Seattle Stuff — kate

Ballard Locks

Ballard Locks

Fun fact about me: I don't believe in whales. I've never seen one in person, and I'm convinced they're a hoax most of the world is trying to get unassuming children to believe, a là Santa or the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny (sorry if I just ruined something for you) (that wasn't my intention) (it's a tough world out there). I also didn't believe in seals for a while, but then I moved to Seattle and apparently seals are a thing that live in the wild and, in particular, live at the Ballard Locks and chatter to the tourists and eat all the salmon. I love those seals a lot, and I love that I live somewhere that has a Great Salmon Migration (which, coincidentally, also doesn't really sound like it should be a thing, but IS), and I love that I can watch both of these things in action at the locks.

seattle, see, placesKate WildmanJanuary 29, 2018see, places, seattle

Coffee

Coffee

So, yes, I realize that when you think "drink" you're probably thinking alcohol, but no conversation about Seattle is going to be complete without a rundown of its caffeine scene, aka my epic love, my lifesblood, the substance I want included in my eulogy because everything I am, I owe to coffee. But I digress. Seattle's coffee scene is as intense as it's many dark roasts, but if you're going to start somewhere, skip the Starbucks scene and instead check out Cafe Presse, Analog, Victrola, Elm Coffee Roasters, and Caffe Vita (hint, a lot of them are in Capitol Hill). And when you go, ask every barista where else you should check out, because you could spend an eternity wandering Seattle and sampling its caffeinated wonders. I'm stopping now, I'm getting verklempt.

places, seattle, drinkKate WildmanJanuary 29, 2018places, seattle, drink

Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets

I’m love a good farmers market, and I love that I live somewhere that has year-round farmers markets. Do you know how impossible this concept is in other places in the US? If you tried to have a farmers market in January in Chicago, for example, all your produce would be flash frozen within five minutes, along with all your potential buyers, and you’d probably have some kind of lawsuit on your head for coercing people to leave their homes against their better judgment and subject themselves to the elements. Anyway. Seattle has a lot of great farmers markets, and you should check out the Ballard, Fremont, and Queen Anne markets above all else. That is all I have to say about that.

places, seattle, seeKate WildmanJanuary 28, 2018see, places, seattle

Queen Anne Beerhall

Queen Anne Beerhall

I found myself working in Germany for a month one September, and found myself in Munich during Oktoberfest. I can't believe I'm even saying these words, but I actually considered not going to Oktoberfest to check it out, because all the frat boy stories I'd heard about it flies completely in the face of anything resembling fun to me. I could probably write a book about how much I loved Oktoberfest, but I'll just tell you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT, and when I got back to Seattle I got incredibly excited when I found out that there was a Munich-style bierhall just blocks from my apartment. I love Queen Anne Beerhall so much. German brews and pretzels (including pretzel bread pudding, I'm sorry, I'm yours forever) and mustard aside, there's also human-size jenga, which is very important to me.

drink, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 28, 2018places, seattle, drink

Discovery Park

Discovery Park

Sometimes a girl doesn't want to drive into the mountains to go hiking. Sometimes she wants to drive five minutes and walk in the beach and on the woods and see a lighthouse and stuff. Sometimes she just wants to go to Discovery Park.

places, seattle, seeKate WildmanJanuary 27, 2018seattle, places, see

Seattle Public Library

Seattle Public Library

I was sad to leave Chicago for a bajillion reasons, but one of them was the fact that I had a very special bond with the Harold Washington Library and I didn't think I could ever bear to leave it, as it was beautiful and perfect and had gargoyles. And then I moved to Seattle and was greeted by an even MORE beautiful library and I knew I would be ok. Seriously, even if you hate to read, it's worth popping in because the building is so impressive.

see, seattle, placesKate WildmanJanuary 26, 2018see, places, seattle

Navy Strength

Navy Strength

Here's the thing: every city needs a good tiki bar. Don't ask me to explain this, but when the moment strikes and you just really need a fruity drink set on fire and served with an umbrella, you'll thank me for introducing you to Navy Strength. Also, its companion bar No Anchor (decidedly less tropical) is next door, and the duo makes for a good night out.

drink, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 26, 2018seattle, places, drink

Kerry Park

Kerry Park

If you're wondering where you can take a perfect picture of the Seattle skyline and Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound and the Olympics all in one frame, I have an answer for you! It's at Kerry Park. Word of warning, though--you're taking your own life into your hands here because of all the PDA. I don't know what it is about scenic views that leave people all *googly* but the thing I do know is that people who come here can't help themselves from making out with whomever is around. Or proposing. I have witnessed TWO proposals here, which is two more than I've ever witnessed anywhere else.

seattle, see, placesKate WildmanJanuary 25, 2018see, seattle, places

Cursed Oak

Cursed Oak

The first time I went to Cursed Oak was on a highly weird date, weird enough that it almost completely ruined the place for me altogether, but one crucial element of this bar stood out to me enough that it's made me come back for more again and again and again. No, it wasn't the incredibly delicious fries, the prolific use of Aperol (my weakness), the nice bartender who told me to flee when my date went to the bathroom, or the company I was with (God forbid)--it was the fact that they have a drink called the Smoking Gun where they literally use a gun to infuse your whisky with smoke in front of you. There's no date bad enough that can keep me away from smoked whisky. I'll go back to this place forever.

drink, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 25, 2018places, seattle, drink

Mystery Soda Machine

Mystery Soda Machine

Once upon a time there was a magic soda machine in the middle of town that was always full of vintage sodas and nobody knew who stocked it but it was the best thing ever. And it was actually real and you should go see it for yourself, the end.

places, seattle, seeKate WildmanJanuary 24, 2018see, seattle, places

Craft Beer

Craft Beer

Before I moved to Seattle, I knew that the craft coffehouse game here was strong, but what I didn't know is that the craft brewery game here is equally impressive! It was such a pleasant surprise! It reminded me of home! It reminded me of Grand Rapids! It made me eschew my usual deadpan sarcasm and start exclaiming about it in regular conversation! My suggestion is to start at Chuck's Hop Shop (covered in the shop section of this guide, don't worry, I could never overlook Chuck's) and sample from all the local breweries before zeroing in on what you want to try, but my three faves are Cloudburst, Two Beers, and Fremont Brewing Co.

drink, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 23, 2018seattle, places, drink

Seattle Center

Seattle Center

So full disclosure, I hate being a tourist even if I’m going somewhere and am, in fact, a tourist. I consider it a win if I travel somewhere and I’m asked for directions, even if I can’t speak the language and the conversation devolves into madness. So I feel a little weird telling you to go and check out what is arguably the most touristy of tourist traps in all Seattle, but did you even go to Seattle if you didn’t stop by the Seattle Center to check out the Space Needle? While you’re here, you may as well tack on the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop), the Chihuly Gardens (which is apparently pretty famous, despite the fact that I don’t understand how GLASS can be famous), and KEXP for their fabulous coffee and record collection.

seattle, see, placesKate WildmanJanuary 23, 2018seattle, see, places

Needle & Thread

Needle & Thread

I'll just come out and say it: I am a sucker for a speakeasy. I don't want to be the person who's into kitsch, but there's something just so dang fun about pulling a certain book off a shelf to reveal a trick bookcase, or dialing a rotary phone and whispering a password to reveal a hidden elevator. I don't even care about the quality of the drinks awaiting me at the end of the winding dark tunnel (there's always a winding dark tunnel)--make me feel like Nancy Drew and I'll spend the next three months of my life telling everyone I know to frequent your establishment. In Seattle, that speakeasy is Needle & Thread, and thankfully their drinks are actually fantastic (you tell the bartender what you like and he creates something unique just for you). Just note you need reservations in order to (get the clues to) access it.

drink, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 22, 2018seattle, places, drink

Mountains!

Mountains!

If you do one thing when you visit Seattle, it should be actually leaving Seattle to go and take advantage of the beautiful hiking that is readily available less than an hour away. I have a very, very, very long list of hikes you should check out, but highlights that shouldn’t be missed include Rattlesnake Ridge, Mailbox Peak, Dungeness Spit, Summerland (Rainier), Mt. Pilchuck, and Mt. Baker (Enchantments!).

places, seattle, seeKate WildmanJanuary 22, 2018seattle, see, places

White Horse Trading Co.

White Horse Trading Co.

I love a good neighborhood bar, and my Seattle neighborhood bar is White Horse Trading Co. It's down by Pike Place in Post Alley, but is just enough tucked away that it's not overrun by tourists. I also take some major decorating nods from this place because now that I'm thinking about it, my living room looks very similar to this place (aka retirement home chic) (that sounds totally unappealing) (but is cozy?) (I'm done now).

places, seattle, drinkKate WildmanJanuary 21, 2018seattle, places, drink

Lake Union

Lake Union

I know, I know. Some of you are clicking through this frantically looking for any reference to Sleepless in Seattle, desperately hoping I will tell you where to go and check out the house boats so you can relive the beautiful moment that was “hello.” No? I’m way off base here? Unsurprising, but you should still go check out Lake Union, ogle the amazing house boats, and rent either a kayak or an electric boat to zip around and take a closer look.

see, seattle, placesKate WildmanJanuary 21, 2018see, places, seattle

Seattle Art Museum

Seattle Art Museum

I just can’t truly tell you to go and visit a city without telling you to go and visit its art museum. I have standards to uphold, people. Seattle’s is SAM, and it’s fab.

seattle, places, seeKate WildmanJanuary 20, 2018seattle, places, see

Green Lake

Green Lake

Gather round, kids, and I’ll tell you a story of a magical place where there are dogs as far as the eye can see, off leashes, in offices, cuddling passersby on every corner. This wonderland is called Seattle, and Green Lake is the place to go if you want to pet them all. Also it’s the place to go if you want to picnic, stand up paddleboard, eat in cafes, go for a nice stroll, watch a regatta, and generally improve your quality of life.

seattle, places, seeKate WildmanJanuary 19, 2018places, see, seattle

Ferries

Ferries

Anyone who’s watched Grey’s Anatomy will recall that Seattle ferries are a surprisingly recurring trope and I’m here to tell you that Seattle ferries are a surprisingly fun thing to take advantage of. In particular, I love going to visit the islands surrounding the city, my favorites of which include Bainbridge, Vashon, and Whidbey.

seattle, places, seeKate WildmanJanuary 18, 2018seattle, see, places

Le Pichet

Le Pichet

This place. Perfect date spot, perfect bring your mom who came to town to visit spot, perfect early breakfast spot, perfect eat-alone-trying-to-choke-back-the-tears-of-homesickness spot (kidding) (mostly) (don’t worry guys, I’m FINE, no REALLY, let me just enjoy my cassoulet in peace!)

eat, places, seattleKate WildmanJanuary 16, 2018seattle, places, eat