Sleepless In Seattle… Finally!

More of restless than sleepless actually. Cramming all the spots we wanted to visit in a span of two and a half days got us on a tight schedule. This trip was really over a whim and got shut down not even a day after I suggested the place. We’ve been wanting to get away from the OC and the plan to go to the most northern Pacific state sounded superb at first but is it really worth the expense for this quick Juneteenth 3-day weekend? Or do we just explore downtown San Diego for less than half the price?? With limited time and a very big hit on the wallet, it was a no-brainer to go exactly the opposite to the most southern part instead. The next day, after a strenuous morning at work, I took another gander on the available flights to Seattle and whatever took over me, I was there booking away, just like that. I know they say, it is not the place but the person you are with, but c’mon, a new destination would sure be more epic, right? And if we are to make great memories, what’s a few more swipes on the Mastercard to visit a place we both haven’t been to at the start of summer? Impulsive decision justified.

That impulsiveness was no excuse though for me not knowing that Team USA was playing in Seattle that Friday afternoon on the ongoing FIFA World Cup, and the Mariners playing the Red Sox at night. The thought of LA traffic immediately came haunting me as I dread the idea of wasting time in the car when we can already be at one of the spots we were targeting to visit. But timing was perfect as we arrived in the middle of the “football” game (soccer everyone, this is America!) and the mob was still at Lumen Field. By the time we got down from the hotel, the takeover of downtown was in motion and Pike Place Market was, needless to say, packing extra as I heard it was always crowded even on a regular day (being a tourist spot). It brought along a very lively vibe, including a few frustrated red-faced Aussies as Team USA defeated Australia 2-0. The red, white and blue was unquestionably afloat and it gave downtown Seattle a bit more than its usual luster.

Obligatory(?) pic in front of the market

PIKE PLACE MARKET

Doing the touristy stuff was inevitable. But thanks to the digital age, I have totally tapered down my expectations over the alleged very first ever Starbucks coffee shop in America and didn't even think for a second to fall in line for coffee that is no different to any other Starbucks close by. In fact, there are a lot of coffee shops around Seattle that are equally good if not even better. But alas, a Starbucks is situated at the lobby of our hotel, so I succumbed to the convenience of an elevator ride down than going out to get our caffeine fix. Sadly, we never had a chance to try any other of those "better coffee" spots during the trip. But that let-down was easily shadowed by our craving for clam chowder. We needed to have chowder, otherwise, what are we doing here? There are a few high recommendations in the list including the most popular one Pike Place Chowder and I’m sure you’ll never go wrong with any one of them but we had ours at Lowell's. Yep, it was really good chowder and with the hefty-priced yet delightful Dungeness Crab sandwich to go along with it, it surely hits the spot. Now we are almost obliged to make a visit to Boston to get a verdict if the New England version is indeed, as the Easterners would claim, better. Both Beecher’s Handmade Cheese and Mee Sun Pastry lived up to it’s hype and got us going there twice (that is saying something). We didn’t get to try the Pink Door since reservations were not available for the entire weekend (bummer) but wifey had her Luke’s Lobster Roll so that kinda (barely) made up for that. We also had to pay homage to an iconic Filipino spot that was established way back in 1973 (Oriental Mart) to try their famous Salmon Tips Sinigang. However, the gods were not kind to us as they were closed when we dropped by (really it’s poor planning from our end). The Pike Place Market go-around can easily be just an entire morning to be honest. But because the crowd is constant, experiencing all the must-go spots would take you at least two days minimum. And I apologize Golden State but when it comes to seafood, Seattle takes the cake, by a mile. Yeah I said it.

First Starbucks, overrated or not?

THE TRIFECTA

Space Needle was another must. But the long line just to get an elevator ride up reminded me why I was never into theme parks. I was my bit impatient self but the view atop calmed me down eventually. Breathtaking! It was a bit gloomy but still got a good view of the city proper. The revolving floor known as “The Loupe” got me cringing as I’m afraid of heights and if you are too, this may not be your thing. We had to try the intergalactically famous pie at TipTop which I can say was intergalactically good. We got one savory (beef) and one sweet (apple) and that balance between the two was perfect! But like any other overlooking or rooftop tourist spot, the wait is always longer than the stay. We headed down faster than we can say intergalactically. Crossed this one off of our list.

Immediately below Space Needle was the Chihuly Garden & Glass which for art-lovers is a beautiful haven. I'm not that cultured (admittedly) so I did not want to spend that much time there as supposed to my wife who was amazed by the artistry inside. It was a great place to take those IG-worthy photos so not surprising seeing a few influencers doing their thing. I was actually more into the Museum of Pop Culture (MPOP) where I get to learn a bit more about grunge music and its history. On the walk to MPOP, I saw, to my dismay, a TipTop restaurant. I really thought it was only at the top of Space Needle where we could have the intergalactically famous pie (can you tell I love saying intergalactically?) That is when I really felt I was a tourist in this area as I wasn't aware that TipTop ain't exclusive up there. What a waste of 15 minutes falling in line for a pie that is… nah not gonna say it again. Anyway, MPOP had this Scared To Death Exhibit which had an open standing casket that you can hop into and pretend that you're a corpse. I got in and had my wife take a picture of me but she found it really creepy and disturbing. I thought it was hilarious. By the way, get the City Day Pass when visiting these three adjacent spots. Definitely cheaper. Who's the tourist now?

Space Needling in the USA

THE WATERFRONT

A few years back I can say that I relate with Sam (Tom Hanks) when he said, “I just want somebody I can have a decent conversation with over dinner.” Fast forward to today and here I am finally in the Emerald City with what Annie (Meg Ryan) describing love as “a million little things that add up” all over me. The cruise around the bay got me all nostalgic. It would've been a great scene to see Sam and Annie be in with the setting sun as a silhouette. On why they didn’t have a scene at the waterfront directly from downtown in the movie, I have no idea. Still lost on these references?? Just sleep yourself back to 1993 (wink).

The Elliott Bay breeze was a tad chilly than my spoiled Californian butt can take but nevertheless breathtaking. There were a few other couples with us on the boat and I'm sure the margaritas did it's job of warming us all up on top of the tight hugs every couple is giving their respective partners. Of course I had a chit-chat with one of the crew members who gladly and elaborately told his journey and in exchange for listening, took pictures of us with downtown as a backdrop. This cruise is definitely a must for first timers and the truth is (here's another blooper I wasn't expecting), we should've had the cruise already the night before when we arrived. But for some odd reason, Apple Maps or Waze was giving us misleading directions. It took us to Lake Washington and with 15 minutes left before the boat embarks, we won't be able to make it on time with the drive back to Pier 55. We will not be deterred though even if we wasted a hundred bucks for that missed cruise. One way or another we were going sailing into the water. So we booked another one the next day and the rest is cruising history.

Prior to the sea adventure, the Great Wheel ride was also amazing. Terrifying at first but amazing eventually. Is it just me or is a ferris wheel ride scarier than a roller coaster? Probably just me but being on top of that ride gave us another astonishing view of the city, the bay and even Mount Rainier. I didn't care for the Seattle Aquarium that much and honestly I could've skipped that one altogether in exchange for a drink at Old Stove Brewing pub. And for heaven's sake, don't go to the Gum Wall. Absolutely gross. Just my honest opinion.

 

The Great Wheel view from atop

We capped off the Sunday going back home with mass at Saint Francis Cathedral which I may say is a nice looking church. Very solemn and had that Vatican feel to it (not that I know what it feels to be in the Vatican but I'm assuming it would be something like that but much grand). In the middle of the mass, I got a notification from Southwest Airlines that we were booked to a different and earlier flight. So we had to cut our giving graces short to go straight to the airport, hoping we make it on time and not get stuck in Seattle for another day (wife may not want to come back home if that happens). We missed a few parks we had on the agenda but it wasn't meant to happen on just a three-day weekend, which gives us a reason to go back one of these days. Downtown Seattle, dare I say, is better than Downtown Chicago?? Debatable but we have yet to experience a Seattle in winter when it's gloomy with endless rain and find out if this is a city that we want to relocate for the long run (California sunshine is just too hard to beat though). But weather aside, we would've moved to Seattle in a heartbeat (might have said that as well on my first trip to Chicago LOL). Love the city landscape. Love the seafood. Love the vibe. We are for sure going back however restless or sleepless it will be.