How to Soak Up the Best of Seattle

SEATTLE – Anyone who’s spent time in Pittsburgh and Seattle can easily draw parallels between these two vibrant cities — from thriving brewery and coffee scenes to waterside trails to stroll or cycle.

For fans of both destinations, Alaska Airlines has been flying nonstop between PIT and SEA since 2018. The airline operates up to two daily flights in the summer and typically one daily flight in the off-season.

While tech workers frequent this route for business travel, outdoors adventurers and foodies happily hop aboard to fill other enticing obligations.

“At Alaska, we are all about care, and part of providing that care is about presenting our guests with choices when they fly with us,” said Cameron Greenberg, a communications specialist at Alaska Airlines. “As a result, we are continually evaluating our route network to identify opportunities where we can provide value.

“Back in 2018, we recognized Pittsburgh as an untapped market and a destination of interest, and we are thrilled to see the route’s continued success as a bridge from east to west.”

Get the app

For those arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (or Sea-Tac, as it’s known), airline staff suggest downloading the Alaska app, so smartphones can be used to check in, pay for bags, get boarding passes, track flights and make seat changes.

“Preordering food eases the day-of travel stress and provides access to full meals no matter what seat you’re in – something that differentiates Alaska from other airlines,” Greenberg added. (Details on ordering and menu options can be found here.)

Another tip: “If guests are traveling with children, we offer complimentary gate checks for strollers and car seats, provide resources for unaccompanied minors and guarantee young children will be seated with their families—without any additional fees.”

Those looking for a slight upgrade for the five-hour flight might look into Premium Class, which means four extra inches of legroom, earlier boarding and complimentary beer, wine and cocktails.

Our favorite finds

So how to maximize a visit to the Emerald City? The list is long, but here are just a few of our favorite Seattle finds — whether it’s your first visit or an umpteenth return.

• Hear live music at storied venues, ranging from downtown’s Showbox at the Market and The Triple Door (with seated, dinner-theater vibes) to Belltown’s Crocodile (now in a newer space) and, in Ballard, the more intimate, downhome Tractor and Sunset taverns or Conor Byrne pub. Bigger acts come to the recently constructed Climate Pledge Arena (touted as “the most sustainable arena in the world”), Paramount Theatre and Benaroya Hall, to name a few.
• Hop around amongst kid- and dog-friendly breweries. Old Stove Brewing Co. is a prime downtown spot with water panorama located in the newer part of the must-visit Pike Place Market. The highly walkable Ballard Brewery District allows you to hit up several venues in one compact vicinity, and brand-new Gasworks Brewing offers pints-with-a-view on the north shore of Lake Union (a short walk from this unique industrial park). Casual, nearby, neighborhood eats in the Fremont/Wallingford area range from Stone Way Cafe, located in a brand-new airy space, to Uneeda Burger, located next to RockCreek Seafood & Spirits (one of our favorites spots for weekend brunch).
• Get out on the sparkling waterways by taking a ferry over to Bainbridge Island for a pedestrian-friendly day trip, or sail around on Seattle’s Tall Ship or tourist-geared Argosy cruises.
• Take in energy-filled sporting events that may just appeal to Pittsburgh fans, at stadiums beloved by locals nearly as much as Yinzers love theirs. Depending on the season, there’s baseball, football, hockey (Seattle Kraken joined the NHL in 2021) and more.
• Get your culture on at Chihuly Garden & Glass (right beneath the Space Needle) and neighboring Museum of Pop Culture, or learn about the region’s roots at Museum of History and Industry or National Nordic Museum, located past Ballard and en route to dreamy Golden Gardens beach and Ray’s Boathouse, a perfect sunset spot for quintessentially PNW seafood feasts. Keep an eye out for traveling exhibits, too, like “Titanic. The Exhibition,” a 90-minute narrative journey.

Whether you step beyond city limits or not, the natural beauty found within Seattle promises to dazzle, while the omnipresent coffee, cocktails and fresh seafood, creative residents and vibrant culture surely will keep you coming back for more.