I’ve just gotten back from a three-week assignment in and around Seattle, Wash., and I have to say, it quickly jumped to the top of my list of favorite places. Although I spent most of the time working, I did squeeze as much sightseeing in as possible (a definite perk of the inspector position) and had some memorable moments.  Here is a quick list of my favorite experiences during my time in Seattle:

1. Drinking my first latte at a local Seattle coffee shop. Clichéd? Maybe. But spending an hour at any of the local coffee shops is a must if you want to get into the spirit of the city. I skipped the line to view the original Starbucks and instead stopped in Seattle Coffee Works, located on Pike Street just before the market.... Read More

Walking along the streets in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, I noticed what appeared to be purple glass block windows under my feet.  That was certainly a curiosity.  But, it wasn’t long before I discovered that, indeed it was glass and it had a very specific purpose.  I learned about that, and some of Seattle’s other “deep” secrets, when I took the Underground Tour. ... Read More

 
As a Seattle resident and AAA travel counselor, I recommend that visitors see sights like the Space Needle or Pikes Place Market but in my opinion, the true Seattle experience is coffee - -in a Seattle coffeehouse.

There are many theories behind our coffeehouse obsession, from rainy days to techies attached to their laptops and java buzz. Who knows? All that we know is that it’s good! With a variety of bean-roasting techniques and an abundance of coffee hubs to choose from, Seattle has elevated coffee to an art as well as a part of everyday life.  Here’s a list of my favorite local coffeehouses, in no particular order, chosen for both their coffee and ambience. ... Read More

'America’s Worst Driver’ takes its search for the worst driver in the country to Seattle as the show moves to a new day - this Saturday, April 10 at 10 p.m. E/P on the Travel Channel. AAA’s collaboration with Travel Channel as the official safety partner on the new reality travel competition continues four new contestants who take on the roads of one of America’s most beautiful cities in the Pacific Northwest. As in previous episodes, the city’s worst drivers will participate in a series ... Read More

 When I traveled with my boys while they were growing up, I always looked for the best deals, staying at hotels where I could take advantage of my AAA discount.  Those properties were clean, but basic, and provided for our needs.  Once the boys flew the coop, I continued to search out those type of properties because that’s what I was used to.

When the opportunity arose to stay at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, a AAA Five Diamond property, I jumped at the chance.... Read More

Another beautiful day in Seattle!  Typical winter weather means dodging rain drops, but much to my delight it has been uncharacteristically sunny.

My first task of the day was to sort out my dilemma about the cancelled Giant Slalom final.  As expected, when I called the Olympic ticket office the line was busy.  I tried three or four times before I started my day, and was greeted with an annoying busy signal. 

Instead of getting upset about it, I continued with my agenda and started my day's journey to Olympic National Park.  The ferry departure point wasn't far... Read More

One of the adventures of traveling is that sometimes you're thrown a curve ball and have to punt.  (I suppose sports analogies are appropriate.)  After a long day of traveling, I checked into my hotel (more about the hotel in a later blog) and checked my e-mail, only to discover that the Men's Giant Slalom has been rescheduled to Tuesday. Of course, I'll be traveling back to Cleveland on Tuesday.
 
Apparently, the mountain had too much snow overnight making the race course too dangerous -- so the women's event was rescheduled to Sunday, pushing the men's event back. ... Read More

Myself, husband, and 2 children ages 14 and 12 had a few days in the Seattle this summer en route to Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise and we made the most of it.

A highlight, of course, was the Pike Place Market, with all types of fresh fish, organic vegetables, fruit, flowers, and restaurants.  Be sure to catch a cup of java at the original Starbucks across from the market.  For breakfast we ate at Lowell’s which had a beautiful view of the Port of Seattle.  For lunch we tried the fresh grilled halibut sandwiches and clam chowder at the Market Grill, which is in the main arcade across from... Read More

 
     Lunch? You just said the magic word. I’m always in the mood for lunch. And since I was walking along the downtown waterfront on a day when the sun had finally made an appearance after almost a week in hiding, it seemed only right that I hit Ivar’s Acres of Clams. A Seattle institution. A well-known reputation for good seafood. I’d never tried it before. Ivar’s it was.

It was about 2:30—in restaurant land, that down time after the lunch rush and before the dinner start-up—so it wasn’t very crowded. I got a table by the window, which... Read More

 
     Taco trucks seem to be really common on the West Coast. They’re all over Seattle, although not in particularly convenient locations—most of them are either pretty far north or south of downtown. So one afternoon my friend and I decided to do a little firsthand research at two of the city’s more centrally located trucks.

Rancho Bravo Tacos is in Wallingford, close to the University District (and all those starving UW students). Atmosphere is lacking—a silver trailer camped in a corner of the Winchell’s Donut House parking lot, a canvas canopy... Read More