For 2010 graduate Alex Oh, the Emerald City is the perfect place to call home. Intellectual property lawyer by day and vintner by night, Oh is fully immersed in Seattle life. Here’s his guide to the perfect summer day from dawn to dusk.
Morning
Rise and shine, and get an early start to beat the brunch crowd. Head over to Wandering Goose for fried chicken served on some of the best biscuits and gravy in Seattle. After brunch, hit up one of the local coffee shops in the neighborhood—Victrola and Caffe Ladro are two of my favorites. Stroll through Volunteer Park and climb the water tower for a brief history lesson about the city, and enjoy panoramic views. After exploring the park, walk down Seattle’s iconic Broadway Street to check out the bronze Jimi Hendrix statue. If you feel nostalgic, stop by the Ian’s Pizza location on Broadway to remind you of Madison. Once you reach Pine Street, continue downhill until you hit Pike Place Market. Take a stroll through the market and enjoy a few tasty treats, fresh fruit and flowers, and souvenir shopping along the way.
Afternoon
By late morning, head down to the waterfront and hop on a public ferry over to Bainbridge Island. This thirty- minute ferry ride boasts amazing views of the city and offers the opportunity to get out on the water for a very affordable price. Head over to Harbour Public House for more incredible views of Seattle, local craft beer, and great fish and chips or poutine. After lunch, check out the various bookstores, art galleries, and boutique shops on Bainbridge Island. Take the ferry back at your leisure.
Evening
Once you get off the ferry, head north along the waterfront and stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park, a nine-acre outdoor sculpture museum and beach. A short uphill jaunt will take you to the Seattle Center. Many dinner spots are within a few blocks, including the touristy but beautiful revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. If possible, time your trip up the Space Needle with the sunset for a magical evening. If you’re looking for a more local experience, head over to Gas Works Park to enjoy the sunset, followed by dinner at Ivar’s or Westward. Of course, for me and my partner, the perfect end to a day in Seattle is to
enjoy a glass of award-winning Washington wine, and there is no better place to do that than at the outdoor patio at our wine shop, Aluel Cellars.
INTERVIEW BY KAREN KOETHE