Should your chosen path bring you in the direction of downtown, I am here to provide a few suggestions for an afternoon of leisurely fun.
As a non-native of the city, I am partial to Seattle's typical tourist attractions. For you long-time Seattle dwellers, pretend you haven't visited these places time and again in the past. Make it an adventure by seeing the day through the eyes of a tourist. I always enjoy a leisurely stroll through Pike Place market, and the Waterfront is a lovely option on a sunny day.
I would begin my sunlit afternoon at Westlake Center with a quick refresher from Emerald City Smoothie, preferably the Island Breeze. With my smoothie in hand, I would meander down Pine Street toward Pike Place, taking in the sights. The streets of downtown never fail to entertain; you're sure to see a few performers and side-step several nutty people along the way. Eventually, Pine Street leads you the heart of Pike Place and the perfect way to spend a warm Seattle afternoon. Pike Place has enough stores and attractions to please any type of person, from the driven businessman to the eclectic environmentalist. Personally, I would opt to spend my time in the wonderful, little bookstore in the lower levels of the market, followed by a quick stop at the candystore for a giant lollipop to save for later. One could spend anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours exploring the nooks and crannies of this downtown Seattle treasure. My afternoon, however, would involve Pike Place for about an hour. There are too many possible sights and activities; to spend the afternoon in one place would mean several missed opportunities.
My next stop following the market would be the nearby park overlooking the Waterfront. On such an afternoon, I would spend my time people watching and munching on some of Pike Place's finest fruits. If you're into people watching, that park is one of Seattle's best places to camp out for a few hours. It usually holds quite the diverse assortment of people. I think Forrest Gump's mother would compare it to a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get there. ;)
People watching can hold my attention for hours, but on this particular day, I would want to take advantage of every bit of sun I could catch, so thirty minutes at the park would have me ready for the next attraction: the merry-go-round on the Waterfront. It's about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the park to this fun ride. The couple dollars it costs to step aboard is well worth the nostalgic pony ride, especially when you bring a friend along.
And of course, the merry-go-round only makes me crave more of the amusement park rides of my youth. My next stop would be the Seattle Center for a go around the rollercoaster. The fifteen minute hike back to Westlake Center to catch the Monorail may be enough to get your tummy rumbling, so it wouldn't hurt to stop at Westlake's large foodcourt for a healthy snack.
And what better place to go than Mobatta? As a long-time Mobatta-rista, I may be biased, but little in the foodcourt compares to our crepes. We serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, savory, sweet, healthy, deliciously fattening.... you name it.
On a sunny day such as the one I'm imagining, I would opt for a lighter crepe. Nothing too heavy, because I would like to be able to stomach the rollercoaster. The best bet would be a Fruit, Butter, and Sugar crepe with a mix of fresh cut strawberries and bananas. Light, healthy, refreshing, and delicious. For those of you, however, that love nothing better than warm, gooey Nutella... I would suggest a Peanut Butter, Nutella, Banana crepe. The combination of Nutella and Peanut Butter creates a taste similar to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. The banana adds a little filling and healthy sweetness to the mix. :) Whatever the choice, after a quick stop at Mobatta (we pride ourselves in being able to make your crepe in the 3-5 minute range), you can hop aboard the Monorail, located almost directly across from our store.A few minutes later, you're stepping off the Monorail and into the sunny Seattle Center. Make a beeline for the rollercoaster. It's $5 to ride it, but surprisingly worth the money. It's not a long-lasting ride, but definitely exciting. I cried the first time I rode it; it's so old it feels like it's going to break down as you're going down the steep slopes.
After your ride, be sure to fix your wind-whipped hair before deciding on the next course of action. From here, you have several options. There's the Space Needle, but the $16 it costs to go up may not be worth it for a Seattle native. Should this be the case, you can always explore the expansive grounds of the Seattle Center. Pull out that lollipop you bought at Pike Place, and take a stroll. Enjoy the last rays of the afternoon before catching the Monorail back to Westlake Center.
From there, you many want to make another stop at Mobatta for dinner before you head home for the night. ;)
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So on the next warm afternoon that you're free from work and responsibilities, I hope to see you here at Mobatta amidst your sunlit journeys. :)
~Jill, Assistant Manager
