Summer Getaway to Seattle and the Cascades

Start your trip off with visits to Seattle’s must-see attractions.

No visit to Seattle would be complete without a stop at Pike Place Market. Is it touristy? Yes. Is it crowded? Yes. Should you still go? Absolutely! Come hungry and wander through stall after stall of fresh seafood, produce and flowers and stock up on handicrafts from local vendors.

Next, head to Seattle Center and get ready to snap your photo in front of the Space Needle, Seattle’s most famous landmark. There are several attractions at Seattle Center, but one to definitely see is Chihuly Garden and Glass. It features the work of Washington artist Dale Chihuly.

Be sure to take note of Seattle’s historic and modern architectural gems throughout downtown. If you’re tired of walking, you can easily grab an e-bike or scooter to help navigate Seattle’s many hills. Top buildings to admire: Seattle Central Library (be sure to go inside!), and Museum of Pop Culture (also has amazing exhibits).

Seattle is surrounded by islands, each with their own unique vibe. Catch a ferry for a short sail to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island. Have a bit more time, go to the serene San Juan Islands or even British Columbia.

Bainbridge Island is a perfect day trip from Seattle. Grab a coffee from one of Seattle’s many, many coffee shops and take a morning ferry across Puget Sound. Within 35 minutes, you will be ready to start your day. Reserve an e-bike right at the ferry station, pick up some delicious pastries at Blackbird Bakery and start your loop of the island. Stop at Manitou Beach, Bay Hay and Feed General Store, and one of several vineyards, before parking your bike for a walk along the lush fir and cedar-filled trails in the Grand Forest. End your day back on Bainbridge’s main street, Winslow Way, for some shopping and a hearty meal. Pizza, banh mi, oysters and more — so much to choose from in a few short blocks.

Ready to shop and stroll? It is time to explore a few of Seattle’s neighborhoods.

Fremont

Self-declared as the “center of the universe,” you will find several independent boutiques, cute cafes and outdoor art in Fremont. Check out Les Amis for trendy clothes, Lucky’s Pho for perfectly flavored Vietnamese food and the famous Fremont Troll under the bridge. Walk along the water to Gas Works Park, a former oil refinery turned city park with dramatic skyline views.

Ballard

Ballard, once known as a historic fishing neighborhood, is now home to a thriving shopping and brewery scene. Walk along Ballard Avenue and you will find storefront after storefront of unique stores and cozy cafes. Need a haircut and to buy a jacket in the same shop (who doesn’t?!), go to Steele Barber or flip through thousands of vinyl records at Sonic Boom. Witness an engineering marvel at the Ballard Locks before celebrating happy hour at the Walrus and the Carpenter for locally harvested oysters.

Want to get up close and personal to those gorgeous mountains you’ve been seeing in the distance for the past few days? Rent a car and drive east to the Cascades. There are plenty of hikes to choose from, vineyards to visit or even a chance to ride a historic train. Not ready to return to the city? Schedule a relaxing massage at the Salish Lodge & Spa and take in the views of the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls.