“This year, I resolve to travel more.” How many years have gone by with that same resolution left unresolved? Don’t get me wrong – I know there is authentic intention behind the idea – everyone loves the idea of taking a vacation – but as they say, “life gets in the way.” The thing is, travel doesn’t spontaneously happen. You have to plan it. And it’s well worth the effort too. Studies have shown that taking a vacation helps improve your relationships, your motivation and p

One of the things I love most about living in the PNW (aka Pacific Northwest, for those not in the know) is the close proximity to nature. Water, mountains, forests, beaches – we have it all. When my daughter was born about a year and a half ago, I was so excited that she was a native Seattlite and would never not know the outdoor world that I have grown to love. I was bound and determined to get her out on the trail as soon as possible. Fortunately, this region offers trails for a wide vari

Seattle may be known for its coffee, but we have welcomed another caffeine kick in the Emerald City with a cult following: Boba Tea.  When I left my small hometown in Eastern Washington to live in Seattle, I landed in the midst of a city rich in culture and opportunities. Being something of a foodie and curious at heart, my initial entry point into Seattle’s culture was an exploration of our restaurants. Through a recommendation I started at Din Tai Fung, a lively and vastly praised Ta

In this diverse city, music is limitless. To me, music is energy: it inspires and connects. Whether it makes you sway your body back and forth or moves you to tears, fill your soul with the sounds of Seattle. Buskers at Pike Place Market Suzi Pratt I often start at Pike Place Market, enjoying the buskers who fill my senses with joy. Within the downtown corridor, there are major music venues for everyone: The Moore Theatre hosts an array of artists from the 60’s to the current day; Dimi

Buzz Aldrin on the moon Courtesy The Museum of Flight “The Eagle has landed.” I am not old enough to remember the thrill of the historic 1969 Apollo mission that sent the first human beings to land on the moon. But thanks to a fascinating and inspiring exhibition currently on view at Seattle’s Museum of Flight, I was able to experience the excitement and the wonder, and to better understand the great leaps in science and human ingenuity that characterized the Apollo 11 mission and the global

Emily Adams Visiting Seattle is an adventure any day of the year. Getting to see some of Seattle’s greatest attractions is something your family will never forget! Recently, our family used Seattle CityPASS to see seven of the most sought after stops in the city. MANY of these can be done in the same day. Bring a sack lunch or swing by a local food truck to make sure you and your family are fueled for a full day(s) of fun! What is a CityPASS? CityPASS is a handheld booklet filled with coupon

Seafair, the unparalleled celebration of Seattle’s beautiful summer and remarkable history, turns 70 this year. With all the attendant finery and excitement that marks a big, round number we also get an opportunity to reminisce. Blue Angels flying in formation Courtesy Seafair When it comes to Seafair, family traditions take two paths: those that hearken back to previous generations and those created this year, destined to move forward in the way that traditions do. For every grandparent wis

One of the highlights of summer returns August 1-4, when nearly 100 galleries from around the world exhibit at Seattle Art Fair, held at CenturyLink Field Event Center. In addition to the wide ranging gallery installations, the Fair offers daily talks, special projects, and performances. Seattle Art Fair For a second year, curator Nato Thompson returns as Artistic Director. This year’s programming will explore themes of curiosity and wonder, featuring music, tech, natural history and artific

A Look at Washington State’s Three National Parks Author’s Note: This is part one in a three-part series. Read more on my account of North Cascades National Park and Olympic National Park. As a Seattle local who has lived here my whole life, I often find myself reflecting on what it is that has made me stay all these years. I think the answer becomes most obvious when I’ve been traveling for a while and start to think about what it will be like coming home. If I had to sum it up in two word

From October 17-20, the inaugural Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience will take place in and around Seattle. If you’re curious about what this is, and whether you should plan to attend (the answer is yes!), read on. First, a little background. The Seattle area has long been known as one of the top centers in the world for glass art. More than 700 glass artists, from emerging artists to master glassmakers, live in Washington and more than 100 glass art studios have made their home in the Se

1. The food Photo: LoadedAaron Seattle is good at a lot of things, including 1) scarf weather and 2) excellent food. And fall is the perfect time to visit for both. You can start your culinary appreciation tour at the city’s outdoor farmers markets. While some are seasonal — those in the neighborhoods of Magnolia and Columbia City end in October — others are open year-round, like the ones in the U-District, Capitol Hill/Broadway, Ballard, and West Seattle. In the fall, you’ll fin

Seattle is very fortunate to be among a relatively small group of U.S. cities that have the “Big Three”: a top tier symphony orchestra, opera, and ballet company. Our residents and visitors enjoy hundreds of performances every year ranging from world premieres to beloved classics. As the 2019-2020 season begins, two of these venerable Seattle arts organizations are welcoming new artistic leadership: Christina Scheppelmann to Seattle Opera and Thomas Dausgaard to Seattle Symphony.

Seattle’s burgeoning food scene is one of the many characteristics that makes this city so special – and it’s a big reason residents love living here. If you want a taste of the Pacific Northwest as recommended by locals themselves, well, you’re in the right place. From seafood to brunch to bars, the Visit Seattle team is sharing the locations they frequent so you can truly taste the city like a local. SEEK OUT SEAFOOD Seattle is known for being a seafood city. From salmon to oysters to crab

A Look at Washington State’s Three National Parks Author’s Note: This is part II in a three-part series. Read more on my account of Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. Having lived in Seattle my whole life, I often reflect on what makes this place so special and why I haven’t ventured away. If I had to sum it up in two words, I would say: “The Mountains.” Seattle is bordered by two mountain ranges – the Cascades to the east, and the Olympics to the west – and off in

Seattle is an amazing and unique destination for many reasons but ask any local and they’ll tell you their favorite feature is the city’s proximity to nature. Surrounded by Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west as well as the Cascade Mountains to the east, it’s easy to find a breathtaking view or outdoor activity in the Emerald City. Lucky for you, the Visit Seattle team is sharing their favorite ways to soak in every inch of this city’s incredible location, with scenic sights th

Seattle sure knows how to get into the holiday spirit. From a spectacular Christmas tree display and a festive cruise around the skyline to a dazzling light show that is sure to amaze, the Emerald City pulls out all the stops when it comes to spreading winter cheer the whole family can enjoy. Whatever level of holiday joy you and your little ones are looking for this season, downtown Seattle has you covered. As a Seattle native and mother of two (with one more on the way), I for one know jus

Willows Lodge & Spa Emily Adams My husband and I left our four sons back home with their grandparents and escaped to Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington for a much needed parent “timeout” and weekend to recharge going into the holiday season! We’re going to take you on a journey through Woodinville’s hot spots and best kept secrets in town. The newest places to sip, the best food around, where you can relax & unwind, play a round of golf, and the best lodging in town. Here

This year, Enchant Christmas returned to Seattle with another enchanting holiday lights adventure. As someone who was unable to attend 2018’s Enchant, I went into the experience with wide eyes and came out on the other side thoroughly impressed and jolly. Upon my arrival to T-Mobile Park, I was absolutely captivated by the abundance of twinkling lights decorating the outside of the building. They made clear that 2019’s Mischievous theme was going to be an immersive one. As I walked toward th

A Look at Washington State’s Three National Parks Author’s Note: This is part III in a three-part series. Read more on my account of Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park. Having lived in Seattle my whole life, I often reflect on what makes this place so special and why I haven’t ventured away. If I had to sum it up in two words, I would say: “The Mountains.” Seattle is bordered by two mountain ranges – the Cascades to the east, and the Olympics to the west – an

Seattle Museum Month, February 1-29, offers Seattle visitors staying in one of our 60+ partner hotels an unbeatable value: 50% off admission at 41 museums, including many of Seattle’s most popular attractions. You can go to as many museums as you like during your stay, and up to four people staying in the hotel room are eligible to use the discount, so it’s perfect for trips with friends or family. You’ll find the entire list of museums at seattlemuseummonth.com – but how to choose? Let’s di