Local Expert
Carolyn
Being a "military brat" has allowed me to live around the US and overseas, but I have to say that Seattle is my favorite city to live in so far.
Since moving here over three years ago, I've been…
Being a "military brat" has allowed me to live around the US and overseas, but I have to say that Seattle is my favorite city to live in so far.
Since moving here over three years ago, I've been steadily checking out and comparing restaurants in the area. With the thousands of great places in the city, I could be doing this for years to come! Yeah, it's tough to be me.
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Crafty types aren't the only shopping game in town, however.
There is always the (in)famous Archie McPhee located in the Ballard neighborhood. Most people know Archie's from the Web, but it is really a sight to behold in person. Imagine a large room with weird ridiculous stuff like Bacon Wallets and unidentifyable gee-gaws and gizmos from who knows what and you still would be surprised at what you'd find. Archie's has all the fun stuff you can think of and for cheap, too.
Alternatively, you could ride on down to Greenwood and visit the Space Travel Supply Store. I've written about them before, but I didn't want anyone to forget. Looking for Certainty, astronaut food, or rocket fuel? They've got them. Perhaps you're interested in garments or want to get certified as a space traveller? They've got you covered there as well. In fact, their motto, "If we don't have it, you don't need it" should assure you that this is the place to be. In addition, all profits (and overhead is very low with no paid employees in the shop) go to support the 826 Seattle after-school tutoring center that is located just beyond the store.
Two other places of interest are 1) the Deluxe Junk antique store located next to Lenin in Fremont. I, personally, find antiquing boring, but Deluxe Junk has an amazing selection of goods. I found the best old-school booze-suitcase for a friend last year and cannot recommend this place enough; and 2) Max & Quinn's Atomic Boys shop in West Seattle. Atomic Boys is a cute little shop that specializes in nostalgic toys and candies. If you know someone who'd love a tin robot, this is the place to be.
Seattle has a large group of people who consider themselves anti-establishment - whether they be punk-rock or hippie or just don't feel "normal" - it's part of our charm. It's also part of why this city has a great number of places that you can find unique purchases, either for yourself or for the folks back at home.
Looking for a handbag made entirely of recycled materials? Have a favorite aunt who adores funky jewelry? Yes, you might have missed the annual Urban Craft Uprising on the 6th, but it's not too late to attend December's edition of the monthly I Heart Rummage show on December 21st at Chop Suey. The "craft experience" showcases 40 local indie designers, crafters, and/or artists and their wares. For truly one of a kind gifts, the show is a must.
If your travels do not coincide with the show, don't despair, several gallery/shop places offer indie designs as well. Check Frank and Dunya in Fremont or one of the three stores of the Fancy - Schmancy - Pants trio in Belltown for distinctive gifts made by local artists. There is also the local Fireworks gallery, which has three locations: Westlake Mall, Pioneer Square, and there's one at the airport. Although there is a secret to the Pioneer Square storeand not the other two: hidden upstairs is their clearance area. I got a great purse there last year for quite a bit off. (Eee!)
When I used to travel by air, I would try to make sure that either I had eaten fully before leaving or that my flight was short. Airport (and airline) food used to seriously get me down. So many times, I would see what looked like a neat restaurant from the outside but as soon as I got closer, it would be just a different wrapper around the same ole pre-packaged or corporately-produced food stuff.
Recently, however, I have had reason to rejoice. There are certain places that I can go for a specific item (hello Dort Gold at the Great Lakes Brewery Pub in Cleveland) and there are a growing number of diamonds in the rough that offer good meals in nice(r) settings.
If you find yourself in the Seattle-Tacoma airport, the news is even better. If you are hungry, there is no need to wait it out until you reach your destination. Head over to one of the following and get yourself something good to eat.
#1. Waji's, the airport outpost of Seattle's beloved Uwajimaya (Asian-centric, you can find anything store), is as you would expect: a high-quality and freshly made Asian-centric restaurant that serves sushi, bento boxes, teriyaki, and more. All items except alcoholic beverages (sake!) are available for take out. Prices aren't bad. Waji's is located towards the end of terminal C, past the Wolfgang Pucks (zzzzz) and the Starbucks (boring).
#2 Vino Volo, okay it's a chain, but it's good. This wine bar, located in the food courtish area right past the main security entrance (aka the Central Terminal), offers an alternative to sitting at a same as everywhere else airport bar. If wine, local cheeses, and fancified small plates strike your fancy as much as mine, you'll enjoy this place immenesly. If you like what you're drinking - and might I suggest a local Washington wine - you can purchase an unopened bottle and carry it on your plane with you or have them ship it on ahead.
#3 & 4 If you don't have time to sit down and wait for your flight, both Dish D'Lish and Dilettante Chocolate have great take with you food from local outfits. Dish D'Lish has breakfast foods, sandwiches and salads that are a cut above the usual and Dilettante will make you a mocha that will blow the pants off what you were going to order from that other Seattle institution.
Whatever you may have heard, Seattle is decidedly not a one note town. At the same time that a bluegrass band is kicking it up at the Tractor, there is also an indie rock group at Neumo's, a hardcore punk band at El Corazon, garage rockers at the Funhouse, a classical chamber group performing at Town Hall, and a jazz band lighting up Tula's. And that's just to name the highlights. So, it should be no surprise that Seattle can muster up enough artists, venues, and audience enthusiasm to host a variety of music festivals each year.
For jazz's annual festivities, there is the Earshot Festival. This year Earshot's is celebrating its 20 year anniversary and it in the same eclectic style that fans have come to know and love.
Spread out across several venues around town and across three weeks, this music festival brings several sub-genres of jazz to Seattle. From high school bands to African virtuosos, if you like any part of jazz music, there is something for you and maybe a little more. Because the festival is not sponsored by any major corporate outfit or tied to any festival circuit, the festival is known for "stretching the boundaries" and often brings in an amazing array of talent and sounds.
This week and weekend (November 5-9) brings the final days of 2008's festival with only 7 concerts left. See Santana's drummer, some Laurel and Hardy, a truly unique African kora player or all of the above. Depending on the venue, tickets are between $18-$30.
If you're looking to combine a trip to Seattle with a fun trick-or-treating experience for your kids, look no further than the Woodland Park Zoo. Located north of the downtown core (and accessible by public transit or car), the Zoo has a couple of activities planned for this weekend: The Pumpkin Bash and annual Pumpkin Prowl (fun for all except apparently pumpkins!).
The Pumpkin Bash is exactly what it sounds like: various zoo animals eat, bash, and play with pumpkins throughout the day, to the delight of zoo-goers. The schedule includes hippos, gorillas, otters, bears, and others from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and is free with regular admission.
The Pumpkin Prowl is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday and features live acts (both musical and acrobatic), trick or treating, science based exhibits and concessions. The zoo will provide bags and costumes are encouraged (but not required). Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for children 3-17, and free for children 2 and under.
People visiting Seattle often are unsurprised by the wealth of local music, the liberal populace, and/or the abundant winter rain. What may surprise them, however, is the amazing amount of Scandinavian culture and heritage that abounds as well. Indeed Seattle's history includes a quite large amount of immigration from the Scandinavian countries and according to the Seattle Times, "By 1910, about one-third of Seattle's foreign-born residents hailed from Sweden, Norway, Denmark or Finland. They established a Nordic community in Ballard and defined a young city's ethnic identity - a legacy that endures." [Seattle Times]
From Swedish Hospital to Nordstrom, there are little tidbits scattered around the city, none more than in the aforementioned neighborhood of Ballard though, which includes a couple of dedicated Scandinavian bakeries and shops as well as the oft overlooked Nordic Heritage Museum.
A worthwhile add on to any visit to Ballard (whether going to the Locks or just to shop at Archie McPhee), the museum is pretty unique. The current temporary exhibit includes a Finnish photographer's work entitled "Counterparts" and a Latvian art exhibit that commemorates Latvia's 90 years of independence. In addition, almost always is sponsoring an event or concert and in fact is hosting Troll Days on October 25th for the kids and is gearing up for their annual Yulefest which will kick off Thanksgiving week.