So I’m trying to sell my husband on the idea of moving to Seattle. I’ve loved the place ever since the homes were affordable (late 80’s), when I visited a friend who lived in Ballard. The friend is long gone (I believe she lives in Switzerland now) but I’m still living in Phoenix. The desert has its charms, but I’m ready for a change. And my job will change for sure in the next year or so.
We are here in Seattle this week, to see if wintertime is really so bad. I love the white sky, the lack of glaring blaring sun, the drippy wet, the old houses. It’s not even summertime, with the farmers’ markets and flowers everywhere. We’ve been here in the summer, and I thought it was obvious that this city and the surrounding areas are gorgeous. Even the boring Eastside is no worse than any other city, right?
But we’re halfway through the week and he has just announced that the city is ugly. Sure, it’s an interesting place, we are at home with the lefty politics here, better food, great restaurants, he had to admit that Lake Washington is pretty. I guess the bridge to West Seattle was industrial enough to make him forget Alki Beach. So now I have a few days to show him something lovely. In February.
So, Seattleites, if you’ve stuck with me so far, where should I take him before we go home on Saturday?
Kerry Park is the iconic picture of Seattle. (less so on a day like this, but it’s still pretty nice.)
The Olympic Sculpture Park has a combination of nice views and art together.
The waterfront in general
Gas Works Park
Outside of the city proper:
Take a ferry to Vashon or Bainbridge.
The drive to Snoqualmie is lovely and the falls themselves are nice.
Commencement Bay and the drive across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Which is a hike from Seattle – at least an hour drive – but pretty darn scenic. If you do make it there, though, you should keep motoring on down to Coupeville and get mussels at Tobys Tavern. If you get a table by the window, you can look out and see where the mussels are raised.
Gasworks Park, looking south towards downtown. Not only is it a great view of the city and Lake Union, but you get an up close look at a playground for giants.
So far today, we walked to Volunteer Park and saw the Conservatory. Also walked to the top of the observation water tower there, which I had never even heard of.
Why does he think Seattle is ugly? I think it is one of the nicer looking medium sized cities–especially when you compare it to Phoenix. I have done a lot of work in Phoenix/Tempe area and find this comment interesting. What does he find ugly?
I think a ferry ride is probably the best way to get a sense of the beauty of the place. Or you can come to my house in Kitsap County and hang on my back deck, I love my yard, it is surrounded by woods and just feels like the northwest to me.
Tell him that Seattle will never look WORSE than in February. So, even at its grayest, it’s still a beautiful place!
Eta: I always liked Golden Gardens park, right on the water in Ballard. Too bad you won’t be around for Valentine’s day, when a local glass artist throws a bunch of pretty glass hearts in the water and they wash up on the beach for people to find…
That’s why we’re here in February. Everybody loves it in summertime! We wanted to see it at its gray, drippy worst. And IMHO the worst of Seattle is WAY nicer than the worst of our summers.
We’re meeting with a realtor on Friday, and he’s already lectured us about the prices. We know, we know. But I can’t afford a half-million bucks and I don’t want an hour commute each way each day, so we’ll see.
Thanks for all your suggestions so far. We went to Volunteer Park and climbed the water tower and saw the conservatory, then to Gas Works park, drove around Queen Anne and Magnolia for yuks, then went to Uwajimaya for odd snacks, then cappuccinos. A good day so far.
What did he think was ugly? After all that, he DENIED that he’d ever said that! (He did too.) So I think all is well so far!
Have you visited the new MOHAI on Lake Union? The old one was pretty neat if you like the history of the area - center for wooden boats is next door. From there you can walk over the the AGC building for a drink or lunch at the Harborside or the other direction where you will find several more restaurants right on the water.
