Over the last month we’ve been getting a handful of visitors — friends and family — from all over. 

First — it was my bestie who I met while studying abroad in Australia and her husband (and cockapoo) visiting from San Francisco, after recently making the big move from NYC.

Second — it was my most favorite relative “Uncle” visiting us from Chicago during Pearl Jam’s Home Show in Seattle. 

And finally — my besties who I grew up in the burbs with and have known since 1st and 6th grade are visiting me from Chicago as well. One with her boyfriend who’s never been here before. 

I love any chance I can get to play tour guide, and not to toot my own horns, but I feel like I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Just look at example a and example b here. 

Anyways — all of these visits had me think of a new Friday Five to share, specifically around my favorite things about Seattle. 

Enjoy!

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The proximity to water —

Growing up in the midwest, I was always used to flat land and maybe a nearby pond or lake… well, I mean Lake Michigan wasn’t too far. But since moving to Seattle I’ve become obsessed with living near the water. And I’m talking the open sea. There’s nothing that makes you feel more alive then walking outside and getting a breeze off the Puget Sound — the northwestern inlet off the Pacific Ocean. Living near water makes for so many fun activities — boating, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, island hopping, ferrying. whale watching, cruising, beaching… taking your dog to the dog beach. It’s a life I want to keep living. And it’s a life I think everyone should have the chance to experience. 

The food and drink scene — 

Though I definitely try to squeeze in the standard “Seattle Must Sees” with my visitors — an even better way to approach these spots is by tacking on a bar and restaurant or two because our scene is so good. Here are my fave combos by neighborhood:

• (Downtown) Pike Place Market + Maximillien for lunch with a view + The Nest at Thompson for rooftop viewss 
• (Queen Anne) Citizen for breakky + Space Needle + Kerry Park 
• (Pioneer Square) Intermezzo Carmine for Italian happy hour + Smith Tower for cocktails + Good Bar for a night cap
• (Capitol Hill) Starbucks Reserve Roastery + Stateside for Dinner + Foreign National for after dinner drinks + Neighbours for Dancing
• (Fremont) beer at Fremont Brewery + The Troll + pizza at The Masonry
• (Wallingford) Dave Matthew’s House + Westward for champs + Agua Verde kayaking on Lake Union / houseboat touring + Manolin for dinner
• (Ballard) The Locks + The Sexton for drinks + Stoneburner for fare + Frankie & Jos for Ice Cream + Golden Gardens for Sunset
• (Magnolia) Discovery Park for an urban hike + Maggie Bluffs for fish and chips

The endless opportunities for hiking — 

I never thought in a million years I’d be calling myself a hiker. Especially considering when I was younger my dad would have to drag me to climb any sort of mountain during our trips to Colorado. But here — wow. I’m addicted, along with the entire rest of the city. Because once you get out into nature, and reach the top of that beautiful peak — you feel like your life has a whole new purpose. I’ll be doing a separate post on my favorite hikes soon, but to name a few I’d say Rattlesnake Ledge, Snow Lake, Blanca Lake and Vesper Peak have been toppers across all levels of difficulty.

The dog friendliness — 

I mean sure, a lot of cities can say this, but the fact that I can walk down my street to the best local market around — Marketime — with my sidekick Smalls every other day, where every employee smiles while they give him a treat — is just a mood lifter. And when he comes with me to Nordstrom… and Norms… and coffee shops… I dig it. 

The casual coolness — 

You don’t really realize it living here, but when visitors come and comment on the sneakers over heels and the variety of colored hair and the beards and backpacks — you can’t help but say hey — it’s a pretty chill place we live in. You can dress up when you want to and you can dress down when you want to. The pressure is off and being a style blogger I have to say it feels pretty nice. Options… and overall, just straight cool.

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I could go on and on but those are the top things in my mind with our recent guests. 

Want more juice on Seattle? Be sure to check out the growing “Seattle Edit” section — and let me know what more you want to see added!

// cb ✌????

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And looking for some pieces to tour the city with?

Try these: