Weekend with Mom!

In one weekend, we managed to somehow see every single tourist attraction in the city and it was SO MUCH FUN! Thursday night through Sunday night was the most action-packed weekend and my life now just seems boring in comparison. I've never eaten so much amazing food! It was so great to see my mom and get that taste of home, but it also made Seattle seem so much better seeing it through someone else's eyes for the first time.

Here were some of the highlights of the weekend:

1. Dinner at Dahlia Lounge:

The first of many Tom Douglas restaurants that have taken over the Downtown/Bellotown/South Lake Union areas. Their flag ship certainly did not disappoint. It is super close to both my apartment and the hotel my mom stayed in, so it was very convenient! I definitely want to go back, but first I want to try the rest of Tom Douglas's restaurants.

2. Top of the Space Needle:

OK, this picture is Instagrammed therefore not naturally this beautiful (real life = gray), but still really awesome! I was preparing for an experience similar to going up the Empire State Building, but it was nothing like that. No lines, no switching elevators, no swarms of tourists. Just a few other people in one small, fast elevator. And the 360 degree view was breathtaking, even on a terrible day. I was proud of my geographical awareness when I could find my apartment, Lake Union, my work building, etc... I'm so glad I finally got to see the whole city from a bird's eye view.

3. Experience Music Project (EMP):

This "music" museum is right next to the Space Needle and we went there right after. I say "music" because the museum had way more than just music history. Some parts of it had fantasy memorabilia and stuff for sci-fi fanatics. Basically heaven for the characters of Big Bang Theory. Then there was a Lego exhibit, which featured scaled versions of international skyscrapers. And there actually was music, like the funnel of guitars and the history/impact of Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix. Overall a really awesome place and I'll go back if I get the chance!

4. South Lake Union & Lake Union:

After that, we went to Amazon's campus in South Lake Union. Since my work building isn't actually with the rest of the Amazon buildings, I still feel like a tourist there. The buildings were all closed and I don't have access to them, but this is a creepy picture I took through the window.

We also walked down to Lake Union, which is the first time I went there. It reminds me a little of the Boston harbor, but smaller. I'd love to walk around there on a nicer day in the future.

5. Blue Moon Burgers:

A South Lake Union delicacy. This award-winning burger joint did not disappoint. I had the Hawaiian chicken sandwich, which had teriyaki sauce, pickles, lettuce and, most notably, pineapple. Absolutely delicious. And I just found out that they have half-off burgers on Wednesdays, so guess where I'm going tomorrow....

6. Assaggio:

The Italian word for "taste" lives up to its name. Conveniently located across the street from Dahlia Lounge in Downtown/Belltown, so we already knew how to get there. Mom found this place in the Seattle guide book so we figured we had to try it out. Good work, Fodor's. It deserves every bit of praise.

7. Pike Place Market:

Although I go here almost every weekend for groceries and food, it was a whole new experience showing Mom around. We went to Seattle Coffee Works for breakfast, which is right on Pike Street a block away. We walked by the first Starbucks, sampled the freshest produce and picked up gifts for her to bring to people back home. Sunday was the worst weather it could have possible been: raining, cold and windy. But we were troopers and trekked all over the city. This was only stop 1.

8. Seattle Aquarium:

Yes, this is a sleeping otter. Possibly the cutest little face I have ever seen. Although most of the aquarium experience involved dodging strollers and toddlers, the actual fish and sea mammals were really cool. I love aquariums. In order of awesomest to less awesome, I would say Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, but that doesn't mean that Seattle wasn't great too. No other aquarium lets you get this close to sleeping otters!

9. Waterfront:

Quick little tourist moment (one of many) at the end of the pier on the Puget Sound. Most ominous photo I have ever taken.

10. Zeeks Pizza:

In my very small sample size, I'd have to say it is the best pizza in Seattle. I have been there once before and had to share its magic with Mom while she was here. Ended up being a great idea and I got leftovers for dinner the next day! Win!

This weekend was extremely packed and this isn't even all of the amazing things we did, but I figured I should stop at 10. Ask my mom about anything we did this weekend; she did more fun things on Friday when I was at work! So adventurous! Now that I have the tour route down, I'm ready for anyone who wants to come visit!

Missing everyone back on the east coast so much! <3 <3 <3