Washington will be our first stop as we plan to fly to Seattle and rent a car there to drive across the USA. I have been reading about Seattle and surroundings and it seems like a fantastic place to start.
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| Seattle |
The Space Needle dominates the skyline with Mount Rainier in the background.
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| Belltown |
For art lovers like myself a stroll down Belltown to check out the art galleries and trendy restaurants and bars is just what I need to get the feel of the place.
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| Olympic Sculpture Garden |
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| Olympic Sculpture Garden |
The Olympic Sculpture Garden looks impressive and if it's not raining - I was told it rains a lot in Seattle - it sounds perfect to chill out after walking around Belltown.
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| Georgetown |
Georgetown is another neighbourhood I want to visit as they say you can find interesting bars with live music, coffeehouses, art and restaurants.
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| Pike Place Market |
The Pike Place Market is the place to go if you want to shop for fresh produce and seafood, as well as handmade crafts and gifts. I guess I will be stopping by.
www.pikeplacemarket.org
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| Pioneer Square |
I read that at Pioneer Square visitors can catch a glimpse of old Seattle by taking the Underground Tour. The tour is a Seattle institution itself, and dates back to 1972. Pioneer Square was Seattle's first designated historic district and its vitality and survival remain prominent to this day.
From what I learned so far Seattle is my kind of place and we might have to stay there for a few days to soak up all the cultural and gastronomical side of Seattle!
On our way to Oregon we want to stop at Mount Rainier National Park. After a few days of city life a bit of nature will do us good.
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| Mt Rainier |
I can't wait to start this trip and would love to hear from you with tips of places to stay, restaurants and bars that you have been and would like to recommend to us.
All the photos used here were not taken by me obviously as I haven't started the trip yet. They were found online so hopefully I haven't infringed any copyright law using them.
Note to self:
Coffee shops: Try Stumptown Coffee Roasters
www.stumptowncoffee.com and Caffe Ladro
www.caffeladro.com, Vivace
www.espressovivace.com, Vita
www.caffevita.com and Victrola
www.victrolacoffee.com
Restaurants: Momiji
www.momijiseattle.com, Bimbo's Cantina
www.bimboscantina.com, Bait Shop 606 Broadway East, Jade Garden in the International District
Live music venues: Columbia City Theater
www.columbiacitytheater.com
Shops: Wall of Sound
www.wosound.com, Value Village
www.valuevillage.com
Time permitting go to Newport fishing town and stay at Sylvia Beach Hotel
www.sylviabeachhotel.com, or Cape Cod Cottages
www.capecodcottagesonline.com
