Seattle

The Emerald City: boasting views of Mount Rainier and filling the streets with art, delicious food and world class lodging. Often known for its rain, Seattle offers quite the summer experience, with sunny days almost daily and a variety of water activities on majestic Lake Washington and Lake Union.

Where to Stay

Inn at the Market

Ever wanted a place to stay in the heart of world famous Pike Place Market? Well the appropriately named Inn at the Market is the premier place to stay if you want a place where all the famous haunts of Seattle are within arms reach! On a hill overlooking Elliot Bay, with ferries frequently crossing the water and the Olympic Mountains in the distance, this extraordinarily scenic spot couldn’t be better. The rooms on the west side have superb ocean views, but there are additional rooms on the north end that provide a partial ocean view as well. The lobby and the rooms themselves are quite spacious, with furniture and decor pleasing to the eye yet not overdone.

Mayflower Park Hotel

Celebrating its 92nd anniversary this year on July 16, this European-influenced hotel is centrally located on Olive Way and 4th Ave. Situated just steps from the downtown mall, light rail station, Westlake Center, and a 7-minute walk to popular Pike Place Market, there’s few other lodgings that can boast of such easy access. Upon entering the lobby we were greeted with a grand crystal chandelier and instantly noticed a wide variety of historic pieces, such as a grandfather clock, marble accents and mail slots behind the front desk. They have a variety of guest room styles which are very spacious and decorated in a Queen Anne-style. The Mayflower Park Hotel is the only Seattle member of Historic Hotels of America.

Where to Dine

Red Cedar & Sage

Tucked away under the Pike Place Market, Red Cedar & Sage is a hidden gem that packs a yummy punch. It takes a few staircases down from the main entrance to find, but once you’re there you’ll know you’ve found the right place for great dining. You can sit at the bar, or in the open atrium. On sunny days, the place opens up its wide windows, so you always feel relaxed during your meal. It’s an adaptable space for any time of year, but now during the summer is definitely the time to go when the temperatures are hot and you can take advantage of the plentiful natural light! The food takes after the diverse offerings of traditional Pacific Northwest foods, from typical seafood to sandwiches to pizza. The drink menu is just as extensive, with a collection of cocktails and wines.

JUNO Restaurant

Sitting under the historic Arctic Club, the JUNO Restaurant is a classy joint with high end food in a high end environment. The Arctic Club Building is over 100 years old, and originally served as a gathering place for men who had braved their way to the Yukon and back during the Alaska Gold Rush. Now, it retains that old world charm of luxury from a century ago. The restaurant has both an open area of tables and booths for the typical crowd, and a cordoned off area for private gatherings. The menu is different between breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but our time at dinner convinced us it had to be the best of the bunch. A full bar and large list of unique cocktails gets you started off right, and a cosmopolitan always leaves us satisfied.

What to Do

Seattle Mariners

Enjoy sunshine, ballpark food, engaging fan atmosphere, and see the best of Seattle baseball at T-Mobile Park! The boys are mashing home runs at a historic rate this season and it’s always a whirlwind to see the Mariners grab hold of the game and get that victory. Some additions to the ballpark include new food options, and the spacious ‘Pen also received a makeover. Among the diverse stands to eat from, our favorite might be Fat’s Chicken! For something new and unexpected, we recommend the Poutine, a gravy and cheese mixture dumped on top of fries to make for a perfect snack and delicious alternative to the park’s famous garlic fries. Another addition is Lil’ Woody’s, an appropriate stop for any burger fan. Located just inside the Centerfield gate.

Waterways Cruises

Enjoy an evening on the beautiful Lake Union, with a dinner cruise aboard a fabulous Waterways yacht. Waterways Cruises offers tours from Lake Union to Lake Washington while savoring a delicious four-course plated dinner. The dinner cruise is a 2.5 hour voyage that kicks off with a champagne toast and your own private table. This event is perfect for a romantic evening with your partner, a girls night out or even a work outing. During our time on board we met people from a multitude of ages and backgrounds. Many were couples, some were families, and even a few were work colleagues. All who seemed to be having a great time.

Seattle Rock Orchestra

Founded in 2008 by bassist and composer Scott Teske, this unique Seattle orchestra utilizes strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a rotating cast of exciting guest vocalists to deliver tribute shows unlike any other. This summer, the Seattle Rock Orchestra is hosting their annual Summer Intensive program in Seattle and Kirkland. This week-long day camp offers middle and high school band, orchestra, and choir students the full Seattle Rock Orchestra experience. If you’re interested in just enjoying a show instead, they have a few summer shows lined up, including the showcase concerts for those a part of the summer program.