If you are interested in spending more time in the Seattle area, here are some of our recommendations!

In the City

Pike Place Market - we love The Crumpet Shop, Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Piroshky Piroshky, The Pink Door

Volunteer Park - one of our most frequented spots, great for picnics and lawn games

Washington Park Arboretum and Seattle Japanese Garden - beautiful greenery and an escape from the city

Madison Park Beach - grassy beach with swimming area on Lake Washington

Gas Works Park - large park with gorgeous views of Lake Union

Golden Gardens Park - sandy beach, beware the water here is cold!

Myrtle Edwards Park and Olympic Sculpture Park - waterfront park near the Space Needle

Space Needle and MoPop - cool pop culture exhibits

Troy would love to share suggestions for 'urban hiking'

Get Out and Explore

There is fantastic hiking to be found within a two hour drive of Seattle

Mount Rainier National Park

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

We can give specific recomendations based on your interest

Restaurants

Capitol Hill neighborhood

Tavolata - Italian, pastas, smoked fish bruschetta is to die for, great happy hour

Rione - Roman, Troy devours the funghi pizza

Italian Family Pizza - very casual and family-owned, get the pepperoni stromboli or a massive pie (Rachel: the Italiano, Troy: the New Yorker)

Carmelo's Tacos - quick-serve Mexican, amazing burritos

Homegrown Sandwiches - artisan sandwiches, we both love the BEC with roasted garlic aioli

Fogon Cocina Mexican - sit-down Mexican, expect a wait, tasty margaritas

Witness - upscale Southern, chicken and waffles

Skillet - sophisticated diner, Rachel goes for the ultimate grilled cheese add fried chicken

Plenty of Clouds - Sichuan cuisine

Zaika - Indian, very good lunch thalis

8oz Burger & Co - decadent burgers

Other neighborhoods

Sisters and Brothers - Nashville hot chicken

Ezell's Famous Chicken - fast-food, supposedly Oprah's favorite fried chicken

Breezy Town Pizza - mash-up of Chicago and Detroit style pizza, note this is located inside a bar

Un Bien - Caribbean sandwiches

Our Other Favorites

Chuck's Hop Shop - fifty plus taps, limited seating, food truck on site

Linda's Tavern - a bit divey but great patio in the back, alcoholic slushies

Patio Cielo (aka Mercado Luna, aka Mezcaleria Oaxaca) - cute 'rooftop' bar in Capitol Hill

Optimism Brewing - not our favorite beer, but great for big groups

mbar - rooftop bar in South Lake Union, make a reservation well in advance

Hello Robin - cookies and ice cream cookie sandwiches, what more could you want?