunks, when parking was free and houses were affordable there. Now the hipsters have taken over – which means great restaurants and shopping if you don’t mind the lack of authenticity and the sea of sameness . . . there is a bumper sticker that says “Free Ballard” which speaks to this. That being said, Shelter on Leary in Ballard is one of my fav places. After a drink there you’ll hardly notice all the plastic frame glasses and skinny jeans –
Joanna
December 13, 2012
what you really should do is drive up to vancouver, b.c. for a visit! but if not, i love lola and the nextdoor dahlia lounge. both on 4th street.
chanel
December 13, 2012
Are you still there? Shop all over Fremont. Eat the BEST ice cream at Molly Moons, the BEST donuts at Top Dog, the BEST sandwich at Homegrown. Go to the Madrona Glassybaby to watch them hand blow beautiful glass vessels and take home your favorite color (if you can pick…they are ALL gorgeous).
Jessssica
December 13, 2012
Go see the King Tut exhibit at the Pacific Science Center! The artifacts are going back to Egypt when they leave Seattle.
The Science Center is walking distance from the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project, and the Chihuly Gardens (if you feel like getting your tourist on)!
Shauna
December 13, 2012
Lived in Seattle my whole life only now I just moved to Los Angeles. The places is miss so much are
Pirosky Pirosky (divine- ham and cheese pirosky) http://www.piroshkybakery.com/
Toulouse Petite (french cuisine and charming atmosphere- its near the Seattle Center)http://toulousepetit.com/gallery/
And finally Portage Bay Cafe for breakfast/brunch- its local, organic and delicious (its in the University District)http://www.portagebaycafe.com/2012/cafe.html
Okay okay, 2 more. For Thai- Jai Thai in Fremont (awesome atmosphere and near darling little shops) and for Indian- Cedars in the University District.
Typing this out made me salivate!
Brynn {chartreuse & a twist}
December 13, 2012
well, it seems i am late in the game here…as a local i thought i could give you amazing recs, but it looks like they have all been listed! but i will just say my personal top 5 spots {even though most are already listed above}…
1. if you love seafood, The Walrus & the Carpenter in Ballard
2. if you love gelato, The Fainting Goat in Wallingford {toasted almond & sicilian pistachio are extra amazing!}
3. if you love chocolate, Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont {my hood!}…legitimate local, organic & fair trade chocolate factory
4. if you want to go for drinks, Knee High Stocking Company in Capitol Hill…an adorable, cozy speakeasy style bar in an unassuming building 🙂 you have to text this number to make a reservation: 206.979.7049, then ring the doorbell once you arrive…then once you are in, either choose from the tasty cocktail menu or just tell the bartender your poison & how you are feeling and he or she will whip you up something special!
5. if you are over all of the eating & drinking, a walk through any of the many parks is always a lovely option 🙂 Volunteer Park, The Arboretum, Green Lake, Discovery Park or Gasworks are all great!
Enjoy your trip!!! I hope you love it 🙂
XO
Brynn
Lindsay
December 13, 2012
Oddfellows Tavern is one of my favorite places to take friends when they come to town, it’s up in Capital Hill and has this great seattle NW feel to it, with amazing drinks and great dishes and the rustic yet urban feel. Just down the street closer to downtown is the Melrose Market, there is a cheese shop, butcher shop, wine shop and Sitka & Spruce Restaurant with a similar modern urban feel, yet rustic NW and it reminds me a little of NYC! If you asked me which restaurant was hands down my favorite, I would have to say King Fish (that’s in NE Capital Hill http://thekingfishcafe.com/) and it’s a Southern Creole restaurant that was the first place we went to when we moved back to Seattle and the only place my bestfriend wants to go to when she comes to visit 🙂
If you have time:
Take the Bainbridge Ferry over to Bainbridge Island and go over and get a bloody mary at the Harbour Public House http://www.harbourpub.com/ and then drive around and explore Paulsbo and maybe even drive out to Port Townsend (cute fishing port town that looks like you went back in time) — or — go to the Sunday Farmers Market in Ballard… it’s a Seattle neighborhood that is a little further out but worth the drive, cute boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops ect. if you like oysters the Walrus and the Carpenter is such a great place to go or if you like burgers King’s Hardware has a nice little outside deck (weather permitting – usually better in the summer) and the inside is covered with taxidermy animals!
Jen Selvig
December 13, 2012
We are actually headed to Seattle for a quick holiday ourselves this weekend. We live about an hour north. I lived many years in the city during my twenties, and it just doesn’t quite feel like the holidays until I experience the lights in the city.
We will be:
DOWNTOWN
Seeing “Elf: The Musical” at the 5th Ave Theater (still a few nose bleed seats avail.)
Having Dinner at the Georgian Room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The Fairmont is a grand old Seattle Icon. The Georgian Room is kinda highbrow French. I recommend a stop in to check out the Teddy Bear Sweet, decorated for the holidays.
Going for a run (one could walk, too) down 5th Ave in the wee hours Sunday, before the city really wakes up. All the lights around Westlake Center are beautiful. Oh, there is a holiday carousel at Westlake, too.
You cannot beat the Santa at Nordstrom’s flagship store downtown. There is a line, but the setting and the Santa are LEGIT. They also bring you cocoa while you wait.
At 6pm every night, it “snows” indoors at Pacific Place, a shopping center in the heart of downtown. There are not any really great stores or restaurants in Pac. Place, but we may check out the snow.
One could head north of Downtown to the Seattle Center, where they hold “Winterfest”. This is where the Children’s Museum, and Seattle Children’s Theater is located. (This is all in the shadow of the Space Needle). There is an ice skating rink (kinda small, though) here for the holidays. The King Tut exhibit is also here, at the Pacific Science Center.
We will be heading south (about 20 min) to visit the Museum of Flight. Amazing flight museum, we will be there for half the day.
And we will not leave Seattle proper without a Dick’s Burger. There are at least 5 locations in Seattle.
Enjoy your time in the Emerald City.
Olivia
December 13, 2012
I grew up going to the Seattle Children’s Museum and would highly recommend it! Extremely imaginative place — as a kid I always felt like I was in a magical world when we went there.
Portage Bay Cafe with locations in Ballard, South Lake Union and the University District is major yum for breakfast! Flying Apron Bakery is great and has two locations, one in Redmond (Seattle suburb) and one in Fremont (cute neighborhood in Seattle).
Also, there are some weekend farmers markets if you will still be in Seattle that go year round.
Have a great trip!
Ellen K.
December 14, 2012
Paseo. Their Cuban sandwiches are amazing. They have locations in Ballard and Fremont.
Kelly
December 14, 2012
Black Bottle in Belltown for dinner
Macrena bakery for brunch
Paseo in Fremont or Virginia Inn in Belltown for lunch
Maritime Brewery for the BEST microbrews.
Jeanette
December 14, 2012
Not sure if it’s been mentioned, but Theo Chocolate has a tour of their chocolate factory! Lots of fun and inexpensive. I also enjoy Ballard Pizza Co. Try the “Moses” pizza!!
Lindsay knuth
December 14, 2012
You have to go to Inis Patisserie in Madison Park! Best croissants in town. Madrona neighborhood is also great, very cool shops. So excited you’re in our sweet little city.
Yuan
December 15, 2012
Lots of places to go in Seattle especially during these times. Others have mentioned here the best restaurants. Woodland Zoo Park would be featuring WildLights which you really must see. Seattle Center has many events too as well as the Aquarium. The Space Needle also has some nice holiday events. You should try the Seattle Holiday Walk. Welcome to Seattle Jordan!
Zsuzsa
December 15, 2012
I live in Europe, in Hungary, and it was very funny to read:
“Everything is so close together in Europe so it is easier to get from country to country. And since you aren’t going to0 far it isn’t too expensive. ”
Why? Because I’m 30, and was only in 2 of my neigbour countries and 2 days in Venice and one holiday in Spain in my childhood. Why? Because it is absolutly expesive!
Marie
December 15, 2012
For shopping both Portage Bay Goods and Essenza in Fremont are pretty fantastic. Both have a super charming aesthetic and really unique items. The Fremont neighborhood is full of public art and oddities. Theo Chocolate is a must as well. They are the only Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate Factory in the country! They have a store with samples set up all over the place. They also have really interesting flavor combinations like a Fig, Fennel, and Almond bar, Bread and Chocolate bar and other really wonderful confections. For shopping, I would also recommend Lucca in Ballard. It’s a really adorable shop with a great collection of curiosities.
Amanda
December 16, 2012
I don’t know if you’re still there, but right by the market there is a place called Dhalia. It’s a fun little restaurant next to Pike’s. Order the doughnuts. They come shaken in a brown paper bag and you dip them in heavenly mascarpone vanilla cheese and seasonal jam. To die for. Seriously. I miss Seattle… I grew up living a few hours away and and recently moved away. Miss it so much! Enjoy!
Mandi | Living for Pretty
December 17, 2012
Welcome to Seattle!
I’d totally recommend any Tom Douglas restaurant! Also for seafood Blue Acre is great!