My picture from the observatory!
Oh Washington! A state with lots of green trees, fresh air, and a distinct smell. Washington is definitely somewhere I would like to visit again, but explore the nature side of it. I was able to check out a little bit of the popular art scene and city life. This Cali girl can definitely say that Seattle, Washington wasn’t what she expected. I’m going to tell you about my observations and give you some tips on how to make the best out of your trip!
It’s time for Curly Q’s Observations:
Observation 1: If they are not going to work, people look like they are ready to go hiking or to the beach.
People dress very relaxedly. Sometimes you were able to tell the difference between the tourist and the locals. The locals are very laid back and in their own world. I ended up giving in and dressed like I was going to a yoga class on my last day out there. Not going to lie, I felt comfortable and could walk for miles!
Observation 2: Starbucks is everywhere!
Seattle, Washington is known for their love of coffee and for introducing the world to Starbucks! However, every street has like two or three Starbucks. There was a Starbucks in front of a Starbucks on Capitol Hill. I chose to skip Starbucks and tried the local coffee shops. A bit more expensive, but definitely worth it! I recommend trying the “Mystery Mocha” at Ghost Alley Espresso. Every mocha is prepared differently and the staff is really nice!
Observation 3: People are in their own little world.
Most of the people I encountered were in their bubble and introverts. Aside from the people in Fremont. The people that were really nice to me were people that moved to Washington from San Francisco. The people in downtown Seattle, in my personal opinion, came off as introverts.
Observation 4: Fremont is awesome!
I thought it was like a little town outside of Seattle because it gives off a different vibe compared to downtown Seattle. I was wrong. Fremont is an artsy neighborhood. The self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe”, Everywhere you turn there is some form of art. The locals are very nice. They really helped me out when I got lost on my one-woman adventure.
Troll under the Fremont Bridge
Observation 5: Art is everywhere!
Whether it’s in Fremont or downtown Seattle, you will encounter a lot of art. Pike Market Place seemed to have a majority of the art I saw in downtown Seattle. As I mentioned in observation 4, Fremont is filled with art. It’s great to see the different forms of art scattered throughout the city of Seattle.
Batman!
It’s Time for CurlyQ’s Tips!:
Tip 1: Plan ahead of time!
Traveling within the states is no different than traveling out of the country. If you’re on a budget, start planning how much money you want to put towards food, souvenirs, transportation, etc. I had an idea of how much I wanted to spend out there. I might have gone over my estimated limit by like $10 or $20, but that’s not too bad.
Also, if you travel with someone, it’s better if you guys have a similar budget. Traveling on a budget is one thing, but traveling on someone else’s tighter budget is completely different.
It’s easier to sit down, make a plan of what you want to do and how much the both of you will need.
Tip 2: Use their local public transit system!
You save more money if you use their metrolink and bus system! We used a combination of Uber, Lyft, their Bus system, and their Metrolink System.
Check out the bus fare and metrolink fare before you travel. For Seattle, the one-day metrolink pass cost $5 and could be used on one of the two bus systems they have. The bus system costs around $3. They give you a ticket that lets you go on their buses for the rest of the day. Google maps will give you the bus schedule and tell you which buses you need to take.
Uber and Lyft definitely come in handy. However, you need to be careful with their drivers. Not only are there crazy stories right now, but sometimes these drivers try to take advantage of the tourist by taking the longer road or getting “lost”. The good thing about both services is that they will give you back your money if you tell them a driver over-charged you. Overall, they are both good companies, just need to be careful with the drivers.
Tip 3: Look at the bright side when things don’t go your way!
Don’t focus on the negatives. One of the reasons I was able to stay positive and constantly looked on the bright side was due to the fact that I spent money to go on this trip and Seattle was on my traveler’s bucket list! 😀
On my adventure, my friend and I took a 30 minute walk to a nearby market and accidentally turned it into a 3 hour walk to find the metrolink. Walking for three hours sucked. On the bright side, it was a workout, I saw a different part of Seattle, and I saw a man in drag in broad daylight.
I also got lost by myself in Fremont. I didn’t panic, I walked into a DVD store and asked the guy for directions. He was nice enough to direct me. I got to see a different side of Fremont, I found the statue I was looking for, and ended up at flee market afterward.
I also used their public transportation system by myself. Of course with the help of Google Maps, I was able to get to my destinations.
Tip 4: Try their local food!
I regret not trying their seafood. I kept hearing about how great and fresh their seafood was. Unfortunately, by the time I got to Pike Market Place, I was already full or had completely forgotten to buy food there.
I did check out their local coffee shops and tried their local ice cream. There flee market had a section that showcased their local ice cream, sandwiches, etc. The ice cream I tried was delicious and very fresh. I didn’t know that’s what mint tastes like.
Forget going to the national chains. I refused to buy Starbucks because there are two by my house. I didn’t travel to drink or buy food that I can get by my house.
It’s an adventure and a perfect time to get out of your comfort zone!
Tip 5: Get lost and Have Fun!
I have to say the best day for me was my last day. I took off on my own, went to Pike Market Place and Fremont.
Pike Market Place, or the Public Market, was fun to explore. It’s filled with dozens of little shops and a lot of yummy smelly food. It’s also super crowded. However, there are areas that give you breathing room, one of them is the gum wall. The gum wall is filled with gum, letters, and artwork. The pictures are under “my observations”. The Post Alley also has an area where you can sit down and look at the water across the Market Place.
I took the bus to Fremont and was thrown somewhere above my original destination. That was completely my fault because I put “Fremont Seattle” on my GPS.
However, it turned out to be an adventure. I passed through the area that has all of the cute little shops, I saw my statues, and later discovered a trail next to a river. It was a beautiful trail and I had a pet duck for 20 minutes. It was peaceful and I got to see a different side to Fremont.
If you get lost, do it during the daytime. I wouldn’t recommend getting lost at night. Crazy people are everywhere.
For those experienced travelers, what are some tips that you might have for those of us that are beginning?
Did I miss out on any landmarks or events in Seattle Washington?
CurlyQ and the World 