The Ultimate Seattle Experiences that Dazzle the Senses—Art, Culture and Culinary

Photos by Laura Novak

A walk through the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum in Seattle, which opened in 2012, is a breathtaking experience. Dale Chihuly’s revolutionary works of glass are showcased in both the darkness and in a sunlit area known as the “Glasshouse,” which is an installation of a 100-foot-long glass sculpture bursting with color.

Photo by Laura Novak

The museum—a must see, stands in the shadow of another iconic Seattle structure, the newly renovated Space Needle, which now boasts “The Loupe,” the world’s first and only revolving glass floor which treats visitors with downward views of the city. Tourists can delight in the magnificent views of Seattle as well on the Observation Deck which has floor-to-ceiling glass and boasts 360-degree views of the Puget Sound.

Both structures are located at the Seattle Center; an area filled with museums, fountains, restaurants, parks, and it is also home to the ultra-modern Museum of Pop culture. This eclectic museum’s focus is on interactive experiences, whether it is by playing musical instruments in its “jam studios” or going on a fantastical journey to explore the genre of magic in films.

Pike Place Market

A city filled with art and culture, Seattle might be most known as the hub for America’s coffee of choice, Starbucks. Visitors today line up to have a taste of their favorite cup of java at Pike Place Market, home to the first Starbucks. This Starbucks reflects the company’s passion for innovation and recycling. Be sure to notice the details, as the wall tapestry was created out of repurposed burlap coffee bags from the local roasting plant, and the leather on the bars was scrap from shoe and car factories.

Left: Piroshky Piroshky, Right: Le Panier

Try out some or all of the outstanding pastry shops that surround the Starbucks. Favorites include the French bakery, Le Panier, where the croissants are mouthwatering, the brioche framboise is delectable, and the gluten-free macarons are scrumptious. For some Russian delights, try the flavorful apple cinnamon roll and the decadent marzipan roll at Piroshky Piroshky.

After indulging in the ultimate sweetness, wander through the flower-filled market, marvel at the ever-changing crafts that local artists create and relish in the scents and colors of the fresh fruit and veggies that are delivered daily.

Photo by Masada Siegel

One of the quintessential Seattle moments to experience is in the fish section of the market, where men in orange create a unique show as they toss enormous slippery fish around and catch them. It’s a must see, simply because no trip to Seattle is complete without it.

Be sure to find the nearby Pike Place Market Urban Garden. It is a hidden gem. It’s a spacious rooftop garden filled with phenomenal views of the waterfront. It also grows a myriad of fruit, vegetables and herbs such as cherry tomatoes, Cinderella crab apples, lemon verbena and Corsican mint, all which are donated to the Food Bank and Senior Center.

Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

Located a few blocks away from Pikes Place is the inviting Four Seasons Hotel which faces Puget Sound on one side and the Seattle Art Museum on the other. The interior design of the lobby is unique in that it is both sophisticated and relaxed.

As it’s Seattle, an added perk is that the hotel delivers freshly brewed coffee to your room every morning. Yet, if hot chocolate is more to your liking, try a sumptuous one, which is available at the exquisite artisan Fran’s Chocolates. The store can be accessed off of the lobby of the hotel.

Goldfinch Tavern

For an outstanding meal, dine at the hotel’s Goldfinch Tavern, where Chef Joe Ritchie will delight with his flavorful array of fresh fish, meats and farm-fresh vegetables. A fun option is to sit back and try the “Trust the Chef” option, where your server will find out your tastes and then you simply let the chef create a personalized magnificent dinner experience filled with a wide array of seasonal favorites.

Photo by Gerry Kan

If contemporary, comfortable and spacious are to your liking, stay at the LOEWS 1000 hotel. The hotel completed a multi-million dollar renovation in 2017 and did a phenomenal job. The suites are modern yet luxurious and boast spectacular waterfront views. Guests will especially enjoy the enormous bathrooms with glass surround shower and a freestanding, two-person “fill from the ceiling” pedestal tub by a window.

Our hotel room was so inviting, we even chose to order in from some fabulous restaurants so we could relax and watch the sun sink into the Puget Sound.

The outstanding Japanese restaurant Japonessa was a clear winner. It prides itself on being a Japanese core concept with hints of Latin flair. The venue mixes and matches sushi with cilantro and sashimi rolls with mango. The flavors are eclectic, and the fusion is fabulous.

While Seattle might be known as the Emerald city because of all the greenery and parks, it truly is filled with a rainbow of colors, culture, flavor, personality and endless choices of places to visit, restaurants to experience and sites to see.