The perfect weekend in a city consists of the right balance of sights, culture, food and relaxation and, a weekend break to Seattle is the perfect amount of time to take in an get to know the city.
To start your weekend off head to the local favourite, Pike Place Market, this is full of delicious and fresh produce and, the perfect introduction to the city. It’s located downtown so logistically it’s a good starting point also. Along the waterfront and a mixed crowd, the best time to take in the market is early in the morning where you will get to watch vendors prepare their stalls and lay out their delicious and mouth-watering array of fresh products. There are also bakeries, cafes and coffee shops around to have some breakfast and take in the ambiance. The very first Starbucks is also located here. If you are a foodie, there is the option to get the inside scoop on the market and go on a local chef tour.
To take in the city’s skyline, the Seattle Great Wheel is a relaxing eye opener to the breath-taking views of the city. It extends approx. 40 feet high over Elliot Bay so you can see as far as the surrounding islands. It takes 12 minutes and a dusk ride on this will be particularly pretty. A dinner cruise along the river is a nice evening activity in the summer and then head to catch some jazz and enjoy the local music culture.
For some gifts and keepsakes from the weekend, head to Archie McPhee which is a local institution and much loved Seattle haunt. It’s full of delightful and random goodies and even if you’re not one for picking up these types of gifts, it’s definitely worth a visit. Some of the local food places not to be missed include the Buttermilk doughnuts at Family Donut Shop which is a small family owned doughnut shop where they do an amazing apple fritter. Café Besalu is well known for their amazing croissants. Oysters are a staple across the city.
As with any city, the hotel list and accommodation options are endless. It’s worth checking out the hotel offers at Amex Travel UK when deciding on a hotel. Local recommendations include the Ace Hotel which is located by the bar and night scene and the trendy and edgy part of town with great cafes. The Edgewater is right on the bay and has a great bar with live music at the weekends. The décor is unusual with a natural focus.