To do:

• Take a day trip up to Whidbey Island. We like to take the freeway up and cut across to Deception pass around Mt. Vernon. Then drive south through the island and take the ferry across back.

  • Start at Deception Pass

  • Fly a kite and play around old bunkers at Fort Casey

  • Explore downtown Langley

  • Take the ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo

• Take a few days to visit the Olympics

  • Hurricane ridge is worth the drive

  • Lake Crescent

  • Rialto Beach

  • Second Beach

  • Hoh Rain Forest

• Seattle area

  • Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder (We like to park here)

  • One of our favorite beach parks is Richmond Beach

  • Golden Gardens, Carkeek, and Discovery Parks are all great parks for long walks, great ocean views, and beautiful nature.

  • The Arboretum Waterfront trail is a unique trail with lots of bridges near UW

  • The ferry system is super easy (except if you are trying to drive on around 9 or 5pm with rush hour as you likely will have to wait for the next ferry)

    • We like taking the ferry across to Bainbridge or Kingston. Both have good ice cream shops that are walkable from the ferry port.

  • Edmonds has a small downtown with lots of fun shops, great food, and beautiful views

  • Lots to do around the downtown as well

    • Pike Place (Don't be caught saying Pike's Place!) Market has amazing food and is a great deal for flowers

    • The Seattle Waterfront has been improved so much. So many great things to do. The Seattle Great Wheel is worth it.

    • The gum wall is a weird detour from Pike Place but fun. You can buy gum from a few of the shops in the near area.

  • Kerry Park is where everyone takes the iconic pictures of the city from. The park itself is surprisingly small.

  • Pacific Science Center, MOPOP, Space Needle, Chihuly are all great

  • See a show at the Paramount Theater

• Take a day trip out to Poulsbo and walk around the Scandinavian down town

To eat:

• Jumbo Burrito in Oak Harbor on Whidbey

• MARKET in Edmonds is my favorite seafood in Seattle

• Elliots in Seattle is also really great seafood

• Dough Zone has a few locations. This is a must try. Get the Q-Bao.

• Katsu Burger also has a few locations. They are incredible and unique.

• Near Pike Place:

  • My all time favorite Baklava is from Turkish Delight

  • Pike Place Chowder has a sampler that is fun. Although more expensive, I like it more than Ivars.

  • Every time you walk past a Piroshky Piroshky, you should go in and get something. My favorite is the Marzipan roll.

  • Sit and watch the cheese be made while you eat your Mac & Cheese at Beechers

  • Le Panier has great macarons

• Bacco is my favorite breakfast in the city - I love the Crab Cake Benedict

• Incredible Corned Beef Sandwiches at Market House Meats and they are HUGE

• Salt & Straw has a few locations now. Try the weird flavors.

• Seattle is known for its Teriyaki. There are lots of places to try this.

• Speaking of what Seattle is known for, if you see a hot dog stand, try a Seattle-Style hot dog. They use cream cheese and onions. Very good.