Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

A Tasty Walking Food Tour of Seattle in Pikes Place Market

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It wasn’t my first time in Seattle. That occurred in 2002 followed by two visits in 2008 that just happened to fall a month apart from one another. But it was definitely the best of the bunch, even though winter had already cloaked the Emerald City and my senses were in for a shock.

Seattle, Washington

These days, I only tend to travel based on two criteria: 1) if I am being sent somewhere for work (as is usually the case) or 2) if I’m attending a wedding (I’ve already booked five such trips for spring 2014 alone). This visit fell into the former category, as I just began my second year as an Office Champion for Microsoft. But it was definitely not an all work, no play kind of week, as the fine folk at Microsoft made sure we got a little taste of the Pacific Northwest with us while there.

Seattle, Washington

On the first afternoon, I had my own plans, though. My blog crushes Kent and Caanan swooped me up and took me on a bit of a midday bar tour of Seattle. I’ve only adored these guys for years, and it’s all kinds of ridiculous that it took us this much time to meet IRL. But bottom line: It happened, was awesome, we drank lots of bourbon together, and now they’re moving in with me in Tennessee (I wish that last part were true … but seriously, don’t you want to reach through the screen and snuggle them?).

Seattle, Washington

The next day, after a couple brief Microsoft presentations at our hotel, we were off to see the sights. First stop: Chihuly Garden and Glass (again, more on that in a future post and how my usual “I hate museums” mantra did not ring true here).

Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington

We had a sinfully decadent lunch at the museum’s Collections Cafe, complete with chocolate chip cookies and Kentucky bourbon caramel. (I gained five pounds just looking at this cookie again.)

Seattle, Washington

Then, since we were already there, we took a little ride up the Space Needle to check out the view.

Space Needle in Seattle, Washington

Not shabby, Seattle. Way to do your best to glamour me!

Seattle, Washington

From there, it was on to Pike Place Public Market for a tour with Savor Seattle, which is the first thing I’d tell you to do if heading to town as it was a whole heck of a lot of fun and educational, too. For example, we learned that much of the city was built upon a past of prostitution! Again, Seattle, with the glamoring.

Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

Also, that Rachel the Pig saved the market from an untimely demise when she was pummeled by a taxi but took the hit like a lady, rather than letting it collapse the whole of Pike Place.

Rachel the Pig in Seattle, Washington

What I didn’t realize is that it’s so affordable to be a vendor at the market—anywhere from $18 to $35 a day—and priority is given to those with seniority. Everything, with a couple exceptions, is home-grown or homemade. I love the support of the local economy and makers.

Pike Place Market in Seattle

During our “free time,” my new friend Turner met me at the Pinball Museum in Chinatown, which is every bit as rad as it sounds.

Pinball Museum in Seattle, Washington

It’s $13 to play unlimited games, but the four-year-old museum was closing soon so instead we bought a couple of beers and fawned over the antique machines.

Pinball Museum in Seattle, Washington

We ate at some pretty stellar restaurants, too—La Spiga, Marjorie and Maximilien—but I was too busy having fun to capture it (sometimes you just have to put the camera down). All in all, it was an excellent trip and all too short. Now if only an airline would take pity on us Nashvillians and add a direct flight to Seattle so I could take advantage of its beauty and culture more often!

Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
COMMENTS
  • November 8, 2013

    love all of it

  • November 8, 2013

    …And I don’t know if it was the beers, the company, or the feeling in the air, but the pinball museum stole something dear to me: my heart.

    Great to see you. Next time we will burn down a building or something.

    I think one that makes virus-filled subpar products would do.

    Until then,

    Enjoy the ville

    Turner

  • November 8, 2013

    It was so great to meet you in Seattle! Swooning over those vintage pinball machines and so glad we weren’t stripped of our iPhones upon arrival on campus!

    • November 11, 2013

      So nice meeting you, too! Yay, fellow iPhone users who love Microsoft products 😉

  • November 8, 2013

    Seattle is my second favorite US city next to SF. Lived in a sailboat on Lake Union for a summer and really explored this diverse city. Love everything about it except the long winter grays.

    • November 11, 2013

      What a beautiful place to live! The gray would definitely get to me too, though.

  • November 8, 2013

    And we DO love being snuggled!

    Glad it finally happened – the fun, the laughter, the tears***, the solving world problems, the sharing a box of Malay food, the passed out hipster on the street corner. We don’t regret any of it, dammit.

    Let’s do it sooner next time. Seattle, Nashville, where ever.

    ***this part is untrue

    • November 10, 2013

      You didn’t shed any tears when I got on that bus for the last time? Guess I was the only one…

      😉

  • November 10, 2013

    And that man hanging holding a bulb touch, i am in love with that photo.

  • November 11, 2013

    Looks like so much fun – I can’t wait to go back to Seattle

    • November 11, 2013

      This trip definitely gave Seattle a good boost up my “favorite cities in America” list!

  • November 11, 2013

    I love Seattle – what a fun photo essay. I also totally feel you on the whole abandoning the heavy DSLR in favor of the iPhone – sometimes, it’s just so much easier!

  • November 12, 2013

    Looks like you had a fabulous time! Absolutely beautiful captures those that you have shared, the beauty of the place shines through. And Kent and Canaan are one of my favorites too!!

  • November 12, 2013

    I didn’t love Seattle when I visited, but we did do an Underground Tour that was really, really cool. I love learning the history of cities and I will say it’s a beautiful place.

  • November 13, 2013

    Travel is very important to gather knowledge and know about citys,.. Washington has a great history for his visitor ..

  • November 13, 2013

    What a town! Thanks for the digital tour and amazing photos. Built on prostitution, eh? Funny, I always thought it was Starbucks. (:

  • November 14, 2013

    I wish to visit Seattle someday and visit my relatives there. Thanks for making me realize how beautiful Seattle is, Kristin. The food there looks tasty there too, ugh. Makes me want to visit there soon! 🙂

  • November 18, 2013

    Ah, your photography is always so fantastic! This was my first travel blog to ever stumble upon about five years ago and I feel confident that it will always be my favorite. Thanks for the constant inspiration!

  • November 24, 2013

    I have a cousin who works at Microsoft and I haven’t been there…how crazy is that? I need to remedy this wrong. Beautiful pictures, as always!

  • November 25, 2013

    Very nice!! there is so much information on this blog keep posting good information like this so that I can come back every day for some new info

  • November 26, 2013

    Seattle has a very special place in my heart. I think you captured it well.

  • November 29, 2013

    AH! We’re so sad we missed you! Looks like Seattle put on one heck of a show. I can’t believe you got a cloudless picture from the Space Needle. You have to let us know when you’re coming back. We want in on the action 😉

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