What to eat, drink, see, and do in Seattle
as recommended by author, illustrator, and Seattelite, Haley Weaver
One of the things I loved most about writing The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide for Lonely Planet was the interview process. I got to set up time to speak with rad people from all around the world about how they decided to settle down in the place they call home, what led them there in the first place, how living there has impacted their life, what made the destination special and welcoming to the queer community, and where they’d send LGBTQ+ travelers visiting for the first time.
This week, for the first time since I submitted my completed manuscript, I was lucky enough to interview yet another rad person who lives in yet another inclusive place about what makes their city sparkle—except this time, I wasn’t chatting with an interviewee I’d never met before, but with an old pal.
I met my friend Haley back before either of us had any sort of creative endeavors in the works. We were in our early twenties and working for a scrappy digital marketing agency, where there was a fridge full of craft beers in the office and a real work-hard-play-hard, we’re-your-family-now kind of vibe in the team. We bonded over our shared desire to get the hell out of that environment and into a more creative workplace, doing something we were more passionate about.
Fast forward about a decade later to the present and (miraculously!) we’ve both managed to find exactly what our little twenty-something hearts had been hoping for.
Now, Haley Weaver is an illustrator, author, and mental health advocate captivating audiences worldwide with her story-driven illustrations. Known for her popular Instagram account @haleydrewthis, Haley also wrote and drew Give Me Space but Don’t Go Far, an illustrated memoir about her relationship with anxiety. She lives in Seattle with her husband, and she’s now working on her second book.
Despite the time difference between us (as I write this, it’s 3 p.m. for me in Amsterdam, so it’s 6 a.m. for her in Seattle), Haley and I continue to cheer each other on in both our personal and professional lives, as friends first but also as anxious authors who tackle tender topics. She’s also one of the first people I reach out to for recommendations on books, music, movies, fashion, meals, or just about anything else. So as I start planning out my route for my book tour in the States next month, I knew I wanted to hear from her about the city she calls home.
To that end: Here are the top recs for what to eat, drink, see, and do during your next trip to Seattle according to author, illustrator, and Seattelite, Haley Weaver—and a little Q&A about how she ended up putting down roots in the city she now calls home and what makes it a great place to visit.
Q: So, Haley, what made you want to move to Seattle initially?
A: My dear friend from college moved to Bellingham, Washington for a job right after graduation, and upon visiting them I just fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. The natural beauty stunned me, and the general energy felt warm and crunchy. When my friend asked me if I’d want to join them in their move to Seattle a few months later, I normally would have hesitated (I famously hate change!). But I think the opportunity hit at the right time. I was feeling listless at my job, I knew the streets of my hometown like the back of my hand, and there was a stagnancy to life that I was desperate to burst through. My dad and I flew out to visit and make sure Seattle felt right, and it just did. Like any other city, Seattle has its faults, but I’ve never felt at home somewhere quite like I do here.
Q: How long have you lived there now?
A: After moving to Seattle during the summer of 2017, I stayed for four years before moving to DC with my partner for his job. We stayed in DC for about a year and a half before moving back to Seattle in mid-2022.
Q: Do you find that living in Seattle has an impact on your work as an artist or author?
A: My cross-country move to Seattle actually serves as the through-line in my illustrated memoir! Seattle feels like such a character in my life, especially given that we “met” in my early twenties when I was still learning so much about myself. But to this day, Seattle inspires me constantly. The city is bordered by dazzling bodies of water and shaded by the most magnificent evergreen trees. I have a view of the Olympic Mountains from my bedroom window. It has also helped that the community I’ve built here makes me feel supported and loved, which helps balance out the time I spend creating in solitude.
Q: Do you think Seattle is a particularly LGBTQ+-friendly travel destination?
A: Seattle has some wonderful offerings that make it a unique destination for queer folks! We have one of the only lesbian bars left in the United States (as of 2021, there were only 21 total in the country), and quite a few LGBT-owned businesses around the city. I’d be remiss not to shout out Charlie’s Queer Books, which offers a true third place for the LGBTQ+ community. They host events, writing groups, and have the most beautiful bathroom ever (I mean, if the merch says so, it’s true!!!).
Q: How about neurodivergent-friendly?
A: Seattle is a bustling city, so I have certainly found myself overwhelmed while in the loud chaos of downtown or on a crowded bus. Most cities are no stranger to sensory overload! That said, I think the pockets of nature and more approachable neighborhood charm make Seattle a great place to visit. The parks offer a quiet, more peaceful experience, and there’s always a coffee shop somewhere nearby to dart into and take a breather.
Q: When friends come to visit Seattle, what advice do you give them about exploring the city if they’ve never been before? Anything they definitely should (or definitely should not) do while they’re there?
A: Seattle has vibrant neighborhoods and surrounding natural beauty, and I’d recommend exploring those rather than spending much time downtown. I will admit Pike Place Market is worth the visit, so hit it and then take a bus anywhere else. Pick up a bouquet, and don’t eat the gum. And get a dirty chai from Ghost Alley Espresso while you’re there!
What to eat, drink, see, and do in Seattle, according to this local
Insider tips for having the best time during a trip to Seattle, according to Haley:
Start your Sunday in Ballard for the Farmer’s Market, then walk up the Burke Gilman Trail until you hit the stunning stretch of beach at Golden Gardens.
Spend another day in Capitol Hill to explore Elliott Bay Books and eat a doughnut at General Porpoise.
Get the fried artichoke quesadilla from Stone Way Cafe and take it to Gas Works Park for lunch with a killer view of the skyline and Lake Union.
Marvel at museums and exhibitions of all kinds, from the stunning Chihuly Garden and Glass to the Seattle Art Museum to Olympic Sculpture Park and more.
Listen to Seattle’s local radio station with a cappuccino (and check out the cute record store in the lounge) at KEXP.
Eat at Cafe Flora for incredible vegetarian fare, Thai Tom for my favorite thai food in the city, Il Nido for incredible fine dining (make a reservation in advance!), Sabine Cafe for brunch, and Simply Desserts for cake.
For drinks, head to Persephone for snacks and fun cocktails in a sweet setting, The Cozy Nut Tavern for (duh) a quintessentially cozy time, Add-A-Ball for a vibe-y arcade bar experience, Tractor Tavern for live music in a fun space, or The Octopus Bar (because who doesn’t love a themed bar!?)
Shop vintage finds at Lucky Dry Goods, Hoste, and the Fremont Vintage Mall, or check out more unique wares at LUCCA great finds, Magus Books, and Woodland Mod.
If it’s summer, jump in Lake Washington and lay in the sun on the grassy shore afterward or head to Colman Pool, a saltwater pool with a view of the sound.
Bonus: All of Haley’s recs in one Google Map
For simplicity’s sake, you can find all of these Seattle recommendations from Haley in one easy-to-use Google Map here.
And if you haven’t already, you can also order a copy of Haley’s illustrated memoir Give Me Space but Don’t Go Far, follow her on Instagram at @haleydrewthis, and subscribe to her Substack Haley Wrote This.
This was so fun ⛴️🌲🗻🍺