The Best of Both Worlds

99% of our free time and weekends are spent hours away from Seattle hiking and backpacking through the beautiful trails that Washington gracefully provides. This weekend, my wife and I, along with our two little paw friends, indulged ourselves in what Seattle has to offer us: delicious bites, piers, parks, and so much more! Believe it or not, we were able to get ourselves lost in nature without having to step out of Seattle. This is what makes Seattle unique—there are skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle of a city, but there are also parks and lakes that can make you forget that you’re not out in the mountains! Check out our itinerary and see how we were able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

STAY

The Charter Hotel Seattle

This hotel had it all—friendly staff, city and water views, swanky décor, and is located in an unbeatable location less than a 10-minute walk away from Pike Place Market. Oh, let’s not forget they are pet friendly so you can travel with your doggos stress free! One of our favorite perks of this hotel was the rooftop bar it has, which I will explain more a little later in this blog.

EAT

Dreamland Bar & Diner

This place is a vibe! The diner is decorated with lots of plants, huge windows that allow for a ton of natural lighting and breeze, and stylish art pieces everywhere that my wife wished she could take home! We headed over for some weekend brunch and were seated indoors with our dogs—yes, you heard that right! Fun fact: did you know Washington is the most pet-friendly state in the country? We ordered chicken & waffles and a yogurt parfait.

Elliott’s Oyster House

Try and make a reservation ahead of time (for outdoor seating if you are visiting during warmer weather) and enjoy some seafood by the water over wine while watching the sunset. We ordered oysters, salmon, and scallops and let me tell you, our stomachs were very happy!

Fog Room

Want to wind down and grab some cocktails with some of the best views of Seattle? Head over to the Fog Room. It is a rooftop bar in The Charter Hotel so if that is where you are staying, you are in for a treat without having to walk more than a few steps. It was truly a dreamy night, and we watched the sun go down and every minute, we saw the sky turn a different color. It was truly a wonderful time. I think the pictures will explain for themselves.

DO

Walk around the Piers

Everyone visits Pike Place Market, but I highly recommend walking down to the piers. If you make your way to Pier 57, you will see the Seattle Great Wheel and many other attractions and activities to keep you busy.

Hike the South Beach Trail in Discovery Park

If you are up for some adventure and exercise, head to Discovery Park. This is one of our favorite parks in Seattle because it really makes you feel like you stepped out of the city and are surrounded by nature. Map yourself to Discovery Park’s north parking lot and find the South Beach Trail heading towards the famous West Point Lighthouse. We took our time and took pictures, and in less than 30 minutes we were at the lighthouse. If you are lucky and it is a clear day, you will see Mt. Rainier looking beautiful as always.

Paddle in South Lake Union

Another favorite activity of ours is paddling in South Lake Union. While we have our own, you can always rent one from Moss Bay. We love paddling here because there is always so much activity—from people sunbathing in their boats, to other paddlers and kayakers making their rounds around the lake, to watching the seaplanes land on the water right next to you.

About the Author

Andy Nam

I'm a digital content creator residing in Kirkland, WA. I was born and raised in New York City. My wife, two dogs (Ginny & Pixel) and I all moved out to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago. We all enjoy adventuring out into the mountains and lakes across the region. We fell in love with the Emerald City and love visiting on a frequent basis. I enjoy playing sports, hiking, snowboarding, and finding ways to stay creative. I love meeting other creatives to be able to learn and bounce ideas off each other. Instagram: (a.k.a. @andynammm)