pnw summer magic
If this is your first time in the pacific northwest, hopefully you’ve made it here in the summer. It’s one of the most gorgeous places in the world. Seattle is surrounded by the cascade mountain range and the pacific ocean – and the views are to die for. While the rest of the year is dreary and drizzling, summer is every local’s (and tourist’s) chance to explore everything that Seattle has to offer. If you’re here in the winter or are planning a trip – there’s still stuff to do – read on.
things to do in the summer
If you’re in the city, start your day at the pike place market. There’s plenty of touristy stuff to do – including taking a look at the fishmongers flinging fish around to taking a peek at the gum wall. There’s also the first starbucks here – if that’s your thing. However, if you prefer just genuinely good coffee- hop into any local place such as Victrola coffee. If you’re hungry for lunch and you like Italian, try your luck at the pink door – it’s literally just a pink door in post alley. My recommendation is the lasagna – skip the house wine though. Once you’re done with Pike place market, head on to downtown and check out the Amazon spheres – there’s a tropical forest inside. You do need advance reservations to get in. If you have more time to kill, head on down to Lake union before finally catching the sunset from the top of Columbia tower. If you really like views, try the space needle the next day as well.
Once you’ve had your fill of the city, make your way to Mt. Rainier national park the next day. Start early in the morning – and you can get parking at paradise point with a view of the mountain and summer meadows. Next, hit some short hikes and waterfalls (narada falls for example) and if it’s still morning – definitely check out reflection lake. There are more national parks around like north cascades national park and olympic national park. And they’re both gorgeous if you have the time to explore them. There are also islands around Seattle like the san juan islands if you’re done with national parks and would rather chill and have seafood.
things to do in the winter
If you land in Seattle in winter – definitely check out skiing at stevens pass and snoqualmie pass. And head out further east to leavenworth if you’re here during the holidays – it looks like a picture perfect postcard with snow all over.