This year, I was really torn about what I wanted to do for summer vacation. After I graduated from college, I had set a personal goal to travel to at least one new country every year. I was on track to meeting that goal having traveled to France and Bali after I graduated. Before the pandemic, I was looking into traveling to places like Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece; all European countries that I believed one must experience at least once if given the opportunity. With some countries allowing international travel again, I started to consider the possibility of going abroad again, but after further consideration (and though it broke my heart), I decided Europe might have to wait.

Seattle is a place that is near and dear to my heart. My dad’s side of the family is from Seattle and as a result, I have a lot of fond childhood memories there. From having a dry ice sundae at the Space Needle to getting fresh seafood at Pike Place Market, Seattle has always been a place that felt a little bit like home.

In addition to the childhood nostalgia, one of the main reasons why I went to Seattle was to visit my friend, Olivia. We worked together at our first jobs fresh out of college and we’ve remained friends ever since. As a Seattle local herself, she knew all of the best spots in Seattle to visit. With only the weekend to spend in the city, we had to make the most out of every hour.

(Photo grid corresponds with each bullet point reading from left to right.)

Day 1: Arrive in Seattle

Dinner at Terra Plata: a farm-to-table restaurant located in Capital Hill that serves organic, share-worthy dishes with a warm yet understated ambiance. Note, the cute personalized menu my friend surprised me with! And yes, the food was delicious too.
Dessert at Salt & Straw: ice cream with eccentric and seasonal flavors. The one located in Abbot Kinney always has the longest line out the door, so I’ve only been to Salt & Straw maybe once before but the wait is worth it! I got Honey Lavender and Bug Juice.

Little view into my friend’s cute kitchen.

Day 2:

Morning stroll around Green Lake Park: My friend Olivia has been begging me to come visit her in Greenlake. Her cute home is just minutes away from the lake and only a short drive away from downtown Seattle. Green Lake Park features a walking path, large lawn for outdoor activities, and of course a serene body of water that’s perfect for paddle boarding or kayaking. There’s also wild raspberry bushes that line the edges of the lake. The berries are not currently in season, but I imagine they would be perfect for picking earlier in the summer.
Coffee at Retreat: During our walk around the lake, we made a quick stop at Retreat, a local coffee shop and restaurant that features baked goods, seasonal menu, and a wholesome atmosphere. I didn’t include a photo below but I ordered the Ruby Ginger latte, a nice change from my usual matcha.
Pike Place Market: One of my favorite places in Seattle is Pike Place Market. There’s a reason why both tourists and locals alike are drawn to this place time and time again. From the local artisans selling their handmade goods to the iconic Fish Market, there’s something for everyone. During my visit, I picked out a beautiful bundle of hand-dyed yarn (aka a ‘hank’ in knitting terms) from a vendor called MJ Yarns and a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers from one of the iconic flowers vendors.
Ellenos Greek Yogurt: Out of all the delicious things to choose from in Pike Place Market, one of my biggest obsessions is Ellenos Greek Yogurt. If you ask my friends and family what first comes to mind when I mention Seattle, they’ll tell you I won’t shut up about this greek yogurt. It’s rich, creamy, and the toppings are always fresh. Though I recently discovered that Ellenos is sold in grocery stores, there’s something about eating it fresh in Seattle that’s simply unbeatable.

Lunch at Ivar’s: Another key component to my childhood memories in Seattle is centered around fish and chips. Ivar’s is one of Seattle’s finest fast food institutions that has perfected the art of serving fish and chips. Made with fresh cod, Ivar’s fish and chips is a perfect meal to eat on the pier. Note: the picture of me feeding a seagull. The seagulls are very vocal about being fed but are polite enough to wait along the fence for any scraps.

DRIP Tea: Olivia and I are huge fans of boba tea, so we decided to try out DRIP Tea located near the Bobby Morris Park. With a full menu of teas, soft serve, and toppings, DRIP tea features some of the best flavor combinations. Also, they’re known for their bear shaped bottle and “bearyaki” which is soft serve in a bear-shaped taiyaki.
Red Light Vintage & Costume: Thrifting is one of my favorite activities; but thrifting in a new city is even more exciting. Olivia took me to Red Light Vintage which is located near the University of Washington. Organized by decade, Red Light Vintage features a variety of clothing with a diverse selection of trends and brands. The store also sells cute indoor plants, accessories, and jewelry.

Day 3:

Byen Bakeri: During my visit, I was able to re-connect with one of my cousins who recently moved to the city. She’s currently working at Byen, a local Scandinavian bakery that serves everything from traditional Scandinavian treats to fresh breads. Highly recommend a visit!
Rafting and paddle boarding on Green Lake: What better way to enjoy the nature of Seattle than by hanging out on the lake. My friend was right, summers in Seattle are truly better spent on the tranquil waters of Green Lake. Though many people also like to enjoy water activities on Lake Union, I think Green Lake is an amazing place to slow down and relax. Since there’s no current or boating, this little lake is perfect for simply chilling.
PCC Market: Think part Whole Foods and part Erewhon. PCC Market is a local community grocery store walking distance from my friend’s place in Green Lake. We stopped off at PCC Market to pick up cheese, crackers, and drinks for our picnic at Gas Works.
Gas Works Park Picnic: Once a gasification plant, Gas Works Park features (in my opinion) one fo the best views in Seattle. The rolling hills and perfect view of Lake Union make for an ideal spot to have a picnic. Our spread consisted of cheeses from PCC Market, a fresh baguette and pastries (not pictured) from Byen Bakeri. Zoom in on the photo of me in the red top to spot Wiley, Olivia’s cute corgi, sporting a matching bandana.

That’s a wrap on my short trip to Seattle! Despite my short amount of time, I’m content with everything I was able to do with Olivia. We really did try to cram in all the best activities and sights in a weekend. Plus, there were certain things like visiting the Space Needle and the Pop Museum that I had already visited before.

Out of all our activities, picnicking at Gasworks and hanging out on Green Lake were my favorite activities. The view at Gasworks is simply the best and the serene nature on Green Lake is sublime. Overall, I feel very lucky that the weather was so lovely during my visit. Skies were clear and the air was crisp. The only catch was the seasonal allergies that hit me quite hard. I endured a lot of sneezing before I finally caved and popped a Claritin.

Nevertheless, Seattle is a place worth visiting. There’s a reason why global companies like Starbucks, Amazon, Microsoft, and others were born out of this Northwestern city. It’s a special place. A place filled with the coziest coffee shops, scenic parks, unique local shops, and above all else, a specific, buzz-worthy energy. You just have to visit to experience it for yourself.

As always, feel free to leave any thoughts/questions in the comments section down below.

xx

Ella Kol

PS: Many thanks to my drear friend Olivia for taking the time to host me and sharing the best Seattle has to offer ❤️