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Seattle, Washington: Your Ultimate Guide by a Local!
Hey everyone! 👋 I'm Nhat, a 28-year-old Seattle resident for the past decade! I'm super excited to share my insider tips to make your Seattle visit unforgettable.
1. Arrival: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- SEA Airport: Your gateway to the Emerald City!
- Accommodation: Tons of hotels and Airbnbs near the airport. Check your favorite app for the best deals.
- Downtown Hotels: Beautiful options downtown, within walking distance of shopping. Be prepared for higher prices (starting around $180/night) and limited, expensive parking ($20-$30/day).
2. Getting Around Seattle
- Rental Cars: A classic choice for exploring at your own pace.
- Ride-Sharing: Uber and Lyft are readily available.
- Public Transportation (Train/Bus):
- ORCA Card: Purchase an ORCA card ($5) at stations like Tukwila Link Station or Westlake Station. Load it up and ride!
- 1-Day Pass: Unlimited train rides from SeaTac Airport to downtown for just $6!
- Transit Go App: Download the Transit Go app and pay directly with your credit or debit card. Super convenient! Just show your phone to the driver.
3. Seattle Weather: Be Prepared!
Seattle has distinct seasons! The key feature? Rain! Expect rain 9 out of 12 months. It can be unpredictable – sunny one minute, pouring the next! For the best weather, plan your visit between mid-April and August: warmer temperatures, less rain, and more opportunity for outdoor adventures!
4. Must-See Seattle Attractions
- Space Needle: The icon of Seattle! Tickets are about $25 and include access to the Chihuly Garden & Glass. Get ready for breathtaking views!
- Museum of POP Culture (MoPOP): Explore music, science fiction, and pop culture! Tickets range from $25-$34; kids under 4 are free. MoPOP Website
- City Pass: Consider a City Pass (around $70-$80) for access to 5 attractions of your choice. Might be cheaper than individual tickets!
- Ride the Ducks: A unique and fun tour of Seattle! This amphibious vehicle takes you around the city and then cruises on South Lake Union. Adults: $35, Kids (4-20): $20, Under 4: $5. Ride the Ducks Website
- Alki Beach (West Seattle): Enjoy stunning views of the city skyline from this free beach! Summer is especially lively.
- Japanese Garden: A beautiful and serene oasis! Entrance fee: $8. Perfect for photos! Seattle Japanese Garden Website
- Kerry Park: For postcard-perfect photos of the Seattle skyline and Space Needle. Address: 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119
- University of Washington Cherry Blossoms: Visit in March or April for a spectacular display of cherry blossoms on the UW campus.
- Tulip Festival: If you love tulips, don't miss the Tulip Festival in April, May, or June. Tulip Festival Website
- Starbucks Reserve Roastery: See how they roast and brew coffee on-site! Address: 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
- Pike Place Market: A must-visit! Explore the fish market and Pike Flower Market.
- Le Panier: Indulge in delicious macarons at this bakery in Public Market. Address: 1902 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
- Tech Hub: Seattle is home to tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. Visit the Microsoft Visitor Center (free) Microsoft Visitor Center and the Amazon Spheres (free) Amazon Spheres or check out the Amazon Go store.
- Leavenworth: Drive 2.5 hours to this charming Bavarian village. Known as "Christmas town," it offers delicious sausage and picturesque photo opportunities.
- Washington Park Arboretum: Huge park next to the Japanese Garden with a lot of areas with different plants.
- Kubota Garden: Another beautifull Japanese Garden that's free.
- Seward park: Parks along the Lake Washington with a lot of beautifull Kwanzan Cherry Trees.
- Rose Garden at Woodland Park Zoo: Beautifull roses during Summer
5. Where to Eat in Seattle
- Vietnamese:
- Rainier BBQ: Yelp Address: 6400 Martin Luther King Jr Way S Seattle, WA 98118
- Ba Bar: Yelp Address: 550 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122
- Sushi Kashiba: Exquisite (and expensive!) sushi. Expect to spend around $100 per person and wait for a table. Yelp Address: 86 Pine St Ste 1 Seattle, WA 98101
- The Habit Burger Grill: Yelp Address: 17025 Southcenter Pkwy Tukwila, WA 98188
- Boiling Point Taiwanese Hot Pot: Yelp Address: 361 Strander Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188
- Dim Sum:
- Chinese Buffet:
- Korean BBQ:
- Bubble Tea: Sharetea, Chatime, Kungfu Tea, Oasis Tea Zone
- Taiwanese Dessert: Fruit Bliss Cafe (414 8th Ave S Seattle, WA 98104), Blackball Dessert (22001 Hwy 99 Ste 300 Edmonds, WA 98026), Chè Bambu (516 7th Ave S Unit A Seattle, WA 98104)
6. Shopping in Seattle
- Shopping Malls: Bellevue Square, The Outlet Collection Seattle, Seattle Premium Outlets, Southcenter Mall
- Luxury Shopping: Find Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and Chanel at Bellevue Square, The Shop at The Braven, or downtown Seattle Nordstrom. Washington state sales tax is 10%.
Need more info? Just ask! And if you live in Washington, please share your tips in the comments! Thanks for reading!
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america travel
