Seattle is spectacular on a clear day. As adjacent Elliott Bay shimmers in the sunlight, the surrounding Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Rainier provide a stunning backdrop. Lake Union and Lake Washington become party central as sailboats, kayakers, and paddleboarders drift along the Montlake Cut, the graffitied University of Washington-adjacent canal that links the two bodies of water. The revelry, inspired by the sun’s warmth, creates a pervasive atmosphere of pure joy. Yet, the Emerald City is equally compelling in the weather that most defines it. Beauty exists in the varied hues of frequent gray, and cozy comfort can be found in the precipitation that often dominates the Pacific Northwest climate. Rain or shine, Seattle is a city that inspires.
Whatever the season, pack your all-weather gear and take your cues from residents who continue to bike, scooter, and walk throughout town, paying no mind to the mist and the intermittent showers. Whether winter cold or summer heat, either provides incentive to duck into the numerous coffee shops that dot each corner. This is, after all, the land of Starbucks, and one need only look left or right to spot your next caffeine fix.
STAY: The city’s hospitality offerings run the gamut. From boutique inns to historic hotels, there’s a match for every preference. Yet, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle can’t be beat for reflecting the best of its home town. From complimentary morning coffee, delivered to your room by the dedicated coffee concierge, to panoramic views of Elliot Bay to a culinary program directed by renowned celebrity chef Ethan Stowell, Four Seasons sets the bar for a gracious Seattle welcome. Of its 147 spacious and beautifully appointed rooms and suites, many are poised towards the water, as is the 4th floor rooftop pool. Here, guests gather, cocktail in hand, to enjoy golden sunsets after days of exploration of iconic destinations, most within close proximity. Pike Place Market, the Seattle Museum of Art, and the Seattle Aquarium, for instance, are all within easy walking distance. Allow the hotel concierge to make additional excursion recommendations and reservations, such as a private yacht tour of one of the many surrounding bays and lakes. Hotel favorites Chillin’ and Private Reserve can accommodate up to 13 guests for luxurious half or full day outings. And don’t miss a treatment at the hotel’s sumptuous, on-site spa.
DINE: Coffee may be king in Seattle, but fresh, seasonally-sourced cuisine seems to be dethroning that for which the city has historically been best known. Much like those headed to New York or San Francisco, travelers to Seattle consider the restaurant scene reason to visit. Leading the region’s culinary renaissance is Chef Stowell, an oft James Beard Award nominee who helms the kitchens at more than a dozen of Seattle’s most popular restaurants including the Four Seasons-located Goldfinch Tavern, serving classic Pacific Northwest cuisine. (Don’t miss the seared jumbo scallops with truffle butter sauce.)
Stowell got his start with the launch of his first Seattle restaurant in 2003, garnering immediate praise for his simple and elegant menu. His restaurants continue to be known for their dedication to unfussy sophistication and comfortable dining. Within his menu of eateries, guests can find everything from humble pizzerias (Ballard Pizza Co.) to convivial Italian trattorias (Tavolàta) to his super popular and charming How To Cook a Wolf, his homage to famed culinary writer MFK Fisher.
DO: Visitors can’t go wrong with the Seattle CityPASS that provides access to five of the city’s top attractions at great savings. Included is the Museum of Pop Culture OR Woodland Park Zoo, Chihuly Garden and Glass (where the iconic Dale Chihuly displays his fantastical glass art) OR Pacific Science Center, and Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, and the “must see” Space Needle.
Other “must dos” include the Seattle Great Wheel – especially fun at night when city lights are aglow. The Smith Tower Observatory, at one time the tallest building west of the Mississippi, provides wonderful 360° views of the city and beyond. The Seattle Art Museum, located downtown, features global art collections, temporary installations, and special exhibitions from around the world. The Four Seasons lobby offers direct access to Fran’s Chocolates, offering possibly the best salted caramels around. Legendary Pike Place Market continues to draw tourists who find great entertainment in the fish monger antics, but it’s also a true market where locals shop daily for their groceries. Try the honey crisp apples at Sosio’s Produce, a market institution for more than 50 years, or peruse the vast collections of chocolates, mustards, olives, cheese, and wine at DeLaurenti Specialty Foods and Wine. Across the street from the market you’ll find the Starbucks mothership—the first and original of its coffee shops worldwide. Muscle through the crowds taking requisite Instagram selfies and take your latte next door to Le Panier, the authentic French bakery that has been making palmiers and macarons in this location since 1983.
Finally, no visit to Seattle is complete without a glass interaction. Known as the American Venice, more than 700 glass artists call the area home, including glassybaby, maker of the addictive, colorful votive candle holders of which each purchase benefits cancer research. Schedule a visit to the Madrona Hot Shop where you can watch the professional glassblowers at work while selecting the ultimate handmade Seattle souvenir.