Seattle, WA! It is that time of year where I needed to get away for my annual solo trip. Last year was Austin and this year I chose Seattle, WA. Why Seattle (a lot of people have asked)? Why not, Seattle? Seattle has been on my bucket list for a couple of years and this year I decided to go for it and not put it off any longer. Typically, when I set my mind to something it is pretty difficult to convince me otherwise. Often the more resistance I receive on one of my ideas, the more likely I will move forward with it full speed ahead.
Pike Place Chowder, Captain’s Roll 
The State Hotel 
Seattle Skyline 
The Great Wheel 
Lola’s Made-to-Order Donuts 
Lola’s Merguez Scramble
As a solo female traveler I highly recommend nonstop flights (where possible) and hotel accommodations (particularly for a first time visit where you may not know a soul). While more pricey (for sure), the convenience and added layer of safety normally enhances your travel experience and security. I stayed at the State Hotel–one short block from Pike Place Market. At the hotel I had concierge service, 24-hour front desk staff, and restricted card access to my floor only. Your front desk staff can give you food & entertainment recommendations, instructions on navigation, and sometimes discounts to local attractions. I was able to go to the Chihuly Glass Gardens for half off with the discount card they provided.
Chihuly Glass Garden 
Chihuly Glass Garden 
Chihuly Glass Garden 
Chihuly Glass Garden 
Chihuly Glass Garden 
Chihuly Glass Garden
I flew up on an early Friday morning (10 AM), left Sunday afternoon (5 PM) and I covered A LOT of ground. In all of my research they recommend skipping out on renting a car and utilizing their public transit options. So, when I landed in SeaTac (their local airport), I asked one of the information volunteers about the Link Light Rail. This is their train station that will take you directly into downtown Seattle in a short 45 minutes for only $3. The volunteer gave me instructions and I made my way onto the train in 10 minutes or so. My section on the train smelled like urine, but for $3 I had no complaints…beats the hell out of a $35 Uber/Lyft. I got off the train and asked some friendly security which direction to walk to my hotel (you get used to asked strangers questions). Two blocks out of the train station and I was checking into my hotel and shortly after checking for bed bugs and sheet stains. ALL CLEAR 🙂
Piroshky Piroshki 
Piroshky Storefront 
Apple Cinnamon Roll 
Beef & Cheese 
Molly Moon’s Ice-cream 
The Great Gum Wall
Fortunately, the sun shined my entire weekend. The only negatives I have to recount were how much drug addiction afflicted the homeless population. I saw literal drugs at the train station, used needles on the curb, and human feces in a stairway. It’s one thing to know it’s happening, but another to see it with your own two eyes.
Pike Place Fruit Stand 
Pike Place Fruit Stand 
Rachel’s Ginger Beer 
MoPop Guitars 
Pike Place Fruit Stand 
Rainy Pike Place Market 
Pike Place Classic Chowder 
Plane View 
Pike Place Veggies 
Link Light Rail 
Space Needle 
Original Starbucks
Not pictured above is my trips to the very large Seattle Library and popular Storyville Coffee. The places are very visit worthy especially if you are budget conscious/coffee lover. They are two places I would absolutely recommend to cushion your exploration day!
Below, I will include other recommendations that I just didn’t have time to check off of my list:
Serious Pie: The DT location was a short 2 block walk from my hotel. The locals told me to order the roasted seasonal mushrooms, crimini, truffle cheese pizza for $20. For the solo friend, try and go M-F during their Happy Hour from 3-5. You can get any of their specialty pizzas for half the size and half the price!
The Pink Door : This is an Italian restaurant that is only recognizable by it is pale pink door. It is located somewhere along Post Alley in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. I never located it during daylight so this got pushed to the end of the list for me.
Bainbridge Island: Those who live in Seattle will likely recommend leaving the city and taking a day trip to the islands by way of their ferry system. It is just a 45 minute ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. There you’ll supposedly find a quaint community with great scenery, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Pioneer Square: Located in the Southwest corner of Downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square is home to some of the original and historic buildings. Built in the late 1800s, the square now has several shops and restaurants and also where you catch an Underground Tour of historic Seattle.
Prioritize your trip based on your interests, budget, and time. It’s okay if you don’t do and see everything. Also, you don’t want to jam pack your trip so much that you can’t enjoy it at a leisure pace.
Have you visited Seattle? I’m curious to know your experience! Let me know in the comments.
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