How To Spend A Long Weekend In Seattle

Wicked fans may know Emerald City as the capital of Oz, but there’s another city—one that’s less fantastical, though still plenty magical—that has earned the moniker.

Seattle, Washington is known as the Emerald City thanks to its abundant surrounding greenery, which stays lush all year long. And it’s not just the trees that make this place beautiful: there are also its views of the tranquil Puget Sound waters, and of the towering mountains, including Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Baker. While known to be a tech hub, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered here, Seattle is also a place of abundant art and culture. Here’s how to spend “one short *weekend* in the Emerald City.”[1]  —Sara Harowitz

Where to stay: Location, location, location

If you’re looking for a hotel that’s perfectly situated near the iconic Pike Place Market, not to mention is an easy walk to many great shops and restaurants, the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is as good as it gets. Despite being located right at the market, this hotel is all calm and charm—from the marbled lobby, to the onsite restaurant, to the pool and hot tub deck (which features breathtaking views of Puget Sound). There’s a well equipped gym as well as a spa, but even just going to sleep each night in one of the hotel’s signature beds and using the ensuite Grown Alchemist bath amenities is enough to leave you feeling pampered.

What to do: Museum mania

Seattle is a true museum-lover’s Mecca, with establishments around the city that focus on everything from Asian art to blown glass to maritime history. For anyone who’s interested in entertainment, the Museum of Pop Culture is a must. Housed in a stunning Frank Gehry-designed building, the museum has permanent exhibits on science-fiction, horror, video games, and fantasy, as well as Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana (two musical heavyweights who came from Seattle). View costumes worn by everyone from Rihanna to Lizzo, as well as props used in juggernaut film franchises such as The Lord of the Rings.

On the other end of the spectrum, The Museum of Flight offers visitors the chance to tour some historic planes—including an Air Force One used by multiple US Presidents. There’s also an excellent section on the use of aircraft in the First and Second World Wars, as well as an awe-inspiring room filled with multiple historic planes suspended in the air. As the museum’s onsite high school has emblazoned on its exterior: the sky is not the limit.

If you happen to be in Seattle on the first and third Saturday of the month, you can also book a visit to The Spheres: Amazon’s community hub for employees, featuring a gigantic living wall, a rotating exhibit of tropical plants, and a donut shop.

When it comes to shopping, there are plenty of unique stores selling all kinds of wares. Consider stopping by Eighth Generation: a lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe with store location just around the corner from the Four Seasons. All of its products—from candles to blankets to jewellery—are created by Indigenous people from across the USA. Or there’s Milagros Mexican Folk Art, which sells an alluring selection of hand-picked artworks from Mexico, including beaded pieces and wood carvings. For clothing, Pirkko is a Nordic-inspired store selling brands including Marimekko, Marja Rak, and Kinross Cashmere; then there’s Feathered Friends, which sells home and outdoor products handmade in Seattle with ethically-sourced goose down. And of course there’s the iconic department store Nordstrom, which was founded in Seattle in 1901.

Where to eat: From dumplings to tiki drinks

Like to start the morning with a jolt? The Four Seasons has a delightful Coffee Concierge: simply call or text the number in your room and someone will bring a fresh cup of drip coffee right to your door. And since one cup is never enough, head afterwards to grab an Americano from nearby Anchorhead or Cafe Hagen in South Lake Union, and then make your way to grab a treat from Doce Donut Co. in Fremont or Moonrise Bakery in Queen Anne. Pike Place Market is also home to the world’s first-ever Starbucks, which is still going strong (though there will undoubtedly be a line).

For a heftier snack, the Jamaican meat pies from Lands of Origin in Pike Place are delicious, as is the spicy ginger beer from Rachel’s. If looking for something more substantial, Bangrak Market serves up flavourful Thai food (order the green beans and the chicken satay), while dumpling masters Din Tai Fung will have you cooing over the perfectly executed xiao long bao. Jack’s BBQ, meanwhile, serves up excellent smoked sausage and brisket.

Then there is, of course, the Goldfinch Tavern at the Four Seasons, which features a menu designed by popular local chef Ethan Stowell (known for his Queen Anne restaurant How to Cook a Wolf). The sweet potato hash is a great option for breakfast, while the burger with dill-dusted fries is an excellent lunch pick; for dinner, the king salmon with white beans and green beans is a must, as is the carrot risotto with aged balsamic and pickled onion. Wash it all down with a Spice Season: a mix of mezcal, chai, coconut milk, egg white, Amaro Montenegro, demerara sugar, and nutmeg.

For dessert, Hot Cakes in Capitol Hill serves baked-to-order molten lava cakes, which are served with ice cream and various toppings (and can be made both gluten-free and vegan). If drinks are what you’re after, high-quality craft beer can be found at The Good Society, and excellent tiki cocktails exist at Inside Passage—opt for the One-Eyed Willy, which is made with a blend of rums plus vanilla, cinnamon, banana, and Angostura bitters, all served in a skull cup that comes inside a smoky treasure chest. See? You don’t need a wizard in order for this Emerald City to share its magic.