May 14th, 2023
(Days 5&6)
After waking up at the early time of 5:00 AM, the rest of the trip to Seattle was surprisingly quick. There was yet another beautiful trip through the mountains following parts of Washington which were very desert-like. I will again mention just how beautiful the views are from the train. It is especially wonderful during portions within the mountains when all that is artificial is the track, with no roads, cars, or buildings.
After waking up at the early time of 5:00 AM, the rest of the trip to Seattle was surprisingly quick. There was yet another beautiful trip through the mountains following parts of Washington which were very desert-like. I will again mention just how beautiful the views are from the train. It is especially wonderful during portions within the mountains when all that is artificial is the track, with no roads, cars, or buildings.
After arriving in Seattle, I immediately headed to the hostel I booked, quickly stopping to observe the sunken light rail station next to King Street Station. Luckily, getting there was relatively easy as the hostel is two blocks from the station in the Chinatown/International District. After checking in, I immediately went to my room to settle in. I booked a private room for this hostel because it was reasonably cheap compared to a shared room. The only other hostel I did this for was my stop in New York. I was exhausted, so I set the alarm for a twenty-minute nap, but instead woke up an hour and twenty minutes later. I definitely needed that, though.
After arriving in Seattle, I immediately headed to the hostel I booked, quickly stopping to observe the sunken light rail station next to King Street Station. Luckily, getting there was relatively easy as the hostel is two blocks from the station in the Chinatown/International District. After checking in, I immediately went to my room to settle in. I booked a private room for this hostel because it was reasonably cheap compared to a shared room. The only other hostel I did this for was my stop in New York. I was exhausted, so I set the alarm for a twenty-minute nap, but instead woke up an hour and twenty minutes later. I definitely needed that, though.
I decided to begin my exploration of Seattle with a light rail ride to Pike Place Market, but I quickly left that area after seeing how crowded it was. My mental health is essential on this solo trip, and being in a crowd like that sent my anxiety skyrocketing. So I instead walked to a park next to the Westlake Center, where I grabbed a vegan hot dog for an early dinner. After that, I bought a two-way trip for the monorail and rode it to Seattle Center. I booked a 6:00 PM ticket to the top of the Space Needle and explored the surrounding park before then.
I decided to begin my exploration of Seattle with a light rail ride to Pike Place Market, but I quickly left that area after seeing how crowded it was. My mental health is essential on this solo trip, and being in a crowd like that sent my anxiety skyrocketing. So I instead walked to a park next to the Westlake Center, where I grabbed a vegan hot dog for an early dinner. After that, I bought a two-way trip for the monorail and rode it to Seattle Center. I booked a 6:00 PM ticket to the top of the Space Needle and explored the surrounding park before then.
Forest Views from the Train
The trip to the top of the Space Needle was super cool. There was some sweet music playing, and the vibes were wonderful. I started by visiting the exterior windows to get aerial pictures of the city. Then, a large group exchanged cameras with me so that I could take pictures of them, and they could take pictures of me. As I walked around the top, two people grabbed me and forced a phone into my hands, and they had me take pictures of them from several different views. After I escaped them, I traveled downstairs to walk around the revolving glass floor. Having already been to a similar experience in the glass boxes of the Sears Tower, looking down wasn't too bad. I ended my trip to the top with a cup of coffee as I took in the views.
The trip to the top of the Space Needle was super cool. There was some sweet music playing, and the vibes were wonderful. I started by visiting the exterior windows to get aerial pictures of the city. Then, a large group exchanged cameras with me so that I could take pictures of them, and they could take pictures of me. As I walked around the top, two people grabbed me and forced a phone into my hands, and they had me take pictures of them from several different views. After I escaped them, I traveled downstairs to walk around the revolving glass floor. Having already been to a similar experience in the glass boxes of the Sears Tower, looking down wasn't too bad. I ended my trip to the top with a cup of coffee as I took in the views.
The Space Needle!
Me on the Space Needle
Seattle Skyline from the Space Needle
When I got down from the Space Needle, a game had just finished at the nearby stadium, so there were crowds of everyone. I am not a sports fan, so I had no idea what team or stadium it was, but I remember their team colors being a gorgeous combination. Unfortunately, the line to get on the monorail looked like it would take longer than the 45-minute walk back to the hostel due to the crowds, so I forgot my two-way ticket and opted to walk under the tracks, which was equally cool. Once I returned, I settled into bed for the night. I called my dad, who was waiting on the Chicago train. It was having massive delays and was nearly 10 hours past its original arrival time in Whitefish. I chatted with him about my feelings on Seattle, a city he used to live in. The primary detail I noticed was how futuristic this city feels. All the architecture and use of micro-mobility felt far different than Chicago or any of the East Coast cities I've been to. Even the transit system was different, with fares relying on an honor system and random checks rather than gated entry.
When I got down from the Space Needle, a game had just finished at the nearby stadium, so there were crowds of everyone. I am not a sports fan, so I had no idea what team or stadium it was, but I remember their team colors being a gorgeous combination. Unfortunately, the line to get on the monorail looked like it would take longer than the 45-minute walk back to the hostel due to the crowds, so I forgot my two-way ticket and opted to walk under the tracks, which was equally cool. Once I returned, I settled into bed for the night. I called my dad, who was waiting on the Chicago train. It was having massive delays and was nearly 10 hours past its original arrival time in Whitefish. I chatted with him about my feelings on Seattle, a city he used to live in. The primary detail I noticed was how futuristic this city feels. All the architecture and use of micro-mobility felt far different than Chicago or any of the East Coast cities I've been to. Even the transit system was different, with fares relying on an honor system and random checks rather than gated entry.
The next morning, I ate breakfast at the hostel before opting for an early check-in since I would be leaving in the afternoon and didn't want to worry about returning to get that done. The hostel was able to hold my backpack, so I left it there while I explored. The one thing I had not prepared for was how unbearably hot it was on the West Coast, even for a city as far north as Seatle. Chicago was definitely not this temperature when I left. Checking now; it is still in the 50s. Here it is 85 degrees, and walking in this heat is miserable. Still, I began my exploration by walking around Pioneer Square, exploring the older building style and the UPS Waterfall Garden. Before continuing my adventure, I had an early lunch at a nearby coffee roastery.
The next morning, I ate breakfast at the hostel before opting for an early check-in since I would be leaving in the afternoon and didn't want to worry about returning to get that done. The hostel was able to hold my backpack, so I left it there while I explored. The one thing I had not prepared for was how unbearably hot it was on the West Coast, even for a city as far north as Seatle. Chicago was definitely not this temperature when I left. Checking now; it is still in the 50s. Here it is 85 degrees, and walking in this heat is miserable. Still, I began my exploration by walking around Pioneer Square, exploring the older building style and the UPS Waterfall Garden. Before continuing my adventure, I had an early lunch at a nearby coffee roastery.
Cool Building in Seattle
Another Cool Building in Seattle
A Third Cool Building in Seattle
The Columbia Center
I felt like I walked every street of downtown Seattle before I returned to the hostel to pick up my bags, which was especially difficult in the heat. Taking a break in King Street Station before my train to Portland departed was nice. The train was late, but it was not too bad, and I am currently writing on my way to Portland. I have a short trip ahead of me, and I will continue my adventures by meeting up with a friend later for dinner.
I felt like I walked every street of downtown Seattle before I returned to the hostel to pick up my bags, which was especially difficult in the heat. Taking a break in King Street Station before my train to Portland departed was nice. The train was late, but it was not too bad, and I am currently writing on my way to Portland. I have a short trip ahead of me, and I will continue my adventures by meeting up with a friend later for dinner.
More Pictures
More Pictures
Cool Street in Seattle
LEGO Space Needle!
Chinatown/International District, Where I Stayed