City Guide: Seattle

Compensation for this post was provided by Discover card via AOL Media.

Photography and opinions are my own and not indicative of the opinions or positions of Discover card or AOL.

Seattle is my home, and I love my city! The city is laid-back, the people are down-to-earth, and the seafood is oh-so-fresh. While Seattle is urban enough to keep you busy, its proximity to the mountains and water keeps you refreshed and grounded. I get asked all the time about "what to do in Seattle" so I finally created this city guide!

MORNING

Coffee

You're in Seattle, so you have to start the day off with coffee! While Starbucks originated from this city (the original one is in Pike Place Market), there are plenty of delicious, local coffee roasters and cafes to visit.

Espresso Vivace 227 Yale Ave N Seattle, WA 98109

Caffé Vita 1005 E Pike St Seattle, WA 98122

Analog Coffee 235 Summit Ave E Seattle, WA 98102

Brunch

Seattleites love brunch -- who doesn't?! But here, brunch is an art. We're talking fresh-out-of-the-oven warm biscuits with crème fraîche and seasonal preserve... a lemon ricotta pancake the size of your face... Dungeness crab eggs benny... Good morning, indeed.

The London Plane 300 Occidental Ave S Seattle, WA 98104

Tallulah's (post here) 550 19th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112

Westward (post here) 2501 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103

AFTERNOON

Pike Place Market

Though touristy, Pike Place Market is a historic part of Seattle that is still fun and bustling today. Stroll through, watch guys throw fish, try fresh local fruit, and stop by the flower stands for an Instagram shot. For a disgustingly fascinating experience, you can swing by the Gum Wall, an alleyway so covered in gum you can smell the mixture of tutti frutti and mint upon approaching.

Since all the walking may work up an appetite, snack around! Sample the creamiest Greek yogurt (marionberry pie is my favorite), slurp up a bowl of tomato bisque filled with cheese curds, and finish off with an ice-cold Moscow Mule.

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt 1500 Pike Place Seattle, WA 98101

Beecher's Handmade Cheese 1600 Pike Place Seattle, WA 98101

Rachel's Ginger Beer 1530 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101

Shopping

Beyond Nordstrom, which is native to Seattle, there are quite a few beautifully curated concept stores in the area. From high-end (Margiela, Rick Owens, Acne) to Northwest chic to US-made goods in a shop/bar, you can buy yourself a slightly more elevated souvenir than a Space Needle magnet.

Totokaelo 1523 10th Ave Seattle, WA 98122

Glasswing Shop 1525 Melrose Ave Seattle, WA 98122

E. Smith Mercantile 208 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98104

EVENING

Dinner/Dessert/Drinks

The food + drinks game in Seattle is strong. You can feast in plenty of places in the city, but you've got to start with a platter of local oysters: Kumamoto, Olympia, Pacific, and Shigoku are some of my faves. After dinner, enjoy a scoop or two of locally-made ice cream in a fresh waffle cone. Then, end the trip at a Prohibition-era themed bar/speakeasy, sip craft cocktails (earl grey martini is my go-to), and hypothesize about how much bacteria is on the Gum Wall.

The Walrus and the Carpenter (post here) 4739 Ballard Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream 917 E Pine St Seattle, WA 98122

Tavern Law (post here) 1406 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122

I hope this Seattle guide helps you in planning your adventure to this beautiful city! Visit my Travel page for more city guides.