Additional Coverage:
- I’m a New Yorker who went to Seattle for the first time. Here are 9 things that surprised me. (businessinsider.com)
Seattle Surprises New Yorker on First Visit
A lifelong dream finally came true for one New Yorker who recently experienced Seattle for the first time. From unexpected hills to free bananas, the Emerald City proved to be full of surprises.
The journey began with a surprisingly affordable train ride from Vancouver. Used to pricier Amtrak fares, the traveler was delighted to find a ticket for less than half the cost of a plane ticket.
While the train took longer, the comfortable ride and scenic views made it worthwhile. The extra legroom in coach was a bonus, proving far more comfortable than a cramped airplane seat.
Upon arrival, the first surprise was Seattle’s terrain. A mile-long walk to the hotel felt more like a hike, a stark contrast to the flat streets of New York.
Later, exploring the iconic Pike Place Market, the visitor learned that the bustling marketplace was currently under a temporary car ban, a welcome change to the usual traffic. Tucked away in a nearby alley, the quirky Gum Wall, covered in chewed gum, offered a unique photo opportunity.
Even a trip to Target held a surprise. Instead of the smaller stores found in New York, the Seattle Target was a three-story retail haven.
The city’s tech-heavy South Lake Union neighborhood, nicknamed “Amazonia” for its abundance of Amazon offices, offered another unexpected twist: a surprising amount of green space. The area boasted a waterfront park popular with tech workers and a Google building with a rooftop forest. And in the heart of “Amazonia,” a bright yellow banana stand offered free bananas to anyone passing by, a quirky perk courtesy of Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos.
Finally, a local pointed out a distant, hazy Mount Rainier, an active volcano. Learning that a major city was so close to such a powerful natural wonder was the final surprise in a trip full of them.
From its unique attractions to its blend of urban and natural landscapes, Seattle left a lasting impression on the first-time visitor, who plans to return for another dose of Pacific Northwest charm.