For the last couple of years, David and I have been craving a "road trip" type vacation. While we are typically big fans of a slow paced, relaxing beach vacation, it was adventure and exploration that we wanted in this trip.
So, a few months ago, we booked a flight from Atlanta over to Seattle, a flight back to Atlanta ten days later from San Francisco and a rental car to get us wherever we needed to go in between. The game plan? Work out the details (ahem- where are we staying tonight honey?) when we got there.
So, a few months ago, we booked a flight from Atlanta over to Seattle, a flight back to Atlanta ten days later from San Francisco and a rental car to get us wherever we needed to go in between. The game plan? Work out the details (ahem- where are we staying tonight honey?) when we got there.
The first stop on our trip was the lovely Seattle, Washington. I'm not sure if it was because I was wearing the I-love-everything-because-we-just-started-vacation goggles or not, but Seattle was one of my favorite stops on the trip. I was completely enamored. What a gorgeous and fun city!
Here are the highlights.
Pike Place Market
Clockwise from top: (1) we spent the afternoon at the world's famous Pike Place Market, where we found stall after stall of (2) freshly caught seafood and (3) amazing and colorful fruits, vegetables, cheeses and more.
From top: (1) We stopped at the Market Grill counter in the market for some clam chowder and their famous blackened salmon sandwich (I about died over the sandwich's rosemary mayo- amazingly good!), (2) Pike Place Market at night, (3) more fresh seafood and (4) beautiful fresh flowers.
Lucky for us, Oprah named Beecher's macaroni and cheese as one of her "favorite things" last week and so the restaurant right off of the market passed out free mac & cheese for all! It was de.lic.ious.
This would be me, loving the mac & cheese. Yum.
Seattle Space Needle
Of course, we jumped on the Monorail and headed up to the Space Needle for some breathtaking views. Isn't the contrast of the city buildings and the beautiful mountains in the background just gorgeous?!
Seattle Art Museum
We also had a chance to visit the Seattle Art Museum (isn't that what rainy Friday afternoons are for?!)
and see their current incredible Picasso exhibit. The museum's regular collection is also really fabulous.
We ate at lots of fun little spots, including the trendy sushi restaurant, Japonessa.
We also shopped till we dropped in the 5th Avenue shopping district. Hell-o multi-level
Nordstroms complete with a restaurant in the middle!
And, of course, we hit up not only the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market, but about six of them throughout the city! What can I say... I just can't stay away from those Peppermint Mochas :)
All in all, Seattle was incredible. We tried to mix it up and do a bit of the touristy stuff and hit up some of the favorite "locals" spots.... and we simply loved it all.
What do all of you love about Seattle?
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You hit all the best places! I bet Pikes was just freezing!! It's much colder down there cause it's near the water. The space needle view is awesome. Glad you had fun! You look adorable with the Mac 'n Cheese! (:
ReplyDeletelooks like so much fun. i am in need of ANY vacation!
ReplyDeleteOh you are killing me with those amazing photos. {such great shots by the way}. You two are adorable. I have such fun memories of Seattle. Such a great city. Looks like you guys hit some great spots.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! That is a trip I have always wanted to take, and now I REALLY want to go! Thanks for sharing those amazing photos.
ReplyDeletesounds like so much fun! my husband grew up in Seattle and we always talk about going back, but alas we haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like y'all had a blast! This is a great post with all the info and photos. I love the new profile pic too.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing start to your trip!! Sometimes I regret having Noah (& now #2!) early on and not being able to do things like this with just Jimmy and me. Maybe when we're old and gray:)
ReplyDeleteYou guys were in our territory! Did you make it to Ivar's??? :) The Nordstrom you visited is the original too. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your pics of Whistler- that's where we honeymooned 18 years ago. Gorgeous place.
You guys are so cute...and some seriously dapper travelers!!! Seattle is on my list to see for sure!
ReplyDeleteFound this post when you mentioned it in a comment on my blog today...love your pictures and looks like you had the best time! I also enjoyed seeing your trip to SF, where I used to live. Hope you get to travel some more in 2011~
ReplyDeleteJanell
This is amazing! I'm totally inspired. We were thinking of doing an Oregon coast trip this summer, but maybe we should try Seattle, too.
ReplyDelete