By Auburn Scallon
While it may have a reputation as the rainy city, summertime in Seattle is one of America’s best-kept secrets. With a prominent skyline backed by an ocean, islands, and mountain ranges, Seattle holds something for city girls and nature lovers alike.
Pike Place Market
For over one hundred years Seattle residents have found fresh seafood, produce, flowers and handmade goods at the Pike Place Market (www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false), within walking distance from most downtown hotels. Catch a glimpse of the flying fish being tossed at the Pike Place Fish Market, pick up some homemade jewelry with a story to tell from the hundreds of vendors peddling their wares or spruce up your hotel room with a bouquet of fresh flowers. And of course, don’t miss a glimpse of the original Starbucks coffee shop bearing the now controversial, bare-breasted mermaid logo.
Seattle Waterfront
Just west of Pike Place market lies the Seattle waterfront (www.seattlewaterfront.org/), home of those Grey’s-Anatomy-immortalized ferry docks. Stroll along the boardwalk and pop into Ye Old Curiosity Shop (www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/) or Simply Seattle (www.simplyseattle.com/store/index.html) for Native American-inspired art and kitschy souvenirs and stop by Ivar’s (www.ivars.net/) to sample one of the many clam chowders claiming to be the best in the west (theirs definitely holds some clout!). Just be warned- this area is seagull central, and rain isn’t the only reason for Seattlites to carry an umbrella…
Alki Beach
The most fun way to travel from the city to the beach is far from a Hamptons Jitney. Jump on the King County Water Taxi (www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle.aspx) and cross Elliott Bay to West Seattle’s Alki Beach, home of the first non-native settlers in Seattle. For those battling homesickness, there is even a small replica of Lady Liberty greeting west coast visitors. Activities are endless, ranging from sunbathing to beach volleyball (alkivolleyballassociation.com/), kayaking (www.kayakalki.com/) to scuba diving and rentals from everything from rollerblades to four-seat surreys. Once you’ve worked up an appetite there are numerous dining options. For fine dining try Salty’s on Alki (www.saltys.com/) for Copper River salmon with a side of amazing views, or the gourmet Mediterranean cuisine at Phoenicia (www.yelp.com/biz/phoenicia-at-alki-seattle)- just ask owner Hussein for his recommendations and you’ll be in good hands. A quality casual meal for those still in flip flops and cover ups can be found at Duke’s Chowder House (www.dukeschowderhouse.com/) with high quality, all natural seafood, Pegasus (www.pegasusonalki.com/) for pizza, pasta and enormously delicious salads, or fresh Mexican fare at Cactus on Alki (www.cactusrestaurants.com/alki.html). Take advantage of outdoor seating or roast marshmallows over a bonfire for dessert while you watch one of the most breathtaking sunsets on the West Coast.
Shopping
True shopaholics will be in retail heaven on the streets of downtown Seattle. Pacific Place shopping center (www.pacificplaceseattle.com/home.aspx) hosts a truly Northwest blend of interests with Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Coach rubbing shoulders with J. Crew, Helly Hansen and the Seahawks/Sounders Pro Shop. Nordstrom (shop.nordstrom.com/) is the fashionable Seattlite’s department store boasting a beautifully remodeled flagship store on the familiar-sounding Fifth Avenue and Pine Street. When in doubt, just follow any car bearing the iconic license plate frames claiming, “I’d rather be shopping at Nordstrom.”
Entertainment
Broadway may be the most well known place to see theater, but many big name musicals get their start far from the Great White Way. This summer, Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theater (www.5thavenue.org/) hosts the world premier of Catch Me If You Can, the latest offering from the creative team behind Hairspray and starring Broadway regulars Norbert Leo Butz, Tom Wopat, Kerry Butler and Next to Normal’s Aaron Tveit. If you prefer your dinner and entertainment on one ticket check out Teatro Zinzanni (dreams.zinzanni.org/), a three-hour, five-course meal sprinkled with comedy, Cirque de Soleil and cabaret performances throughout.
Qwest and Safeco Fields
New York wasn’t the first city to treat their sports teams to a million-dollar home makeover. A Mariners game at Safeco Field (seattle.mariners.mlb.com) has enough restaurants, bars and views to keep the most lackluster sports fan entertained and a die-hard one enthralled- just leave the A-Rod jersey at home unless you’re looking to pick a fight. If baseball bores you then jump onto the soccer bandwagon pulling up right next door at Qwest Field (www.qwestfield.com/), home of both the Seahawks and Seattle’s brand new professional soccer team, Sounders FC (www.soundersfc.com/). The enthusiasm towards this beloved sport finally being embraced makes for an ecstatic atmosphere at every game.
Bumbershoot
Music, like coffee and rain, is one of those things that go hand in hand with Seattle free association, so it would make sense that the end of summer is marked by a music festival. Bumbershoot (www.bumbershoot.com/), named after a slang word for umbrella, hosts big name performers, independent musicians and impromptu performances spread over a three-day festival at Seattle Center (www.seattlecenter.com/) every Labor Day weekend. Even if your travel plans fall on different dates you can visit the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (www.empsfm.org/) housing the likes of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, a tribute to Jim Henson and multiple interactive exhibits in this Frank Gehry-designed building.
A summer vacation in Seattle blends the beauty of the outdoors with small-town hospitality and metropolitan amenities. Discover what laid-back city living on the left coast feels like and who knows, you may never want to leave.
