Splashes of blue and green dot the aisles. To the left, tufted number 12 beanies and war paint. To the right, a family with matching fluffy feather scarves. It’s apparent this is no ordinary sailing on the Victoria Clipper… it’s gameday weekend in the Emerald City!!
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During peak football season, there’s no easier way to visit the bustling city than by water. The snarling game day traffic and parking woes fade away, leaving nothing to dampen the spirit of the day. Get your team together and use this guide as a playbook to create the perfect Seahawks weekend in Seattle. Go Hawks!
Relax
Once you’ve set foot in Seattle, head to The Executive Hotel Pacific, drop your bags off inside your cozy room, and take a quick tour of your new home base for the weekend. Built in 1928, this historic hotel can be referred to as the original trendsetter for a bustling downtown, hence the optimal location for any Seattle outing.
Pop downstairs to The Lodge Sports Grille for a festive dinner. Scan their menu, offering an impressive list of rotating local craft taps as you as you search for a refreshing pint, and kick off the weekend with one of their gourmet Pac12 Burgers. Book this hotel and SAVE on your Clipper fast ferry with FRS Clipper, learn more
Explore
Staying in the heart of the city undoubtedly has its perks. Just blocks away from local restaurants, shops, and public transportation, exploring the city on foot is a breeze.
Explore Pike Place Market and start the morning with Storyville Coffee for an exceptional pour-over. Following your caffeine fix, head downhill to the waterfront for a stop at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, take a spin on the impressive Seattle Great Wheel for a unique city vista or pop in to visit some cute otters at the Seattle Aquarium.
Become Inspired
Just a few minutes south, stop by the Seattle Art Museum and get a first glance at their new exhibit by Anthony White: Limited Liability. Explore the compositions of capitalistic consumer goods with digital platforms sure to make your nostalgia hit with symbols and designs that once shaped our identities.
Not bursting with excitement yet? Take a creative and interactive approach at a Seattle staple that puts the muse back into museums. Step into a world of bright color at the Seattle Selfie Museum and lose track of time as you make your way through various trippy and surreal-themed rooms snagging the perfect shots.
Let Loose
As you make your way down towards the stadium, head to Flatstick Pub for some fun and try your way around mini golf with a Seattle twist. Putt through kegs and finish at the 9th hole, a replica of the Space Needle.
Reminisce on college tailgates with Duffle Pong – a cross between Duffle Board and Beer Pong and work up an appetite. Pair northwest favorites like a Bale Breaker Top Cutter with various taco plates and nachos. (Insider tip: want to know what’s on tap or deck at your favorite pub before visiting? Download Digital Pour for real-time tap lists)
Shop
Just a 10-minute walk or 6-minute bus ride to the east puts you in the middle of one of the densest neighborhoods, The International District. Stroll through the historic 45-foot Chinatown Gate entrance and discover countless gift shops, restaurants, and cafes . Uwajimaya market bursts with tasty eats, and the Wing Luke Museum, with its Reorient: Journeys Through Art and Healing Exhibit, is a must-see.
Dine
It’s no secret Seattle takes its food scene seriously. With new restaurants popping up weekly, there’s a mouth-watering joint nearby in whichever neighborhood you visit. In the downtown core, you can’t miss The Pink Door, a cozy space nestled in Pike Place’s magical Post Alley. Just a few blocks over on University and Fourth, Purple Café’s lofty, modern vibe and impressive wine tower never disappoint.
Of course, when it comes to seafood, Seattle is chock-full of opportunities for feasting on fresh Northwest ingredients. Check out John Sundstrom’s Lark for phenomenal Lopez Island oysters or Alaska-caught spot prawns. If you’re eager for oysters, Taylor Shellfish is another excellent spot shellfish. The restaurant is a welcome addition to Seattle’s diverse seafood scape with seafood bars in SODO, Capitol Hill, and Queen Anne.
Sip
Because in Seattle, nothing pairs better with football season than craft beer and game-day food. In addition to its section 309 stand in Century Link, Elysian Brewing has an ultra-popular bar on Pike and Second. Enjoy everything from bread and spreads to full-course meals with your glass or flight. (A little insider tip: sip on their SpaceDust IPA or Hawkitect to get a taste of a few local favorites).
Game Time!
Fill up on beer, barbeque, brats and pre-game rituals, and weave through the lines of fans and into Century Link Stadium to claim your seats. Join in the rush of cheers from your fellow 12s throughout the entire stadium. “SEA!” “HAWKS!” “SEA!” “HAWKS!” as players fill the field. We won’t predict this year’s season, but leaning on the side of optimism, we are rooting for a bump up from last years record.
If you’re lucky enough to witness the Hawks win, exit the stadium under a shower of fireworks and cap your night off with a celebratory pint at Hooverville Bar and Henry’s Tavern. Or, sample a seasonal flight at the original Pyramid Brewing Alehouse, just across First Street from Safeco Field. From there, it’s an easy bus or ride share back to the hotel for the night. In the morning, hop back on the Victoria Clipper for a ride home, but not before one last look at the Seattle skyline as you skim over Puget Sound.
Feature Photo: flickr/antrover
[…] pick. Stay in the heart of the downtown core and explore this gem of a city by foot or venture to a cozy property outside of town for affordable rooms, fabulous amenities and easy access to Seattle’s culturally unique […]