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. 

2. Discovering the Olympic Sculpture Park. I spent most of a Saturday just walking around downtown Seattle without much of an agenda. Lo and behold, I found myself wandering into the Olympic Sculpture Park, a large green space that exhibits a number of modern art sculptures and overlooks Elliott Bay.

3. Perusing the Seattle Art Museum shop for unique gifts. The gift shop attached to the Seattle Art Museum is full of unique and interesting items, with numerous pieces by local artists. I found it to be a great way to support the local economy and arts community and also bring back something better than a T-shirt.

4. Drinking cocktails at The Edgewater Hotel. The Edgewater Hotel, a Four Diamond hotel, is situated right on Elliott Bay and offers spectacular scenic views. I enjoyed a cocktail from the bar, sat right in front of the large picture windows and felt as if I was on a cruise ship heading right up to Alaska. Some will remember that the Beatles stayed in this hotel in 1964 during their Seattle stop on their first U.S. concert tour.

5. Riding the ferry over to Bainbridge Island.The round trip ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island is worth it for the picturesque views alone. I snapped shots of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, the Cascades and the city of Seattle, all while enjoying the water and cool breeze. But I recommend taking time to explore the community of Bainbridge Island. I wished I’d had a bike to explore the whole island, but I settled for walking around the charming downtown area and just window shopping. Make sure to stop at Mora Iced Creamery for some insanely good ice cream. The locals told me city folk from Seattle sometimes make the ferry ride just for Mora’s.

6. Eating dim sum in the International District. One Sunday morning, I ventured into the International District and took in the sights of the busy market. There are plenty of interesting shops, as well as numerous Asian restaurants. I battled many hungry diners and opted for a filling dim sum meal at House of Hong, a Two Diamond Chinese restaurant.

7. Taking the monorail to the Seattle Center and the Experience Music Project. The Seattle Center is full of things to do and see, including the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center and the Experience Music Project museum. Depending on where you are staying, you can take a ride on the monorail to or from the Seattle Center. There's a station in the Westlake Shopping Center, offering convenient access to a number of shops, restaurants and hotels. 

8. Eating brunch at Cafe Campagne and exploring the Pike Place Market. I sat at the bar of the cute Two Diamond French bistro Cafe Campagne and had one of the best quiches I’ve ever tasted. After brunch, I walked just down the street to explore the Pike Place Market. The crowds were a bit crazy during the weekend but watching the fish “fly” and taking in all of those beautiful fresh flowers was worth braving the crowds.

9. Driving out to Woodinville and checking out the Redhook Ale Brewery and Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Just a quick 30-minute drive from Seattle are the farm lands of Washington. Take a trip to the Woodinville area and access over 80 wineries in the area. I sampled wines (off hours of course!) and since I was feeling magnanimous, I also took the $1 brewery tour at Redhook. With all these libations available, it made sense to have a nearby place to stay, and the Willows Lodge is about as convenient as possible. Willows Lodge is a Four Diamond hotel and is not only convenient but also beautifully appointed with gas fireplaces, two-person soaking tubs and plush bedding in each room.

10. Feeding Borage and Basil at The Herbfarm Restaurant. While in Woodinville, I was also fortunate enough to dine at The Herbfarm Restaurant in Woodinville, which is a Five Diamond restaurant. There were many highlights during this epic nine-course, four-and-a-half-hour extravaganza, but an unexpected favorite was feeding the restaurant’s two resident pigs, Borage and Basil, also lovingly considered the restaurant’s recycling program. Borage and Basil, along with The Herbfarm’s gardens are located on-site at the newly-anointed Four Diamond Willows Lodge. I recommend setting aside extra time to walk around the gardens and take in the beautiful landscaping of the lodge. If you have a chance, make this a weekend getaway and visit some of the local wineries as well. 

These are just a few of my fondest memories during my recent visit to the Seattle area. I’d love to hear about your favorite experiences in the beautiful state of Washington. Do you have any recommendations for future trips?