Visiting USA

Seattle Skyline

With as many great sights as Seattle has, it is hard to narrow all of the highlights down to a manageable list. But here is my best effort to distill the city’s attractions into a Top 10 Seattle list:

1. Visit the Space Needle. Sure, it’s cliche, but no visit to Seattle is complete without a trip to the city’s most iconic landmark. Make sure to go all the way up to the top for great views over the city.

2. The famous Pike Place Market is a favorite of foodie travelers, and is not to be missed on a visit to Seattle. While you’re there, make sure to visit the original Starbucks coffee shop in Pike Place!

3. Speaking of coffee, drinking a good cup of joe should be on any traveler’s list of things to do in Seattle. The city is teeming with cafes, and Seattle locals take their coffee very seriously.

4. Visit Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The area is brimming with great shops and restaurants, including the famous Melrose Market with its sandwich bar, butcher, cheese shop, gift stores, and Sitka and Spruce restaurant. Also worth a visit are design shop Nube Green and ice cream store Molly Moor’s.

5. Another great Seattle neighborhood is Ballard. While it’s a bit off the beaten path, Ballard deserves its place on any top 10 Seattle list. The area is full of great boutiques like Venue, Jax Joon, Ketch, Dolce Vita, Re-Soul. When you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, sit down for award winning cuisine at Seattle restaurant the Walrus and the Carpenter.

6. Catch some live music. Seattle is the birthplace of Grunge, but the city celebrates all kinds of music. The architecturally stunning Experience Music Project in Seattle is a great place to start. After hours, head to Jazz Alley for a night of dinner, live music, and dancing.

7. Go kayaking in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest is known for its natural beauty, and visitors don’t have to leave Seattle to experience it. Kayaking outfitters operate throughout the city, offering excursions for all skill levels.

8. Visit the library. Most people don’t make a bee line for the library when visiting a new city. But renowned architect Rem Koolhaus’ Seattle Central Library is not your everyday home for books. The stunning space is worthy of a walk, and the cafe is a great place to get a cup of the famous Seattle coffee.

9. Take a day trip from Seattle. While Seattle has no shortage of things to do, there are many areas around the city that are worth visiting as well. Try Mount Rainier, San Juan Island, or Victoria, BC.

10. See the sculptures. Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park is open all year and is free to visit. The outdoor space is home to a stunning collection of sculptures, and free tours are offered for those that want a more in-depth look. The unique museum definitely deserves a place on any top 10 Seattle list.

Hotel Planter in La Conner, WA

Hotel Planter, La Conner, Washington
Address: 715 1st Street, La Conner, WA 98257, USA
Phone: +1 (360) 466-4710

Hotel Planter is ideally located in the heart of La Conner, Washington. The historic hotel is situated right on 1st Street, the main shopping and restaurant thoroughfare in the town.

The hotel is classified as a National Historic Inn, and is listed on the National Historic Register. Its exterior looks like something right out of a classic American portrait of a town. The wooden building has awnings and flower pots on the front, and is a welcoming space for people traveling in the Pacific Northwest.

The 12 guest rooms at Hotel Planter in La Conner, Washington are done in unique styles. During my visit, I stayed in a room decorated with classic hues with a floral bedspread and natural motifs running throughout the wall and handmade furniture decorations. The room was a good size with a high ceiling, and the bathroom was light and spacious.

In addition to guest rooms, the hotel has a pretty garden in the back. Its courtyard features a gazebo with a jacuzzi as well as patio tables and chairs for relaxing on warm days.

Staff at the hotel are friendly and helpful, and are happy to store your bags for you if you stay in town for a few hours after you check out of your room.

Room rates at Hotel Planter in La Conner, Washington start at $109 per night plus tax for two people sharing a full room. There is a government rate available upon request.

Train at Seattle Sea Tac Airport

Trains from Seattle Sea Tac Airport to the city center are operated by Link Light Rail.

Link trains run from the Sea Tac Airport train station to a number of stops in downtown Seattle, including Westlake station.

Trains depart the airport every five to 10 minutes at peak times. The journey time on trains from Seattle Sea Tac Airport to the downtown area is approximately 35 minutes. The ride can be slightly shorter or longer depending on where you get off the train.

A ticket for the train costs $2.75 each way. Tickets can be purchased from the machines at the airport train station or from the ticket booth. Return tickets for trains from Seattle to the airport can be purchased in any Seattle Link Light Rail station.

Trains from Seattle Sea Tac Airport are a great way to get into the city, particularly when road traffic is heavy at peak commuting times. The trains themselves are spacious and clean, and have seating for passengers. The inexpensive cost also makes them a great alternative to a rental car or airport taxi.