World-famous as a west-coast tech hub with campuses for Amazon and Google, Seattle is also home to a cool hospitality scene - it was the birth place of Starbucks after all, as well as the seafood-forward Pacific Northwest style of cuisine. While its days as the capital of grunge are long past, there is still an element of counter-culture with its indie art scene and coffee and book culture. Let’s explore. 

‍

SHOP 

Yes, it can rain in Seattle, so plan to spend some time exploring the newly revamped Pacific Place shopping emporium with five levels of shops and services to discover, including a movie theater and restaurants. Not ready to face the throngs at Seattle famous Pike Place Market? You can experience the food here instead, at Pike Place Chowder. Culture vultures will want to check out WOW gallery, from Wonder of Women International and Ghost gallery, featuring local and artisanal artwork, jewelry and even wine. For Pacific Northwest gifts, check out Bezel and Kiln and sister store The Handmade Showroom. An active pop-up program means you’ll want to return often. Fleurs de Villes NOËL show will festoon the shopping center with festive floral displays from December 10-18, 2022.

‍

STAY

It doesn’t get more iconic than The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle located right in between the famous Seattle Art Museum (who will have a show dedicated to the Ikat print in 2023) and Pike Place Market overlooking Elliot Bay. Celebrity chef Ethan Stowell collaborated with the hotel’s Goldfinch Tavern, named for Washington’s state bird, right in the lobby with ocean views and a subtle maritime theme evoking a yacht’s state room. The signature Goldfinch Burger, served on a board with a silver cup of fries, is the ultimate comfort food after a long day of sightseeing.

‍

DINE

Seattle has lively restaurant scene from simple oyster bars and food trucks to world-class fine dining. Dahlia Bakery is famous for their “Fossette” focaccia, and Spinasse is known for forward-thinking pasta and other dishes from Italy’s Piedmont region. At Pacific Place, check out Din Tai Fung, the wildly popular Taiwanese dumpling restaurant that was named one of New York Times' "top ten restaurants in the world." For something super casual, go for panko-crusted fish and chips at the new Pike Fish Bar. You can’t get more Seattle than that.

‍

DO 

Garden fans will want to pay a visit to the Volunteer Park Conservatory on Capital Hill with its gorgeous Victorian-style greenhouse styled after the Crystal Palace in London, England. The Woodland Park Rose Garden is a certified American Rose Test Garden where new hybrids are on display. Seattle is home to several urban Japanese gardens, too, such as the free Kubota garden with an interesting history and 20 acres of gardens at Ranier Beach. 

‍