Late last month my husband Alan and I took a rare overnight away to reconnect and get some holiday shopping for the kids. We were hosted by Seattle Southside. All opinions and experiences are our own.
There is so much to see and do on Seattle's Southside
From chocolates to shopping, delicious meals and a quiet hotel stay, it was the perfect overnight away.
Enjoy chocolate at Seattle Chocolate Company
Start your getaway with an "Experience Chocolate” Tour at Seattle Chocolate Company. I promise it's worth it.
Seattle Chocolate opened the doors to its factory earlier this year for interactive and fun tours that showcase the way they make their signature chocolates that are created right here in the Northwest. Your hour long tour includes a guided chocolate tasting that will delight your tastebuds.
When you are there, don't miss a famous Seattle pig, they are all over the city and Seattle Chocolate Company is no exception!
Don't forget to pick up some chocolate to take home and keep an eye out for the chocolate baths! It's no secret I love chocolate, and to be able to enjoy a variety of chocolate made locally and hear the story behind it was quite a treat!
Stay the night at Courtyard Seattle Southcenter
If you're looking for a convenient place to stay near shopping and restaurants don't miss the Courtyard Seattle Southcenter. This modern hotel is 4.2 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a 2-minute walk from shopping at the Southcenter Plaza. Rooms offer free WiFi, desks, flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Other amenities include an indoor pool and an exercise room.
We enjoyed a one bedroom suite at Courtyard Seattle Southcenter. It was such a treat to have a spacious room all to ourselves, but it would also be fantastic for visiting the area as a family, or perhaps friends (and grab an adjoining room.) Bonus: The blackout shades in the bedroom where AMAZING. I love being able to sleep in and I wasn't disappointed!
Don't forget to grab breakfast in the morning. There are lots of delicious options that you can eat in or grab and go!
You'll also enjoy how spacious the lobby is, complete with a fireplace. I like knowing that we could visit the Courtyard Seattle with my family and we could tuck ourselves away in a little lobby nook and not disturb anyone.
Dinner at Anthony's Homeport
Whether you're a local or just passing through, eating seafood is a must in Seattle. Anthony’s HomePort is a good choice.
Anthony’s HomePort Des Moines serves local cathes plus regional wines and beers. It overlooks the Des Moines Marina and is located next to the Des Moines Yacht Club sith views of Maury Island, the snowcapped Olympic Mountains and South Puget Sound boating activity.
Our dinner at Anthony's was nothing short of spectacular. We asked them to guide us through the menu, enjoying the best that Anthony's had to offer, and I'm so glad we did. Let me start with OMG Hawaiian Ahi Nachos. If they had just served us the nachos and only the nachos, I would have been fine. Because they were like fish candy. In a good way. But, we went on to try amazing salads, crab cakes, and salmon and steak, and of course, no meal would be complete without creme brûlée. I will ALWAYS have the creme brûlée. We'll definitely be back to check them out for lunch - and the view!
Explore Highline Botanical Gardens
The Garden is open to the public and free to stroll at your leisure. Step into this garden oasis in the city. Experience the sensory garden replete with a rain garden, tunnels of vines, and year round fragrance.
I'll be honest, the Highline Botanical Gardens in Seattle's Southside was a pleasant surprise. We didn't even know it was there! Alan and I both agreed that we would be visiting the gardens instead of hanging out in the cell phone waiting lot while waiting to pick someone up from the airport.
Lunch at Duke’s Seafood & Chowder House
Westfield Southcenter is Duke’s newest restaurant with many new features that you simply have to see to experience. While you’re shopping in Tukwila stop in at Duke’s Chowder House offering two Happy Hours a day and amazing seafood entrees and burgers.
Lunch at Duke's Chowder House was a win. Let me just say "Dungenous Crabby Deviled Egg" - I love deviled eggs, and I love crab, so this is a match made in heaven. I would happily eaten a dozen of them if they had let me! Now, Duke's is pretty much known for their Clam Chowder, but I had to try the Lobster Mobster Pernod Chowder. And yes. So delicious. Who can go wrong with Dungeonous Crabby Salmon "Au Gratin" or Silky Sensual Pan Seared Wild Salmon? We sure didn't. If you love seafood, there isn't a short of choices. Come to lunch hungry, leave room for dessert (like the Pier Pie) and the go walk it all off with some shopping.
Holiday Shopping at Westfield Southcenter
Accessible holiday shopping is available at the 2-level indoor shopping mall with more than 200 stores & eateries plus a multiplex with IMAX.
It was so nice to not only have one on one time with Alan, but to get our holiday shopping done at Westfield Southcenter without interruption or trying to be sneaky and hide our purchases. I highly recommend this strategy for anytime you need to buy gifts with no wandering eyes!
Now, with Christmas being less than a week away (OMG eek) you might not be able to get away for an overnight with shopping before then, but the Seattle Southside is perfect for a preflight getaway or Seattle Staycation ANYTIME!
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