Having friends visit Seattle is always a gift. For some, it’s a chance to catch up. For others, it’s a reason to show all sorts of niche things. And for me, it’s a chance to eat my way through the city guilt free. I have been very lucky to take around my friend, Miss Muktruong who has been trying to find inspiration to review her old YouTube channel, and a couple other friends throughout the seasons in the short time I have lived here. As such I undertook (slash am undertaking as it updates) the task of making a list that covered some personal wants combined with underrated spots that I think that everyone should try at least once.

And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn folks now, this is a combined Seattle/Eastside list as–drum roll–I still primarily reside in the Eastside at this time.

The List

Sub-sectioned to make life easier on everyone 🙂

The Seattle Area Culture

Wandering around Capitol Hill

Seattle and the related burbs has an eclectic mix of things to offer folks. While one cannot deny the varied impact of music culture, the agricultural push for organic farming, and tech-industry influences at times seems at odd-ends with one another, they’ve combined in a way that makes there a “thing” for everyone here!

  • MoPOP aka Museum of Pop Culture
    • While this seems super touristy and like a gimmick, how many museums have half their permanent installments be homages to music and sci-fi vibes? Yes I said sci-fi. Many music lovers know of the Pearl Jam and Nirvana roots, but how many people know of Frank Herbert’s local roots of Tacoma? Well Tacomans do, there are whole streets named after the Dune world niches. As such MoPOP finds a way to bring local Washington funk and counterculture to the masses.
  • Catch a show/performance at the Neptune Theater
    • Anyone who personally knows me will find this a mild surprise. I generally avoid performance buildings due to my aversion to large crowds, which is why this is the perfect place! It’s a much smaller platform but still brings in great headliners. For over 100 years the Neptune Theater has been home to everything from musicians to stand up comedians. Fringe benefit of this theater is since it’s in the University District (UDistrict), the tickets are pretty competitively priced.
  • Wander Around Capitol Hill
    • Or any other neighborhood! Cap Hill is a treasure trove of what many people enjoy about Seattle that isn’t the Space Needle, markets, or Chihuly, so it’s a solid place to wander through.
  • Waterfall Garden in Pioneer Square
    • This is going to elicit a chuckle for the locals. Waterfall Garden is a memorial park to the world’s first UPS. But it is pretty nifty to be able to imagine a bygone era having lived while enjoying some local chocolate from Intrigue Chocolate Co. or a cup of coffee. This also allows easy access to Pioneer Square, one of the (arguably) oldest neighborhoods of Seattle, which still has nuggets of joy even during the changes brought on by the pandemic. From thrifting to walking through the square proper, from board wall art to this waterfall, there’s a lot of little things packed into the area.
  • Peruse Georgetown Trailer Park Mall and it’s neighboring delights!
    • This could sound like the trashiest, grungiest thing I could suggest. It’s not. It’s the quirkiest, stumbling distance from all the food, ice cream (Matcha Man anyone?), and classic records shops (that still contain cassette tapes too!). This is my favorite little place to love to hate to love on. The “mall” usually has a lot of artists’ and creators’ works well worth the walk about.

The Seattle Adjacent Nature

It doesn’t count as a trip to the area unless the allure of nature doesn’t come up. As such here are some solid “Starbucks hikes” (they really should make that a thing) for those who may not be as familiar with nature as the local nature buff but still want to avoid FOMO! And no, Rattlensake doesn’t make the list because everyone knows about Rattlesnake Ledge… and the lake it overlooks have year over year been gradually disappearing…so it’s not nearly as much of a view as it was in years past.

  • Discovery Park
    • Yes this isn’t Seattle adjacent, it’s Seattle direct. I think it deserves a mention because the number of locals who have yet to find peace at the Lighthouse in the city is astounding. Don’t be like them. Accessible only via short “hike (100% Starbucks Hike). Important to note that this is a free hike. Some hikes are maintained by the state and have fees to continue the maintenance.
  • Poo Poo Point
    • Okay get the chuckles out now. This off of I-90 based hike is named such for the sound trains made passing through the mountains. Ya nasty. Depending which route taken, this is a good balance of chilland just enough elevation exertion to reap the full satisfaction of this view. Can additionally catch some paragliders from this (also free) hike.

Seattle Food

Coffeeholic

I literally started this article about Seattle as a foodie list first, so why is it last on the list of lists? I like to save the best for last 😉

  • Kazuma Fish Market, Edmonds, WA
    • Everyone and their mother knows about Seattle Fish Guys (which I also will say hit up)! Not everyone knows about the fish monger who established Uwajimaya’s thriving seafood market who then left to make a fish market of their own.
  • Coffeeholic
    • I stand by a solid modern coffee shop. For those who celebrate having fun with their drinks, for those who like them strong and with extra flavor that isn’t some sugary syrup–this is the place to be. They’ve done so well as to have two locations. If transit isn’t an issue, go to the original next to Super Six and grab a bite to eat as well.
  • Seattle Dogs
    • This wasn’t going to originally make the list. My Chicago biases made me think everyone knew about this style of dog. I won’t bias folks–it’s something worth trying, and if being traditional it’s after a late night out or sports games. Browned onions and cream cheese make the distinguishing notes of this dog. There’s no special location call out as it’s a general thing, but Neumo’s and Cycle Dogs both have them (the latter being vegan).
  • Mike’s Noodle House cash only
    • This marks two “Mike’s” that offer food worth obsessing over. Uncle Mike’s Place in Chicago, Mike’s Noodle House here…it’s a sign! Or at least a pleasant correlation. This place is such a popular and efficient haunt that most waits don’t surpass 20 minutes to get seated in its busiest form. They specialize in Cantonese style wonton/noodle soups with the perfect fresh Chinese donut to dip into it! And rather than assume people want a cup of water, cups are immediately filled and dispersed with free jasmine tea. It sits in the heart of the Chinatown portion of International District (ID or IDistrict for others) so parking can sometimes be a battle but it’s worth being able to wander around before/after. For some communities this may be an obvious choice, but I brave putting this into the limelight because it’s worth sharing at the cost of bumping up that seating time to 25 minutes (literally only had to wait wait when I came with a party of 4 once in my life).
  • Tres Sandwiches, Bellevue, WA
    • Another depending on the community (and frankly trendy levels) may be no surprise to anyone. Tres Sandwich is a Japanese style sandwich shop with some of the most delightful combos ever made. They prefer people to order ahead online as they bake all their bread fresh daily! If ordering online listen to the instructions given and go right to the front. Don’t let the people who came to order in person derail this as the cashiers will both judge you and stare down the customers who are slowing down their honestly phenomenally fast system. Grab a curry potato croquette sandwich for something both novel and delightful! Or go for a classic sweet whipped cream and strawberry sandwich!
  • Adey Abeba
    • Given the line up has been primarily Asian food (Seattle and Eastside have large Asian populations justifying the breadth and depth of this), one may start to believe that it’s only one continent of food to enjoy here. Wrong! Given the delicious Ethiopian food of Chicago, I made sure to find a place that would still (even if it was takeout only) equate to the joy of Demera. Enter Adey Abeba, which is takeout only at the time of writing this, in a neighborhood that may have changed drastically due to the tech-industry driven gentrification, but cannot and will not change the love, support, and deliciousness that is this restaurant. When the weather’s bad I order this and run off to Optimism Brewery in Capitol Hill as they allow outdoor food, children, dogs, etc. allowing for a welcome reprieve from any weather as long as at least one person doesn’t mind a midday brew (I encourage it, Seattle’s beer culture is fun and Optimism embodies quality, equity, and fun)!

Okay, that’s all for now! The more I dive into my new home, the more I can consider to add into here. Of course, don’t be surprised if I still reserve the biggest gems for my friends and visitors. Unlike Chicago, where I know I’m far away from and can share the secrets without consequence…Seattle is a smaller world than people expect!

Stay Hungry
XOXO
Mish  ❤

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