Author Archives: Laurah Amy Hagen

By Laurah Amy Hagen

At fifteen years old, I flew over Seattle en route to Canada, falling in love with the misty green landscape from my seat in the sky, and promised I’d live there someday. Seven years later, as the proud new owner of a college degree, I did just that.

Seattle was a dream come true; every day, there was something creative to take part in, from a neighborhood farmers market to a touring dance company performing downtown. As I’m no longer a Seattle resident, I show my adoration for the city by sending my best friends off to discover all my favorite spots, creating itineraries for their Seattle vacations.

The following list represents my all-time favorite Seattle destinations. These are the places I send my best friends, so from my heart to yours, I hope you enjoy!

1)    Pike Place Market

The classic Seattle tourist destination is still deserving of a visit. Nibble your way down the market, snacking on slices of locally grown fruit and chocolate covered cherries, while dodging airborne seafood launched by the hysterical employees of Pike Place Fish. Cross to the opposite side of the street for your stroll back, to enjoy performances by the talented musicians lining the sidewalks. If you can make it before 8am, you’ll enjoy all the market delicacies without the crowds.

2)    Frye Art Museum

Seattle’s free art gallery (with free parking, too…quite the luxury!) rotates exhibits regularly, offering up a steady stream of creative inspiration. The Frye is small enough that you can spend an hour and see everything, leaving energized instead of overwhelmed.

3)    The Center for Wooden Boats

Having recently completed an extensive renovation, this quiet spot on Lake Union is a great place to unwind from the bustle of downtown. Chances are that you’ll run into a passionate volunteer, eager to share the history of one of the docked boats. Throughout the summer, the center offers free sails on Lake Union in a refurbished wooden sailboat.

4)    Theo Chocolates

This whimsical chocolate factory offers tours for $6/person, led by a passionate employee who loves spreading the word about fair-trade chocolate. You’ll learn how cocoa beans become chocolate bars, and get to see the equipment in action. Best of all, you’ll have a chance to sample nearly every sweet that the company sells. Book a reservation early, as tours regularly fill.

5)    Gas Works Park

Situated on grassy hills overlooking Lake Union, this large park is a favorite place for locals to enjoy sunny afternoons. There’s plenty of room to fly kites, play Frisbee, or enjoy a leisurely picnic. Airplanes making the run from Camano Island buzz the park and land on the water across the lake, while kayakers paddle along the shoreline, making for a high-energy location.

6)    Alki Beach Park

This long strip of beach in West Seattle is home to several miles of wide, paved sidewalk. In the summer, roller bladers turn out en masse to enjoy the exercise with a view. You can rent roller blades from a small kiosk off the main road, or enjoy a tamer walk along the water, admiring the incredible view of the water, mountains, and freighter ships heading towards the port.

7)    Seattle Center

This gargantuan complex of buildings, encompassing the Science Center and Experience Music Project among others, is impossible to take in in one day. However, you can choose one or two locations to explore, and leave the rest a mystery for another day. The International Fountain, located in the courtyard, is worthy of a visit; Kids, and the occasional adult, splash in the water and enjoy the surround-sound music.

8)    Olympic Sculpture Park

One of the more recent additions to the local art scene, this experiential gallery invites visitors to walk along the water, climb over the grassy hills, and touch the large sculptures looming overhead. The Olympic Sculpture Park is walking distance from Pike Place Market, and welcomes a crowd of picnickers in the summer who want to escape the crowds at the market and work up an appetite.

9)    Teatro ZinZanni

Seattle’s non-profit dinner theater never ceases to amaze. From the awe-inspiring performers to the four-course Tom Douglas menu, you’ll be impressed by the value and entertainment delivered for the money. The costumes alone are impressive…expect sequins, feathers, and other trappings appropriate for a burlesque-themed event.

10)    Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry

The best view of the city is found on the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Passengers can walk on from the convenient downtown dock, and explore the cute streets of Bainbridge before hopping back on for the return trip. If you go in the late evening, you’ll see the city lights silhouetted against the sky…the perfect ending to a day in Seattle.

Author Information

When Laurah Amy Hagen isn’t busy working on her master’s degree, she can be found cross country skiing, baking ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies, and hosting dinner parties. She is also a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on the subject of medical transcription training for the Guide to Health Education.