Things To Do
Pike Place Public Market
Aside from this being where we got engaged, the market is truly a worthwhile visit. It is a popular tourist spot for good reason! Stuart and I enjoy browsing the produce stalls for meal prepping, buying knick-knacks from the magic trick store or snagging fresh-made donuts before they sell-out. You could spend the whole day here and not be able to visit all of the stalls and shops. It's full of charming nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered and make sure to bring your appetite because there are great eateries all over! Most importantly, make sure to stop by the Fish Market to see the fishmongers play a game of catch with some salmon. It's a thing they do.
Discovery Park
At 534 acres and boasting 11.8 miles of trails, Discovery Park is the largest park in the city! There are shaded forested paths that connect to bright coastal sections which overlook the expanse of Puget Sound. It's definitely a gem!
Ballard Locks
If you enjoy quirky museum experiences, visit the Ballard Locks and Salmon Education Center. We usually recommend the Ballard neighborhood anyway with its walkable streets full of shopping, dining, and art studios. Not to mention, fantastic Sunday farmer's market! But back to the salmon and locks - Ballard is home to the country's busiest locking system and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, connecting Puget Sound with inland lakes. This includes a fish ladder for local salmon to migrate between the ocean and fresh water! There is an educational center for those who might enjoy learning how they operate. Fun fact: The largest ship to ever pass through a locking system was here! And for those who prefer geeking out on wildlife, pay a visit to the Salmon Education Center next door to view wild salmon swimming the ladder. You'll never look at grilled salmon the same way...
Visit Wine Country
Woodinville is the region's local wine scene and home to more artisan winemakers per square foot than any wine region in the world. Nestled in the valley between Seattle and the Cascade foothills but still in King County, Woodinville feels as though you've been transported to a picturesque countryside. And a 20 minute drive east of the city is all it takes to get there! With 118 tasting rooms, you'll have a wide variety of selections to choose from. Biking the Sammamish river trail and visiting several is an unforgettable experience. But for the sake of simplicity, we recommend the most established and oldest winery in WA: The Chateau Ste Michelle - The architecture is beautiful and is surrounded by 105 wooded acres. Spending $24 for a tasting flight will get you access to the entire grounds and tasting room. Bring food and a picnic blanket with you to sit out on the lawn or purchase food onsite! Additional Resources: https://visitwoodinville.org/
Take a Hike!
The PNW is home to unlimited hiking trails and you really don't have to go far before stumbling upon a majestic path (even here in the city). But to help narrow down the intimidating list of options, here are a few of our nearby favorites! - Twin Falls Trailhead in North Bend - Poo Poo Point Trailhead in Issaquah/Snoqualmie Pass - Mount Teneriffe Trailhead in North Bend/Snoqualmie Pass - Evans Creek Preserve in Redmond - Wallace Falls State Park in the Central Cascades/Stevens Pass
Visit Snoqualmie Falls & the town of "Twin Peaks"
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the area and a spectacular sight to behold. You can simply drive to 1 of the 2 parking lots and take a quick walk to the lookout point to see the falls. For those who want a little bit more of an adventure, there's a small trail that takes you down to the lower falls. Time permitting, visit Salish Lodge nextdoor, which is famous for being a filming location of the cult-classic show "Twin Peaks". Head inside for brunch and refreshments at their restaurant or visit the cute gift shop. They're known to have a great spa onsite too! The surrounding towns where Twin Peaks was filmed is actually named Snoqualmie & North Bend. Both historically preserved downtowns are incredibly charming. Grab a refreshing blackberry milkshake or a slice of pie in the summer at Twede's Cafe! Scott's Dairy Freeze down the road has wonderful options too! Additional Resources: Salish Lodge & Spa - https://www.salishlodge.com/
Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard
Stuart and I both love to pack some snacks and have a picnic on the lake while kayaking. Even though the ocean is sadly further away for Suzette now, she hardly feels it since we're surrounded by so many lakes and rivers! The plentiful options provide a variety of unique settings to go paddling. A sure to be memorable one is right here on Lake Union (home of our wedding venue)! On one end is the Space Needle and on the other, you can meander through the canals which lead to the Ballard Locks or cruise by the iconic houseboats. You'll likely see several sea planes taking off and landing during your paddle, which is a personal favorite! Other contenders include: - Green Lake boat house for a smaller neighborhood lake experience https://greenlakeboathouse.com/ - Lake Sammamish/Issaquah for a more tranquil lake experience out in the mountain foothill neighborhoods https://www.issaquahpaddlesports.com/
Washington Park Arboretum
When it comes to free things to do, walking and hiking are up there. Why not do it in a gigantic garden? The Washington Park Arboretum is a great place to stroll, jog or view local plants sprawled across 230 acres - all of which are managed by the University of Washington's Botanic Center and the City of Seattle. Some worthwhile areas to hilight: - Japanese Garden - Pacific Connections Garden - The Magnolia Walkway - Waterfront Trail Or just walk the Arboretum Loop Trail and explore off the beaten paths that strike your fancy!
Ride A Ferry
A reason we chose the MV Skansonia as our venue is because of its past life as a functioning state ferry before resigning to a life hosting events and blasting "YMCA" from its decks. We love riding the ferries to travel across Puget Sound to explore the nearby islands in the summertime. Honestly, a nearby day trip simply to ride the ferry at sunset is worthwhile. From the Anacortes terminal (up north), the majority of the San Juan Islands can be reached in within an hour. From here in Seattle, a 30 minute trip will take you to the gateway of the Olympic Peninsula (westward toward the ocean). Places the Seattle ferry terminal connects to: - Bainbridge Island - For any HGTV fans, you're probably familiar with this place already. - Bremerton - charming suburban town that connects to the rest of the peninsula And if you decide to drive on, you can access other great areas throughout the peninsula: - Poulsbo - Port Townsend - Union - Hoodsport - Olympic Ntl Park
Find the Dambo Trolls
You may have heard of Danish sculpturist Thomas Dambo or as he self-ascribes - "Recycling Artist". His artwork is comprised entirely of trash and discarded materials. He has since become a prominent advocate for recycling and upcycling efforts. He's particularly well known in the Pacific Northwest for his troll sculptures which were part of a national exhibit called "Way of the Bird King". Having curated plenty of trolls across other countries around the globe, this was his big treasure hunt of sorts for Americans. 5 total were created specifically for the region and themed after indigenous cultures. 3 of them are in King County! Do you think you can find them? =D