The Seattle Diaries: A Tourist at Home
Hi everyone! Today, I have a list of what I’ve been up to since arriving in the Emerald city… and what it is like being a tourist in my new home! I think one of the most important things you can do when arriving somewhere new, aside from not overpack to the point that your luggage is tearing at the seams (oops!), is to overexplore. Force yourself out of your place, go on a walk, get a coffee, line up the Bumble BFF dates (who knew, they actually work)– anything other than sitting at home. The key to putting yourself out there is to literally Put. Yourself. Out. There. Who knew?
So where have I been since arriving here? Here’s a short list of some of my favorite experiences and memories thus far.
- The Smith Tower
I really can’t recommend this enough, if you’re on your way to Seattle. Obviously everyone knows about the space needle, but I gotta say, the more cities I live in/visit, the more I realize that every city tries to trick you with one cool lookout point that ends up being a tourist trap because the view from it doesn’t actually include the landmark. I mean, its nice to experience the London Eye, Eiffel Tower, Seattle great wheel, Willis Tower, Empire State Building, etc. etc. etc…. but those views end up being 1.) overpriced and 2.) overrated. So my best advice when you visit a new city and you want a great view is to pick the first Google option you’ve never heard of. And there is a solid 80% chance you will enjoy it more than whatever popular landmark you were originally going to go to. In Seattle’s case, the Smith tower was both an incredible museum of 1920s Seattle and a stunning observatory deck…that doubled as a prohibition themed cocktail bar. 10/10
- Wings Over Washington
This “Soarin”- style 4D experience that takes you on a visual tour of Washington State was INCREDIBLE, and sent chills down my whole body. Skip the Great Wheel, which is a bumpy, boring ferris wheel….and do this instead.
- Washington State Fair
The picture attached to this post was actually taken at the butterfly exhibit at the state fair, which I went to this weekend with my friend Beth. While I went mostly for fair nostalgia and to have a good funnel cake, I was truly impressed with the variety of entertainment, livestock, and things to do. Horse stables still stink though… I really forgot about that.
- A Taste of Trivia
So here we are again….another city that prizes itself on its breweries, and yet another city to disappoint by disliking beer. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that here, there is always something to do, and many breweries have fun trivia and other themes behind their bars. A friend of mine and I went to a trivia night last week and I learned that nothing makes beer taste sweeter than being able to unscramble Olympic events while drinking it.
- Hiking Near & Far
I know what you’re thinking… me…hiking?!? Well dear reader, you would be surprised to know that Seattle has given me a new passion for hiking, knowing that there’s actually something beautiful to see on the other end. Deception Pass State Park, Olympic National Park, Discovery Park, Snoqualmie Falls, Carkeek Park, and Rattlesnake ledge have been some of my favorite places thus far. I can’t wait to put my “happy glamper” hat to good use and do a weekend trip to the North Cascade mountains and really explore.
- Bainbridge Island
If you’re a lover of cute bookstores, incredible ice cream, and pretty boutiques (so basically, if you’re human), you will absolutely rave about Bainbridge Island. Only a short ferry away from the city, this has been hands down my favorite day trip I’ve done here, and the views on the water also just took my breath away completely.
- Random Impulsive Drives
Last Sunday, I wanted to see the Washington countryside and get out of the city for a day, so I did what Midwesterners can only dream of…. And I headed to Canada. Before you call me crazy, I didn’t actually make it there – I stopped in an adorable, Gilmore Girls inspired, small town called La Connor. Basically the artwork/antique capitol of the PNW, I strolled along the water, bought vegetables from a roadside farmers market, and channeled my inner 45 year old. Which let’s be real, wasn’t hard at all because I’ve always been a cross between an eight year old and a 45 year old intellectually lol.
These are just my favorite things I have done since arriving in Seattle exactly 70 days ago (WHAT? HOW has this much time passed?). Check out my Instagram, @SincerelySharon__, for more. There are plenty of other exciting adventures on the to-do list, from Leavensworth Oktoberfest to road tripping to Canada, and even not so exciting things like surviving my first Seattle winter.
For now though…next week I’m back to my first home for yet another business conference, and I have to say that while I really do like the emerald city, I’m ready to give the windy city a big hug. I missed the land of no hills, endless cornfields, and of course, Jewel and Culvers. See you all in the next one. And happy fall!