PIKE PLACE MARKET
Perched right by the water, Pike Place Market is a lively indoor and outdoor market that beckons with plenty of vendors and shops. The setting is stunning, and it’s an easy place to spend a few hours in. The indoor/outdoor market is a tourist destination that lives up to the hype. I delighted in wandering around through the crowds and seeing plenty of vendors along with colorful tulips in buckets. Be sure to watch workers throw fish through the air at Pike Place Fish Market. Plenty of people stand around to film video for their social media feeds.
Pike Place Market. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
I also stopped by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese for a bowl of decadent mac n’ cheese. Beecher’s cheese is rich, smooth, savory and nutty. At the Pike Place location, you also can watch as the cheese is being made in this large metal vat. See the staff stir the curds at this iconic spot. One morning, I also sank my teeth into a flaky chocolate croissant from Three Girls Bakery, which has been in business since 1912. Browse through the many pastries in the glass cases. Seeing as I themed this trip around “Sleepless in Seattle,” I had to stop at the Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar. Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner sit at the bar in one memorable scene. There’s blue plaques on the sides of the table where each actor sat and photos on the wall of Tom Hanks. The staff even wears shirts that mention the film. The best views are by the windows that look out toward the Puget Sound. I sat at the bar and took in those views while I devoured a Famous Fishwich – fried cod sandwiched in between artisan bread. The cod was crisp and fresh, and I enjoyed dipping the fish into tangy and rich tartar sauce. I loved the views and seeing the restaurant in person.
Space Needle. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
THE SPACE NEEDLE
Seattle’s most iconic attraction, the Space Needle, is worth visiting. Just be prepared to wait since the line is always fairly long. After a long elevator ride (your ears will pop), you’re inside an observation deck. Step outside, and take in views of the city all around. If you’ve never been to Seattle before, the Space Needle is a must-visit spot. The weekend I visited, I got to watch the Blue Angels fly overhead.
Argosy Cruises. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
ARGOSY CRUISES
This was my second time ever in Seattle, and I regreted not spending time on the water during my first go around. To remedy this, I took a short cruise of the Puget Sound on Argosy Cruises. The breeze on Elliott Bay, coupled with views of the skyline, was a great way to spend my first evening in Seattle. The views were fantastic, and the announcer gave the boat riders a great overview of the city and its history. I even spotted the historic Edgewater Hotel, where the Beatles famously stayed in 1964. There’s even a Beatles suite dedicated to the legendary band at the property. I also got to enjoy some Washington wine while I watched the city from the water as the sun set.
Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum.
CHIHULY GARDEN & GLASS MUSEUM
Dale Chihuly is a famed glass artist and Washington native, and Seattle has a museum dedicated entirely to him and his whimsical glass creations. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum exclusively features Chihuly’s glass work, which seemingly defies reality. His colorful glass is whimsical, curved and always very striking. Walking through here is like being in a wonderland. See floral creations under glass if you look up at the ceiling. See massive displays showcasing glass creations that seemingly ribbon out. Walk through the green garden that’s decorated with glass figures. Step inside the greenhouse to see glass flowers on the ceiling and take in my favorite view of the Space Needle.
Pioneer Square. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
PIONEER SQUARE
In the film, there’s a scene where Meg Ryan dances with her fiancée on New Year’s Eve that was filmed at the Arctic Club Hotel. Located just outside of Pioneer Square, the historic hotel is notable for the walruses on the exterior, which are made out of white terra cotta panels. The staff was nice enough to show me hotel’s dome room. It was stunning. The ornate glass ceiling is truly breathtaking and is also outfitted with a chandelier. I’m a sucker for old hotels since they just don’t build ‘em like that anymore. I also stumbled upon the Waterfall Garden Park. As the name suggests, this park includes a scenic 22-foot waterfall, trees and benches where you can take it all in. The park is tucked away and really does feel like a true oasis. Listen to the soothing sounds of the rushing water if you need a break from being a tourist. I needed a caffeine break, and I stopped by the 4th Avenue Espresso Bar. Located on the ground floor of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, this well-lit coffee shop features plush booths, dark green walls and a glass case filled with pastries. I enjoyed a latte by a high top table that faced the street here.
Capitol Hill. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
CAPITOL HILL
Vibrant Capitol Hill is known for its eclectic array of restaurants and shops. I enjoyed some coffee at Elliot Bay Book Company’s Little Oddfellows. The two-story bookstore features wood floors and wood beams. I dug the hip vibe of this shop that’s been in business since the early 1970s. I also stopped by Molly Moon’s for a scoop of refreshing mint ice cream. Before I left this neighborhood, I briefly checked out Neko, a cat café. Seeing the cats throughout the café was adorable.
Gas Works Park. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
GAS WORKS PARK
As the name implies, Gas Works Park is on the site of the Seattle Gas Light Company’s gasification plant. The plant is surrounded by a fence and includes rusted buildings that contrast with the stunning views from the park. I was struck by how gorgeous the park was. I took in views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline, including the iconic Space Needle. The park is a luscious green and also features plenty of geese. If you look very closely, you can see the famed houseboat where Hanks resides from “Sleepless.”
Discovery Park.
DISCOVERY PARK
Seattle is known for its abundance of public parks, and Discovery Park is the largest one at 560 acres. I checked out this park the morning that I left Seattle. I parked and then wandered along a trail that led to a view of the Puget Sound. It was a nice break from the city. I walked along tall trees and saw the shoreline peeking through them. It was a peaceful, quiet place that offered up a moment of reprieve. The park is also home to a total of 18 lighthouses.
George Washington Memorial Bridge.
FREMONT
After I saw the boat house where Tom Hanks resides from a wooden pier across from it – the home’s exterior hasn’t changed much in the past 30 years – I crossed the George Washington Memorial Bridge into Fremont. I stopped for coffee and a slice of chocolate chip bread at Café Ladro. I stopped at this café many times when I was in Seattle, and I always loved the coffee. Next up, I just had to see the famed Fremont Troll. It’s an actual massive sculpture of a troll that’s pretty neat to see underneath a bridge.
Alki Beach.
WHERE TO STAY
On my last night in town, I stayed at The Maxwell Hotel. Located just a few blocks from the Seattle Center – the home of top attractions like the Space Needle, which I could see from my room’s window. I loved how modern this hotel was and the convenient location. The rooms featured plush beds with two separate, thick, heavily weighted duvets. A plush, adorable Husky stuffed animal sat on the bed. The white beds were complemented by red accents and a black and white wallpaper behind the bed. In the evening, I enjoyed a complimentary glass of white Washington wine at the bar. In the morning, I devoured a bagel topped with cream cheese and salmon before I left town. Whenever you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you should consume as much fish as you can handle. It’s all delicious.
Alki Beach. Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle, by Staypineapple.
Before heading to the airport, I drove out to West Seattle to see Alki Beach. There’s one scene in the film where Tom Hanks and his son Jonah play on the beach, and it was filmed here. West Seattle isn’t quite as touristy as the rest of the city, and it was nice to see the scenic beach in person. As someone who lives in a landlocked city, I did relish every opportunity to be by the water. Above all, checking out places from the film “Sleepless in Seattle” was such a neat way to explore the city. It’s one of my favorite movies and is so special to me.
