I Know A Place: @helloterumi

There is a Seattle beneath the surface that is just waiting to be discovered. It’s hidden, sometimes in plain sight, sometimes two flights up in the Market. It’s the best kept secrets, insider tips, secret menus and local favorites that make people love this city, even if you can never entirely know it.

We have invited Terumi Pong, Seattle blogger and mother of twin boys—and Scout, her Yorkie Poo, to share some of her favorite spots and insider tips with us. Tag along on her Seattle adventure and discover more at iknowaplace.org. Then be sure to share your own Seattle favorites by tagging #IKnowSeattle.

A red bicycle is parked near a path leading to a wooden pier over a small harbor with boats. The sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky, casting shadows on the ground.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A cyclist rides on a paved path through a grassy area with industrial buildings in the background. The sky is cloudy with patches of blue.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A cyclist wearing a yellow jacket rides along a green, tree-lined bike path on a sunny day. Buildings with graffiti-covered walls are on the right, while the path continues straight ahead under a clear blue sky.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Elliott Bay Trail Bike Path

This bike path is such a scenic ride along Seattle’s waterfront and we love its newest park, the Beach at Expedia Group, where you can get some really beautiful photos of the city. We’ve biked this path to go to the Aquarium and even to Sounders games and it easily connects to Seattle Center where we hope to bike to Kraken games one day too.

A bright, sunny day in Seattle featuring the Space Needle and the "Eagle" sculpture in the foreground. The sky is clear with a few fluffy clouds, and modern buildings are partially visible behind greenery.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A park scene with a grassy hill and a pathway on each side. A sculpture of red roses stands near a blossoming tree under a blue sky with scattered clouds. People are walking and sitting, enjoying the sunny day.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Sculptural installation of large, black eye shapes on a sunny plaza with modern buildings and tall green trees in the background. Shadows are cast on the pavement, and the sky is bright with scattered clouds.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture is almost unbelievably free to visit and it’s another place that we bike to along the Elliott Bay Trail bike path. When the kids were small, we spent a lot of time at this park watching the trains and there are so many interesting art installations to wander by as well.

A sunny day on a wooden pier with people walking and long shadows cast by the sun. A small dog sniffs the ground, and a sign promoting photos on the right. The sky is clear and bright, creating a calm atmosphere.

A scenic view of a waterfront promenade with sailboats docked at a marina. The city skyline, with modern buildings, is visible in the background under a clear blue sky. The pathway is lined with a metal railing and casting shadows on the ground.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Seattle Waterfront

This is one of our favorite places to hang out lately-especially on Pier 62. There are often cool art displays here and there are also a lot of places to sit and look out at the water. If we’re getting takeout to bring home from one of the waterfront restaurants like Red Robin or Ivar’s we bring Scout here for a quick walk too.

Two people walk along a dock under a partly cloudy sky, with a small black dog. Behind them is a large building with multiple windows. The setting has a calm, outdoor atmosphere.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Two takeout dishes on a table: one with a fish fillet and fries, and the other with a taco, tortilla chips, and salsa. A branded paper bag in the background.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A person in a blue outfit and face mask stands under a pavilion, holding a bag labeled "Anthony's" and a tray with drinks and a dessert. A bench is on the right, and boats are visible in the background.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Fisherman’s Terminal

We’ve been coming here with the kids for fish and chips from Anthony’s Little Chinook’s Fish Bar forever. There is easy parking and it’s fun to walk the docks and look at all the boats while we wait for our food. This might also be a good place to start or end a bike ride if you want to get to Ballard Locks or the Lake Union Trail.

A white paper cup with a green sleeve, featuring a latte art design on top. The cup is placed on a dark wooden counter with a colorful, decorative tile backsplash depicting lemons and other patterns.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A paper cup filled with a latte featuring latte art sits on a wooden table. A part of a red chair and a glimpse of the sidewalk can be seen in the background.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A hand holding a cold drink in a clear cup with a black star and the letter "R" printed on it. The background shows a rustic coffee shop interior with menu signage and warm lighting.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Coffee shops

I often get asked my favorite coffee shop and my favorite is usually the one I’m closest to because we have so many delicious coffee shops in Seattle. We recently enjoyed Caffe Migliore downtown and my Yorkie poo had his first Puppucinno (a no sugar whip cream treat topped with bacon) so that is definitely Scout’s new favorite. I also tell everyone to go to the Starbucks Roastery because it’s the biggest and most gorgeous coffee shop I’ve ever visited. And I also suggest Cafe Umbria, Monorail Coffee, Boon Boona, Espresso Vivace and about 100 more.

A street market scene with colorful tents and orange banners under a sunny sky. A "Street Closed" sign is visible in front of a detour sign. People browse stalls along a closed urban street lined with trees and buildings.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A hand holding a red popsicle wrapped in clear plastic is in the foreground. The background features colorful fabric flags—yellow, red, blue—fluttering above a sidewalk, with a blue sky and some clouds visible.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A large hedge sculpted into the shape of a dog stands on a grassy area. In front is a sign with information. Two street signs are visible on the right, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Fremont and the Sunday Market

The Fremont Troll, Theo Chocolate Factory and the giant dinosaur topiaries by the Fremont Canal are some of the places I usually take guests to our city. And if you happen to be in town on a Sunday, there is nothing like strolling the Fremont Sunday Market. We love our neighborhood farmer’s markets in Seattle and this one happens all year-round.

A tall, modern office building with reflective windows and a colorful glass awning in red, blue, and yellow above the entrance. Green plants line the pathway leading to the entrance under a cloudy sky.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A city street scene with two yellow scooters parked on a sidewalk in front of a modern building labeled "MOTIF." A large advertisement featuring a woman is visible on the building. Trees and street lamps line the sidewalk.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Aerial view of a cityscape at sunset, featuring modern skyscrapers and older buildings. The sky is tinged with warm hues, and the streets below are lined with trees. A large building with distinctive arched roofs stands prominently in the foreground.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A person and a black dog look out from a balcony over a city skyline. In the distance, there is a large body of water with boats and a Ferris wheel. Skyscrapers and various buildings surround the scene.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A table with plates of cake, salads, and a glass of red wine is set against a cityscape backdrop. Tall buildings, a river, and part of a Ferris wheel are visible in the distance, creating a scenic view.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Aerial view of an urban street corner at dusk. Trees line one side of the street, and a large, illuminated window is visible on an ornate building. Streetlights cast a warm glow, and a few people walk on the pavement. The street sign reads "LOFT.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A small black dog with a fluffy coat sits on a yellow chair. The dog is wearing a green bandana with white patterns and the word "Seattle." The background includes a metallic silver cushion.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A small dog walks past a store window showcasing elegant evening gowns in various styles and colors, displayed on mannequins against a blue backdrop. The street is dimly lit, creating a warm, nighttime urban ambiance.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Staying at a Downtown Seattle Hotel

We live fairly close to downtown but there is something about staycationing right in the city that makes even a trip close to home feel like a holiday. Peering out of the windows from the Motif Hotel and seeing the ships cruise by the waterfront and watching the bustling city below is a scene that can entertain for a while. Having to take the pup for a walk is a great excuse to stroll by the dressed up windows of places like Luly Yang at night to see all the lights in the city.

A lifelike dinosaur figure is partially hidden among lush green foliage, with vibrant pink flowers in the foreground. The creature's mouth is open, and its teeth are visible. The scene is set in a dense, forest-like environment.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Two people in jackets look up at a large dinosaur statue in a wooded park. Tall trees surround the scene, with sunlight filtering through the branches. The dinosaur appears to be a long-necked sauropod.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Woodland Park Zoo

I grew up in Vancouver BC and the zoo and the Fisherman’s restaurant on the waterfront were the two places we visited every time we came to Seattle. My parents had a membership when I was little so of course I have had one ever since we moved here too. And special exhibits like the dinosaurs that are here until September make every visit different.

A small black dog on a city sidewalk looks curiously at a mural of puppies wearing sunglasses painted on a wall. The scene is bright and playful, capturing the dog's interest in the art.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A mural with a black background features green and yellow abstract shapes. Text reads "We're in this together." The artwork is displayed on a building's exterior, with metal railings in front.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Sidewalk view of a building facade with colorful abstract mural art featuring geometric shapes in orange, red, white, and green tones. The mural includes stars, circles, and angular forms, signed by "@ocreative" at the bottom right.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A wall features a mural of a white bear cub next to a quote by Macklemore: "Change the game, don't let the game change you." The background is dark gray, and the floor is light-colored tile.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

A modern building facade with a quote by Dave Matthews displayed prominently: "I’ll lean on you and you lean on me and we’ll be ok." The entrance is surrounded by green trees and the sidewalk is visible.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Mural featuring stylized sunflowers painted on a dark wall. Text in the middle reads "WE SHOULD OUTTA BEGI LYFS." The art is bordered by an orange frame and a metal dog bowl is on the ground below.

Terumi Pong, @helloterumi

Seattle Murals and public art

We are also really lucky to have a lot of public murals in Seattle like a playful puppy mural we recently spotted downtown. It gives a lot of hope to see beautiful art in Seattle and it’s even better when it can be accessed by anyone who is passing by.

About the Author

I Know A Place

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