This week’s “Live Like a Local” we are heading to Seattle, Washington with travel blogger Matthew of Kessi World. If you ever plan on visiting the Pacific Northwest, this is your guy. Seattle is top of my list of U.S. cities I have yet to visit, so I was personally excited for this one. So sit back, relax, and live like a local in Seattle with Matthew Kessi
Tell Us A Little About Yourself:
Hi, I’m Matthew Kessi, a travel writer known for thought-provoking perspectives and helpful information about exploring the Pacific Northwest — with a focus on the spirituality found in nature. My lifetime traveling the planet — over 60 countries — gives me a global awareness that helps inspire a fresh look at my beloved Oregon and Washington states. I’m on a quest to help you find meaningful connections through travel, so check out my site: www.kessiworld.com
I’ve been an Airbnb Superhost (over 600 satisfied reviews) since opening up my home to travelers in 2015 and love the ability to chat with guests to learn what they value most about exploring Seattle. My perspective balances a local’s knowledge with the eye of travelers new to the Pacific Northwest.
Where Are You From?
I was born in Portland, Oregon into a farming ecosystem that included my own brood of more than 100 pigs. They are crazy-smart animals that taught me a lot in my early years. All the while I gazed up at the sky watching jets in the landing pattern for Portland International Airport (PDX). The draw to aviation was powerful and my mind was determined to work for an airline and travel the planet.
While studying at the University of Portland I got a job as a baggage handler for a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines and continued on with a 25-year career that spanned all kinds of jobs within the sales and marketing arena of the airline. I moved to Washington, DC for a few years before relocating to Seattle, Washington, where I live today. These ten years in the Emerald City have flown by, and I remain inspired by so many interesting options to soak in the beauty of Washington State.
What Is A Must-See From Where You Are From?
It’s essential any visitor to the Pacific Northwest connect with the vast amount of water in the region. Take a ferry ride across the Salish Sea to the Olympic Peninsula or paddle board in Lake Union while float planes whiz by. There are so many wonderful beaches to explore, like Alki Beach in West Seattle and the Seattle Waterfront is coming back to life after a few years of construction. The options are limitless, and my website helps inspire the best ideas for your personal connection.
Is There Any Place People Could Skip?
Visitors seem really drawn to the gum wall, which is on Post Alley — a low-key cobblestone street underneath Pike Place Market. I think there are much better ways to spend time than by looking at a wall of other people’s gum, clinging onto life. But now that I mention it you’ll probably want to see what all the buzz is about?
What Is Your Favorite Restaurant And Food So People Can Live Like A Local In Seattle?
How much time do we have? There’s so much!
Once on a flight back to Seattle from Germany I struck up a conversation with the flight attendant in my section. He worked flights to all their North American destinations and I asked if he liked Seattle for layovers. He nodded and mentioned that the crews really enjoyed the food in the Emerald City. I felt pride in this response, mostly because I completely agree that the access to great food is everywhere in Seattle.
Downtown at Pike Place Market I enjoy French-inspired Maximillian, with a terrace overlooking the Salish Sea. Westward, in the Fremont area, is a special occasion type place, but delicious seafood based menu with outstanding ambiance. Outside tables face Lake Union and the skyline of downtown Seattle. Captain Black’s on Capitol Hill is a great dive bar with views and solid pub fare. Monsoon, with yummy vietnamese fusion, is a favorite of my Airbnb guests.
There are a few local chains worth mentioning. Dick’s Burgers has a cult following — think late night grub. Pagliaccis is my regular go-to local pizza chain with the best Caesar salad around. Macrina bakery is delicious. Tacos Chukis is cheap, mouth watering delight with a few locations (Capitol Hill and Central District) these days.
Although Pike Place Market is touristy, locals shop and eat here, too. There are too many little secrets to list in this space, but walk around and look for your own morsels of gold. If there isn’t a huge line, grab some mac-n-cheese from Beecher’s — a truly memorable experience.
I know this section is about food, but I’d be remiss to not mention our fantastic java culture. Although coffee giant Starbucks is based here, I recommend you get out and try one of the hundreds of independent shops that serve up outstanding perks. Cafe Vita and Victrola are two favorites, but throw a stick and you’ll land on a great option nearby.
Any Advice For Those Who Come To Visit?
There is so much nature to experience in the city beyond attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. Those sites are fun too, but make it a point to explore the numerous parks in the city to get a real perspective of how nature connects with living in an urban environment. I talk about my favorite gardens in this article, Seattle botanical gardens — the 10 best kept secrets.
I’m a big proponent of staying in a close-in neighborhood in Seattle, like Downtown, lower Queen Anne or Capitol Hill. Seattle is best experienced on foot or bike and these locations offer the ability to avoid using a car or Ubers to slog around. While this can mean a bit higher lodging costs, there are some great Airbnb options and hotels around the Seattle Center, like Mediterranean Inn, offer reasonable rates.
Speaking of driving, a rental can be useful if you want to really get out of the city for a day-trip to places like Snoqualmie Falls, Deception Pass or Mt. Rainier National Park but isn’t required for an entire visit. It’s possible to rent cars in the city for a day or two and avoid the added taxes and fees levied at the airport. Or, if limited to a weekend visit, consider taking an Uber to places like Woodinville for wine tasting and save the hassle of renting (and finding parking for) a car.
Finally, we have such natural beauty because the water flows freely from all directions, including the sky! Always be prepared with a waterproof rain shell and good shoes, even in Summer. Layer clothing because it’s very likely you will encounter several different types of weather and temperatures during any given day. While Summer is the obvious choice for best weather, things get busy, and I love September and October in Seattle for a less crowded, but still beautiful, experience.
What Is One Spot People Might Not Know About So People Can Live Like A Local In Seattle?
Walk onto the ferry from the Coleman Dock in Downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island for an easy day trip — or even just lunch. Enjoy sweeping views of the Seattle skyline in one direction while the majestic Olympic Mountains command the landscape in the other direction. No matter the weather, all that water is soul-nourishing. Upon arrival at the ferry dock on Bainbridge, walk about half a mile through a peaceful seashore trail to downtown Winslow. I like to munch on great flatbreads from Bruciato while window shopping the historic strip of small boutiques.
The ferry ride is 35 minutes with hourly-ish departures, making this an easy option without taking up too much time. The cost is $9.05 per walk-on adult passenger for the round-trip and an ORCA card (which is our public transportation payment system) can be used for the journey. Payment for the round-trip is collected in Seattle so there is no fuss getting back on the boat to return. If curious for more information, check out this article about riding the Washington State Ferries.
What Is Something People Might Not Know About Seattle?
For most of the early history of Seattle (and Pacific Northwest) into the early 1900’s, the terrain was so forested and wild that most if not all transportation was on a fleet of boats that connected from waterfront to waterfront. In fact, early travelers between Portland and Seattle had to take a series of ferries via the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean to transit between the two cities. The journey took about three days, while today it’s more like three hours.
Any Last Words For Our “Live Like A Local In Seattle” readers?
Don’t go crazy trying to see it all. This can be said for any destination. Seattle is about the experience, the atmosphere and the moisture that produces omnipresent shades of green. Decide on one or two key sights or experiences each day and then build out from there and explore as the wind blows — preferably on foot or bike.
Explore the streets and take in great food and drink options, beautiful parks and seashores and interesting art fused into nooks and crannies. You’ll learn much more about Seattle than any top ten checklist can provide.
Thanks To Matthew For Letting Us Live Like A Local In Seattle With Him.
And don’t forget to visit Kessi World for some more of Matthew’s great travel tips and advice. Also follow him on social media below.
.And if you missed last week’s “Live Like a Local” we headed to Rome, Italy. Check it out HERE.
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