Category: Guides

Tour the Evolving Seattle Waterfront from Above

Join Brooke, Sales Manager at The Emerald, as she explains the latest amenity milestones and what’s to come along the ever-evolving Seattle waterfront. A natural in front of the camera, Brooke begins this video tour high above it all filming from one of our beautiful one-bedroom condominiums on the 33rd floor. This “05” stack home offers an amazing vantage point to watch the progress along the waterfront unfold.

 

If you haven’t had a chance to watch Brooke’s entire video, enjoy the tour. We’ve summarized some key points below for your convenience!

 

The Waterfront Project is creating a more accessible and livable waterfront in an effort to offer more pedestrian spaces connecting the city core down to the water. Once at the waterfront, the emphasis is to create a more livable and enjoyable space for all.

 

The first portion, the new seawall, was completed in 2017.  This new seawall serves as the foundation for the new waterfront, and it has some really nice features for the ecosystem. Salmon migrate through that area, so they have used materials and have designed it in a way that creates a healthier habitat for the sea. A sidewalk has also been incorporated to facilitate and encourage waterfront pedestrian activity.

 

In 2018 we saw the addition of the Washington Street Habitat Beach, a beach that anyone can enjoy for fun, great for picnics or to get your feet wet. If you are familiar with the waterfront, you know that before this beach was added, there really wasn’t anything on the water until you get to the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is on the north side of the city. This addition is almost complete and many are excited about this new venue.

 

In 2019, an above ground two-story highway was rerouted underground into a tunnel that now runs underneath the waterfront – hugely beautifying the waterfront and definitely making it much, much more enjoyable and accessible.

 

The next portion of the project that was completed was Pier 62.  You can tell which one it is because it has a soccer field on top. This pier was designed to be a flexible park space, with numerous events daily. The Waterfront Park website highlight activities offered such as free yoga, free dance classes, food truck round-ups, live music and even the regional Salish Tribe sharing traditional songs and stories with visitors.

 

Future plans call for a sidewalk that runs along the waterfront, expanding it and making it more like a promenade. They’re also adding a bike lane, more greenery and park spaces for kids to play, in an effort to create a pedestrian-friendly setting for all. These present and future improvements will make connecting by foot to your favorite sporting events extremely convenient. It’s very Seattle.

 

The Overlook Walk portion of the waterfront is another project that is currently under construction which will connect Pike Place Market to the Seattle Aquarium. There’s going to be some fun spaces for kids, various slides that can take them from the top of the walk, down to the bottom where the aquarium is located. Food and beverage vendors will also be incorporated. Overlook Walk boasts a modern design and will have some great views.

 

Other additions will include a new pedestrian bridge from the common ferry terminal that will take people over to Western Avenue. There will also be one more new pier, Pier 58 – located between the aquarium and The Great Wheel. This new pier will be in the shape of a triangle and will have a grove of trees, nice seating, and kids play area.

 

All this is just about a block and a half from The Emerald making all that’s in the works an exciting new amenity of our community.  Contact Brooke at Sales@TheEmeraldSeattle.com for an in-person or virtual tour soon to explore the new collection of modern high-rise condominiums rising above an iconic downtown address at Second and Stewart.

Fill Your Summer Agenda with Seattle Events Close to Home

We’re feeling the summer vibes in Seattle. The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market, Seattle’s new waterfront, and close to all the action. Start exploring the best of the season with these local to-do’s and fill your summer agenda.

 

 

 

Fall for Lola at the Can Can running from June-August. Lola is the summer spectacular you won’t want to miss. It’s 1970 at the Copacabana where famed showgirl – Lola and bartender – Tony are on the fritz after a lengthy tumultuous affair. Add the delectable, market fresh food and libations thoughtfully sourced from the Pike Place Market, you’re sure to have the night of your life.

 

Get Moving with Zumba at Pier 62 this June-July. The class design introduces a mashup of several Zumba® instructors as participants dance to music from all over the world. Move to the sounds of Soca, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, K-pop, Bhangra, and many more. Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility, and balance.

 

Experience Under the Space Needle: Seattle Art Walk between June-July. Seattle’s architecture and art scene is second to none. On this walking tour, you’ll get to see incredible works and get to know Seattle. Board the monorail for a quick ride to Seattle Center.

 

Stroll the Summer Night Market on June 23rd. Experience a spectrum of locally produced delights and celebrate LOVE & PRIDE at Pike Place Market. Enter through the rainbow arch for one unforgettable night of shopping, eating, drinking, entertainment and celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Stay Late at the After Hours: Pride Celebration at the Seattle Aquarium on June 23rd. Love is love, even in the deep blue sea. Adults will take over the Seattle Aquarium for this 21+ event, featuring rainbow-themed activities, music from the DJ, a cash bar, delicious food available for purchase and more.

 

Celebrate an iconic Independence Day, Seattle-style on July 4th. Seafair Summer Fourth features a fully choreographed show with over 10,000 pounds of fireworks, accompanied by a musical score. Before the fireworks, Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park offer a variety of activities leading up to the first boom.

 

Free live, local music is back in downtown Seattle all summer long! With more than 30 scheduled performances from July 5-Sept. 9, Downtown Summer Sounds 2022 continues a four-decade DSA tradition of bringing outdoor summer concerts to downtown workers, residents and visitors. From rock and hip-hop to R & B and alt-country, there’s a genre for everyone. Catch the line-up here.

 

See the Seattle Storm from July-August. Just a short bike ride from The Emerald, catch a game at the most sustainable arena in the world, the Climate Pledge Arena. Plan to catch a game or two watching the four-time WNBA champions Seattle Storm.

 

Catch a Beat at Pier 62. KEXP DJs will spin live each week during KEXP Beats & Eats, creating musical experiences every Friday in July from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Grab your favorite bites from onsite food trucks and enjoy live music, a beer garden, and roller skating along the waterfront. July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. Come early to get moving with an Afrobeat Dance Class led by Kiné Camara, 3pm-4:30pm.

 

Stroll the First Thursday Art Walk. Since the early 1960s, Pioneer Square has provided a haven for Seattle’s artistic community, housing esteemed galleries, innovative exhibition spaces, and working artist studios alike. Here you’ll find the largest concentration of art galleries in the city. The art walk is free and self-guided, every month on First Thursday. July 7th + August 4th.

 

Enjoy Aquarium Fun at Pier 62 July 9th and 30th. Join Seattle Aquarium staff for a relaxing day of art on the pier. The focus of each event varies from learning to storytelling and art, see event details by date for more. Events will be held outdoors, so please dress for the weather.

 

Indulge in Culture at the Madaraka Festival August 13th-14th. Head to Pier 62 for live musical performances, African food, and art displays. Madaraka Festival brings the finest musicians in Seattle together with world‑renown artists and innovators for a night of music and purpose.

 

Sip and Sample at the Sunset Supper on August 19th. Experience an outdoor dining extravaganza to showcase and support the incredible small businesses and restaurants of Seattle’s iconic food destination while mixing and mingling with nearly 100 of Seattle’s top chefs and producers.

 

Craft a Cocktail. Cocktail hour just got a whole lot more interesting at the Smith Tower Observatory and Bar. This in-house cocktail class allows you to engage and create with an established bartender as you dive into the art and history behind the featured cocktail and its contents – an experience sure to craft your enthusiasm. The class runs for an hour and is available for 5-15 people, a swanky group or team outing.

 

Summer was made for a trip to Salty’s. Enjoy a ferry ride across Elliott Bay on the West Seattle Water Taxi from nearby Pier 50 and reserve your spot at Salty’s Seafood to catch a sunset with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Seattle city skyline. The Water Taxi docks in Seacrest Park in West Seattle with easy access to waterfront trails, Alki beach, fishing piers, restaurants, and shops along California Avenue.

 

Ferry to Bainbridge Island. The PNW beauty of a Bainbridge Island ferry ride from the middle of downtown Seattle is stunning, but the destination this ferry ride grants you is even better. This easy escape from the city offers up opportunity to unplug with scenic vistas, beautiful trails, ultra-local wine tasting, and outdoor adventures. From fine food to the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

 

Make it a Market Day. Summer is an excellent time to head to Pike Place Public Market and grab a bite to eat on the plethora of patios with the best people watching along the scenic waterfront.

 

Tour Seattle with a Seaplane trip. Change your perspective. See the city from above like never before. Extended scenic flights, romantic dinner flights to neighboring islands, and private charters are all available.

 

There’s no better spot to enjoy the best of Seattle. Take advantage of The Emerald’s incredible location by finding your home today and start exploring what each season offers, just steps from your front door at Second and Stewart. Elliott Bay is just steps away from your front door – highlighted by the new waterfront redevelopment and its reimagined plazas, parks and paths that will connect the city and the Sound like never before. From this central location you’ll be in close proximity to the ever-growing tech campuses and offices in South Lake Union, along with freeway access that puts SeaTac International Airport less than 30 minutes away.

Dine Out During SRW2022

 

 Seattle Restaurant Week returns April 3-16! This bi-annual prix fixe dining event gives diners a unique chance to support the greater Seattle area’s culinary community, highlighting its craft, diversity, resilience, and great food. Restaurants are providing creative meals for one, two, or for a group to share. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to support local restaurants during Seattle’s largest dining celebration.

 

 

Located just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market, steps from the waterfront and surrounded by the city’s best culinary destinations in downtown, The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of some of the best dining Seattle has to offer. We’ve listed a few nearby spots that are participating this year during Seattle Restaurant Week:

 

Conversation, steps from The Emerald. Thompson Seattle’s signature new American restaurant offers an approachable fine dining experience in a welcoming setting curated to foster conversation and ignite a sense of community. The menus offer an array of thoughtfully prepared dishes, focused on fresh local produce, farm-raised proteins, and the best ingredients the PNW has to offer.

 

Maximilien, ~0.2 miles from The Emerald. “Visiting Maximillien in Pike Place Market is like stepping through a portal directly into a romantic Parisian hideaway. Their patio has been a well-known secret amongst locals, with unmatched views of Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, West Seattle & the Olympic Mountains. Chef Potvin’s authentic French cooking has helped make Maximillien a beloved mainstay in the market.”

 

IL Bistro, ~0.2 miles from The Emerald. Visit Il Bistro and spend a night in Italy. For over 30 years, Il Bistro, tucked away down a narrow cobblestone alley in the Pike Place Market, has offered Seattle romantic, fine dining, featuring regional Italian fare.

 

Seatown Rub Shack & FishFry,~ 0.2 miles from The Emerald. Seatown is home of Seattle’s best Fish and Chips and homebase to the unique “Rub with Love” Spices & Sauces used throughout the menu. Seatown is where you can sit and satisfy all the cravings you develop walking through the Pike Place Market.

 

BOCA at Queen City Grill, ~0.3 miles from The Emerald. Whether you are craving an amazing grass-fed hand cut steak, homemade pastas, local fresh seafood, or an authentic Latin-American fare, Boca is the place to visit.

 

Going Green! Askatu Bakery by Liberated Foods is EnviroStars recognized and ~0.4 miles from The Emerald. These venues have committed to increasing their positive environmental impact, whether just beginning their sustainability journey or reaching a green milestone.

 

The Carlile Room, .~05 miles from The Emerald. Basking in the glow of the Paramount Theatre marquee, the Carlile Room is a groovy cocktail spot serving up a modern-American bar and grill menu with vibes of the late sixties and early seventies. From fresh corn hushpuppies to Pho fries and entries like Skagit Valley Chicken Schnitzel, the cuisine offered something for every palette.

 

New this Spring — the Buy One, Give One meal promotion! During Seattle Restaurant Week participating restaurants will provide a special SRW menu that includes an additional $10 to be donated to their own community kitchen or to Good Food Kitchens to provide a meal to someone in need. Funds raised will benefit their own meal programs or will be donated to Good Food Kitchens, a program of Seattle Good Business Network that supports restaurants providing free, nutritious, and culturally relevant meals to community members facing food insecurity while sourcing from local farms & producers. Look for Buy One, Give One in the Dining Options dropdown menu to find participating restaurants.

 

Looking to discover a new restaurant in your area or explore a new neighborhood? You can search participating restaurants by neighborhood, cuisine, dining options, dining values, and even ownership. Check back to see which restaurants have signed up and start planning your week(s) dining out!

 

Image Credit: Conversation Seattle

Experience Spring in Seattle

Spring is a lovely time in Seattle with vibrant colors from lush green parks to trees bursting cherry blossoms, and colorful bulbs lining walkways to the deep jewel colors of the Puget Sound with skies to match.  The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle with Elliott Bay just steps away from your front door. It’s the perfect spot to begin any spring adventure. Whether you are looking to watch the blossoms unfold or celebrate them at an annual festival, take in some stunning views on the water or peddle along the Elliot Bay Trail enjoying the cool breeze of the Puget Sound, we’ve gathered a few springtime activities to enjoy moments from home.

 

 

Stroll through the Cherry Blossoms
The first Sakura trees arrived at the Port of Seattle from Japan in the early 20th century. Now they can be seen in many locations throughout the city showing off their fabulous bloom from late March through early April. Take it all in at the Seattle Center Cherry Blossom Festival  with Taiko drumming, live dances and performances, arts and crafts, food, and more! Or make your way to Seward Park where the very first three Cherry Trees were planted in 1929, which were then followed by 3,500 more throughout Seattle in 1930. Visit Washington Park Arboretum’s Azalea Way to enjoy cherry trees blossoming along Azalea Way and explore 230 acres of gardens, including a Japanese Garden. The first pink buds appear on the trees in early March. By mid-March, the earliest varieties start blooming along the city streets. The peak bloom lasts for about two weeks from late March to early April. Then flowers fade, and green leaves begin to unfold. Probably the most spectacular flower display takes place on the campus of the University of Washington (Quad). Hundreds of blooming trees line pathways and complement strict gothic buildings, which makes the campus especially beautiful. There’s even a half marathon dedicated to the blossoms.

 

Make it a Daffodil Day at Pike Place Market
Celebrate the first day of spring on March 20 with small businesses, vendors and farmers at Pike Place Market. For the last 25 years, Pike Place Market has celebrated the arrival of spring with daffodils. This year, stop by the Market to pick up your free small bundle of daffodils to brighten your day and join in the celebration.

 

The Seattle Waterfront Calls for Whale Watching
Kicking off in April, spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and an expert naturalist as you cruise through the waters of the Salish Sea aboard our high-speed San Juan Clipper vessel on a San Juans whale watching adventure. Cruise under historic Deception Pass Bridge and enjoy a stopover in charming Friday Harbor on San Juan Island following your time spotting whales. With the waterfront at your doorstep, it’d convenient to hop on a ferry, water taxi or embark on an adventure like this. The best time of the year for whale watching starts in spring, so don’t miss out!

 

Dine Out During Seattle Restaurant Week
The perfect way to sample some neighborhood flavor, Seattle Restaurant Week returns April 3-16 offering prix fixe dining opportunities that support the greater Seattle area’s culinary community while highlighting its craft, diversity, resilience, and great food. Neighborhood restaurants such as IL Bistro, Conversation, Maximilien and more provide creative meals for one, two, or for a group to share. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to support local restaurants during Seattle’s largest dining celebration.

 

Get Rolling: May is Bike Month
Seattle consistently makes it into the top tier of Bicycling magazine’s list of the Best Bike Cities in America. Looking for a 2.5-mile loop through the Washington Park Arboretum? Maybe a peddle along the Elliot Bay Trail? Explore these great bike rides for people of all skill sets, whether you want to cruise through a park or all the way to a different city.

 

The Flower Festival Blooms at Pike Place
Over 40 tents will line Pike Place featuring flower farmers from King, Snohomish, and Whatcom Counties on May 7-8 with bouquets bursting with tulips, daffodils, irises, and the season’s favorite peonies. This annual tradition celebrates the amazing flowers that grow abundantly right here in the Pacific Northwest. Double the fun and bring Mom to the market for a fun-filled pre-day celebration on May 7 with live music, kids’ activities, pop-up murals, crafty sightings, craft demonstrations and more.

 

Raise a Glass at Seattle Beer Week

Join the greatest celebration of all things beer in Seattle as the Seattle Beer Week returns from May 13-21 for eleven days filled with craft beer events of all kinds. The festival is filled with exciting events including the Annual SBW Fun Run—a non-competitive mostly down-hill race through downtown. Fun prizes await participants at the finish with tasty Stout beers on draft at each stop of the race.

 

Watch it all Bloom at Washington Park Arboretum
The largest park in the Seattle area offers an amazing place to wander and watch spring in bloom. Walk the waterline trail, enjoy the plant life and make sure to stop by the 3.5 acre urban sanctuary, the Seattle Japanese Garden. Winding paths and benches invite you to view the garden slowly and mindfully, in all of its detail – stones, water, lanterns, bridges, buildings, plants and animals. Seasonal changes are constant, and every visit is refreshingly unique.

 

You Can Ferry There
Venturing out along the water is easy from our iconic downtown address. Hop on a ferry today and start exploring. Enjoy a ferry ride across Elliott Bay on the West Seattle Water Taxi from nearby Pier 50 and reserve your spot at Salty’s Seafood to catch a sunset with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Seattle city skyline. The Water Taxi docks in Seacrest Park in West Seattle with easy access to waterfront trails, Alki beach, fishing piers, restaurants, and shops along California Avenue. Another destination is Bainbridge Island. The Pacific Northwest beauty of a Bainbridge Island ferry ride from the middle of downtown Seattle is stunning, but the destination this ferry ride grants you is even better. This easy escape from the city offers up opportunity to unplug with scenic vistas, beautiful trails, ultra-local wine tasting, and outdoor adventures. From fine food to the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

 

Photo Credit: Matt McDonald

Celebrate Winter along the Seattle Waterfront

There are few places that are more memorable than the Seattle waterfront during the holidays. The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market overlooking the Elliott Bay. A magical spot to be year-round, the Market lights up this season and is activated with festive events. Shop small, buy local and discover all the reasons to celebrate this season as the Seattle waterfront turns into a Winter Wonderland.

 

 

Can Can presents Wonderland, showing December 2- January 9. This carnival of merriment will mesmerize audiences as soon as they enter Can Can’s intimate theatre turned whimsical winter chalet, making this a holiday entertainment spectacular to remember. In the kitchen and behind the bar you’ll find a variety of food, wine, and spirit menus carefully crafted with local market-fresh winter ingredients, prepared to tantalize even the most refined palates.

 

On December 1st and 9th, Truffle Queen is hosting a Holiday Open House where they will have special pricing on Italian holiday cakes and more, plus preview tastings for wines arriving in the new year.

 

Snap a picture with Santa and Crafty on December 4th and 11th. Santa will be visiting the Market two times in December with special guest, Crafty for free holiday photos. Get all your holiday shopping done + receive a free gift when you spend $50 or more at Market businesses. The gift includes 1 eco-friendly Market wrapping paper kit. Bring your receipts to the “Special Offer Tent” to receive your free gift.

 

Order your Holiday Pike Box. This NEW Pike Box is an exciting mix of spices, honey, and nuts from the Market farmers. Registration ends December 8th.

 

Cross off everyone on your holiday list when you shop at the Holiday Night Market on December 16th as the MarketFront Pavilion is transformed into a winter wonderland of stocking stuffers, ornaments, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Shoppers can raise a glass at the Polar Bar with seasonal cocktails and live music with drink proceeds supporting the Pike Place Market Foundation.

 

Lend a helping hand and care for the needs of our neighbors at Pike Place Market this holiday season by contributing to the Giving Tree by December 20th. Send a gift using their Amazon Wish List, purchase a gift card or make a donation directly to the Market Foundation, and leave the shopping to them. Their goal is to collect and distribute over 1,000 warm winter items and holiday gifts.

 

Add in some laughs this holiday season with A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol, a holiday tradition for countless locals since 1985. Experience a new version of this old favorite each night through December 23rd, so head to the Market Theatre in Pike Place Market and have a blast creating your own Christmas classic.

 

Imagine the lights you’ll see if you dine in a gondola 200 feet above the Salish Sea. Assemble 4 people, friends or family and make reservations for the dinner experience of a lifetime at Seattle’s Great Wheel. Enjoy a spectacular 4-course dinner including prawn cocktail and grilled salmon paired with views of the Puget Sound.

 

Depart from nearby Pier 55 during December and travel on the Christmas Ship Festival, decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights and sailing to different Puget Sound waterfront communities. Choirs on board the Christmas Ship perform to guests aboard, to follow boats, and to communities gathered on shore.

 

Deck your Halls

 

Visit these 12 Market Shops to Make Your Home Holiday Ready, from dried flower wreaths to leaf-imprinted spoon rests to Market themed posters and more!

 

‘Tis the Season to Indulge

 

Whether you’re looking for the best quick stops to hit while knocking out your holiday shopping, seeking a memorable sit-down experience with a great ambiance, or satisfying your sweet tooth, Pike Place Market has you covered! Explore the Pike Place Holiday Food Tour, including some of these gems:

 

Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream. This classically styled ice cream parlor is serving up hot cocoa with freshly whipped vanilla cream (add Irish cream for those 21+) and a seasonal “Elf Float” combining candy cane ice cream and peppermint soda.

 

Chocolate & Ice Cream Delight. Their hot chocolate bombs are back! Drop in for a selection of delightful fudge and seasonal truffle flavors. Be sure to indulge in their snickerdoodle or peppermint truffles for an extra festive kick.

 

Looking for a few unique holiday host gift inspirations? Pike Place rounded up a few:

 

Chocolate Gift Set. indi chocolate has a variety of gift sets available or you can customize your own. This shop doesn’t just sell chocolate, explore the “unexpected side of chocolate” with cacao butter body care, cacao spice rubs, cocoa nib liquor infusion kits, s’mores kits, and more!

 

Reusable Glass Straws. DrinkingStraws.Glass has seasonal designs available including an elf hat, Santa hat, evergreen tree, or a Christmas tree. Or choose from their classic straw sets for a gift that’s used through every season!

 

Handmade Cards. The Paper Feather has a perfect gift for the person who loves sending special notes with handmade cards! This package includes 13 cards designed and handmade by The Paper Feather, postage stamps, and packaged in a pink bakery box with ribbon.

 

Gift Baskets and Wine. Chukar Cherries has new Columbia Valley wine gift boxes and a charcuterie kit that features the very best delicacies of the Pacific Northwest. All of their assortments and tins of Northwest cherries, berries, and nuts now come in festive holiday sleeves.

 

If you’re still looking for gift ideas, visit 12 Pike Place Market Gifts for Kids and Teens, 5 Thoughtful Market Gifts for the Person Who Needs to Relax and 11 Pike Place Market Gifts for the Stylish Friend.

 

Be sure to book your tour of The Emerald this season before you catch the festivities. Now over 50% sold and priced from the $400,000’s, we cannot wait to show you our 8 new model residences, beautiful building amenities and a unique bird’s eye perspective looking down on Pike Place market all aglow.  Schedule your private in-person or virtual tour by contacting our team at 206-453-6800 or info@theemeraldseattle.com.

 

 

Pike Place Public Market Photo by Matt McDonald @equalmotion

THE Spot to Spend Seattle Weekends

Thrillist recommends spending Seattle weekends at the foot of The Emerald! The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market, steps from the waterfront and surrounded by the city’s best culinary and cultural destinations. The recent feature highlights several walkable spots within close proximity to our community which make it the perfect launching spot to explore Seattle whether a visitor or native that loves the city.

 

 

“Rising steeply from Elliott Bay, Seattle’s Downtown greets visitors to the city with a sample platter of its best features. From the culinary diversity and fresh ingredients of the iconic Pike Place Market, to the rooftop gardens, to the first Starbucks location  — the city takes pride in its open spaces and open attitudes. Seattle’s personality comes from its wide array of neighborhoods, but Downtown’s ease and convenience makes it an essential starting point for a weekend tour.”

 

Start with the below round up of ideas by Thrillist on how to spend your Seattle weekends. “Downtown’s ease and convenience makes it an essential starting point.” – Thrillist

 

Discover a Rooftop Garden at Fourth and Madison. Spend a sunny day in the garden. This rooftop garden is located on the 7th floor of the tower and wraps around three sides of the building. The patio is a lush, green retreat from the city below. Tables and chairs are situated throughout the garden area, perfect for lunch on a beautiful day. Enjoy up-close vistas of the Smith Tower and the Central Library and peekaboo views of Elliott Bay. The rooftop garden is open from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5:30 pm and also features free Wi-Fi.

 

Visit the First Starbucks. This small shop in Pike Place Market offers visitors a peek at the history of Seattle’s hometown coffee chain, as nearly all of the original features are still intact. Admire the 50-year old original Starbucks sign on the front façade, spy the original Starbucks logo and fixtures inside this 1,000 square foot store. Purchase something from the modern menu at the original Starbucks and strike a pose, it’s an Insta-worthy location.

 

Lunch at Pasta Casalinga. One of Pike Place Market’s newer lunch spots, this tiny pasta shop offers an equally tiny menu. It always includes a lasagna and plain tomato sauce option, plus one each “from the garden, “from the ocean,” and “from the farm.” All of the offerings utilize seasonal ingredients — often from fellow Pike Place vendors — in a vegetarian, pescatarian, or meat option. The pasta shapes are specially chosen to highlight the flavors of local foods.

 

Mee Sum Pastry. Also located in Pike Place Market, this Chinese bakery stall makes more than 1,000 of their buns, also known as Hom Bow, each day. They offer versions baked or steamed, and stuffed with their unique curry beef, traditional barbecue pork, chicken, or vegetables. The buns share the deli case with almond tarts, sesame balls, wife cakes, and all kinds of other Chinese sweets and savories.

 

Ventures Marketplace. Located right below the famous fish throwers, at first glance this shop could be just another eclectic gift shop — something of which the Pike Place Market hosts a delightful variety. But here, your purchase of hot sauces, jewelry, lip balm, wallets, or incense goes even further: this is actually a consignment store for graduates from a non-profit business incubator called Ventures. The organization focuses on providing training and resources for people for whom those things are often difficult to access — especially women, people of color, and immigrants — and for many who go through the program, this shop is one of the first places they sell.

 

Olympic Sculpture Park. Covered in monumental artworks, this award-winning nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront is Seattle’s largest downtown green space and is just one mile north of the Seattle Art Museum. The sculpture park offers monumental contemporary sculptures and breathtaking views of t​he Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Stroll along a 2,200-foot path that zigzags from the pavilion to the water’s edge to tour the park and its surroundings.​

 

Take a Walk down the Red Hall at Central Library. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas designed the city’s flagship library, opened in 2004, and it boasts floor after floor of public art, impressive open space, and 1.5 million books. But the fourth floor stands out, even among the many unique areas, because the hallway that loops around the floors, meeting rooms, and computer labs features more than a dozen different shades of red on the floor, ceiling, and walls. It’s the library’s most photographed section and shows off the intersection of art, function, and architecture that make this building such a beloved and significant part of Seattle.

 

Observatory Bar in Smith Tower. If you prefer your views with a craft cocktail, the iconic, world-famous Smith Tower satisfies. Whisking visitors up 35 stories, the Otis elevator introduces you to a Prohibition-themed bar that harkens back to the 1914 building’s early years. Stop by for happy hour and the stunning 360-degree views of Seattle from what stood as the tallest building west of the Mississippi until 1931. Take in the views from the elegant Observatory Bar as you sip local microbrews, barrel-aged cocktails, and bourbon flights.

 

 

Your Seattle adventures begin here. The Emerald is now over 50% sold. Onsite tours of our eight models homes and breathtaking amenities are available for tour by appointment. With homes starting in the $400,000’s, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in a dream location or find your full-time home.

 

Image credit:  Photo by Tiffany Von Arnim/FLICKR