Maddison's Musings

Last week I went back to Washington state to visit family, and on my last day there we got to go into Seattle, and I just want to say that I fucking love Seattle. It's by far my favorite city, and there's so many things to do when you visit. I personally love Pike Place Market. I know it's a huge tourist attraction, but even as someone who's lived around Seattle for half of my life, I still love it. There are so many things to see, do, and buy, and I just adore it. So, without further ado, I thought I could recommend a few fun things to do if you ever visit the Emerald City.

A huge tourist spot, but even the locals (me) enjoy going. Take a stroll through the market and enjoy all the wonderful things people are selling. Don't worry if you don't want to buy fruits and fish, if you go downstairs, there's more to buy. From a used book store to a magic shop to a crystal shop, Pike Place has tons of things to purchase and look at.

Located in a lower alley in Pike Place Market is the grossest, coolest thing you will witness. An entire alley covered in chewed gum. It's beautifully disgusting, and I love it. Add your own wad of gum to the wall, or just marvel at the wall.

Known for it's incredible latte art, Moore Coffee Shop is located just a few blocks from Pike Place. The place is cute and small, but the coffee is delicious and the latte art is adorable.

I fell in love with this coffee shop just for it's name, but when I actually visited, I loved it even more. This place has so many pride flags- even the logo in the main window was on a pride flag! I teared up a little bit at the site of the coffee shop, just looking at the pride flags. Another small coffee shop, what this place lacks in space it makes up in the atmosphere and environment. Delicious biscuits, kick ass coffee, and seeing the word bitch every few minutes? sign me up. My favorite part about going here was not only them shouting "come on in bitches," but also the fact that I got a pumpkin pie flavored drink in the middle of July. Beautiful.

About 2 miles from downtown Seattle in Queen Anne, Kerry Park offers a spectacular view of the Seattle skyline. It's really just a small patch of grass, not really a "park" per se, but the view is incredible, and totally worth the short drive.

Just a few blocks from Pike Place, the piers have all sorts of attractions and restaurants. From the Great Wheel to the aquarium to pop up vendors, the piers are so much fun. Pier 58 seems to be the main pier, as it has the Great Wheel, but they're all fun and easy to walk to, plus you're right on Puget Sound with a view of the Cascade mountains.

Another huge tourist attraction, the Space Needle stands 605 feet (184.4 meters) tall and offers a breathtaking view of the city. It is fairly expensive to ride up the Space Needle ($18-$29 if you go up mid-day), so if you don't feel like paying that much, you can always head to Kerry Park for free, or visit the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center and go up the Sky View Observatory for much less (Adults cost $14.75, being the most expensive compared to Space Needle Adults costing $29).

Located between Pike Place and Pier 58 is the cutest stationery shop I have ever encountered. There were so many cute journals, post cards, greeting cards, etc. They do custom letterpressing, and it's all beautiful. I spent so much money here on a cute Seattle journal, pencils, pens, and erasers. I love it.

Although I haven't been able to go up and see the rainbow crosswalks myself since I went up to Seattle with some religious family members, I really want to one day. Capitol Hill is the gay center in Seattle, so it only makes sense that some of the crosswalks are located here. Many of the crosswalks are located by the Elliot Bay Book Company and Caffe Vita. A cute thing to go see for any gay (or someone who likes rainbows).

Okay, so technically Mt. Rainier is about a two hour drive from Seattle, but if you get the chance, heading to Mt. Rainier National Park is pretty fun if you want to see the mountain up close and personal, or if you want to try climbing it. Otherwise, you can see the mountain from the city and admire its beauty from afar.

Seattle is a wonderful city, and I have so much love for it I can't even really express how I feel about it into a tangible thought. Seattle makes me feel at home and peaceful, like I belong there, which isn't something I feel in any other city- not Dallas, not Los Angeles, not Austin, nowhere but Seattle. Every time I go into the city I feel a rush, and I don't know if it's from the second-hand marijuana intake (since it's legal and all, not that I do it) or from this homey vibe, but I love it. I can't wipe the smile off my face when I visit, and I hate leaving. If you visit, I hope you get the same vibe from this wonderful city, and let me know if you do any of the things I've mentioned!