SEATTLE

If you’re flying in, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is hard to beat for convenience. In addition to being the hub for Alaska Airlines, Seattle-Tacoma is also Delta’s bridge to Asia. This helps to keep a steady roster of flights coming in from the East Coast. It’s a 15-mile drive from the airport to downtown. If you’re looking for a cheap shuttle, Downtown Airporter will get you and your luggage to a hotel downtown for about $30.

Seattle is known for its boutique hotels. Even popular hotel chains operate specially branded “boutique” properties in Seattle. If you want to be on the water, Inn at the Market is a family-friendly pick overlooking the marina. For efficiency with a chic edge, the Maxwell Hotel is an obvious pick. The Mediterranean Inn, Hotel Theodore, Silver Cloud Hotel and Mayflower Park Hotel are nice options if you don’t want to go with “safe bets” like W Seattle, Grand Hyatt Seattle and Embassy Suites.

Now, I know that the Space Needle is considered the attraction in Seattle. However, no attraction in Emerald City moved me quite like the Central Public Library. This stunning piece of architecture consisting of humongous glass panels and a four-story spiral of literary works is the soul of the city. Another soulful spot in Seattle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass. This Dale Chihuly exhibit consists of eight galleries accompanied by a robust outdoor garden. Crowds gather both day and night for various activities associated with the exhibit. There’s also a dining room at the site.

The quintessential spot for forming your own love story with Seattle, Pike Place Market attracts nearly 10 million people with promises of the freshest seafood, produce and treats on the West Coast annually. Come hungry! If you cover the Main Arcade portion, you’re sure to be offered samples of candies, cheeses and fresh fruit. Don’t forget to look for Rachel the Pig to take a picture with this bronze beauty who has become the mascot of the market in recent years.

If you want to get to the top of the Space Needle, be warned that this isn’t an activity you can do on a whim. Get your tickets for the Space Needle as far in advance as possible once you know you’re coming to Seattle. This experience is a steal at just over $20 per person when you consider that you see 360-degree views reaching the Puget Sound, Bellevue and Mount Rainier.

Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo is a conservation site spanning 92 acres that should make your list! This gorgeously maintained space is home to more than 1,000 animals. What I found interesting as I strolled through this park is that the designers of the campus were able to turn the climate of the Pacific Northwest into multiple bioclimatic zones to recreate the natural habitats of hundreds of different species of animals. You’ll encounter everything from desert to tropical forests during your visit. I recommend taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island if you can squeeze in the time. One of the things I did

TOP PICKS IN SEATTLE

not know about Seattle until I visited in person is that its port has one of the most impressive and extensive ferry systems in the country. Both people and cars can board ferries to visit nearby islands. After a pleasant 35-minute ferry ride, I landed on quaint Bainbridge Island for leisurely shopping and dining in a small town peppered with forests and gardens.

If you want a “waterway” experience without taking off on a ferry, I recommend the Ballard Locks. A visit here offers views of the waterway system connecting the saltwater of Washington’s Puget Sound with fresh water. It’s enjoyable and educational to watch boats enter the locks.

LET SEATTLE SHOW YOU A LITTLE MAGIC ON THE WEST COAST

Saltwater and Seattle rain make a magical combination! I think this is a city for people who “hate” cities because the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier form a barrier that prevents this city from losing its roots. If you have extra time, I recommend making the two-hour drive for a road trip to Mount Rainier National Park.

BOSTON

Boston is living history, a college town, a sports town, and a harbor city rolled into one amazingly walkable package. Do put Boston on your list of cities to see if you have a weakness for New England charm. Let’s look at some of the Bean Town treasures that should be on your checklist.