by Claire Star
Living in a city like Seattle is great. There are plays and movies to go to, pretty storefront windows to look at, and fun restaurants to try. But it’s also really expensive. Looking to explore our cities without exceeding our tiny student budgets, Nicole and I challenged ourselves to come up with ten new-to-us things to do in our cities. Here’s my list:
See how many samples you can try at the Pike Place Market. One of the best parts of my favorite place in Seattle? So many great food stalls offer free samples. How else could you decide what to eat? See how many you can try in an afternoon, being sure to stop by Beecher’s Cheese, Ellenos Yogurt, and Chukkar Cherry. The fruit stands also offer slices of whatever’s in season. I’ve you’ve worked up an appetite, try Michou, an Italian deli. Their sandwiches are incredible and very reasonably priced. I like to get a half of a crispy chicken for $3.20. If you’d like coffee, try Storyville Coffee, across from the flying fish sellers. They have great views of the market and waterfront from above.
See a movie at the Crest. It’s a bit of a drive up north, but definitely worth it to see a movie on the big screen for just $4. Check the listings to see which movies are stopping by the theater (just before being turned into dvd). It’s a great way to see new movies without paying full price and something my friends and family do with me all the time.
See a movie at the Crest. It’s a bit of a drive up north, but definitely worth it to see a movie on the big screen for just $4. Check the listings to see which movies are stopping by the theater (just before being turned into dvd). It’s a great way to see new movies without paying full price and something my friends and family do with me all the time.
Walk through Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. This is one of my favorite public parks in Seattle because I love how quiet and sprawling it is. Home to the Asian Art Museum and Volunteer Park Conservatory, there’s lots to do. Or, you can just sit on the hilly slope looking out across the reservoir to the Seattle skyline. Perhaps you’ll get lucky with your people watching and catch a face-painted skipping jester emerge from the trees like I once did (true story, I swear)!
Visit a museum. I’d long known about free admission to museums onThird Thursday’s but only recently realized that the Seattle Art Museum is run on suggested donations. Special exhibits are full price, but you can see the regular collection with a donation of a few dollars. The Frye Museum is free every day.
Visit a bookstore. Check out the discounted sections at the two best (and independent) bookstores in Seattle, Elliott Bay Book Company and the University of Washington’s bookstore. Their staff are incredibly knowledgeable and offer great recommendations, plus they both have a wide selection of brand new discounted paperbacks and hardcovers. You’ll never need to buy anything from Amazon again. While you’re at the U Bookstore, also be sure to check out their supplies department in the basement. I’m obsessed. A new pen is a very affordable pick me up, even cheaper than a cup of coffee. Or wine.
Try a new coffee shop. There are so many great ones in Seattle and while I’ve tried a lot of them, there are still dozens to explore. So, if I’m in a new area, I like to branch out. A couple favorites include Herkimer (various locations), Seattle Coffee Works (also in Ballard!)
Have a picnic. There are so many pretty places to hang out and eat a crusty baguette with friends. Try the Fremont Canal, Green Lake, Golden Gardens, Alki Beach, or Magnuson Park.
Explore a new neighborhood. I often end up in the same place time after time (just ask Nicole: when I visit her in NYC, somehow we end up in the same street in Nolita no matter where we start out). So, to mix it up a little, I’ll take a bus to a neighborhood I rarely go to and get off at an interesting looking area and start walking around. Or, if you know an area well, take someone who has never been there before and show them around. Seeing one of your favorite places through someone else’s eyes can lead to new discoveries and make you love it even more.
P.S. We've got more travel guides right this way. :)
// Photos via my Instagram.
Tags: by Claire, Seattle, Travel, Travel Guide, Left Coast Other Left Seattle Guide
P.S. We've got more travel guides right this way. :)
// Photos via my Instagram.
Tags: by Claire, Seattle, Travel, Travel Guide, Left Coast Other Left Seattle Guide