Archipelago
Think majestic (and ancient) forests; fertile valleys, and snow-capped mountaintops; views of the ocean so stunning that they seem to go on for days. And while all of these things are true—and very much worth a visit—the beating heart of the region is in the city of Seattle.
Seattle was first settled by the Coast Salish peoples, and later, European immigrants. Since then, it has established itself as a port city (and yes, we still have a “working waterfront”), a lumber city (see: lots of trees), and, of course, a fisherman’s town (ever heard of Pike Place Market?). After that came coffee, the tech boom, and an explosion of restaurants that firmly places Seattle on any food-lover’s map.
Ready to see for yourself? We thought so. Ahead, where you should stay, plus everything you need to eat, see, and do on your next trip to Seattle. As always in the COVID era, call each venue for the most up-to-date information about vaccine and/or testing requirements for entry.
If you’re in the mood for something intimate, cozy, and prix-fixe, look no further than Archipelago, which serves a thoughtful menu of nine to 12 courses inspired by both the Pacific Northwest and the Philippines. The catch? This spot is so popular, it’s sold out through the end of November. Get in line and you might be able to eke your way in before the new year. (No promises, though.)
Photo by Jackie Warren, courtesy of Archipelago
It’s one thing to admire the water from the shoreline, and quite another to be smack dab in the middle of it. To get the full experience, book a tour with the experts at Sail Bainbridge, a local company for chartered sail adventures that takes you around the Puget Sound on their classic sailing yacht, TRUE. This activity definitely requires booking in advance; check out all of the different packages here.
Explore the Puget Sound by boat
A mere 10-minute walk from the University of Washington campus, Graduate Seattle is the perfect home away from home for parents visiting students, sure—but that’s not the only reason to stay here. Built in the 1930s, this art deco oasis is a destination unto itself, and the decor is the stuff of interior design dreams. Head upstairs for an equally hip experience at the Mountaineering Club, the hotel’s rooftop venue, then go down to the ground floor in the morning for your daily dose of caffeine, courtesy of Poindexter Coffee.
Graduate Seattle
credits
For an even more historic (and extremely unique) experience, head 25 minutes northeast to The Lodge at St. Edward State Park. Here, you’ll be transported back to another time, when the landmark building was actually a seminary, and the restaurant (Cedar + Elm) was a dining hall for priests. Nowadays it’s a luxurious retreat, complete with all the trappings: think mornings at the spa, evenings dining in, and whole days spent sunbathing on the truly stunning shores of Lake Washington, which is just a short walk from the hotel.
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
If Pike Place Market is at the top of your Seattle bucket list, and you wouldn’t mind waking up to views of the Puget Sound (trick question), try The Edgewater Hotel, perched on the edge of the water on Pier 67 downtown. Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair (which explains its spectacular location), the hotel’s more recent claim to fame is its musical guests, who come here for a swanky stay while on tour. Could you request to have Led Zeppelin’s old room, or find out where The Beatles stayed? There’s only one way to find out.
THE Edgewater Hotel
In the heart of downtown Seattle, there are few buildings more historic than The State Hotel, which is housed inside a 1904 landmark building just steps from Pike Place Market. This is where modern amenities meet old school architecture—a perfect pairing of old and new. Downstairs you’ll find Ben Paris, a good restaurant if you’re looking to try classic Pacific Northwest fare (which, of course you are). Otherwise, you’ve got the entire city at your fingertips.
The State Hotel
Established in 1999 in a former maritime workers’ hotel, the Seattle Ace—which, in case you missed it, was the first one ever—specializes in what they like to call “unfussy luxury.” Here, it’s less about overt extravagance and more about modern simplicity. Practically speaking, that means this Ace is a lot more affordable—and perhaps more approachable—than you might think. And because it’s in Belltown, Pike Place Market, the Olympic Sculpture Park, and a number of other destinations are just a few blocks away.
Ace Hotel
The Corson Building was built in 1910 as a residential home, and the current owners of the now-restaurant have kept much of that familial spirit intact. Think prix-fixe Sunday Suppers, and, pre-COVID, a family-style dining setup. Nowadays they’re keeping everyone separate, in the covered, heated garden, but the food still stands as some of the best New American you can find in the city, and every course is most definitely made with love.
The Corson Building
Just upstairs from the iconic Ray's Boathouse, the more casual (and relatively inexpensive) Cafe is literally located on the waters of Shilshole Bay, thanks to a series of pylons jutting out from the shore. That makes the deck lining the front of the restaurant, with its unique views of Puget Sound and the Olympics, the perfect place to try a selection of local oysters on the half-shell, served the traditional way: on ice with a red wine mignonette.
Ray’s Cafe
After a very popular two-year run as a traveling food truck, Karachi Cowboys opened their first brick and mortar this summer, meaning you can now visit anytime between 4-9 pm, Wednesday - Friday, in Capitol Hill. Expect more of the same Indian-Pakistani deliciousness, as well as some flourishes from owner Nasir Zubair’s Texas roots, and a little Pacific Northwest influence for good measure.
Karachi Cowboys
Communion’s opening was highly anticipated, and for good reason: chef Kristi Brown’s “Seattle Soul”-style cooking does not disappoint. You’ll have a hard time finding a table on pretty much any night, so plan ahead and make a reservation. While you wait, dive into the menu, which is dominated by classic soul food with a twist, each item serving as a nod to the many cultures and communities that have influenced Brown’s cooking.
communion
Local chef and restaurateur Renee Erickson is practically a household name at this point, so you’d be remiss not to try at least one of her eateries while you’re in Seattle. If oysters (fried or raw), seasonal veggies, and steak tartare strike your fancy, snag a seat at The Walrus and the Carpenter, Erickson’s flagship, which remains an always-satisfying neighborhood favorite in a city rich with oyster options.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
For a new take on plant-forward cooking, look no further than Allyum. This isn’t your average vegan restaurant; on the contrary, owners Dahil Strayer and chef Ally Rael are moving beyond the limitations of reliably bland meat substitutes and offering up a menu that speaks to just how exciting vegetables can be (think: chicken-fried mushrooms, hearts of palm ceviche). Their menu rotates weekly, so keep an eye on their Instagram for what’s coming next.
Allyum
When chef Donna Moodie opened her restaurant, Marjorie, in 2003, it was in honor of her mom. That spirit of mother-daughter kitchen magic has lived on through its transition from Belltown to Capitol Hill, and the food has only gotten better with time. Come for farm-to-table food rooted in Moodie’s Jamaican heritage, and stay for the home-sweet-home ambiance that makes it almost impossible to leave.
Marjorie
Nestled in Post Alley next to Pike Place Market is The Pink Door, a longstanding escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown specializing in Italian-American cuisine. Like lots of Italian food, the menu here is inspired by family gatherings and secret recipes, and like lots of Seattle-area restaurants, the ingredients are mostly local, sourced largely from Butler Farms, just across the water on Bainbridge Island.
The Pink Door
Nestled in a tiny “pocket-sized” building in Fremont, Kamonegi is chef Mutsuko Soma’s love letter to soba noodles, with a wide-ranging array of toppings (think Japanese vegetable curry, Manila clams, duck tsukune meatballs, matsutake mushrooms, and more). As we said, this space is tiny, so be prepared to wait, though the slurping crowds tend to move quickly.
Kamonegi
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Photo by Kyle Johnson
Photo by Amber Fouts
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Photo courtesy of Allyum
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Photo by Brooke Fitts for Thrillist
Frye Art Museum consistently puts on some of the best art exhibits in Seattle, and as a bonus, it’s totally free (though donations are, of course, encouraged). Visit this fall to check out the “Boren Banner Series: Sadie Wechsler” (running through April 17, 2022) and make sure to stop by the gift shop while you’re there—like the museum itself, its selection is expertly curated.
Get cultured at Frye Art Museum
The fact that Seattle has a humongous—like, 534-acre—park just a hop and a skip from downtown is a flex that simply never gets old. This trip, spend some time getting acquainted with its trails—and stunning views—like the North Beach Trail, which will take you straight to the old lighthouse on the point, built on the historic grounds of Fort Lawton. You just can’t beat that fresh Puget Sound air.
Take a hike in Discovery Park
You may think you know everything about your favorite celebrity, but do you really? Put your wisdom to the test (and pick up some new trivia while you’re at it) by paying a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture, which has tons of exhibits on view right now. (Pro tip: Start with “Nirvana: Taking Punk to The Masses.”) Oh, and once you’re done inside, you might as well walk over and take a photo with the Space Needle, which is right next door.
Test your pop culture knowledge at MoPOP
It's the best farmers market in the country. Period. So visiting the famed shopping center for some culinary inspiration while you’re in town is a no brainer. Luckily, our guides to the 50 Best Things to Eat, and the Best Secret Shops in the Market, will get you started, but the still newish Marketfront and the myriad shops/stalls lining Post Alley provide almost endless options.
Grab something to eat at Pike Place Market
Is there anything more romantic than an (almost) private plane tour? For $75, you can buy a seat on one of Kenmore Air’s 75th anniversary flights, which depart from the Kenmore terminal on Lake Washington and fly all over the greater Seattle area. Expect stunning views, a narrated tour, and a one-of-a-kind bird’s eye perspective of the Emerald City.
Tour Seattle by seaplane
A hop and a skip (just 30 minutes by ferry) away from downtown Seattle is Bainbridge Island, one of the most quaint—and most accessible—getaways in the city. Once you land, check out the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (another excellent and free museum), Proper Fish, and whatever else strikes your fancy in Winslow. Pro tip: Don’t bother bringing your rental car aboard—it’ll cost an additional $20 each way, a very long wait to board, and you really don’t need it, since most attractions are walking distance from the ferry port.
Take a day trip to Bainbridge Island
The Gum Wall is an obvious tourist trap, but consider reclaiming it to commemorate the occasion of actually going on a real vacation (no small feat these days). Most importantly, it’s literally right next door to Pike Place Market, so you have your pick of activities pre- or post-photo-op.
Pay a (semi-gross) visit to the Gum Wall
Ben Matthews Photography
Frye Art Museum
libre de droit/Getty Images
Art Grice/Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Photo courtesy of Kenmore Air
Checubus/Shutterstock
Museum of Pop Culture
Photo by Christian Horan, Graduate Seattle
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
Edgewater Hotel
The State Hotel
Photo by Ellie Lillstrom
Frye Art Museum
Tong Gao/Getty Images
Museum of Pop Culture
Checubus/Shutterstock
Photo courtesy of Kenmore Air
Art Grice/Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
libre de droit/Getty Images
Photo by Christian Horan, Graduate Seattle
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
Edgewater Hotel
The State hotel
Photo by Ellie Lillstrom
FPO
Tong Gao/Getty Images
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Wherever you go, your phone goes, so you’ll need on-the-go coverage for all your big adventures. Being America’s leader in 5G coverage, T-Mobile has you covered. In fact, T-Mobile has the most interstate highway miles with 5G (92% coverage to be exact). So go where the open road takes you — and be confident you’ll stay connected to what matters most.
See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com
COURTESY OF: T-MOBILE