Kelly & Jesse
Things To Do
The Ruby Brink
The Ruby Brink is one of many spots in the center of downtown Vashon where you can get a top-notch meal and drinks. Other fantastic central options include Casa Bonita, The Hardware Store, O Sole Mio for New York-style pizza, and Snapdragon for vegetarian fare.
Vashon Island Baking Company
For coffee and pastries, check out Vashon Island Baking Co., Cafe Luna, Caffe Vino Olio, or AJ's Espresso—all conveniently located in the center of downtown Vashon.
Palouse Winery
Palouse is one of many wineries and breweries on Vashon. Check out a list of more here: https://explorevashon.com/where-to-drink-on-vashon-island/
Vashon Bookshop
The center of town has the sweetest shopping spots for picking up a book, gift, or souvenir. In addition to this cozy bookshop we recommend checking out Giraffe and Kronos for gifts and home goods, Treasure Island for antiques, Raven's Nest for Native artwork and gifts, and Granny's Attic for secondhand finds.
Point Robinson Lighthouse
Stop by this historical lighthouse to stretch your legs on the scenic shoreline and enjoy views of East Passage, Tacoma, and Mount Rainier. You might spot harbor seals, California sea lions, and river otters (and occasionally orcas and whales make an appearance).
Vashon Llamas
You can make an appointment to visit the farm (and llamas!) with your kids, enjoy an adults-only happy hour (with LLAMAS), or partake in a weaving class (WITH LLAMAS!!!!).
Capitol Hill Block Party
If you're in Seattle the weekend before the wedding and you love live music, you can't miss this three-day event. It's one of the first things we ever did together in Seattle.
Capitol Hill
Even if you can't make it to the Block Party, be sure to make time to check out Seattle's most vibrant neighborhood. It's a few minutes east of downtown and you'll know you're there when you spot the rainbow crosswalks. We highly recommend Neumos and Chop Suey for live music and dancing; the massive Starbucks Reserve Roastery (one of only five in the world); Volunteer Park (home to the Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum); and the Elliott Bay Book Company. (Plus too many restaurants and shops to list here!)
Lake Union
One of our favorite summer activities in Seattle is to get out on Lake Union! There's plenty of options for renting a kayak, paddle board, boat, or even a hot tub boat. Once you're out on the water, you'll enjoy an iconic view of the Seattle skyline, wave to the summer crowd at Gas Works Park, and try to decide which houseboat you'd want to live in (our pick is obviously the one from Sleepless in Seattle). Afterwards, enjoy oysters at The White Swan Public House, located on the southern end of the lake.
Gas Works Park
Possibly our favorite Seattle park! BYOB and picnic blanket and get there just before sunset to enjoy a view of the city lighting up across Lake Union at dusk. From there you can easily stroll to tons of restaurants and bars in the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods.
Fremont
You gotta get a picture with the Fremont Troll. He encapsulates so much of what we loved about living in the quirky neighborhood of Fremont. From there, you can walk around Fremont and enjoy a day of shopping and eating. For shopping/fun we love: Ophelia's Books, the Fremont Vintage Mall, Theo's Chocolate Factory, and Jive Time Records. For food & drink we love: Kin Len Thai, Crumby, Lucky's Pho, Add-a-Ball, Fremont Brewing, Schilling Cider House, and Stone Way Cafe.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place is one of those iconic tourist attractions that's actually worth visiting; even locals shop and eat there. There's tons of food if you're hungry and you can also pick up gifts and souvenirs while you're there. We suggest skipping the line for the "original" Starbucks; it's not worth it. Instead get a gross picture by the Gum Wall and walk over to the nearby aquarium. The Great Wheel is also close by (although you get a much better view from the Space Needle) and the Argosy Cruise is fun if you have time and want to see the city from the water.
Bill Speidels Underground Tour
If you find yourself near historic Pioneer Square, you have to make time for the Underground Tour. You get to go underground and learn about the origins of Seattle—it's fascinating, a little spooky, and very funny. Afterwards, we recommend getting a bite and a cocktail at Damn the Weather.
Space Needle
Worth it for the 360-degree views through its renovated all-glass observation decks. Try to go right before sunset. Tip: Use the Seattle City Pass to save money if you plan to do the Space Needle and/or the aquarium, zoo, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Argosy Cruise, and Chihuly Garden & Glass (the pass lets you choose five total).
Museum of Pop Culture
Possibly the most fun you can have at a museum. If you love music, movies, video games, and all things pop culture, you have to go.
Kerry Park
You can enjoy one of the best views of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier at this small park in Queen Anne. Then you can walk five minutes north for Molly Moon's ice cream or ten minutes south for a delicious Cajun-Creole meal at Toulouse Petit.
Canlis
If you're looking to have a memorable fine dining experience in Seattle, Canlis (located in the Queen Anne neighborhood) is an iconic restaurant in a midcentury-modern landmark with a waterfront view. Let's just say it's probably the only place in Seattle where you're expected to dress up for a ($$$$) meal.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
If you're in the Ballard neighborhood, we love this spot for fresh, local oysters and seafood. And while you're in Ballard, there's lots to do including the National Nordic Museum, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Golden Gardens if you're brave enough for a dip in the chilly Puget Sound, and tons of craft breweries.
Discovery Park
This park is massive and is one of our favorites to visit with Doug! If you want a hike you can park at the South parking lot and make your way past the historic Fort Lawton houses down to the scenic bluff, and from there take a path down to the beach where you can find the West Point Lighthouse.
COMMUNION Restaurant & Bar
Communion is one of the best restaurants in our new neighborhood—the Central District! Go there for Sunday brunch if possible, and then get something sweet at nearby Raised Doughnuts. Our other favorites in the Central District include Temple Pastries, Broadcast Coffee, and Reckless Noodle.
Olympic National Park
This is where our wedding weekend was originally going to be held! If you have extra time to explore WA and you're the outdoorsy type, the Olympic National Park is not to be missed. You can camp or book a cabin and explore beaches, mountains, forests (including the Hoh Rainforest) and natural hot springs.