Seattle Travel Highlights
Seattle has been on my bucket list for the longest of time. Now, I can finally check it off of my list! Washington was everything that I imagined and dreamed of. There were hip coffee shops, amazing restaurants, and lots and lots of greenery. My friends and I stayed at an Airbnb in Downtown Seattle where we explored the city and visited all of the tourist attractions. It’s safe to say that I am a big fan of Seattle. Perhaps I will move there someday to live out my city girl dreams.
What really made this trip a memorable and fun experience were the friends that explored the city with me. From delivering TED talks about our exes at PowerPoint night to filming an unhealthy amount of TikToks, there were countless moments where I laughed so hard that I fell to the floor. Being surrounded by good company hits different. Around my friends, I feel comfortable to truly be myself. They know and love me so well, and I know that I can always count on them to support me. Friends like that are rare and hard to find. I am truly blessed.
All in all, this trip was one for the books. Of all the different places that I have visited this year, I would say that Seattle falls near the top of my list. Here are some of my travel highlights from this special trip:
1. Pike Place
You simply cannot travel to Seattle without making a pit stop at Pike Place. It’s unavoidable and a must-see. Pike Place is an incredibly fun area to explore. It’s basically a farmer’s market on steroids. There are rows and rows of vendors selling different types of things from artwork to flowers. I loved gazing at the flower stands and seeing all of the unique flower arrangements at Pike. If I lived in Seattle, I would visit Pike Place every week to purchase a new bouquet for my space. I don’t have much of a green thumb, but Seattle makes me want to become a plant lady. It’s peonies galore (my favorite flower)!
2. St. James Cathedral
Holy smokes. This church was breathtakingly beautiful. If you have been following my page for a while now, you know that I am OBSESSED with church architecture. I just love the grandeur of beautifully designed Catholic churches. No modern-esque church can ever compare to a beautiful Catholic cathedral. St. James Cathedral is just as impressive as the churches I visited in Europe. The entrance song for mass sent chills down my spine. I kid you not. The choir and organist were seriously that good. Father Michael, the pastor of St. James Cathedral, delivered a beautiful homily on dependence on God during Independence Day weekend. It resonated with me immensely and was a firm, yet gentle reminder of God’s goodness in the tough moments of life.
3. University of Washington
The campus at UW is truly magical. Coming from an institution with more modern architecture, I have a deep appreciation for intricate, grand, and ornate buildings in older universities like UW. My friends and I spent the most amount of time in the Suzzallo and Allen library. As a self-proclaimed bookworm, this has to be one of my favorite libraries that I have ever stepped foot in. It felt like I was at Hogwarts. The way the marble staircase led to this beautiful collection of books made this library a captivating setting. It is most definitely worth walking around, even if you have no intention of attending the school.
4. Seattle Japanese Garden
The Japanese garden is a secluded and peaceful space to be one with nature. If you love surrounding yourself in greenery, this is the spot for you. My friends and I really enjoyed walking around and exploring the garden. Admission is a little pricey. But if you have a student ID, the ticket can be discounted by half. We loved watching the turtles and koi fish swim in the pond. It was a relaxing setting and perfect little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
5. Freya Bakery and Cafe
The Freya Bakery and Cafe is just a short walk from Pike’s Place. If you’re looking to get a nice cup of coffee and sweet treat, this is the spot to visit. There are tons of unique pastries and baked goods to choose from. It’s hard to pick just one. I ended up purchasing a pear crème brûlée tart and artichoke and spinach quiche. They were the perfect treats to eat before my flight back home to San Diego. The staff was very friendly and kind which made the experience all the more enjoyable. I highly recommend making a pit stop to this bakery at least once when you are exploring Seattle.
Overall, this trip was one to remember. I had so much fun exploring this beautiful city with my friends. It was full of unforgettable memories, great laughs, and lots of serotonin. While I will be away from my girls for a short while, I’ll be running into their arms soon when I go to Reno, Nevada next week! Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my travel highlights! You can find more life-related posts here. Stay tuned for more updates on my adventures.
Emily
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