Wish You Were Here:
For Inspiration

Wish You Were Here… For Inspiration

Photography by Cody Ulrich / Styling by Lauren Day

1. Elliott Bay Book Company

An official UNESCO City of Literature deserves an iconic bookshop. In Seattle, that’s none other than Elliott Bay Book Company. Opened in 1973, this Capitol Hill landmark began as a one-room shop and has grown into a wood-filled, multilevel cultural hub, home to better than 150,000 titles to page through and a jam-packed calendar of some 500 author events each year. 1521 10th Ave; elliottbaybook.com

2. Miner’s Landing

There’s wonderment of every flavor at Miner’s Landing at Pier 57 on the downtown waterfront. To find it, just look for the Seattle Great Wheel jutting out over Elliott Bay. Grab some hot buttered popcorn before going for a spin on the vintage indoor carousel, buckle up for Wings Over Washington, a “flying theater” that immerses visitors in Washington’s unparalleled landscape, and feast on fish and chips at one of the venue’s restaurants. *1301 Alaskan Way; seattlegreatwheel.com; wingsoverwa.com

3. Top Pot Doughnuts

Eleven cafes within city limits means you’re never far from a Top Pot—those handcrafted apple fritters and maple bars are hard to resist. There’s stiff doughnut competition in town from vegan Mighty-O Donuts to custard-filled General Porpoise to the unique glazes at Tempesta, but veteran standby Top Pot is still more than worth a visit. *Multiple locations; toppotdoughnuts.com

4. Tsukushinbo

Amid an impressive sushi scene, the tiny, tricky-to-find Tsukushinbo stands out with its wide selection of Japanese staples done right. Don’t miss the Marine Roll, featuring spicy scallop with flying fish roe and avocado, all topped with seared salmon. 515 S Main St

5. Brooks Trailhead

If you’re all about running, the store at Brooks headquarters is a must-see. Browse the colorful displays showcasing the company’s latest gear, and take a spin on one of the in-store treadmills for a gait analysis that will help you find the comfiest fit. 3400 Stone Way N; brooksrunning.com

6. Museum of Flight

Flight simulators that let you try out aerial maneuvers, a commercial aircraft collection that includes the supersonic Concorde and a rare example of the first modern airliner, and an inspirational Space Gallery with the only full-scale NASA space shuttle trainer are just a few of the highlights that make this museum a bucket-list destination for aviation buffs. *9404 E Marginal Way S; museumofflight.org

7. Pike Place Market

A foodie’s itinerary simply isn’t complete without a stop at Pike Place Market, an institution since 1907. You could spend all day following the labyrinthine hallways to superior seafood, coffee, and produce. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here—and you’ll find it fresh. *First Ave and Pike St; pikeplacemarket.org

8. Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

Choosing a coffee spot in Seattle is both easy (because there are so many options) and difficult (because there are so many options), but if you’re a coffee connoisseur, make sure to stop by the gorgeous Starbucks Reserve Roastery to pay homage to the hometown company that started it all. You’ll find exclusive drinks and special small-lot roasts like a chocolatey Hawaiian Ka‘u or the floral Burundi Ngozi. *1124 Pike St; starbucksreserve.com

9. Volunteer Park

Climb the 107 stairs of the water tower for 360-degree views of the lush greenery below, take a picture of the Space Needle through the Black Sun sculpture, and wander through this historic park, designed by the famous Olmsted brothers in the early 1900s. Don’t miss the Victorian-style Volunteer Park Conservatory, filled with ferns, tropical palms, succulents, cacti, and seasonal blooms. 1247 15th Ave E

10. Seward Park

Take a break from the urban landscape without ever having to leave city limits at Seward Park, whose 300 acres include old-growth forest with abundant wildlife, miles of hiking trails, and the “loop,” a 2.4-mile paved path jutting out into Lake Washington. For a great overview, follow along as National Geographic photographer and Seattleite Aaron Huey explores the park with hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces in the VISITSEATTLE.TV series Open Studio. 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S; visitseattle.org/tv/videos/shabazz-palaces

11. Chihuly Garden and Glass

Bring your camera into this photogenic museum dedicated to the works of Dale Chihuly, a Washington state native famous the world over for his blown-glass masterpieces. The museum’s eight galleries offer a retrospective of the artist’s work and insight into his design processes. Under the shadow of the Space Needle, the light-filled Glasshouse, with its 100-foot-long sculpture of red, amber, and yellow glass suspended from the vaulted ceiling, is a highlight. *305 Harrison St; chihulygardenandglass.com

*Visit Seattle Partner