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In Seattle and seeking out a fun adventure?

A trip on the Seattle ferry can transport you to some of the most diverse and interesting locations around – whether you’re visiting or you live locally.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your partner or an exciting day out with the kids, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to plan your next trip? Let’s do this!

1. Port Orchard

Port Orchard is a bustling area not too far from Seattle. There’s no shortage of things to do here.

If you fancy some education, you can learn about local history at The Veteran’s Living History Museum. If you’re in the mood for a uniquely PNW experience, then a visit to the Log Cabin Museum should be top of your list.

For some time in nature, head to Manchester State Park or Howe Farm Historic Park. The latter is ideal for dog walkers, and you are not obligated to keep your furry friend on a lead.

If you love art, it’s definitely worth checking out Sidney Gallery & Museum, which is housed in the old Masonic Hall.

There are tons of great places to eat in the area. From small, vegan-friendly cafes to luxurious restaurants and bistros.

To visit Port Orchard, you take the Seattle to Bremerton Ferry, then make a short 20-minute drive via the WA-3 and WA-166 E/SW Bay St. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Foot Ferry from downtown Bremerton to downtown Port Orchard.

2. Bremerton

The ferry to Bremerton is one of the most frequent. It’s a popular choice with locals and tourists alike. You’ll enjoy amazing skyline views during the journey, and there’s tons to do within walking distance of the dock.

The USS Turner Joy Museum Ship is free to look around and really interesting for both kids and adults. A trip to the Puget Sound Navy Museum is a great history lesson, and admission is free here too.

The Bremerton Bug Museum is a really fun place to visit with kids. You’ll get to see lizards, spiders, and preserved insects.

If all those critters don’t spoil your appetite, head to the area around Harborside Fountain Park. There’s plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a great lunch.

You can get here via the Seattle to Bremerton Ferry.

3. Winslow

Winslow is a town located on Bainbridge Island, just a short hop away on the ferry.

The area is home to three small, but interesting, museums. For history enthusiasts, there’s Bainbridge Island Historical Society’s museum. If you’re out with family, then the Kid’s Discovery Museum is an essential visit.

For biking enthusiasts, the backroom museum at Classic Cycles is sure to delight.

If you’re keen to do some shopping during your trip, head to Winslow Way. You’ll find a great range of interesting stores, including the well-known Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. This iconic gallery features the work of over 200 local artists.

The Marina District is a great place to head for food, and you’re guaranteed a great view.

You can get to Winslow from Seattle via the Bainbridge Island Ferry.

4. Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is the largest town on the San Juan islands. It’s a lovely place for a relaxed stroll. It’s small enough to explore on foot yet packed with hidden treasures.

You’ll find plenty of independent stores and restaurants, so make sure you pop in and support a local business.

If you want to get in touch with nature, you could go kayaking or take part in a dolphin and whale watching experience. For a real thrill, have a go on the San Juan Zip Line and enjoy stunning forest views.

If a day isn’t long enough to enjoy all that Friday Harbor has to offer, camping is a great way to extend your visit. San Juan County Park is a popular camping spot, and there are also plenty of resorts dotted around the area.

You can get here via the Seattle – San Juan Island Ferry.

5. Coupeville

Coupeville, located on Whidbey Island, is one of Washington’s oldest towns.

Lavender Wind Farm is a popular spot for picnics in the area. The nearby shop sells tons of gorgeous lavender products including soaps, lotions, and oils.

The Historic District is home to a range of independent stores that are lots of fun to explore. Regular events of all kinds are held in the area. It’s definitely worth heading to one of the arts and crafts festivals if you’re looking to buy gifts.

You’ll also find a small but enticing range of places to eat. Toby’s Tavern serves local seafood and Knead and Feed has delicious baked goods.

If you like relaxed strolls around historic towns, it’s certainly worth making a trip to Coupeville.

You can get here through Port Townsend using the Washington State Ferry system via the Coupeville Terminal.

6. Lopez Village

Lopez Village is the hub of the beautiful Lopez Island and it’s a lovely place for a visit.

Lopez Village Park is the perfect place to relax with a snack. Strolling around the local area will lead you to lots of cute shops, nice cafes, and interesting galleries.

If you want to explore Lopez Island further, consider biking, taking a hike to the Shark Reef Sanctuary, or visiting Spencer Spit State Park.

The Lopez Island area is perfect for nature-lovers and anyone who enjoys a great view.

You can get here via the Seattle – San Juan Island Ferry.

7. Victoria, BC

Looking to travel a little further on the Seattle ferry?

Catch the Victoria Clipper and make the three-hour trip to Victoria, BC, and you won’t regret it. Remember, you’re entering Canada, so bring your passport with you.

Once in Victoria, check out the Royal BC Museum, go shopping in Chinatown, get lunch at one of the many restaurants, or hop on a tour bus.

Craigdarroch Castle is a really cool place to visit if you decide to take the bus. You’ll also pass by the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Parliament buildings, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

There’s a lot to do, so it’s well worth spending a night or two here.

You can get here using the Seattle – Victoria Ferry.

Why Use the Seattle Ferry?

The Seattle ferry gives you access to so many amazing towns that you’d be crazy not to use it.

As well as broadening your local horizons, you’ll enjoy stunning views while you’re on the ferry, and it’s a great experience for families.

So, if you feel like you’ve exhausted all the places to visit in Seattle, hop on the ferry to get excited about exploring again.

Looking for more to do in the local area? Check out our blog today.

Seattle is a unique city on the water on the Northwest of the United States. With almost four million people, it is the fifteenth largest city in the country and rapidly growing.

With the legalization of recreational marijuana, the city has become a frequent destination for pot tourists and families vacationing alike.

So where should you stay while you’re in town? Let’s take a look at some of the best Air Bnb Seattle has to offer so you can explore this spectacular city no matter what your budget or needs are.

1. “Cottage in the Heart of the City”

If you’re new to Airbnb, then you will want to find a property that is operated by a “superhost”. Superhosts are hosts that have a lot of experience and are committed to creating a great experience for their guests.

That is exactly what you will find when you visit Kathy’s cottage in the heart of the city.

She will guide you through an easy check in to your cottage that is located near the bus line, cruise ships, waterfront, and Space Needle.

This space comes with a parking spot and washer and dryer at only $89 a night.

2. “Best Location in Downtown Seattle”

Out of the 325 reviews for this cozy space, 95% say this home is in the ultimate location for walking around downtown and using the light rail.

You will be able to walk to countless bars and restaurants, which is great if you are coming to enjoy the nightlife. But if you are looking for a quiet place to rest, then this is not the location for you.

The hosts, Liliana and Michael, are eager to show guests their town and give suggestions when they are not around. At $75, their hospitality is budget-friendly.

3. “Ballard Backyard Cottage”

If relaxing in a nice backyard with a beer in your hand is your idea of a great evening, then this is the spot for you.

This romantic cottage has a BBQ area outside of its French doors and features enough amenities to make you want to move in permanently. You’ll enjoy the large farmhouse sink, Keurig coffee maker, and the 50-gallon hot water tank.

This property is $99 a night and easy to check into with a lockbox for entry.

4. “Haller Lake Restored Log Cabin”

If you’re looking for the perfect cabin, yet still want to be in the city of Seattle, then you have to check out this home.

Located on a large lake, this cabin is primarily heated by the large wood fireplace. The lake is spring-fed making it a refreshing place to swim in the summer.

The lake is thirty minutes from downtown and the city can be accessed by a bus stop at the end of the driveway. At $120 a night, this makes an excellent place to rest.

5. Lake Union View “Sky Cabin” Apartment

If you’re looking for the best-kept secret in Seattle, then this apartment may be the spot for you.

The apartment has a high ceiling and warm wood paneling that make a comfortable place to sit and look out at the seaplanes, boats, and sunsets over the mountains.

This is a peaceful and one-of-a-kind place in a village-like neighborhood. You will be one block away from Lake Union on the top floor of a three-story home.

6. Seattle “Mini-Home”

With relaxing blue walls and a nautical vibe, this small home is a great place to rest and recharge while still being downtown.

You will be able to walk to great restaurants and shops and when you come in for the night, you can head out to the deck and enjoy the hot tub!

This mini-home has everything you need with a small kitchenette, nicely-updated bathroom, and charming loft bed.

At $95 a night, this mini-home is an excellent choice for couples or single travelers that want to explore the city.

7. “The Henry Hideaway”

If you’re ready to get absorbed into the art scene of Seattle, then you have to check out this cool apartment that features a piano, guitar, board games, and a wood burning fireplace.

From the moment you walk in, you will find yourself welcomed by murals and interesting object with a funky and fun feel. At $88 a night, this is an affordable and charming place to spend your night in the city.

8. Bainbridge Island “Jungalow”

If you’re ready to escape the city, then this quasi-primitive cabin is the place for you. It’s nestled into a clearing of cedar trees and is just five minutes from the ferry terminal to Seattle.

You’ll enjoy the fire-heated outdoor clawfoot tub and the beaches and hiking trails that surround the property. This property is dog-friendly so you can bring your furry friend!

It’s important to note that this property does not have plumbing. The tub is filled with the hose and then heated with fire. At only $59 a night, this is an adventure that would be hard to pass up!

9. “Wake Up Under the Space Needle”

This single bedroom apartment has incredible views of the Space Needle. The building was built in 1898 and has been updated with excellent appliances.

From the bedroom, you will be able to see the needle and enjoy the vaulted ceilings and amenities like Bluetooth radio and a DVD player.

There is also a fold out couch allowing you to sleep up to four people, making this an excellent place to bring the kids at only $135 a night.

While Visiting Your Airbnb Seattle Location

Staying at an Airbnb Seattle property is a great way to explore a new city while sticking to a reasonable budget. The properties on this list are fabulous examples of the best living this city has to offer.

Check out our post on the best things to do in Seattle next to learn how to best enjoy your vacation!

Whoever said you shouldn’t play with your food never visited our list of the best restaurants in Seattle for fun dining! Here are the 8 of the funnest and best restaurants to in Seattle that you have to try the next time you’re hungry.

Seattle can claim to be cool on so many counts. Whether you are local or a visitor, the funnest and best restaurants in Seattle have great food as well as a great experience.

It’s the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix, it has the oldest continuously operated farmer’s market in America. And though it is often cloudy, people in Seattle buy more sunglasses than any other US city. That’s cool, isn’t it?

Read on for cool food, loads of fun and the best restaurants in Seattle. Plus, a great experience to boot!

8 of the Best Restaurants in Seattle for Fun Dining

“One man’s meat is another man’s poison,” and when it comes to fun places to eat in Seattle, we are going to recommend some somewhat controversial options. Our recommendations are not to play safe or recommend the most expensive. Instead, there will be something for everybody on this menu of delights.

Read our comments, check reviews and decide if you agree with our idea of fun. Let’s get started. Read on and let the Seattle restaurant adventure begin.

1. The Pink Door

“Is this the place? There’s no sign. Just a pink door.” Your dining partner may be skeptical but enter the pink door and enjoy one of the top dining experiences in Seattle. A fabulous view, great Italian and American style dishes and top notch service.

There is a pleasing aesthetic to the place so you’ll feel more comfortable if you dress up a little. Great for a romantic dinner or celebration.

Best to book a table and ask about the entertainment. Cabaret, trapeze or even burlesque may be on the menu too. If you and your guests aren’t shy, book at table in the center of the restaurant!

2. The Crumpet Shop

Tea and Crumpets at Pike Place Market is a delicious treat. They make the crumpets in the store and after you’ve seen how it’s done taste one. They do other things too but don’t leave without having had crumpets.

As one of the funnest restaurants in Seattle, you would expect a creative range of toppings and you won’t be disappointed. There are sweet or savory toppings to suit all tastes.

Even people who’ve had English crumpets in England say they are authentic although the toppings might raise an eyebrow in the UK. Try maple butter and walnuts with cream cheese or egg, cheese, and Jalapeno peppers. They never had that in England.

3. Pike Place Chowder

Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously operated farmer’s market in America and so far our eateries have been in that location.

Don’t leave without eating fish. Why? Because Pike Place Market is world famous for throwing fish.

You will see huge fish, thrown and (usually caught) across the fish market to howls and cheers. There are many fish-eating opportunities so Pike Place Chowder has to be good to be so highly rated by diners. There are long lines but it’s worth the wait.

If you only visit once and you don’t know what to choose from the menu, the clue is in the name. Try the chowder.

4. Serious Pie

A list of the funnest restaurants in Seattle cannot ignore an eatery called “Serious” Pie. The pizza is seriously good and if you get there during “happy hour” you get a seriously good bargain too.

The tables are communal so not only do you get great food but perhaps some good company too. It’s fun to chat and compare pizza choices. Don’t go expecting safe cheese and tomato toppings.

5. Space Needle Sky City

Every visitor to Seattle has to visit the Space Needle but to get the full experience try booking a window seat at Space Needle Sky City. Romantic dinner or special occasion dining with a revolving view.

You expect to pay a premium for the location. With a reputation for quality, locally influenced food and special service, you should treat yourself. There is a planned refurbishment due for completion in Spring 2018 so check if they are open and book a table.

6. Collection Caf?

Lot’s of people collect things. Stamps, pins, shoes might be your collection theme. This place has taken collecting to a new level. Here, collecting is an art form.

Look under the glass of the table tops and find a collection of ceramic dogs, ancient cameras or glass bottles. The ceiling covered in flying accordions must be unique.

This might be a caf? but expect interesting salads, adventures in sandwich creativity and clams are on the menu too.

7. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

If Jazz and Blues is your thing then there is fun to be had at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley. No seat is more than 50 feet from the stage. Dine here before the show starts and enjoy Mediterranean influences as well as seafood, steaks and salads.

There is no dance floor but they say they can’t stop you from shaking in your seats. People have been shaking in their seats here for almost four decades. Here at one of the funnest restaurants in Seattle, you might see an up and coming artist or a living legend on their stage.

8. Ray’s Boathouse and Caf?

The Boathouse has amazing food at the water’s edge and the Caf? has an amazing outdoor deck with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. Watch the sunset, eat fresh seafood and if you’re lucky watch eagles fishing.

Ray’s began as a dockside caf? with the original coffee house opening in 1945. They are a Seattle institution and when you dine there you share the experience with generations of Seattle locals. Appreciate the heritage, commitment to supporting the local fishermen and the iconic location.

Time to Reflect

Start with quality ingredients and you are more likely to end up with a delicious dish. Seattle is a fun place to be. The diversity of food influences, amazing locations and culture are the raw ingredients for great dining experiences.

Don’t listen to the reputation of Seattle people being cold. The Seattle freeze soon melts. The Seattle Seahawk fans are officially the loudest crowd at a football game so they have some extrovert traits.

Our hope our list of the best restaurants in Seattle provide you an interesting, even quirky Seattle experience. The list covers romance, nature, music, spectacle, and character. Add to this some amazing food and drink and you have a menu of delights ahead of you.

Be prepared to soak in the ambiance but also contribute to the fun. Help make your fellow diners and servers day.

To learn more about Seattle click here.

Seattle waterfront and skyline - Unique things near Seattle to do

Seattle is well known around the world as for it’s eccentric style and cultural scene. It’s also a burgeoning tech hub, seeing growth in just about every other industry. Whether you’re here for work or for a vacation, there is a lot to see from the Space Needle to Pike’s Place Market or a Seattle Storm WNBA game. But if you want to get off the beaten path, you should look for some of the more unique things near Seattle to check out.

For people who want to avoid the crowds, getting off the main path can be a relief. The added bonus is that next time you end up in Seattle with family or friends, you can show them something cool and sound like a local.

To get a taste of some of the more unique things near Seattle, check out these 7 sites.

1. Archie McPhee

If you like to check out cute novelty shops, see what Seattle has to offer. Archie McPhee has every kind of gift you need for holidays or for fun.

Have you ever thought about getting a unicorn horn for your cat or a mustache for your baby? Well, Archie McPhee has it. Browse their aisles for hours and you’ll see products you’d never even imagined.

Even if you’re not into novelty shopping, it’s a great place to browse for the fun of it. Dive into the weirdness and more bacon products than you could ever fit under a single roof.

2. Fremont Troll

This is one of the many great free things to see in Seattle. Legend has it the Fremont Troll lives underneath the Aurora Bridge, on the north end near N 36th Street.

It was created by a group of artists in 1990. The troll is made of steel rebar, concrete, wire, hubcaps, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.

The troll has been guarding the bridge for a quarter century and will likely still be there when we’re all gone.

3. Shoe Museum At Pike’s Place

Don’t expect an actual museum when you arrive. This giant shoe is actually part of an old traveling show. For a few cents, you can see a shoe that was once worn by the world’s tallest man.

You’ll see some other oddities and strange shoe related objects. Expect something off-beat and kitschy and you won’t be disappointed. It’s one of the great locations of vintage charm and unique things near Seattle.

4. Vashon Island Bike Tree

If you’re making a trek to Vashon Island, look up. While wandering through the forest, you’re likely to see a bike that’s going through the middle of a tree. This is truly one of the unique things near Seattle that you won’t find on many tour guides.

Locals all have stories about how the bike got there, but good luck getting a straight answer. Some say that the bike was chained to the tree by a young soldier before he headed off to war.

Other people say that the bike was intentionally grown through the middle of the tree.

The common thread is that no one put the bike there on purpose. Closer to the truth is the story about a boy who left their bike behind and over time, a tree just grew through it.

No matter what you believe, there the bike sits, in the middle of the tree. You’ll have to see it to believe it.

5. Lenin Does Fremont

One of the stranger socio-political objects in the city of Seattle has to be the 16-foot high statue of Vladimir Lenin. It was created by a Bulgarian sculptor who built it as an element of the Communist propaganda machine.

While working in Slovakia, a local Seattle resident named Lewis Carpenter found the statue ready to be destroyed. Feeling like it would be a waste of the sculptor’s work, he bought the statue and spent the cash to get it shipped. It took a lot of effort to get the statue in the country.

Carpenter, unfortunately, passed before the statue was ever erected in the US. thankfully his family made a goal of getting it up and now it stands in Fremont.

If you’re looking for unique things near Seattle and have a love for Communist history, you’ll love this oddity.

6. Karaoke at Rock Box

Are you in town with old friends or looking for a bonding experience with co-workers after a long week of a conference? One of the best ways to shake off inhibitions is to engage in the mutual embarrassment of karaoke.

At $4-$7 per hour, per person, it’s a heck of a deal for a memorable night of entertainment. Be sure to call ahead to make sure something is available.

If you’ve got a group of 35 or more, you can book the party room and make it an all-out wild night of showmanship with your group.

7. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

Along the tourist-heavy strip of Seattle’s waterfront, you might not expect to find anything interesting at all. Lucky for you, there’s Ye Old Curiosity Shop.

It’s another novelty shop selling curious items and Seattle souvenirs. You’ll also find interesting items placed in the style of a museum.

There are narwhal tusks, totem poles, and a couple of mummies. The mummies, named Sylvester and Sylvia, were found in Central America.

They were well preserved, so well preserved that the University of Washington has run studies on them. Sylvester was preserved with a special solution. Whoever mummified him used an arsenic solution hoping that he would one day be discovered.

There’s a Long List of Unique Things Near Seattle!

If you’re a nature buff, you’re going to find all kinds of interesting things to do in the Seattle area. Whether you want to walk along the waterfront or hit the nearby Old Growth Forest, you’ll find no shortage of great sights.

If you’re still looking for unique things near Seattle, contact us for more tips.