Travel Diary: How to Spend One Perfect Day in Seattle

Pizza, karaoke and cocktails fuel a whirlwind trip in Seattle.

10:30 a.m.Brunch

Portage Bay CafeSouth Lake Union

The natural choice for brunch: though the buzzy space favours local and organic for dishes like house-cured pork loin hash, there’s also a special breakfast bar for piling your vegan pancakes with fresh fruit and (if you’re cheating) whipped cream.

2 p.m.Shop

NUBECapitol Hill

This is the chic spot to snag environmentally conscious pieces with style: think stacking rings made from recycled metals, reclaimed-wood apothecary cabinets and racerback dresses made from recycled water bottles (magic!).

4 p.m.Happy Hour

Oddfellows Café and BarCapitol Hill

While it serves up killer breakfasts—cheesy scrambled eggs over a soft homemade biscuit is the stuff dreams are made of—it’s just as excellent at pouring a mean pre-dinner cocktail. Go for the namesake Oddfellow, a perfect boozy blend of bourbon, citrus and bitters.

5:30 p.m.Detour

Everyday MusicCapitol Hill

Post-cocktail, make bad (but really good!) decisions for your record collection across the street at Everyday Music, open late for the buzzed crowd and stocked with an incredible mix of rare and vintage vinyl, paired with new artists and re-releases of back catalogues (including every Depeche Mode album).

9 p.m.Night Out

Seattle’s Best KaraokeBelltown

Yes, it’s located on the ground floor of a weird office building, but the appeal is in the venue’s very American BYOB policy: buy a banquet licence, hit the corner store to stock up on ice-cold bevs, then keep the George Michael jams coming all night long in your (now well-stocked) private room.

11 p.m.Stay

AirbnbBallardBallard is a great spot to nab an Airbnb—find one within walking distance of the Sunday market, where locals stroll stands of flowers, produce and homemade kombucha. Pro Tip: Hit up Pinckney’s cookies, both for the sweet selection (double chocolate espresso, brown butter brown sugar bourbon spice) and the sweet guy that runs it, Michael Pinckney himself.

For more on our favourite day trips and weekend getaways, subscribe to the Vancouver Insider!