Morning coffee at Analog Coffee (Summit Ave, Capitol Hill) — a back‑to‑basics coffee joint where vinyl, comics, and records hang on the walls and the espressos are delivered with calm precision.

Lunch at Fat’s Chicken & Waffles (Central District) — a mid‑century décor dive where Southern fried chicken meets waffles and Creole sides; this Black- and LGBTQ-owned joint is kid‑friendly and local‑celebrated.

Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen (First Hill) — Seattle’s oldest saloon, immortalized by grunge legends, where locals still sip cheap suds under flickering neon and stomp along to raw live shows

Hideout (First Hill) — Awesome drinks and even more awesome art. Experience the art for yourself (check the website for sales), but it will hit you like a wave of culture as soon as you walk in.

Coffee at Milstead & Co. (Fremont) — PhD-level baristas pour rotating single-origin beans in a stripped-down space beloved by locals for precision and passion.

Dinner at Itto’s Tapas (West Seattle via quick drive) — Moroccan‑Spanish fusion tapas in an intimate upstairs room, with paella, pastilla and Moroccan wine for people in the know.

Kerry Park (Franklin) — Top view of the city? We think so. Head there for a photo shoon during the golden hour for an unsurpassed view of Elliott Bay and the Central City, with an occasional backdrop of Mount Rainier.

Nightcap at Flying Lion Brewing (Columbia City) — quiet industrial brewery under the radar, where locals gather over house‑made ales and feel like insiders.

Late breakfast and stiff coffee at The 5 Point Cafe (Belltown) — open since 1929, this old-school dive serves massive breakfasts and pours strong beers behind a stuffed moose and kitschy signs proclaiming “We cheat tourists-n-drunks since 1929.”

Pike Place Market — It’s touristy, it’s the original home of your favorite global coffee chain (Starbucks), and it’s definitely worth going. We filled-up on a brown paper bag full of chicken hearts and gizzards, followed by a massive maple donut or dessert. Yeah, not what you were expecting. Go on Tuesday’s and Wednesdays or any day before noon to beat the crowd.

Dinner at The Pink Door (back alley off Pike Place) — There’s a lot to do off Elliott Bay. Among the options, the Pink Door has been quietly serving seafood-driven Italian dishes since the ’80s, beloved by locals who don’t chase hype.

Evening drinks & live music at Central Saloon (Pioneer Square) — Seattle’s oldest saloon, immortalized by grunge legends, where locals still sip cheap suds under flickering neon and stomp along to raw live show.

Morning trek at Discovery Park (Magnolia) — Seattle’s largest green space, where locals walk the forested trails and finish at the beach with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Brunch back in Ballard: Top Pot Doughnuts + neighborhood browse — Grab classic glazed rings upstairs at Ballard’s original Top Pot, then wander Ballard Avenue’s vintage shops and local wine‑and‑craft‑beer pours.

Dinner and beer at Rhein Haus (Capitol Hill near Seattle University) — A German beer hall locals walk to for sausages, pretzels, heated bocce courts and cider flights; rowdy, unpretentious, and totally real.

Ice Box Arcade — Travel back in time and become a pinball wizard one again.

Alki Beach — A slice of Southern California transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, this spot in West Seattle offers up more than just views of the city skyline. It's a place where you can escape the tech-fueled bustle of downtown, feel the cool spray on your face, and contemplate the universe, perhaps with a side of clam chowder and a local IPA.

Lake Washington — Lake Washington isn't just a pretty face – it's a testament to Seattle's love affair with water and a vital artery connecting the city's diverse communities. We like to paddle board while gazing at the circling eagles. Whatever your flavor, the lake is calming as hell, showcasing a blend of old-school Seattle charm and the vibrant energy of a city constantly reinventing itself.

Mount Baker — Mount Baker is a wild, untamed beauty, a haven for adventurers and a stark contrast to the urban hum of Seattle. This isn't some manicured park, folks – this is raw, unfiltered nature, where towering peaks meet ancient glaciers, and the air bites with the crispness of alpine freshness.

Mount Rainier — You can definitely capture picturesque Mount Rainier from various peaks in Seattle. But, why not get up close and personal with the Goliath. You can get there via a day trip from the Emerald City.