48 Hour Weekend Trip to Seattle, WA

Because Seattle is composed of smaller neighborhoods scattered around the city, I suggest you pick the neighborhood you can explore on foot as your first stop. I stayed in downtown Seattle at the newly renovated Fairmont Olympic hotel so it was easy to walk up to Capitol Hill from there. On my first night, I stopped by the Olympic Bar which serves locally sourced small bites and an incredible mocktail called the Timeless. 

On day 1, I headed to Capitol Hill by foot. First stop was obviously coffee so I popped into the Melrose Market for an oat milk cappuccino. Next door is an awesomely curated clothing/plant nursery called Glasswing. Butch hooked me up with a warm boiled wool men's jacket and introduced me to several great international menswear brands.

After some retail therapy, I spent some time at Elliot Bay Book Company. What The Strand is to New Yorkers, this bookstore is to Seattlites-an institution. I collect photo books and found a great one capturing the early days of grunge called Outcasts & Innocents by Alice Wheeler. When you want a sugary pick-me-up, head to Frankie and Joes for the most incredible vegan ice cream you'll ever have. Their milk alternative base is oat and coconut and my favorite ice cream there is the Salted Caramel Snickerdoodle Ice cream. THE BEST vegan ice cream I've ever had!

Because I travel so much for my job, I try to find a great local Vietnamese restaurant wherever I land for a bit of comfort food. That night, I found myself at Ba Bar on 12th street and it was the best decision. Tyler, my awesome server, had me try the Phó Tái Nam and classic Crispy Imperial Rolls. What makes a great Phó is the bone broth base and theirs had lots of fresh herbs, less fatty oil, and notes of cinnamon which I've never tasted before but was so tasty. Also, try their homemade macaroons!