Our Trip to Seattle – What We Liked… and Why We Won’t Be Going Back
Let me start by saying—Seattle wasn’t entirely bad! We had our share of positive experiences, but overall, the city wasn’t exactly our cup of tea. Big cities can be overwhelming, especially when you’re like me and get overstimulated at something as simple as a four-way stop. Everyone has different experiences and encounters that shape their opinions of a place, and well… this is ours!
First Impressions: Washington, You Stink (Literally)
Let’s start with Washington as a whole. The moment we crossed the border from Oregon into Washington, an odd smell hit the car—not exactly the warm welcome we were hoping for, especially since it was our first time there. Looking back, my first impression of Washington can be summed up in one way: it stinks. Maybe it was the specific area we were in, or maybe it was just a strange coincidence, but that moment is one I won’t forget.
Now, onto Seattle. Driving in the city alone was overwhelming. Between the traffic, the buses, and the roads, there was way too much going on at once. To this day, I refuse to drive in San Francisco because of my horrible road rage. Seattle wasn’t quite that bad, but it was still overwhelming enough to make me want to avoid driving at all costs. Thank goodness for Lyft, right? Or Uber, depending on who’s cheaper at the time. You get it.
A Sweet Start at Morfey’s Cakes
Our first stop in the city was Morfey’s Cakes. Since my birthday was the week before our trip, my wife pre-ordered an assortment of cupcakes instead of a cake, which was such a sweet treat—literally. I have a major sweet tooth, so being spoiled with a variety of flavors and cute decorations was the perfect way to kick off the trip.
Now, this picture? Yeah, not the best. But I promise the last thing on my mind was getting a perfect shot when all I wanted to do was stuff my face. If I remember correctly, our flavors were German Chocolate Cake (my favorite), Chocolate Raspberry, Crème Brûlée, Ube, Red Velvet, and Mocha. Shockingly, Chocolate Raspberry ended up stealing the show for me! Some of the flavors were a little over-the-top on the sweetness scale (which says a lot coming from a walking cavity like myself), but overall, they were absolutely delicious. If you’re in Seattle, I’d definitely recommend stopping by—because let’s be real, you can’t go wrong indulging in sweets no matter what city you’re in.
Hotel Max – A Mixed Bag
We stayed at Hotel Max for two nights, and it was… an experience, to say the least. The location was solid—within walking distance to Pike Place Market, which we were excited to explore. Check-in was smooth, and the hostess was incredibly welcoming. We also discovered they host a daily happy hour in the lobby with complimentary drinks—definitely a cool perk! Too bad we missed it… thanks to getting tipsy elsewhere and taking an unplanned nap (oops).
While our room was small, it was still functional—after all, hotel rooms are meant to be a place to rest your head and freshen up. On the other hand, there was the elevator situation. The hotel only has two elevators, but at the time, only one was working. And let me tell you, it was pretty cramped—maybe fitting four people at most without feeling like sardines. With guests, staff, and everyone constantly needing a lift, catching a ride felt nearly impossible. After check-in, I think we only managed to catch the elevator twice. The rest of the time, we found ourselves relying heavily on the stairs—lugging our bags down at checkout wasn’t exactly the highlight of the trip.
As for the cost, the stay wasn’t exactly cheap either. Between the room, taxes, and valet, we were definitely looking at a hefty bill. Valet isn’t mandatory, but considering it’s a big city and most parking garages aren’t exactly secure, we figured it was better to be safe than sorry. While valet was quoted per night, the charge ended up being a bit higher than expected when we checked out. It wasn’t a huge difference, but still a little more than we were initially told. In the end, though, it wasn’t a big deal—we mainly just wanted a safe place to park our car, and that’s exactly what we got. That’s really all that mattered to us. That being said, considering the price and how the hotel was presented online, I was expecting a bit more. It wasn’t a bad stay by any means, but I think there’s definitely room for improvement in both value and experience.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery – A Beautiful, Chaotic Mess
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery was hands down one of the highlights of our trip. Though, let’s be clear—we didn’t go for the coffee. First and foremost, let me set the scene: this place is chaotic as hell when you walk in. I expected it to be busy, but not shoulder-bumping, constantly-dodging-people busy. It’s obvious they draw in a crowd daily, not just for drinks, but for their food selections and experiences.
Because of a time crunch (and the sheer overwhelm of both the people and the prices), we stuck to trying a couple of cocktail creations: the Espresso Martini Flight and the Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew. Both were boozy and delicious in all the right ways. We lucked out and snagged seats by the back window, away from the bulk of the crowd, with a view of the rainy city. I think my wife and I can both agree—the espresso martini flight was the star of the show. As for the whiskey and cold brew combo, it was equally delicious, offering its own rich and smooth flavor profile. This spot definitely has a lot to offer in terms of taste bud experiences, but be warned—it gets packed, so it's a good idea to arrive early or book online if you want to make the most of everything. Also, expect prices to match the experience.
Yard at the Yardhouse
Of course, we had to make a stop at Yardhouse for dinner while in the area—because, well, why not? A half yard of beer is always a good time, right? It’s one of those things that feels like a mini celebration, no matter what’s going on. Plus, they had my favorite beer on tap, Cali Squeeze Blood Orange, which was the real win. If you’ve never had it, it’s the perfect balance of citrusy and crisp—absolutely worth it. As for the food, it didn’t disappoint. The menu had all the right options for a casual night out, and the location was super convenient, right in the heart of everything. So it was really a no-brainer. Sometimes you just need a place that’s reliable, has great beer, and hits the spot when you’re in the mood for a laid-back dinner. Yardhouse definitely checked all those boxes.
Pike Place Market & A Pricey Pit Stop
Pike Place Market had everything you’d expect from a bustling farmers market—fresh food, flowers, knick-knacks, and more. It was also close to the first Starbucks (yes, we went) and plenty of other stores and bakeries. But wow… it gets packed to an uncomfortable degree. We didn’t last long before deciding to call it.
One of the best takeaways from the market? The dried flower bouquet we grabbed—I still have it and love it! The prices for fresh flowers were also amazing, but with a long drive home ahead of us, I didn’t want to risk them wilting.
Probably not even 300 feet from the market, we stopped at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub for a quick drink... which quickly turned into a drink and a beer. The pricing wasn’t outrageous, but those sneaky extra fees? Yikes. We were hit with a $7 charge for something labeled as a 'cook’s commission'—and we didn’t even order food. That’s basically the cost of a whole beer! Oh well, at least the ambiance was cool. Overall, it’s your average Irish pub, but with a mix of vibes that give it a bit of a spooky feel.
Space Needle Fail
While in Seattle, we decided to check out the Space Needle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. For $89, we got two tickets to the observation deck with panoramic views from above. But don’t be like me and make the same mistake—remember that bag checks are a thing, and definitely don’t bring pepper spray with you. As soon as I saw the line for security doing bag checks, I realized I had made the rookie mistake of forgetting to ditch the mace. So, we bailed and got a refund on our tickets. Clearly, I forgot to leave it at the hotel, and only after the fact did we discover there were lockers to store bags. Classic move, right? Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. On the bright side, we still got some great views from the ground. Considering the $100 ticket price, maybe it all worked out for the best! We did, however, stumble upon the Museum of Pop Culture, checked out their shop, and picked up a record. It’s a cool spot if you’re into art, but for us, it was more of a quick look-in and out kind of deal.
Rocco’s Pizza & My New Favorite Cocktail
In the midst of exploring the city, we stopped off for lunch at Rocco’s Pizza—and we definitely weren’t disappointed. This place officially put me on to the Manhattan. Forget the pizza for a second—that drink was life-changing. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve ordered a Manhattan since, but none have come close to the one Rocco’s served up. If only Rocco’s could be air-dropped to Oregon, I’d be a loyal happy hour regular without a doubt.
As for the pizza, it was delicious, flavorful, and incredibly filling. The cheesy bread with marinara sauce? Also a winner! The staff was great, and the laid-back ambiance made it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal. They even offer pizza by the slice, which is always a plus. But seriously—if you're craving a boozy cocktail, the Manhattan is a must-order. You’re welcome.
A Happy Coincidence– Shorty’s Clown Bar
Before Rocco’s, we stumbled into Shorty’s—a creepy clown dive bar with vintage pinball and arcade games. The atmosphere was wild, but in the best way. I’m not a huge pinball gamer, but the advanced machines were so much fun. From Jaws to Willy Wonka to Stranger Things, the designs and interactive scenes made for an unexpectedly great time. Sometimes, the most random stops lead to the coolest finds! The only things I found strange were the bathrooms and the giant box of condoms up for grabs. Gross.
The Comedy Show That Sparked the Trip
Our reason for coming to Seattle? A spontaneous trip to see Morgan Jay’s comedy show. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the guy on TikTok who does autotune stand-up. The show was fun! The Neptune Theatre was small and intimate, and the crowd was super engaged, which made the experience even better. Unfortunately, I forgot my ID, which meant no overpriced drinks for me. But on the plus side, I didn’t have to miss part of the show for a bathroom break—a small win when it comes to avoiding public restrooms. Because let’s be real, big city bathrooms are almost always gross, no matter where you are.
The Best Meal of the Trip – Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge
Now, onto the best part of the trip—dinner at Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge. This was definitely the kind of dinner you treat yourself to, and, trust me, it was worth every penny.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a cozy, moody vibe—dim lighting, candles flickering on the walls, and an atmosphere that made it the perfect setting for a special night out. We went all in, treating ourselves to an amazing meal and, on a whim, splurged on a bottle of wine. Why not, right? We were sipping, chatting, and honestly, feeling pretty fancy. And that bottle? We’re still talking about it. It was the perfect complement to the meal, and now we’re seriously considering making this a regular thing. Sharing a bottle over a slow, enjoyable dinner definitely made it feel like we got our money’s worth and added that extra layer of fun, making the whole experience feel even more special.
For dinner, I went with the jambalaya, and my wife went for the shrimp and grits. We also shared an appetizer of fried chicken gumbo that was absolutely incredible. The food was seriously chef’s kiss (just don’t tell my wife I said that). The flavors instantly transported us back to New Orleans. It wasn’t exactly NOLA cuisine, but it was definitely the closest we’ve had since our trip. If you’re ever in Seattle and looking for an unforgettable meal, Toulouse Petit is the spot.
In The End
Seattle was a lot—pricey, lively, crowded, cloudy, and full of booze. We might not have even scratched the surface of everything Seattle has to offer, but for a last-minute road trip, we squeezed in what we could, and that was more than enough. We had some great meals, checked out a few cool spots, and got a taste of the city’s hype. But would we go back? Probably not. With sky-high prices, constant noise, congestion, and sensory overload, it’s an easy pass. Unless there’s something specific—like a sports game or concert—there isn’t much else pulling us back. Maybe with a personal guide and a well-planned itinerary, we’d give it another shot. But for now, we’ll admire the skyline from afar—and keep our wallets a little fuller.
Have you ever been to Seattle? Any spots you loved or didn’t care for? What was your experience like? I want to hear!
