Great Escape

Fall 2019 (Florida Coast Magazine) – Seattle, an urban city in Washington state surrounded by breath-taking natural beauty, famous for coffee, music, and… what else do we really know about this beautiful area? If the heat of the Florida sun proved to be too much this Summer and a Fall break is in order, then this is the city to cool down, be surrounded by incredible beauty, taste some amazing wines, and experience a unique culture.

There are so many options of things to do here, but these are our favorite suggestions for a mini-break. It’s the perfect getaway to shop, then explore.  

SoDo District

Once an unnamed four-square-mile area of filled-in tidal flats, the former industrial heart of Seattle, SoDo had no real identification, and it was just generically labeled “the industrial area.” Then came a marketing campaign to give the uncharacterized place a name, “SoDo” (“south of the dome”). This immediately transformed the place into something with character and business soon came flocking. It’s the perfect spot to stop and reflect on the adventure so far with wineries and breweries situated south of downtown.

FOOD & DRINK
Schooner Exact Brewing If partial to a nice brew and some pub grub, steak melt or braised pork, then checking out Schooner Exact Brewing is a must. (3901 First Ave S, schoonerbrewingseattle.com); Ghostfish Brewing Company  A selection of delicious brews in addition to some hearty dishes including their famous fish and chips definitely worth stopping by for a pint, or two. (2942 First Ave S, ghostfishbrewing.com)

SHOPPING
Filson Flagship Store This flagship store is located in the same building where the rugged outdoor clothing retailer develops, samples, cuts, and sews their goods. Stop here to purchase superior quality items like their blankets, vests, beanies, or camping gear, or take the time to book a complimentary factory tour. (1741 First Ave S, filson.com)

SPORT
CenturyLink Field For all sport lovers, this place has to be on the top of the list. SoDo is best known for its sports, specifically the CenturyLink Field, home of the Seahawks and Sounders, and T-Mobile Park is home to the Mariners. (800 Occidental Ave S, centurylinkfield.com)

NIGHTLIFE
Showbox SoDo The vibrant nightlife scene in Seattle is down to the amazing music venues, one of which includes the Showbox. Conveniently located, this venue hosts some incredible bands in a distinctive space. The drinks are a little pricey, but this is quickly forgotten when you get bang for your buck with the incredible tunes and memories made at this popular night spot. (1426 1st Avenue, showboxpresents.com)

Georgetown (Old Seattle)

Georgetown is reported as being the oldest area in the city. This is a must stop-and-shop destination.

SHOPPING
Trailer Park Mall Independent shops are housed in trailers. Each trailer offering something a little different – from locally sourced to reused products, the trailers feature anything from art, fashion, and food to handmade cosmetics. Due to their uniqueness and locally sourced ethos, this shopping spot is popular with both visitors and locals. (5805 Airport Way South, georgetowntrailerpark.com)

ATTRACTION
In addition to great shopping and food, look up at the amazing architecture along Airport Way in the Georgetown area. The railroad still runs nearby, and what was once the old rail warehouses are now filled with galleries, restaurants, and bars, all embracing the old architecture. The original glass in these buildings windows and the old names of the buildings are still inscribed on the brick.

Alki Beach

There are several options to explore the countryside or seaside, but one of our favorites has to be Alki Beach. Made famous by the movie Sleepless in Seattle, this beach is movie-scene worthy. With its beautiful views of the city, long boardwalk, restaurants, and relaxed atmosphere, pencil aside at least a morning or afternoon at this beach.

FOOD & DRINK
Spud Fish and Chips Everything is fried but who doesn’t like some good ole’ fish ‘n chips or calamari while at the seaside! (2666 Alki Ave SW, spudfishandchips.com)

THINGS TO DO
Considering many of our readers are South Florida-based and enjoy spending time on the water, we offer the following advice:

Rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals to ride along the boardwalk and the seaside area of Alki, or take a self-guided tour which starts from Wheel Fun Rentals and takes riders along the water’s edge of the Puget Sound. This route takes you right up close to the Alki Point Lighthouse, passes through parks, past ferries, and offers incredible views of the Seattle waterfront. (2530 Alki Avenue, SW, wheelfunrentals.com)

Go whale watching with Puget Sound Express. There are many whale excursion options available, but our team member loved the Puget Sound Express. Family-owned, their guarantee is to see a whale or ride again next time for free. The Seattle waters have some of the highest concentration of whales and dolphins in North America. This is really an incredible experience with memories that will last a lifetime. A 4-5 hour tour is $135 per adult or $85 for children 2-10 years old. (459 Admiral Way or 227 Jackson Street, Port Townsend, pugetsoundexpress.com)  

Leavenworth

Two hours east of Seattle is a must-visit town called Leavenworth. History suggests this was a favorite spot for the Native American tribes of the area due to its fertile land and natural resources. In the 1960s there was a marketing strategy to attract visitors and when deciding on a theme for the town, the town planners noted its likeness to German Bavaria.

They now had a theme and commenced on adapting downtown to look like a Bavarian town. After the facelift had taken place, community leaders organized several festivals to attract the crowds. Still extremely popular is Oktoberfest, which involves lots of beer, music, and German-inspired food. This year, the festival runs from October 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19.

Also, the town hosts the popular Christmas lights festival, which will run from December 6-8, 13-15, 20-22. This Bavarian town becomes a village of lights with over half a million twinkling around the town. On Friday evenings there is live music as Christmas songs fill the air with the sound bouncing off the towering mountains surrounding the town.  

THINGS TO DO
Along with the many festivals, there are numerous breweries and wineries to enjoy, not to mention the great outdoors to explore. These suggestions are just a few of our favorites.

Cascade Farmlands Cascade Farmlands is a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting small agri-businesses and assisting visitors in involving them with the farm’s products and beauty, orchards, and local businesses in North Central Washington. Our favorite was the wine tours which happen throughout the year and are extremely popular, so book before you go. (cascadefarmlands.com)

Wine Harvest at Lake Chelan October in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley is full of the beautifully colored leaves and the sweet smell of harvest in the air. Every weekend, visitors join locals to celebrate their annual Crush Festival. This is where the labor in the vineyards is carried to the crush pad. There is a great celebratory feel as visitors come to stomp and dance. The grapes go through the press and the raw juice is offered around to taste. The cellar master or wine-maker will also explain how they know when the wine is ready to bottle. This event is lots of fun and should not be missed on a Fall visit to the area.

Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum There are a few decent museums in the area, but our favorite was the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. People have come from all over the world to see this collection of over 6,000 nutcrackers, some of which date back to Roman times. There is even a nutcracker scavenger hunt which is fun for the whole family. The museum is open 7 days a week 1 pm – 5 pm. (735 Front Street, Leavenworth, nutcrackermuseum.com)

Rafting, Biking and Snow Tubing There are a number of rafting options for the thrill-seeking visitor, however, we preferred the rafting that is focused more on a leisurely pace and siteseeing. Leavenworth’s Outdoor Center offers many adventures from tubing, biking, kayaking, and our favorite scenic rafting on the Icicle river. The rafting is only available from April to August, so if visiting in the Fall you might choose to walk the trails instead, which usually only have a sprinkling of snow this time of year. You could also see the beautiful ice formations forming along the edge of the water as the Icicle River starts to freeze over. On a side-note, if visiting in the Spring, go fly-fishing for salmon, which is abundant here because of the river’s proximity to the National Fish Hatchery. (leavenworthoutdoorcenter.com)

FOOD & DRINK
There are so many wonderful and tasty options for food in this region it really is difficult to choose. These are just a couple of suggestions:

Mana Restaurant For a tasty organic and locally-sourced menu, this place is it. We really enjoyed the Sunday Supper five-course dining experience. Offering a high level of culinary delight which is both interesting, tasty and compliments the amazing landscape with its fresh, green, and wholesome situation. (1033 Commercial St. Leavenworth, manamountain.com)

München Haus A family-run establishment offering a true German-inspired menu with Bavarian sausages cooked over an open grill, pretzels, delicious soups, and locally crafted brews. This place is casual, but serves high quality in a great environment. (709 Front St. Leavenworth, munchenhaus.com)

The Gingerbread Factory This quaint little bakery is full of character and sweet treats. A perfect stop off for delicious coffee and gingerbread. Cinnamon and freshly baked goods fill the air, really adding the feel of an Autumnal extravaganza. (829 Front St. Leavenworth, gingerbreadfactory.com)

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are many different options on accommodations depending on budget, from camping and motels to resorts. Our team member stayed at the following 4 star resort and said, “If you want luxury that will not completely break the bank, then this is the place.”

Posthotel This adults only 4 star hotel brings the luxuries of the Alps’ wellness concepts to their visitors. Starting the day off with a delectable European-style breakfast, then offering plunge pools, steam rooms, saunas, and indoor and outdoor spas where there is a choice of massages, facials, and body treatments. Our team member stated, “I really felt I was being pampered, wearing fluffy white robes provided by the hotel all the time I was there, even to breakfast and lunch.” (309 8th St., Leavenworth, posthotelleavenworth.com)

Bavarian Lodge  Best Family Accommodation Describing themselves as the convenience of a city hotel with the character of a country style lodge, is spot on. This place has a ton of charm and a cozy welcoming feel. The kids will particularly love the outdoor, heated pool which is accessible year round with Mom and Dad enjoying the amazing micro brews at the Woodsman Pub. (810 US Highway 2, Leavenworth, bavarian-lodge.com)