Seattle

Three Perfect Days, Seattle

Author Lisa K. Fann Photography Todd Pearson

DAY TWO / Rise early and ride the Waterfront Streetcar to Pier 52, where you’ll catch the Bainbridge Island ferry. Crossing “the moat,” as islanders call it, takes 35 minutes and offers gorgeous views of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. When the ferry docks, walk up the street and turn left on Winslow Way. Breakfast is at Streamliner Diner, a Bainbridge Island institution with plastic red and white–checked tablecloths and delicious food.

After a hearty breakfast, catch a taxi to Bloedel Reserve for your 10 a.m. reservations. The trails through the 150 acres meander across a field of tall grasses and explore a dense Northwest forest of evergreens, ferns, and mosses. Farther along the trail, you’ll see gardens—Japanese, moss, and reflection—and the Bloedel house sitting on a hill overlooking the Puget Sound. Drink in the tranquil surroundings; then taxi back to Winslow Way, where small shops tempt you with artistic wares.

For lunch, retrace your steps back to Pike Place Market and duck into the cozy 94 Stewart. The menu changes constantly, depending on what is freshest. Try the summer salmon salad with cantaloupe and champagne dill vinaigrette. Chef Celinda Norton also can concoct something delightful out of ingredients of your choice. Despite the upscale food, the restaurant doesn’t take itself too seriously. Afterward, stop by The Confectional in the market for a mini cheesecake, choosing Kahlúa white chocolate, Mexican chocolate, or one of the other dangerously decadent flavors.

Dab the chocolate from your lips and walk a few blocks south to the Seattle Art Museum. A recent expansion doubled its size, and holdings include ancient and modern art from across cultures. You reserved tickets for Inspiring Impressionism, which explores the links between the impressionists and the major European art movements that preceded them.

By now the shopping bug has bitten, so make your way to Pacific Place, with its selection of chi-chi shops—Barneys New York, MaxMara, Cartier. Or, if you prefer carabiners over carats, make a pilgrimage to REI’s flagship adventure cooperative with its climbing wall, mountain-bike test trail, and mother lode of outdoor gear perfect for the lifestyle led by locals. From the street, you’ll walk wooded trails past a waterfall just to get to the store. You’ll almost forget you are in downtown Seattle.

After your excursion, it’s back to the inn to dress for dinner at Teatro ZinZanni. If you have a top hat or boa, this is definitely the time to wear it. You also can purchase something festive in the boutique before the show. The five-course dinner designed by celebrated chef Tom Douglas shares the stage with cirque, comedy, music, and dance performed above and around you as you dine.

After the zany whirlwind of ZinZanni, decompress with a glass of wine at Purple Café and Wine Bar. A two-story cylinder of shelves in the middle of the room shows off the global wine collection.

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10 Responses to “Three Perfect Days, Seattle”

  1. bob schmoe Says:
    May 4th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    Date of the article ?

  2. SD Simmons Says:
    April 22nd, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Archie McFee’s, Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley, The Northwest Film Forum, and Umajimaya in the International District should all definitely be included. These are the places I fell in love with when I lived there. I just couldn’t stand the winters.

  3. Summers Says:
    January 8th, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    as of 2010, the Elliott Bay Book Company has moved from its Pioneer Square location to the hip Capitol Hill neighborhood. it is on 10th street between Pike and Pine Sts.

  4. Summers Says:
    January 8th, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    if you want to stay on Capitol Hill after going to Elliot Bay Book Company, The Local Vine also has a restaurant on the hill, on 12th Ave between Pike and Union.

  5. Summers Says:
    January 8th, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    FYI that the Seattle Asian Art Museum is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, so if you’re already there for the two above mentioned spots, makes sense to head there as part of the trip. down teh road from the Seattle Asian Art Muesum is a Conservatory with plants and flowers from around the world. Well worth a visit.

  6. Donna Atkinson Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    The Bloedel Reserve was absolutely beautiful!! Walking through the gardens was such an uplifting experience, each more lovely than the last.
    Even my teenagers were enchanted by the careful design and amazing variety of plant life around every corner.
    The home was interesting, especially in light of today’s “McMansions”. Tasteful and understated. I could picture living there. The only major change I would make would be to the kitchen, which belies a more humble time in some ways.
    I recommend this highly!

  7. Daisy Sun Says:
    May 7th, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Read “three days” article, and all your comments, I just couldn’t wait my Seattle trip. I would love to add ” Starbucks” into the activities of “the three days”

  8. Steve Yoo Says:
    August 10th, 2011 at 12:07 am

    Don’t forget catching the ferry ($7.10 round trip)to Bainbridge Island for lunch/dinner at one of many establishments. Or I usually take food with me from Pike’s Market & eat on the ferry. If weather isn’t great, then go to Bremerton Island 1:20 min. each way and come right back. It’s the best way to kill about 3 hours on $7.10 and enjoy the beauty of Elliot Bay.

  9. Paul Millner Says:
    July 5th, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    The article date is July 2008… see the title of the downloadable PDF file.

  10. Melissa Says:
    October 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    I went to Seattle and used both this and the more recent 3PD Seattle and my trip was great. I went on the Underground tour, which I found fascinating. I was trying to picture what Seattle looked like before it was raised. The ferry ride to Bainbridge is beautiful (and cheap!). Explore the little shops and have brunch or lunch at the Streamliner diner. My favorite thing we did was the wine tour. My friend chose Bon Vivant. The cost was reasonable and the owner of the company drove the van. We had another group of 3 with us and I think we’ve become fast friends. The owner took us to the wineries we chose, and a few that he had chosen. We started at Chateau St. Michelle and then went on to the Warehouse District. My favorite vintener was the owner of Obelisco. The wine was fantastic, but even better was the personal meeting with the owner that was arranged by Bon Vivant. We got to ask the vintener all sorts of questions. Fantastic!

    What a great trip!

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