Highlights of the Day
We began the day walking to the Amazon Spheres, admiring their futuristic design despite limited public access. After a quick monorail ride, we visited Seattle’s iconic Space Needle and explored the vibrant glass art at Chihuly Garden and Glass. The afternoon was spent at Pike Place Market, including the original Starbucks and a bowl of clam chowder. The day ended with a visit to Uwajimaya and a quiet stroll through Seattle’s Chinatown.
Accommodation: Renaissance Seattle Hotel
Transportation: Public Transportation or Rideshare
In the morning, we walked toward the Amazon Spheres under the soft early sunlight.
The Spheres are three massive glass domes connected together, with a futuristic appearance. Inside, they are said to recreate a tropical rainforest environment, designed to reduce stress and inspire creativity. Unfortunately, we learned at the entrance that the Spheres are only open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month, and require advance reservations. On other days, they are reserved exclusively for Amazon employees—a small disappointment.
Next, we took a ride on Seattle’s monorail.
It is one of the few monorail systems still operating in the world, stretching just about one mile with only two stations. Elevated above the city, it connects downtown Seattle to Seattle Center in just two minutes—quick, efficient, and surprisingly fun.
Right across from the station stands one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks, the Space Needle.
We didn’t go up this time, but stopping for photos is practically mandatory.
Nearby was one of the highlights of the day: Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Inside the exhibition, artist Dale Chihuly’s glass artworks burst with color and movement. Across eight galleries, from suspended chandeliers to ocean-inspired forms, each piece felt like an evolving expression drawn from nature. It was a true feast for the eyes.
After returning downtown on the monorail, we continued exploring Pike Place Market.
One stop you can’t miss here is the original Starbucks store, which has been operating on Pike Place since 1971. Before Starbucks, coffee was often just something to grab and go. Starbucks transformed it into a cultural experience. The line was long, but moved quickly—buying a cup felt like a small ritual.
As we wandered further, we noticed another long line outside a small pastry shop.
Following the logic that “where there’s a line, there must be food,” we joined in. The pastry was decent, though the line itself seemed to be part of the marketing strategy.
After a friend recommended it, we made a point to try clam chowder at Pike Place Chowder.
Once again, a long line—but the soup was rich, flavorful, and absolutely worth the wait.
Before coming to Seattle, friends had strongly suggested visiting Uwajimaya, a large Asian grocery store founded by a Japanese family. Inside, we found everything from snacks and cosmetics to kitchenware and specialty ingredients. We picked up a bottle of lychee-flavored Japanese rice wine to enjoy later in the evening.
Seattle’s Chinatown appeared clean and orderly, but noticeably quieter than expected, with fewer people around—a slightly bittersweet sight.
It was a full and rewarding day, blending landmarks, art, food, and everyday city life. The journey continues.
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