The Seattle Diaries: Getting out of the City

Now I know that most, if not all, of my readers are back home in Chicago, but I realized I’ve been neglecting my “Seattle Diaries” blog segment, and who knows when one of you may end up in the grand old state of Washington? Even though this segment is where I detail the process of moving, adjusting, and settling in to a major city, I thought it would be interesting to give some recs and examine what live OUTSIDE the city is like for a change. Everyone knows that behind every beautiful city is an even cooler exterior (unless you are in Illinois, then I’d stick to the city). But wherever city you are dying to move to or eventually live in, I always encourage everyone to get out there because there are hidden treasures to be found in even the most unassuming, unheard-of little towns. Even though I lived in London, I visited Bath, Brighton, Reading, Manchester, Liverpool, and Dover solely to quench my curiosity for what life outside the city (well the major one) was like. I discovered even posher accents, but also escapes for a day to places I have never quite imagined looking exactly the way they did. So take an escape for a day- because I’ve done it officially in Seattle, and even across the world, and I can tell you, it works.

So here are the best things I have done in Seattle- that is, excluding Seattle itself. I’ve included 20, but my top five are highlighted in yellow. Going on ten months here and I can’t seem to ever run out of things to do, so the summer will be fun😊

1.) Take a hike to Rattlesnake Ledge. My first hike in the state of WA did NOT disappoint. I would say this one is a moderate-level (which is coming from me, so take that however you will) hike surrounding a beautiful lake that you can pretty easily complete in a few hours- even though you’ll be at the top for hours just watching the paragliders, having a picnic, or staring at the very jaw-dropping view. Go on a sunny day so that you can catch the Bob Ross scenery in all its glory.

2.) Take a day trip to La Conner, WA. I’m fairly certain no one knows where or what this is, so let me explain. One Sunday, I wanted to check out a quaint town in the middle-of-nowhere, so I typed that into my google search engine and it spat out La Conner. About a two hour drive from downtown Seattle, and just a short drive from the Canadian border, lies this unbelievably unseeming town that is actually real-life Gilmore Girls. Known as the capitol of art in the PNW, La Conner is home not only to some really cool art galleries, but lots of exciting boutiques, local eats, and views of the water. In almost every way, it resembles a beautiful seaside town, and yet the attention to detail that the employees and residents of the town hold, even down to the attendants and the many farmers market booths along the road, is truly refreshing. Some of the kindest people I’ve ever spoken to have called northern WA home- and I highly discourage these lovely people from ever stepping foot in the Midwest or East Coast.

3.) Check out Snohomish- especially during the fall season. Another lovely small town with so much to offer, but at no time as much as in October, when Bob’s Corn Maze and Patch runs every year. My friend and I went this past year and were amazed by the festivities, from the delicious treats to conquering one of the biggest cornfields in Washington (kind of like a play has an intermission, this maze has an inside concession stand for a break in the middle).

4.) Experience the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in the Spring! Head to Mount Vernon, Washington in the month of April to see tulips in every color and size line the streets and beg you to clog your phone with pictures. In addition to the four tulip farms (RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, and Garden Rosalyn) you can visit, La Conner and Mount Vernon offer plenty of tulip-themed entertainment, such as plenty of art marketplaces and even an annual Skagit County Fairgrounds thrifting festival that runs for one weekend and is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. There’s also tulip-inspired wine tastings, delicious food, and parades and street fairs to get excited for. Highly recommend making a day trip up here if you happen to be in Seattle in April.

5.) Visit the two national parks that are basically WA royalty= Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Park! As of writing this entry, I have gotten the opportunity to visit both of these (2/3 of the holy trinity, since I still need to take a trip to North Cascades National Park). The only note I’ll add is that peak time to visit is late June- early October, as springtime sees a lot of the mountains covered in snow and isn’t ideal walking conditions (trust me on this one, I know from personal experience). Plus, summertime sees many of these hikes covered in stunning wildflowers and who doesn’t love to see things in bloom, especially after the seasonal depression that is WA winter?

6.) Fairhaven Historic District/ Whatcom Falls in Bellingham- Bellingham is a hugely underrated town that even I’ll admit I didn’t give its due credit, largely because I was only ever up here for work. Just 20 minutes south of the WA- Vancouver border, this booming town is home to both cool nature and lovely shopping/exploration. If you are looking for the former, I definitely recommend a trip to Whatcom Falls, a beautiful waterfall that is also a short walk from the parking lot, making it a perfect “pic and run” opportunity that you don’t have to schedule or plan in advance. As someone who’s been to Niagra and a long line of other waterfalls, I think this is every bit as gorgeous and special, and there’s something super cool about seeing the upper falls rush down so close. If, on the other hand, you are more in the mood for window shopping and street shows, head to the Fairhaven historic district, which is a perfect day getaway from the hustle of Seattle.

7.) Go to the Bellevue Mall & Botanical Gardens, Lake Bellevue, and follow it up with Hot Pot: I know this is a three-in-one, but I loop all of these in together because I think I have nailed down the ultimate day itinerary for Bellevue, just a short half hour from Seattle. Known for its bustling business and technology office spaces, I think Bellevue is a lot more special when you get away from its scary skyscrapers and find the calm in the city. Mostly to check it off, head to the Bellevue mall, a world-class shopping destination that will have you lost in a matter of ten seconds. After you’re tired out and broke, drive to the free Bellevue botanical gardens to take a calming walk around the blooming flowers and enjoy some of the prettiest nature the surrounding-Seattle area has to offer. Then head to Lake Bellevue and drink a coffee by the water, or get a lovely facial/massage from the amazing technicians at All Star Massage & Spa. Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping and walking around, have dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot, some of the best food I’ve had in the past ten months. I recommend bringing a friend and then you can A La Carte order several broths, a meat, and veggies to enjoy a perfect night out!

8.) Have a top ten brownie or donut at The Flour Box! This place is ranked the number one Washington state dessert shop and also on many lists of the best in the U.S., but you have to get there early to snag a donut. They are only open 10-12am Thursday-Sunday, and you can expect to wait in five hour lines depending on how busy they are. I recommend getting there by 8am to have a chance to try them out, but personally, I thought it was worth the hype.

9.) Take a road trip to the coolest experience in WA, Leavenworth, during the winter! I am pretty sure that visiting Leavenworth in either December or January is a Seattle rite of passage. There is nothing about this experience that isn’t phenomenal- the drive up, which feels like you’ve stepped into the hills of Narnia; the beautiful Christmas lights, which are up until mid-February; the holiday express train Seattle offers in December to get up there; the Bavarian food options, from soft pretzels and Beecher’s cheese to gingerbread to German sauerkraut; the ornaments and music and reindeer farms and wine tastings and holiday spirit. And after a day packed with activity, nothing beats an outdoor hot tub in the middle of the snow, looking out at the adorned lights around you. I really can’t recommend Icicle Village Resort enough and it is an experience that will definitely go down as my favorite things I have EVER done. For those that know me, let’s just say there’s a reason that this one is my number nine😊

10.) Partake in a Seafood boil in Tacoma, WA- Crab King Cajun Boil & Bar is a relatively affordable, delicious restaurant that I really can’t recommend enough. I was looking for other highlights in Tacoma, but sadly this one is the only positive highlight (with the highly negative one being that it smells like a sewage wasteland even as you drive by Tacoma on the highway).

11.) Do my favorite hike in Washington: Deception Pass State Park. If there is one thing on this list you are searching for, the “it item” of Washington state (aside from Leavenworth), I think it just might be Deception Pass. About an hour-an hour and a half from Seattle, this one really blew my mind. The view is the closest feeling I’ve had to feeling “on top of the world”, and along with Rattlesnake Ledge, I think this one really is a can’t-miss hiking experience. There are so many trails, but I recommend starting off with Bowman Bay to capture the spirit of this park at its best.

12.) Check out the UW campus cherry blossoms in March. Okay….so I guess this is in the city limits, but I couldn’t not include it when it is such a must-see. Between this and Seward Park, the cherry blossoms will truly blow your mind.

13.) Do the Forks Twilight tour😊 Another of the first things I did when I moved here, it is a must-do for any Twilight fan. There is nothing noteworthy about this place beyond driving through it and pointing at things (with a mandatory stop at the Twilight gift shop), so I recommend coupling it with Olympic National Park and making a stop here before getting dinner in Port Angelos, another Twilight book series hit. If you stop at the visitor center, you can grab a picture of Bella’s truck from the movies AND grab a Twilight map that will allow you to plan the perfect route Edward Cullen would approve of.

14.) Check out Wallace Falls. For a relatively easy hike with not one, but three stunning waterfall views, this is the one you are looking for. And it is only a stone’s throw from Seattle, so a great day drive!

15.) Do a Woodinville wine tasting- or anywhere, for that matter. Chateau St. Michelle is my pick, a beautiful castle backdrop that is also Washington State’s FIRST winery. After doing a delicious tasting and enjoying the gift shop, take a stroll through its beautiful gardens or even catch a show here during the summer months! This place is the closest I’ve felt to wine-paradise since I left Champagne, France.

16.) Check out one of the sort-of almost Seattle parks: Seward, Kerry, Alki, Gas Works, Golden Gardens, Magnolia, Carkeek, Cal-Anderson, Volunteer, UW arboretum, and Discovery- among others. And my favorite one of them all, the one and only Green Lake Park, should be your first stop.

17.) Visit Snoqualmie Pass/North Bend for a woodsy adventure! Twin Falls is one of the most customizable hikes available, and it is only 40 minutes from Seattle, so if you are looking for a good day trip for people of all ages, I think this is the most family-friendly option. It is a pretty short hike to the first waterfall viewing area, or you can do a full forest adventure and hike to the top of the mountain to see something truly extraordinary if you are feeling like extending your hike.

18.) Take the road trip of a lifetime via Chuckanut drive. If you’re heading up to Bellingham after enjoying Mount Vernon or La Conner (see #2 and #4), skip the boring highway route and take Chuckanut drive for jaw-dropping ocean views complete with plenty of viewing areas for you to pull over so you don’t have to lose sight of the road from amazement.

19.) Experience a renowned Washington Fair! There are tons of options for fun annual fairs to check out near the city of Seattle. The Washington State fair, for one, is a fun annual option with pig races, funnel cakes, and plenty of entertaining day shows, and is a must-do in the fall time. There is also the Washington cider festival, which takes place in July and lets you a sample a variety of beers and ciders that call WA home. And finally, there is the legendary Oktoberfest, which is a huge hit that let’s you explore what lies East of Seattle and dig into Bavarian roots for the day.

20.) Take the ferry to an island! So we’ve explored North, East, and South of the city, so all that’s left is to head out west, towards the ocean. I am actually going to San Juan island this upcoming weekend, so I’m hesitant to include this having only been to Bainbridge island, but what I can say is that Seattle is lucky to be one of the most island-friendly cities across the entire USA. With ferries departing both from downtown and Anacortes, there are many cool islands to check out (Whidbey, Bainbridge, Orcas, San Juan) where you can spot whales or just see something new.

Those are my top twenty, but you’d be hard-pressed to find something outside Seattle that isn’t thrilling and eye-opening. I always say that while Chicago is the better city, Washington is the better state. There’s activities for nature lovers, for shopoholics, for food connoisseurs, for the holiday-obsessed, and for people of all ages and backgrounds. So if I haven’t sold you on it yet, what’s wrong with you? Fly here immediately. And take a 20 day trip, one day per item on this list. You won’t regret it.