I’ve been lucky enough to visit Seattle many times over the years, so I have definitely crossed all of the Seattle “tourist attractions” off my bucket list. I’ve braved the crowds at the Waterfront, ordered coffee at the first ever Starbucks at the Pike Place Market and even taken a boat tour of the city. So when I had the opportunity to take a last-minute weekend trip to Seattle, I decided that this time I was going to experience this beloved Pacific Northwest city like a true local.
Fortunately, I was able to make this impromptu Seattle trip possible because of HotelTonight, which offers great last-minute deals at a number of hotels in Seattle. Within a few minutes, I had booked a hotel room in downtown Seattle and was ready to start my weekend adventure in this unique city.
I wanted to finally see Seattle like a true Seattleite, so I knew I had to start my weekend with one particular activity that locals love – getting outside. Even though the clouds were dark and the air was damp, Seattle locals were out in full force, getting in their exercise and enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of their city. I headed to Green Lake, an upscale neighborhood situated on a picturesque lake. Since I flew into the city and didn’t rent a car, I was planning on relying solely on public transportation for the duration of the weekend. I hopped on a public bus and was at Green Lake about thirty minutes later. While at Green Lake, I did as the locals were doing and hit the trail running. There’s a 2.8-mile track that winds alongside the lake, and I laced up my running shoes and went for a jog, soaking in the gorgeous scenery with every step. Many locals were also out on the lake in kayaks, but I decided I was not brave enough to venture out on any body of water when it looked like it was about to rain.
After my brisk jog along the lake, I was pretty hungry. So I hopped on another bus and made my way to Queen Anne, a primarily residential district known for its beautiful craftsman homes. There’s something very romantic and nostalgic about Queen Anne, with its steep roads and beautiful architecture. However, I found that one of the best parts about Queen Anne was its sweeping views of downtown Seattle and Mount Rainier. After grabbing a bite to eat (and a coffee – I was in Seattle, after all!) at a quaint café, I made my way to Kerry Park, which boasts terrific views of Seattle, the Pacific Ocean, and beyond. I stood and admired the gorgeous view of the city before heading back to my hotel to shower and change.
After freshening up at my downtown hotel, I decided to check out what is now widely considered Seattle’s hippest ‘hood – Capitol Hill. This neighborhood is filled with artists, musicians, young professionals and hipsters, and its unique spirit definitely makes it a standout neighborhood in the city. Before grabbing dinner and drinks at some of Capitol Hill’s trendiest spots, I went for a stroll at Volunteer Park, a beautiful green park where I found countless more locals running and walking. Seattleites sure do love to stay fit. I loved the energy and excitement of Capitol Hill so much that I ended up staying there for much longer than I had expected, dancing and mingling with the locals until midnight. By the time I finally made it back to my hotel that night, I was so exhausted from my full day of exploring Seattle that I fell asleep almost instantly.
I woke up on Sunday morning surprised to see the sun shining, something I’ve rarely seen in all my visits to Seattle. So I decided to make the most of the sunshine and headed to Ballard, a historically Scandinavian fishing neighborhood that is now known for its charming community and great farmers market. I walked through the busy, colorful farmers market and tasted some delicious local produce and artisanal food products. For anybody who’s in Seattle on a Sunday, I’d highly suggest taking a stroll through the Ballard farmers market.
After checking out of my hotel, I decided to take a few minutes to walk around downtown Seattle. While I have spent a great deal of time in downtown Seattle in the past, I still find that there’s something new to see or experience every time I visit. I didn’t want to leave Seattle on such a glorious, sunny day, but I knew that I’d be back one day to explore more parts of this Pacific Northwest gem. Now that I know it’s so easy to book last-minute hotels through HotelTonight, I’m not intimidated by the thought of taking an impromptu trip to Seattle when I have another free weekend.
