Travel Tale: Seattle & Vancouver, B.C. in Four Days, Part I

In the excitement of planning our summer vacations (Eek! Stay tuned!), Miguel and I forgot to make plans for our one-year anniversary. Oops. (I also didn’t get a blog post up featuring our wedding pictures. Double oops.).

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Miguel had been wanting to visit Seattle since before we got married and when we were surprised with how quickly our first year anniversary came around and found ourselves without plans, I knew that this was our chance to visit the Pacific North West for the first time.  We ended up squeezing in a new state and a new country into a four day weekend! It was fast, but so wonderful.  It didn’t hurt that the weather was uncharacteristically GORGEOUS.  It didn’t so much as sprinkle the Saturday and Sunday we were there!  I’ll take that as a good sign for year two!

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I am so grateful for all of you that voted for me to split this post up into two parts!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I know that it’s taken me a while to get these posts up, but I really wanted to make them perfect for you! Before I get started I have to confess that I wasn’t expecting much (don’t hate me if you’re from the PACNW!). It always struck me as odd that Miguel wanted to go there, but this trip was really unlike any other!

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WHERE TO STAY:

.The Edgewater.

When Miguel gave me a list of hotels, this one immediately went to the top of the list because of one reason alone- it’s on the water! We opted to not get a Water View for this trip because we booked so last minute (I’m talking two weeks before), and the price difference was significant, but I HIGHLY recommend it if you do! I posted an instagram story of the view from the Lobby at sunset and WOW! The rooms are a bit smaller than what most Texans are used to, but it is comparable to hotels in bigger cities (Like NYC).

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This hotel was originally made for the 1962 World’s Fair, and was supposed to be demolished after. The plan for the hotel was so extensive for the time (I mean, there are fireplaces in each room!) it wasn’t ready for a few months after the World’s Fair had ended! Haha.  It’s the only Waterfront Hotel in Seattle, so definitely worth the experience.  This hotel also has a special connection to The Beatles (If you’re a fan. Which if you’re human, I think you are!)

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Another wonderful thing about this hotel is the Restaurant.  We had our anniversary breakfast in bed and appetizers for a late dinner (by the fireplace, v romantic) made by the Six Seven Restaurant. I would have loved to have had an actual dinner here and will plan for it next time we visit!

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WHAT TO DO:

SEATTLE:

.Space Needle.

This is an obvious one! Miguel and I wanted to do this one first and went the first night we were there. There is a restaurant and bar (that were sadly under construction while we were there) and also gift shops and snack bar, so if you get caught up in the line (luckily, we didn’t!) don’t worry…there are snacks at the top.

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.Pike’s Place Market.

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This is THE spot to head to if/when you head to Seattle! There is so much to do here! (Don’t for get to take a picture with Rachel the Piggy Bank!) Here, you can watch as tourists toss fish with the men of Pike’s Place Fish Market (if you can catch them doing this, it’s so surreal! I kept an eye on them while we walked around!) There were also several yummy spots to eat, which I will cover in detail next week.  The Gum Wall is also in the market! We almost forgot to visit, it’s very close to the fish market, so don’t forget! It’s gross, but a fun way to leave your mark on Seattle!

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.Argosy Cruises-Locks Cruise.

This 2-2.5 hour tour was such a good last minute decision. On our actual anniversary we were beating around the bush after a late brunch and came across the dock for the Argosy Cruises.  The Locks Cruise was leaving 30 minutes after we arrived and boarding at that very moment, so we hopped aboard! This cruise travels through salt water in the bay and fresh water from a lake, so a locks system has to be used to transfer the boat from salt water to fresh water.  That was a pretty cool experience alone. If you want to get some general knowledge about Seattle, I would explore these cruise options.  We found out about our hotel, saw some ships from the show, Deadliest Catch, and even saw the boat house from Sleepless in Seattle! If you aren’t convinced, I don’t know what more it will take!

We were also so fortunate to see Mt. Rainier and Glacier peak during this cruise. Incredibly clear views! We were so lucky this trip! The Olympic Mountain Range was also in view! I believe I have pics of these in my highlights on instagram!

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.Chihuly Gardens.

This is actually a museum of sorts of the blown glass artwork of artist, Dale Chihuly.  It’s called a garden because it is built within a greenhouses and has both outdoor and indoor exhibits! We were even able to see a preview of glass being blown and painted! Walk the gardens of glass and enjoy an hour’s worth of color and plenty of picture opportunities!

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.Grey-Sloan Memorial.

So, this isn’t an actual place and we (again) stumbled upon it by accident.  We took a pedi-cab after the Chihuly Gardens and ended up passing through the plaza that represents Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in Grey’s Anatomy…EEK! I didn’t know it was happening until it was and I fan-girled. It was awesome.  I highly recommend checking out the link above if you’re a Grey’s Anatomy buff! The Pier where our Locks Cruise departed from is Grey’s Anatomy significant as well! DOUBLE EEK!

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VANCOUVER:

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Getting There

Traveling to Vancouver was half the fun! It was about a 3 hour drive and we were crossing into Canada by 10:30 AM.  By this time, there was a significant amount of traffic.  I feel had we gotten there before 10, it may have been a different story.  There are a lot of picture opportunities while you wait in line though!

.Granville Island.

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This was a lucky recommendation that came at the perfect time from my friend, Delyssa! Basically, it was a public market that had food (more on that next week!) and lots of little trinkets and food for purchase.  You’re right off the water, and you can take a mini ferry ride around the harbor (we didn’t, but totally wanted to!).

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.Stanley Park.

Another last minute decision!  We visited this park, because if you haven’t realized already, this part of the world is GORGEOUS.  Texas is very dry and the valley is VERY VERY DRY and flat, so seeing mountains so beautiful and different for us.  You are able to rent bikes to ride down steep mountain trails.  We walked, and it was SO HARD. Also, I was in riding boots (we REALLY didn’t plan). I’d recommend getting some hiking friendly boots if you want to head out here.

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.Silver Reef Casino.

Confession: I love Casinos. Anywhere I can find a Sex and the City slot machine, I’m happy. They didn’t have one here, but I found another one that I loved and it loved me back to the sum of 300+ dollars. And, that’s all I have to say about that, hahaha!

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WOULDA’ COULDA’ SHOULDA’ S

With any trip, I really feel like there are a million things that you don’t even realize that you forgot to do, until it’s all over. That’s why I’m adding this section, just in case you have more time or better planning skills than my non-existent ones!

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.City Pass.

When it comes to our vacations as a couple, Miguel and I have an awful habit of only “kind of” planning things.  In case you haven’t noticed.  I looked up “A FEW” things to do.  I made “ONE” dinner reservation.  It’s worked out okay, but I want to get better at making real itineraries.  With that being said, we wish we would have gotten a City Pass. This is a booklet that you pay for once and it provides you with access to 5 attractions in the city.  We ended up visiting 3 out of 5 of the options that would have been given to us (Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens, and the harbor tour).  You can use this pass over the course of the trip, so why not save some money? Also, I would’ve wanted to visit the Museum of Pop Culture, which is included in the city pass. Still not over it. Woulda’, Coulda’ Shoulda!

.Wings Over Washington & Seattle Great Wheel.

These are actual rides! I know, not what you expect unless you’re going to an amusement park, but I heard nothing but great things about them.  As you’ll see in my upcoming post, my husband and I are apparent foodies! We wandered Pike’s Place Market and the surrounding areas with full bellies the majority of the trip, so getting on a ride never drew our attention.  I also have a slight fear of heights, so maybe I steered clear of the Ferris wheel, ha. Regardless, I wish we would’ve at least tried on of these. Coulda’, Woulda’, Shoulda’!

.Meredith Grey’s House.

For all of my Grey’s Anatomy lovers, I am kicking myself for not visiting her house! Since we took a “one day at a time” approach to our trip, it never happened organically, but Miguel and I both would love to visit again and take pics at the house. Maybe we’ll go when he finally catches up to the season currently airing, yikes!

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Well, that was a VERY eventful trip! Which is why there is going to be a completely jam-packed Part II coming up next week! That one will be dedicated entirely to food! I am so excited by all these pictures y’all have to share which one is your favorite! It was such a special way to celebrate on year of marriage with my favorite person in the world. I also think I should make an album! What do you think? Happy Travel Tuesday, loves!