What you should really do when visiting Seattle

The New York Times published a 36-hour itinerary for a trip to Seattle. The article has some scratching their heads, noting that it states Fremont is within walking distance of Ravenna.

It’s not uncommon for a national publication to write features on the Northwest. It’s also quite common for locals to almost immediately start tearing it apart. In that Seattle spirit, the MyNorthwest staff put together its own travel suggestions. Just so we don’t step on the New York Times’ 36-hour concept, we’ll say 48 hours — two days in the Emerald City.

Before we do, however, just for the record:

• The hour and a half stretch between Ravenna and Fremont is not easily walkable for many (at least for most people outside of a “Walking Dead” episode).
• Despite common misconceptions, it doesn’t rain in Seattle all the time. The Northwest has the best summer weather in the nation. It’s just the other 11½ months that give it a bad reputation.
• If you do spend a night out on a tequila-fueled Capitol Hill bar crawl, you are not likely getting up for brunch in Ballard by 11 a.m.
• Pioneer Square’s old brick and granite blocks do not give off a “creepy, neglected vibe” as the New York Times states. They clearly provide an old-timey, classically romantic ambiance.

Stephanie Klein: Enjoy the ferries

The New York Times mentioned the Nordic Museum to start. No offense to my Scandinavian friends, but I’d rather be on the water if my time is limited. Ride the ferry from Coleman Dock to Bainbridge and back. The fare is under $10. Grab a coffee on the ferry and pretend you’re on Grey’s Anatomy (when it was good). Head to the outdoor deck above for a full 360 degree view of Elliott Bay.

Or better yet, take the water taxi to West Seattle and walk to Spuds on Alki for fish n’ chips. Snap a selfie with the Seattle skyline in the background and ponder what this place looked like when the Denny Party arrived in the 1850s. Return to the Seattle waterfront for a stroll. Look below to see if someone has thrown a bikeshare overboard. Extra points if you ride the Great Wheel in the rain — no line.

Chason Gordon: Pike Place is worth it

There are some misguided folks (including my co-worker Dyer Oxley below) who will poo-poo tourist destinations like Pike Place Market, forgetting that everyone begins in Seattle as a tourist. Even if you were born here, you were still technically a tourist as a baby. What a cute tourist you were.

But seasoned locals often too easily dismiss what is one of the more interesting markets in the country. To avoid crowds, just go there early on a weekday when the weather’s horrible and it’ll feel like you have the entire place to yourself. Then you’ll have time and room to discover the numerous catacomb-like hallways below, filled with all sorts of oddities few know about.

Since I realize recommending Pike Place is far from original, more unique choices include Whirlyball on Aurora, a sport which is a combination of bumper cars, basketball, and lacrosse (seriously). And then there’s the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. You’ll need to take the ferry to get there. But you’ll find a mixed bag of nature, including a Japanese garden, a bird marsh, a rhododendron glen, a mystical moss forest that’s probably haunted, and even a reflecting pool with a bench where you can sit and think about the $17 you spent to get into the park.

Dyer Oxley: North of the canal

Nearly every travel guide is going to tell you about Pike Place Market and the waterfront. They aren’t bad spots, but quite generic. If you want to experience Seattle as locals enjoy, visit the neighborhoods north of the canal. If Seattle was a street, this is a tour through its neighborly personas – the youthful and hip U-District; the family-friendly Wallingford; wacky neighbor Fremont; and the neighbor with a job, Ballard.

These neighborhoods are light on tourist nick-knacks, and heavy on local-favorite shops, food, and more.

• University District: Start by walking through the beautiful university grounds amid all the cherry blossoms and scenic architecture. Then stroll down University Avenue for an eclectic mix of food and shops. Pick up a gyro at Aladdin.
• Wallingford: Tour 45th Street with its bites and bars. The original Dick’s Drive-In is here. Try something at the 45th Stop N Shop Poke Bar; nachos at the Grizzled Wizard; boutiques and cupcakes in Wallingford Center; coffee with cats the Mewotropolitan. Then take a peek at quirky Archie McPhee, which will prepare you for oddball Fremont.
• Fremont: Seattle’s famous troll under the bridge is here. So is the giant Lenin statue (Vladimir, not John). Fremont boasts a taco bar, Jewish diner, Russian dumplings, Korean brunch, pinball, and a prohibition-era themed cocktail bar … and a rocket ship. While you’re here, spend some time at the Fremont Vintage Mall.
• Ballard: Ballard is Seattle’s ongoing identity crisis. It has spent decades ousting retirees and replacing them with yuppies. Through it all, it has retained a sense of Scandinavian pride. Take a walk along Ballard Avenue for a peek into Seattle’ brick-textured past. The neighborhood has saved characteristic 100-year-old buildings and put interesting shops, restaurants, and bars in them. Have a bite at Puffy Taco outside Hotel Albatross. And visit the farmers market every Sunday all year round. End your day at the Ballard waterfront and catch the sunset.

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