My Goodbye Seattle Bucket List

By now, you’ve likely heard the news. We’re moving to London!

To properly say goodbye to Seattle, I’ve made a Bucket List of of all the adventures, food, shopping and drinks I’d like to have before we go. It’s a long list. It’s unlikely I’ll get through all of it. My hope, however, is that it might give you some Seattle ideas, too, whether you’re staying, going, or visiting.

As I’m publishing this, I’ve already had a head start checking off items on this list. We’ve known about our move for awhile, but haven’t been able to be internet-public about it. Anything I’ve completed already, or will complete, I’ll share on my Instagram stories saved under “Goodbye Seattle”.

What would you put on your Seattle Bucket List? What do you think I’ve missed or forgotten? I’d love to hear about all of your favorites. I’m considering this a living document and will likely continue to add to it.

Additionally, if you do anything on this list, let me know! Shoot me a message or tag me. I’m @costumeparade on Instagram.

The Adventures

Take Mateo to see the Fremont Troll

Did he even live in Seattle if he doesn’t see the troll?

2. Harmonize with the Wind at The Sound Garden

We tried to do this on my birthday a few years back, but it was locked! Hopefully, on the next windy day (everyday in Seattle now…) it’ll be open.

3. Visit the Suspended Tree in the Olympic National Park

4. Wander the Sculpture Park

A Seattle gem! On a sunny day, the combination of art and waterfront can’t be beat!

5. Meander Through Kubota Garden

6. Get Mateo’s Little Feet Wet at the Seattle Center Fountain

As you can see from the picture above, we checked this off our list!

7. Play Tourist at the Top of the Space Needle

8. Terrify my Husband on the Great Wheel

Christian hates heights, and I love ferris wheels. He loves me so he tolerates them on occasion. :)

9. See the Changing Leaves in the Arboretum

10. Wave to the Bears at the Game Farm

11. Feel Very small at Hat ‘N’ Boots Park

The Food

12. Brave the Lines for donuts at The Flour Box

The Flour Box might be the hottest place in Seattle right now. Open Thursday-Sunday, there are lines down the street every, single, day.

13. Finish all Five courses at Harvest Beat

Harvest Beat, with its vegan five course menu, is my favorite restaurant in Seattle. While I’m excited for all of the vegetarian options in London, I’ll be sad to leave Harvest Beat behind!

14. Test out the Veg-Friendly Options at Eve

Fremont’s health-minded Eve opened just as Christian and I left the neighborhood and in five years I still haven’t managed to test it out.

15. Have a Picnic Dinner at Our Neighborhood Farmer’s Market

16. Buy A Whole Basket of Zora’s Croissants at The London Plane

My friend, Zora, bakes at The London Plane and her creations are nothing short of art.

17. Head North for Bahn Mi at Yeh Yeh’s

One Friday a few months ago, I had an all-consuming craving for bahn mi. According to several lists, Yeh Yeh’s in Lynnwood is the very best. That was too far from us on that particular day, but before we go I want to take the trip!

18. Try Everything at Communion

Communion, in the Central District, was featured in The New York Times as one of the country’s best new restaurants.

19. Relive my 1st Trimester at Redwing Cafe

At the beginning of my pregnancy, the sandwiches and salads from this cute, vegetarian, cafe in Rainier Beach were the only restaurant food I could stomach. They’ve been closed throughout the pandemic, but my fingers are crossed they reopen while we’re here.

20. Revisit Kedai Makan

Early in our relationship, Christian and I would walk to Kedai Makan when it was still just a walk up window, but we’ve never been to their restaurant.

21. Ride a Sugar High at Lowrider Cookies

Maybe I’ll save this one until the end and grab some cookies for the plane!

22. Eat Chips with Breakfast at TNT Taqueria

TNT’s sweet potato and kale breakfast burrito is one of my Seattle breakfast favorites. (Their horchata latte is great, too.)

The Shopping

These are the only photos I could find of myself shopping…. Shockingly, neither Home Depot nor Costco are on my Bucket List. :)

23. Buy some fancy linen at eileen fisher renew

24. Peruse for shoes at CorrE and Clementines

Many years ago, I used to get off the bus a stop early just so I could walk past Clementine’s window display on my way to work!

25. Stock up on books at Elliott Bay

Elliott Bay is one of my very favorite places in Seattle. I’ll miss it!

26. RSVP for the Prairie Underground Sample Sale

A few years ago, I found the very best denim dress (see it here) at the Prairie Underground Sample Sale. I also love their structured sweatshirts. I have two and have worn holes in both but just can’t part with them.

27. Read Up on British Fashion at Big Little News

28. Embrace Athleisure at Athleta

While Athleta isn’t local to Seattle, they don’t ship to the UK. I’m a big fan of their leggings and their soft, soft, sweatshirts and will likely get a few backups for the UK winter.

29. Scavenge for Treasures at Gather

This Columbia City consignment store is full of treasures. I’ve rarely left empty handed when I’ve shopped there.

The Drinks

30. Try A Margarita of every flavor at Poquitos

I spent many an hour at Poquitos in my early twenties. It seems necessary that I have one more (two more) margaritas there to say goodbye.

31. Relive our first date at (little) Sun Liquor

I asked Christian if he’d want to meet for our first date at Sun Liquor because it was a block from my apartment. That way, if he was a weirdo, I could just go home. As it turned out, he was pretty cool.

32. Feel Ritzy on the roof at M Bar

33. Drink a beer in some flannel at Linda’s

This might be the most quintessentially Seattle activity on this list. Grunge bar, Linda’s, was (apparently) the last place Kurt Cobain was seen alive. Dark, I know.