Updated November 8, 2019
Twinkling stars glitter like diamonds in a black velvet sky. Persistent nips of Jack Frost find their way to your nose and fingers. It’s a cool, crisp December evening as the sleek, high-speed Victoria Clipper V glides south across the glassy waters of the Salish Sea.
A collective sense of calm takes over as vacation mode kicks into gear. As the holidays approach, the urge to escape the rat race and embrace life’s special moments with family and friends is high. After weeks of gift wrapping, card writing and house decorating, nothing is more freeing than leaving your to-do list behind and escaping to soak in Seattle’s holiday charm.
The vessel rounds the tip of Discovery Park with the faint shimmering lights of Seattle coming into view. While the scenic ride from Victoria has its fair share of breathtaking vistas, this is one that dictates venturing out on the deck of the ship for a photo op. The renovated Space Needle stands out among a towering group of brightly lit skyscrapers. And even the city’s plentiful construction cranes, are decked out in sparkling lights and Christmas trees. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday city scene, this is it.
Day 1
8:15 p.m. – Hyatt Regency Hotel
Twenty minutes after arriving in Seattle, you’re off the boat, through customs and ready to catch a 10-minute Uber ride up from the waterfront to your hotel. Even under the cover of darkness, the Hyatt Regency Hotel is simply incredible.
A jaw-dropping, 500-foot-tall high-rise, the hotel is the largest in the city and certainly one for the books. The monolithic tower rises atop an eight-story podium, almost appearing to float above the entry-level of the building. Yet, the structure’s sleek exterior allows it to blend into the sky as it soars above the city’s historic buildings.
Lofty cathedral ceilings and expansive windows greet you inside. With modern, sunlit rooms overlooking the city, Lake Union or waterfront, you may have to resist the urge to stay cozied up in your room for the duration of your trip.
Once you make your way back downstairs, you’ll find three excellent dining options throughout the property. They include a 24-Hour Market Café for on the go bites, Andare Kitchen & Bar serving up authentic Italian fare and the locals’ favorite, Daniel’s Broiler, the perfect spot to indulge in USDA prime steaks. (Inside tip: Get a sneak peek at Enchant Christmas’ stunning light displays with an immersive installation found right in the hotel’s lobby!) Book this hotel with Clipper, learn more.
9:45 p.m. – Rob Roy
Not ready to call it a night? Head to Belltown’s buzzy craft cocktail bar Rob Roy to kick off the weekend with a dose of holiday cheer. With a chill vibe and low-lighting, the bar is already an ideal spot to cozy up on a winter’s night. Married with the 9th annual Miracle on 2nd pop-up (from November 29 – December 29), it is a full-on festive extravaganza.
Jolly tunes fill the scene. Faux snow frosts the windows as well as the counters. A sparkling tree holds court over one corner. Festive mugs line the back bar. And let’s not forget about the drinks. A lineup of solid seasonal cocktails fills the bar’s card-like menus.
Toast to the season’s favorite animal with the Run Run Rudolf or sample the Snowball Old Fashioned (yes, you can expect to find a small snowball subbed in place of an ice cube). Everything is delicious and full of holiday flavor.
Day 2
9:30 a.m. – Tilikum Place Café
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the friendly, European-style Tilikum Place Café. Situated in the shadow of the Space Needle, the café is a hidden gem in Seattle’s hip culinary scene. If you eat one thing, it must be Chef Ba Culbert’s mouth-watering Dutch Babies.
Served hot in mini-cast iron skillets, these tasty pancake-like treats manage to be simultaneously dense, rich and fluffy. Sample the Sweet, an ooey-gooey mix of chocolate chips, Kahlua and peppermint candy. It’s a surefire way to put a sweet smile of satisfaction on your face.
10:45 a.m. – Winterfest at Seattle Center Armory
After breakfast, a short jaunt around the corner will land you at the Seattle Center Armory’s Winterfest (from November 29 – December 31). Brimming with shining lights and lively entertainment, it is a one-stop-shop for holiday goodness.
Award-winning artists craft sculptures out of glistening blocks of ice outside. Indoors, a train rolls through a miniature turn-of-the-century village, completing the wintery scene. (Inside tip: If you really want to give the kiddos a thrill, let them play engineer and take a turning at guiding the train themselves!) All the while, yuletide tunes mixed with the exuberant giggles of children make for a fun-filled ambiance.
12:45 p.m. – Holiday Tea at the Georgian
Cue the deliciously adorable finger sandwiches and clotted cream smothered scones! Nothing adds cheer to a frosty winter day than a pot of body and soul-warming afternoon tea at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s Georgian Restaurant. Boasting high ceilings, luxe chandeliers dripping with crystals, massive and expansive Palladian windows, the space oozes Old-World charm.
The selection of fine loose-leaf teas is sure to please the most avid tea connoisseur and the three-tiers of holiday-themed eats are more than enough for lunch. Hello white chocolate cranberry scones! Top things off by treating yourself to a flute of bubbly from the weekend-only champagne bar, and you may feel like you are having tea in the Palace of Versailles.
2:00 p.m. – Downtown Shopping
With a thriving fashion and design scene, Seattle is chock-full of boutiques brimming with locally produced goods. Make the less than 10-minute walk to the bustling Westlake Center. With glittering trees and the sound of ringing bells, it’s hard not feel as giddy as a little kid on Christmas morning.
Skip the crowds at the big-box stores and swing by the Holiday Market at Westlake Park to peruse a well-curated selection of unique, handcrafted gifts. Pick up stunning prints from Hand to Paper, candles from Woodland Alchemy, laser-cut jewelry from Ginger Bee and more.
With a rotating set of PNW makers each week, you’ll be able to source the perfect finds for even the toughest-to-shop-for people on your list. Bonus points for taking a mid-shopping break to go for a whirl on the iconic Holiday Carousel!
3:30 p.m. – Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Seattle
Duck into the lobby of the Sheraton Seattle for more festive and sugar-coated fun. Fall into awed silence as you and the kiddos walk into the 27th Annual Gingerbread Village. Feast your eyes (and tantalize your nose!) on fabulous gingerbread creations. Everything is entirely edible, from the fondant-iced roofs to jelly bean-lined pathways. Is your mouth watering yet?
5:45 p.m. – Enchant Christmas
After dropping off your shopping finds at the hotel, a less than 15-minute Uber ride lands you at the big event itself – Enchant Christmas! Scamper up under bedazzled arches as you make your way into the T-Mobile Park. It is the equivalent of stepping into a snow globe in the heart of Seattle. Since winter nights can be a bit damp, the chance to experience holiday magic while staying dry (yes, the roof over the field is closed throughout the event), is an added bonus.
A stroll around the concession level of the stadium provides a chance to grab a bite from one of the many food vendors and shop stocking-worthy gifts from the more than 40 artisanal shops in the Christmas Market. Curated in collaboration with Seattle’s Urban Craft Uprising and Seattle Made, a rotating selection of vendors cycles through each week, so be sure to visit often. (Inside tip: Have hard to buy for people on your list? Swing by Seattle’s very own local business, The Makery’s nightly pop-up craft workshops to craft your own ornaments, home decor and more!)
However, the best part of exploring this level of the stadium is the incredible aerial view of the dazzling light maze (at nearly 100,000 square feet, it is the world’s largest) covering the baseball field below. Brilliant blue snowflakes, silvery diamonds and spiky icicles, white trees, and the piece de résistance – a massive 100-foot-tall Christmas tree – twinkle and glow in the darkness. According to Enchant Christmas spokesperson, Michelle S. Leyva, the display “Consists of roughly 2.5+ million lights.” Rivaling local parks that boast acres of land, it’s pretty dang impressive.
If you think the view from above is amazing, wait till you are standing next to the larger-than-life displays. Your kiddos’ faces will light up with glee as the sound of holiday tunes echoes through the air as faux snow gently falls around you. Knowing Seattle may only get a skiff of the actual white stuff, it’s as magical as the real deal.
Step into a living storybook as you stroll through the all-new light maze adventure, “Mischievous,” to track down Santa’s eight missing gifts misplaced by the rascally Eddie the elf. Tuck inside the glowing 240-foot-long purple tunnel that snakes its way through one end of the maze. Or snap selfies at the stunning heart and candy-caned shaped displays, as well as the dangling curtain of white lights. (Inside tip: If you’re looking for a spot to propose, there happens to be a huge diamond ring just begging for a photo op.)
Whatever you do, don’t miss the beloved ice skating trail returning this year with a 30% larger footprint and new special route. Rent a pair of skates for a $10 fee or bring along your own, and glide past twinkling trees under glittering arches. A budding skater’s dream, there is something magical about cruising along the glistening trail.
When you’re thirsty for a festive brew, duck into the neighboring Ice Bar and Lounge. Serving up 40 feet of modern elegance as well as the whimsical Enchanted Hot Chocolate, cocktails, local brews and more paired with holiday tunes, it is a prime spot to warm up from the inside out.
Before you leave, travel past treetops and pillow-like clouds to Santa’s Landing and snap a photo with the jolly old elf himself. Or cozy up with blankets and a movie in the Enchant Cinema. Showcasing clips from holiday classics such as Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas – and contemporary favorites such as – Elf and The Polar Express, there is no better way to close out the evening.
Day 3
7:00 a.m. – Clipper Terminal at Pier 69
Before you know it, it’s time to hop back on the Victoria Clipper V for the 2 hour and 45-minute cruise back to Victoria. Climb aboard, relax in your reclining seat, and order a mimosa and locally made Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt to fuel your journey home. Curl up with a good book or check out that movie you’ve been meaning to watch, but not before one last look at the Seattle skyline as you skim across Puget Sound.
Featured Photo: Brenna Ciummo