Long weekend in Seattle, WA

When, Where and Why
We went to Washington State over Memorial Day weekend 2019 for my best friend’s wedding! We had such a great time there and lucked out with great weather! We visited Seattle and Bainbridge Island/Suquamish area.

About the destination
Seattle: This is the US’s northernmost large city. It may not be Washington’s capital city, but it is the most well known there. It is nicknamed the Emerald City because of its lush evergreen forests. It is known as the home of the first Starbucks (and honestly, arguably the worst Starbucks with the longest wait) and the original Amazon HQ. It’s a major port city for trade and has a very healthy economy. Boeing and Microsoft are also HQ’d here. It is home to the iconic Pike Place Market. Bainbridge Island: This is a city and island located in the Puget Sound. It was voted one of the best places to live in Washington.
Suquamish: Comprising the Port Madison Indian Reservation, this small territory is less than 8 square miles of space! It’s gorgeous and houses the Clearwater Casino.

Getting there
We flew from DCA (Washington, DC) to SEA (Seattle, WA) on United Airlines. We took ubers whenever we needed transportation!
The ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island is $8.50 pp there, and free on the return.

Staying there
In Seattle, we booked two nights at the Executive Hotel Pacific for a total of $336.37. For Memorial Day weekend, it was the cheapest option we could find. It was a great location and a nice, clean hotel. We actually found the deal for it on Groupon.
In Suquamish (just north of Bainbridge), we booked two nights at Suquamish Clearwater Casino for a total of $286.38. This was the special “Wedding Rate” for the block of rooms our friends reserved for their wedding.

Try This There – Seattle

Pike Place Market
- One of the oldest established farmer’s markets in the US
Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- $26 (or $49 to include Space Needle)
Space Needle
- Go to top on clear day
- $27.50 (better to purchase in combo!)
Washington Park Arboretum
- Free to visit
- Japanese Garden located at the end $8 entry
Discovery Park
- Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges.
Green Lake Park
- Walk the 3 mile path around the lake
Seattle Great Wheel
- 175 foot tall Ferris wheel on Pier 57 of DT Seattle’s central waterfront
- $14 (may be purchased in advance)
Amazon HQ, Understory, and the Spheres
- HQ Tours are only held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Spheres tours are only held on 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. Understory exhibit on 2101 7th Avenue is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Sundays until 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Leave the city and go hiking!!! We hiked in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National forest and completed the Lake Twenty Two Trail
Restaurant Recommendations: Shiku – sushi, Japonessa – Japanese, Chinooks – seafood, Cafe Besalu – bakery, Bastille – French, rooftop, The Carlile Room – drinks, Percy’s – southern, drinks, The Sexton – southern, drinks, brunch, Mezcaleria Oaxaca – Mexican, Il Corvo – Italian, Radiator Whiskey – whisky bar, Taylor’s Shellfish Oyster Bar – go to the location south of pioneer square, must get oysters and crab, Spinasse – Italian, must reserve in advance, Bavarian Meat Deli – German goods inside Pike Place