Activities in WA

Seward Park

A great park to take a walk and take in the view of Lake Washington. Sit and dog watch here... have a picnic... whatever tickles your fancy for the day

Gas Works Park

Gas Works is the remnants of the last coal gasification plant in the United States. Now decommissioned, Gas Works is a nice place to hang out and get a perfect view of the Seattle skyline. Gas Works Park was also featured in the film, 10 Things I Hate About You!

University Village

University Village is Seattle's outdoor mall. Nathan and Ella love going to eat, drink, and shop there. When they are feeling ultra fancy, the couple go to Joey's restaurant and eat during their happy hour time. If you are a fan of a good old fashion cocktail, Joey's serves a really good one.

Honey Court Seafood Restaurant

If you are in the mood for some dim sum, then Honey Court is the place to go. They serve lots of dim sum and have other dishes that will make your tummy full at the end of your visit. Honey Court will not disappoint!

Fremont Troll

A Seattle landmark. Who doesn't love an ugly troll under a bridge?

Tandoori Slice

Tandoori Slice is owned by the family of one of Ella and Nathan's dearest friends, Anu Heera. This restaurant serves Indian-style pizza and their cocktail menu is amazing! Ella and Nathan visit at least once a week to visit their friend, eat delectable, and support Anu's family business. It is always a great time at Tandoori Slice. Ella is a fan of the lavender gimlet, while Nathan prefers tequila shots.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is the largest city park in Seattle. It has multiple trails available and a great spot to immerse yourself in nature. Ella often goes to this park with the dogs and sometimes relaxes at the beach. Ella and the dogs are exhausted by the end of their walk.

Mount Rainier National Park

Arguably Washington's most iconic mountain. If you can get here while visiting from out of town, we really recommend it. Naturally beautiful with pristine lakes and air, Mount Rainier should be easily traversable around the time of our wedding. The summer wildflowers and endless trails make Mount Rainier one of the most enjoyable outdoor experiences in the PNW.

Ravenna Brewing Co

This is where we fell in love on our first date. Ella got to learn about Nathan's political leanings and hygiene habits here.

mbar

Mbar is a rooftop bar in Seattle located in South Lake Union. You will get a great view of the city and not to mention, the Space Needle! This is one of Ella's favorite go-to rooftop bars when friends outside the state are visiting Seattle. Make sure to reserve a date when visiting at their website!

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

Wing Luke Museum is an art & history museum dedicated to educating others on the Asian American experience. Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) exhibits can be found here! The museum also serves as a meeting spot for the community. Snag a ticket a tour the exhibits!

Columbia Tower Club

Columia tower has 360 view of Seattle and the puget sound. Ella prefers going to Columbia tower than the space needle.

A+ Hong Kong Kitchen

This is one of Nathan's favorite places to eat. A Hong Kong styled cafe with tons of delicious food. His favorite dishes are fried rice rolls with XO sauce and Portugese style baked fish with curry. Ella loves the same!

Pike Place Market

Fish tossing? Donut holes? Tourist attractions? Pike Place Market is one of the oldest public farmer's markets in the United States, opening in 1907. We enjoy coming here every once in a while to be a tourist in our own city. The first Starbucks is located here, as well as Post Alley, the Gum Wall, and other spots to check out! Be sure to step out and see a beautiful view of the Puget Sound from the western front.

Musang

A Filipino restaurant with interesting takes on traditional Filipino dishes. The quality of the food is top notch and the flavors stay true to Filipino tradition. Expect a few contemporary twists, though!

The Gum Wall

Another classic Seattle landmark. We think this is kind of gross... but art?

COMMUNION Restaurant & Bar

This is a Black-owned restaurant and it is usually pretty packed! They serve Southern dishes with a little twist on them, and they are really good. The music that they play is also a vibe!

Bellevue Botanical Garden

The Bellevue Botanical Gardens are simply beautiful. These gardens have a comprehensive set of flowers, trees, and shrubs. Put this on your list! It's a wonderful place to take a walk and enjoy some natural beauty without driving all the way out to the Cascades or Mount Rainier. Fuschias, wildflowers, rhododendrons (Washington's state flower), and an assortment of ferns are highlights.

Snow Lake Trailhead

An 8-mile round trip hike to an alpine lake in the Snoqualmie Valley. This trail can get pretty packed during the summer on the weekends.... get there early for some peace and quiet.

Mason Lake Trail

6.5 miles round trip. A versatile hike where you can swim in the lake afterward, or go for Banderas Mountain or Mount Defiance! Beware: mosquitos tend to feast during this time of the year.

Rattlesnake Ledge Trailhead

A short but steep hike with a beautiful view of the Snoqualmie Valley and the surrounding area. Extend the hike by hiking along the "spine". Eventually, you'd reach Snoqualmie Falls!

Bellingham

There are so many activities to do around Bellingham. Endless hikes, great breweries, a cute downtown area, and traversing the North Cascades are all things you can do. If you can find some time to go to Bellingham, we highly recommend it! You're also a short 30-minute drive from the Canadian border!

Marina Beach Park

A great place to get away and have a little beach picnic! A short 20-minute drive away from the heart of Seattle.

Franklin Falls Trailhead

1 mi roundtrip. A perfect day for a short hike and picnic at the base of a small waterfall. You can go wading in Denny Creek, too!

Snoqualmie Falls

One of Western Washington's most iconic scenic attractions akin to Mount Rainier. Snoqualmie Falls is sacred to the Snoqualmie Tribe that inhabited the area for thousands of years. It is said that the first man and woman were created here.

Kerry Park

Come here at night for stunning views of Seattle from Queen Anne hill! Not a bad place to park, sit down, and chow down on some Dick's while enjoying a light summer breeze...

The Melrose Grill

Downtown Seattle quality steaks without the downtown attitude. This is Nathan's favorite steakhouse -- he recommends getting the filet mignon, New York strip, or their fantastic stroganoff. They also make a pretty mean Manhattan!

Spinasse

Spinasse has some of the tastiest Italian food in Seattle. Their Tajarin al Ragu is delectable. Warning: it can be difficult to get a reservation here...

Taste of India

Nathan's favorite Indian restaurant. One of the only Indian food places Nathan trusts to truly roast his tastebuds with spicy flavors.

Space Needle

Is there a more iconic Seattle tourist attraction?

Alki Beach

Laze away in the summer heat. Arguably the Seattle metre area's most popular beach hangout spot. Grab drinks, a bite to eat, or fight for one of the beach volleyball spots here!

Saltwater State Park

Olympic National Forest

Bakery Nouveau

The twice-baked almond croissants and simply to die for.

Easy Street Records & Cafe

One of the few remaining record shops in the area. You can get an amazing brunch here, too. Browse the records and CDs while you wait for a table!

Bang Bang Kitchen

This is Nathan and Ella's go-to happy hour spot in the neighborhood. Conveniently placed off the Othello light rail station. Nathan like their vegan mac & sieta leguas tequila shots while Ella likes their old fashioned and their loaded fries.

Cha Cha Lounge

Nathan loves this bar. Its poppin' on the weekends and has a grunge-y vibe.

Pablo y Pablo

Great quality food! This Mexican restaurant won't blow you away with authentic Mexican recipes and flavors, BUT, it's situated in a great spot and has a wonderful happy hour. As stated previously, the quality of the food is ++ and the vibes are nice.

Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria - Columbia City

Ella likes the spaghetti bolognese here. Nathan likes the artichoke dip and minestrone soup. Ella loves their cosmopolitan, Nathan doesn't drink here! Surprise!

Columbia City Bakery

Nathan loves this bakery. Their ham & gruyere croissants are so good. They also serve a variety of other pastries, bread, and sandwiches! If you're in the neighborhood, check it out!

Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks

The Ballard Locks were completed in 1917. Nathan loves the Locks. It features a botanical garden and a salmon ladder that allows salmon to complete their breeding runs to Issaquah! Come check out an awesome piece of engineering and history.

Warren G. Magnuson Park

A wonderful park with sprawling play fields, a wonderful dog park, and tons of space to just explore & relax! By now, you may have guessed that Nathan loves history... Magnuson Park is named after a former U.S. Senator. Magnuson was also the site of a former Naval airbase during the WW1 era. Come check it out!

Mizuki Buffet

Ella and her family love to eat here... The sushi is good! There's tons of good Asian food at the buffet. Come stuff yourself!

The 5th Avenue Theatre

Ruby Beach

Tapster

A self-serve beer, kombucha, and cider bar. The varieties of drinks you can have here are diverse. Ella loves the aesthetic of this place.

Paseo

Regal Meridian

We love watching movies here.... You can recline in your seat and get extra EXTRA comfy! A1 movie-watching experience!

The Elliott Bay Book Company

Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island is another neat spot with lots of locally grown food, places to relax, and small sights to see. Penn Cove Mussels are produced here. Whidbey Island also happens to be home to a U.S. Naval airbase. You can also go whale watching from here, departing from nearby Oak Harbor!

San Juan Island

The San Juan Islands are a wonderful place to leave the city noise behind and get some peace & quiet. There are wonderful places to stay and eat some tasty local-grown food. UW also runs a marine research facility here at Friday Harbor! To top it off, you can go whale watching and see the orca pods that call the Puget Sound home!

Deception Pass State Park

The state park is part of the strait separating Whidbey Island from the mainland. It's got a great view here where you can catch incredible sunset views, explore coves, and much more!

Rachel’s Ginger Beer - 12th Ave Arts

RGB makes its own ginger beer and serves cocktails that can go with it! Tasty tasty! Some of them are paired together with small restaurants that serve food. For example, the U Vill location has Ma'ono Fried Chicken served there!

Leavenworth

A former logging town that was turned into a model of a Bavarian village. Great tourist spot with natural attractions all around the area. A short trip from Wenatchee National Forest and Lake Chelan.

Forks

"Um... did you just imprint on my DAUGHTER"? Ella loves all thing vampires, werewolves, and supernatural. She was Team Edward.

Bouldering Project

Come here to climb! You can boulder (no ropes) or climb with ropes and a partner! Great workout for the forearms.... they've got some overpriced food & drinks here too!

Full Tilt Columbia City

Molly Moon's and Full Tilt are some solid ice cream joints. I listed the Columbia City location here, but you can find them around the city.

Mount Si Trail

A bit easier than Mailbox Peak. The old-growth forests are beautiful. The forest gives way to smaller shrubs and wildflowers to facilitate a great transitional experience as you climb to higher elevations. The view from the top isn't half bad either! Pack lunch before you go and enjoy it at the top!

Mailbox Peak Trail

Nathan recommends hiking up the old trail as opposed to the newer trail. The old Mailbox trail is a much more strenuous climb. Average of 1000 ft elevation gain per mile, 8 miles round trip. You can see Rattlesnake Ledge, Mount Si, and even Bellevue from the top!

Taneda

Nathan took Ella her here for her birthday the first year they were together. Enjoy an intimate setting with sushi served omakase-style with approximately 10 other guests. Take advantage of a choice sake collection and a unique sushi experience.

Trapper’s Sushi Co. Tacoma

There are better sushi spots, but man. Ella's family + Nathan come here a LOT. We recommend getting calamari, soft shell crab, and a mix of their sushi dinner plates.

University of Washington

Okay, we're a little biased, but as UW grads and Dawgs 4 Life, we believe this to be one of the most beautiful college campuses in the whole Western United States. Take a walk around and check out the cool architecture. #BeBoundless

Frisko Freeze

This spot has been in Tacoma since 1950! Similar to Dick's in some ways, but in our opinion, superior food! Drive thru or walk-up ordering is available here. Come see a piece of history!

Dick's Drive-In

Seattle's answer to In-N-Out. Dick's is solid. Come thru and get a deluxe, milkshake, and some fries. You might get a bellyache and your high cholesterol might shoot through the roof, but you know... worth it?

Jollibee

Mcdonalds, Chick-fil-A, KFC, and Popeyes should be very afraid of this restaurant chain.

Geraldine's Counter Restaurant

Nathan and I come to Geraldine's for brunch all the time. Our local brunch spot. The only serviceable brunch spot in Columbia City. Their french toast is a must-order. Get one.... then order 2 more....

Rialto Beach

Golden Gardens Park

Golden Gardens is good competition for Alki, Seward, and Coulon as one of the most popular beach hangout spots in the Seattle area. Come here, grab a spot, and enjoy a wonderful view of the Puget Sound while catching some sun rays

So Moon Nan Jib

This is one of our favorite Korean restaurants in the area. Federal Way has a large population of Korean immigrants. There's tons of good Korean restaurants around here, but in our humble opinion, this is one of the best!

Pelicana Chicken

South Koreans have outdone themselves with another invention.... fried chicken + soju.

Unicorn

Ella loves going to Unicorn for their jello shots and Monday night karaoke. If you are turning 21, you get to wear a special hat! This bar is famous for their 'Unicorn jizz'