Coffee, Culture and Chiefs

Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson visits Seattle, the city renowned for its coffee, buzzing market place and Native American traditions.

Cruise-lovers know this city on the north west coast of the USA as their departure port for voyages to other destinations and maybe unaware of the secrets of Seattle embedded in its bricked streets, its coffee culture, and its deep-rooted Native American history which has defined its character and cultivated its style.

What to experience

On the surface, Seattle is a playground of culture.

From up high is the Space Needle, an elevated experience and an architectural icon with the world’s first revolving glass floor. From 520 ft the Observation Deck provides a 360° view of the city, the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic mountain range to the west. Built in 1961, it was designed to symbolize humanity’s aspirations during the Space Age.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) presents exhibits such as fantasy, horror cinema, video games, science fiction and even the personal instruments and original photographs of Seattle musician Jimi Hendrix and the band Nirvana, all spread through a labyrinth of creative rooms.

At a grassroots level is the urban Chihuly Garden and Glass site, a rich tapestry of trees, plants, and flowers designed to complement the artwork. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington State, glass artist Dale Chihuly was inspired by the region’s waters of Puget Sound and the art of Indigenous Tribes of the Pacific North West.

And for sport lovers, there’s the electric atmosphere of a hockey game at the Climate Pledge Arena where local team, Seattle Kraken, wears the emblem of the Muckleshoot Tribe, the first Native American tribe to sponsor the National Hockey League.

But for a more tranquil experience, take up oars for kayak tours to witness the working marine ecosystem of Puget Sound along the Duwamish River with views of Mt Rainier in the distance and friendly wildlife closer by.

The Farmer’s Market

Pike Place Market dates back to 1907, the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in the U.S. It overlooks the Elliott Bay waterfront on Pugent Sound, and serves as a place of business for many small farmers, antique dealers, comic book and collectible shops. Here there is a sense of community and camaraderie, awash with locals buying local produce and visitors taking in the atmosphere and you, if you participate, in the traditional fish flying action to catch a slimy silvery slab of salmon (sustainably sourced) over the countertop.

You can also sign up for a four-hour walking and history tour with bites and sips along the way for a flavour of the “market to table” concept. Then enjoy the interactive cooking experience at the Atrium Kitchen to taste the unique Native American inspired dishes such as Salmon on Cedar Plank with Huckleberry Honey Glaze and Amaranth with Roasted Squash and Hazelnut Gremolata. During the tour expect to see Daily Dozen for scrumptious donuts, Bonnie B’s relishes & pickles and Art by Harmony, a Tlingit self-taught artist inspired by her culture.

Fish on the menu

Ivar’s Salmon House on the river front is a cedar replica of a Northwest Native American longhouse and with an open-pit Native American style BBQ for preparing alder-smoked dishes. Canoes hang from the ceiling, historical photographs illustrate the original history of the Native Americans with a 6.8m tall totem pole outside, and a whale’s mouth serving as the entrance.

The menu offers a wide range of dishes but the best seller here is Cedar Plank Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon with brown sugar-spice rub, macerated berries, cornbread pudding, seasonal vegetables. Alternatively, order a trio of local salmon which include King, Sockeye and Coho varieties.

Mine’s an Americano

Fancy a coffee? Join the queue for the oldest existing Starbucks with its original logo in Pike Place or visit one of the six Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Rooms worldwide for a coffee straight from cask to cup with tours which follow the coffee bean journey. Here rare and small-lot coffees are roasted and packaged before being shipped.

Seattle is regarded as a world center for coffee roasting and coffee supply chain management. 

History etched and woven

Seattle tells a story about its people and traditions which decorate its history.

The city was named after Chief Si’ahl (Chief Seattle 1780-1866), a young warrior known for his courage and daring leadership. He was leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples and continued the friendly relations with the white settlers. The Duwarmish Tribe was Seattle’s First People and only native tribe. A visit to the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center offers an insight into the tribe’s culture and ceremonial place.

As for art and textiles, Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand Eighth Generation, owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, is the first native-owned company to produce native-designed wool blankets in Washington State. The store is located conveniently next to Pike Place with walls draped with blanket designs.

Further afield

Just 40 mins from Seattle, the Woodinville Warehouse Wineries act as the heartbeat of this wine country. It’s an enclave of over 25+ boutique wineries offering a range of varietals and winemaking styles where the distinctive notes of Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and robust Syrahs can be savoured while listening to stories of the grape to glass journey from the winemakers themselves. Washington State shares the same latitude as top wine regions in Europe.

And 45 mins east of the city is the thunder of the 268 ft Snoqualmie Falls (taller than Niagara) and a key tourist attraction. This is a sacred site for the Snoqualmie Tribe, which they believe is the birthplace of their people and work to preserve the land “for all people, for all time”. There are viewing platforms, hiking trails and a visitor centre which narrates the Snoqualmie Tribe’s Ancestral Lands Movement. Enjoying a prime position perched at the top is the Salish Lodge & Spa, originally built in 1916 as a rest stop for travellers. Today it offers 86 guestrooms, two restaurants and a spa within a spectacular landscape. Some may spot the setting featured in the Twin Peaks TV series.

Seattle in Hollywood

The 2024 Boys in the Boat movie was inspired by the true story of the rowing crew’s zero to hero journey on the boat ‘Husky Clipper’ in the 1936 Olympic Games. The traditional style canoe drew inspiration from the local Native American tribes. Canoes were a way of transporting and trading for the Native Americans and were made from Red Cedar which is prominent in this region. Conibear Shell House served as the home for Washington Rowing and today contains memorabilia including from the Boys in the Boat era. Seattle was also the setting for the Frasier TV series and Hollywood blockbuster Sleepless in Seattle.

Where to stay

The Hyatt at Olive 8 is a chic and modern boutique, eco-friendly luxury lifestyle hotel in downtown Seattle with views of Seattle’s skyline, just a few blocks from Pike Place Market and Puget Sound. Sophisticated and stylish, it has an indoor pool and a fitness center with Peloton bikes and yoga studio. The O8 Bagel Shop serves coffees with homemade syrups, while its restaurant, TIDAL+, with floor to ceiling windows offers locally sourced dishes from its bistro menu.  

Tulalip Resort and Casino is owned and operated by the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, 33 miles north of Seattle in Quil Ceda Village, located on the Tulalip Reservation. The resort offers 370 spacious and stylish rooms and suites, a casino, seven restaurants and spa. The Tula Bene Pastaria + Chophouse is a classic-inspired Italian and steak restaurant. The hotel’s décor reflects its Native American heritage with interesting art pieces around the resort. The Tulalip Tribe is a federally-recognised tribe in the mid-Puget Sound area and rich with natural resources.

This innovative and tech city has attracted the big names such as Amazon, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Microsoft, Starbucks Coffee Company and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – proof that Seattle has it all.

So whether its exploring Native American culture, the heights of the Space Needle or indulging in the coffee scene and boutique wineries, Seattle is definitely worthy of a visit.

How to get there

Delta operates daily direct flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from London Heathrow. The airline offers various cabin categories and free wifi. Onboard service and hospitality is attentive and efficient and extra leg room enjoyed in Comfort Plus. Delta One® is the premium travel experience with personal check-in and access to the Delta One Lounge, Delta Sky Clubs and Sky Priority services with lie-flat seats and a chef-curated dining service while in the air.

Next steps

Book your next trip to Seattle by calling our team of Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.

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Jane Wilson

Founder & editor of the Wellness Traveller

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