Seattle: A sprawling metropolis surrounded by shimmering blue waters, and emerald green trees, as far as the eye can see. More than a beautiful city, Seattle is my hometown. I could write endless pages highlighting Seattle, but instead I’ll share a few of my favorite, must-see places.

The Space Needle

It’s impossible to think of Seattle without thinking of the Space Needle. Built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s fair, it’s been an iconic part of the skyline ever since. Recently, the Space Needle got a 100 million dollar makeover, offering rotating glass floors, and uninterrupted views of the city.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

The Volunteer Park Conservatory is one of my very favorite places in Seattle. Designed after London’s Crystal Palace, the conservatory is home to hundreds of different plant species. Built in 1912, it has been a cherished Seattle landmark for generations. There are five different botanical houses; the bromeliad house, the fern house, the palm house, the cacti and succulent house, and a seasonal house. The Volunteer Park Conservatory is the perfect place to wander around with your thoughts, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

Pike Place Market

Seattle’s Pike Place Market is legendary. The walkways are always lined with beautiful flowers, and seasonal fresh produce. It is also home to the infamous Pike Place Fish Market, where there is usually a crowd waiting to watch the fishmongers throw whole fish to paying customers. I highly recommend grabbing a bag of fresh mini donuts from the Daily Dozen donut stand, and exploring all that the market has to offer. You can also easily make your way down to the waterfront, where you will find more of Seattle’s favorite landmarks.

Mt. Rainier

Gracefully watching over the northwest, Mount Rainier is another unmissable Seattle landmark. On a clear day, Mt. Rainier can be seen from most of Western Washington. However, you can’t truly appreciate the glory of Mt. Rainier until you explore it for yourself. There are several hiking trails, ranging in difficulty, on and around the mountain that are worth exploring, including the Wonderland Trail, a 93 mile trail that circles the entire mountain. Mt. Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington state, sitting at just over fourteen thousand feet. It is also an active stratovolcano, as well as a classic northwest symbol.

Alki Beach

For some of the best views of the Seattle skyline, hop on a water taxi, and head to Alki Beach in West Seattle. There is a beautiful boardwalk along the water, and it’s the perfect place to breathe in that salty sea air while you take in the picture perfect surroundings. Hungry? Stop at Salty’s on Alki. It’s a little on the pricey side, but worth it for the view and delicious local seafood. Weekend brunch at Salty’s is a fabulous Seattle experience for those who want to indulge. Treat yourself!

Woodland Park Zoo

Love animals as much as I do? Check out Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. Not only is it a beautiful zoo, and a lovely way to spend a Seattle afternoon, but you can feel good about visiting too! This is because Woodland Park Zoo is committed to animal conservation. Spend the day learning about the different conservation projects the zoo is involved with, from the local Western Pond Turtle Project, to conserving Tree Kangaroos in Papua New Guinea.

Seattle is an incredible city with endless things to do. Nestled amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Seattle is a unique city. Whether you are into nature and the outdoors, foodie and coffee scenes, or music and art, Seattle is a very cool city with something for everyone. I’m grateful to have a hometown as special as Seattle, where I am happy to play tourist any day.