Seattle Travel Guide: top wellness recommendations from your city insiders
As the founder of Luv Collective and a Washington gal, this blog was extra fun to create. I grew up in the PNW (outside Seattle) and always want my friends visiting this city to have the best time ever. In today’s wellness insider series, you’ll read about some of the top spots recommended by your local tour guides (aka Seattle’s very own healers — ranging from astrologers, tarot readers, and yoga teachers).
Skip down below to start reading your travel recs.
Your Seattle Wellness Insiders:
Mari is a psychic life coach with over 15 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit world. It's her intention to bring her gifts to help you in your transformation to live in a more joyful, purposeful, and expansive way. You can think of her as your mentor and guide. She uses her psychic gifts to provide you with present-focused clarity in support of you. Find her here @marirobertslife.
Callie Little is a multidisciplinary artist hailing from the Pacific Northwest. Her writing has been published by VICE, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and many other fine publications nationwide and beyond, and she has been featured by Forbes and NPR. Her illustrated tarot deck and the book will debut in 2024 with Clarkson Potter. Find her here @goshcallie.
Blake is a Queer Astrologer and Tarot Reader who stumbled upon Astrology during their Saturn Return and has been obsessed ever since. As a Queer and Non-binary person who grew up not feeling seen by those around me, Astrology aided in helping reflect who they really are. In 2021, Blake picked up Tarot after wanting to explore the deeper meanings behind the cards' messages, imagery, and illustrations, and using to to gain further awareness about myself and my path. Find them here @cosmic.empowerment.
Lilia is the founder of Luv Collective, a creative entrepreneur, and a big fan of all things wellness and travel. Lilia grew up outside of Seattle and currently resides between Whidbey Island and Mexico City. After working in consulting and teaching yoga in NYC, Lilia started working on Luv Collective and growing this platform to what it is today. Lilia studied hospitality and has previously worked in various places like Costa Rica, Todos Santos, and NYC. She will ALWAYS try a yoga class in every new city she visits. Find her here @lifebylilia.
Hannah Exner:
Hannah is a writer living in Seattle. She writes about the things that echo in her brain (Reflected) and the city she lives in (Seeking Seattle).
Ashley Lorraine:
Ashley is another 90s baby who made Magic Eight Balls and paper fortune tellers their identity and never let go. Ahsley is a Seattle-based writer, astrologer and confidant to many. As a writer, Ashley is a storyteller at heart and that is how she shares her decades of comprehensive astrology and tarot knowledge with you. @byashleylorraine
Seattle Travel Recommendations:
If it was someone’s FIRST time in Seattle - what are your top ‘must-see’ places?
“Pike Place is a tourist hot spot, but for good reason! I recommend walking through the market to take in the sights and smells, but then grabbing a BBQ pork hom bow at Mee Sum Pastry and heading to the market front sundeck to take in the view of the waterfront. From there, head to Northwest Tastings for an affordable wine tasting with even more waterfront views (amazing at sunset). Gas Works Park is another of my must-see's. Visitors are always amazed at how much water Seattle is surrounded by, and I love showing off the lake we have right in the middle of the city from a park that used to be an old gas plant. The contrast is wild! It also has one of my favorite views of the city. Bring a picnic here or head into nearby Fremont for a bite afterward. The final thing that first-time visitors must experience is our very nearby nature. I love taking friends to hike (Twin Falls, Little Si, Franklin Falls, and Wallace Falls are all easy favorites within an hour's drive) or walk around the sprawling Discovery Park or waterfront Lincoln Park. “~Hannah
“My favorite neighborhood to bring friends who come into town is Ballard. And we’re going to have dinner at San Fermo. Last but not least is taking my friends east to Snoqualmie Falls.”~Mari
“Some quick favs — Pike Place (duh), Gas Works Park, Pioneer Square Underground Tour, Rattlesnake hike (for your cliche easy hike w/ gorg views outside of Seattle).” ~Lilia
Where are some of your favorite wellness hotspots in the city?
“I love anything bath-related, so hydrotherapy spas are some of my go-to's. Banya 5 in South Lake Union has a great set-up, Q Sauna & Spa in Lynwood for the 8 (!) different sauna rooms and +pools they have, and Float Seattle in South Lake Union for their open-air float cabins (less cramped feeling than the pods!). I also have enjoyed yoga classes at Drift and Dryp which feel like a luxe experience.” ~Hannah
“I love City Sweats for a nice infrared sauna situation. If you’re looking for hydrotherapy, I’d recommend Sacred Rain for a very au natural Seattle situation. It’s in Ballard and is an outdoor coed nude spa (so be emotionally ready for that, lol). The Ladies’ Room is a cute hydrotherapy situation too. For yoga - I love Bala & Commune.” ~Lilia
“Steam, sauna, spa is my wellness vibe. The Ladies Room in Greenwood is the perfect day spa moment or Hothouse in Capitol Hill if you want a spa all to yourself.” ~Ashley
“A lot of my wellness practices are body relaxation methods. I love to get massages, acupuncture, and craniosacral work to reduce stress and feel grounded. For Massages, I go to Jana at Essential Massage. For Accupuntrue, I go to Jon at Pontrello Accupunture. For Craniosacral work, I go to Trevor at Still Point.” ~Blake
Favorite way to unwind in the city?
“When I want to do something chill but still leave my house, I love going to the Central Cinema in the Central District. They play old comfort movies like The Princess Bride or Sleepless in Seattle and serve food + drinks right to your seat.” ~Hannah
“With a book and cappuccino at a coffee shop. Analog Coffee, Preserve & Gather & Olympia Coffee are my faves. Bonus points for grabbing a new book at Ravenna Third Place Books and holing up in their little cafe.” ~Ashley
“I’m obsessed with the Silent Reading Party in Seattle at the Hotel Sorrento. I’ve only been a handful of times, but it’s a perfect way to relax and read with live piano, a cocktail, and a room full of other people also silently reading next to you. It’s my ideal evening.” ~Lilia
Favorite restaurants?
“Bar del Corso in Beacon Hill is one of my most favorite restaurants in the city. It's a neighborhood Italian spot that has amazing wood-fired pizzas (which you cut with scissors), the best meatballs, and perfectly dressed salads. You can't go wrong with anything you get here, and the patio is the best place to sit no matter the weather (it's covered and heated!). Seattle isn't exactly known for its bagels, but that might change soon thanks to spots like Mt Bagel. Widely recognized as the best bagels in the city, we regularly get a dozen bagels to freeze so we can enjoy them at any time. Get the spicy scallion cream cheese! ” ~Hannah
“I love getting Pho at Ba Bar in Capitol Hill or at Pho Bac Súp Shop in the International District. For dessert - Frankie & Jo’s (plant-based) ice cream is the cherry on top. Rooftop at M Bar is perfect for late summer nights” ~Lilia
Favorite fitness classes?
“I'm a big fan of Lagree pilates, and Seattle has quite a few great studios! My favorites are Studio 45 and Inspire which have multiple locations around the city. For something a little more unconventional, I love The Flight Room's aerial yoga classes or Dance Church for a sweaty, endorphin-filled dance party.” ~Hannah
“Studio 45 (class with Olivia!), Dance Church (Tom is my favorite!), and F45!” ~Lilia
Must-stop boutiques or stores?
“Hoste in West Seattle is my new favorite vintage boutique. Everything is carefully curated and very giftable. The owner has a great eye and knows what the people want! Plus they host lots of gatherings and workshops in the store.” ~Hannah
“On Tuesday evenings, Mr. B's Meadery has Tarot Tuesdays, which is a fun way to enjoy some mead and get your cards read! Additionally, if you are into comic books, Outsider Comics is a trans and LGBTQ+-owned comic book store. Charlies, a queer bookstore, in my neighborhood just opened up, which is worth checking out. And if you are looking for crystals, tarot decks, or anything in between, Phantom Quartz just opened up in my neighborhood.” ~Blake
“Pipe and Row in Fremont is my dream wardrobe. Elliott Bay Bookstore in Capitol Hill is iconic. Honestly, I love just roaming the little stores around those two neighborhoods (Fremont and Capitol Hill) and seeing what I stumble across!” ~Lilia
Where do you go when you want to be a little witchy?
“Into nature! There are so many amazing parks in Seattle that feel imbued with magic (especially at twilight). The most magical would probably be Seward Park, Discovery Park, Volunteer Park, or the Arboretum.” ~Hannah
“I love going to a yoga class or going into a bookstore and browsing their ‘spirituality’ section for witchy inspo!” ~Lilia
View from Gas Works park
Favorite hikes or outdoor experiences?
“I am a beach girl so my favorite city nature escape is Golden Gardens for soft sand and salt water.” ~Ashley
“I live in the Fremont neighborhood, a short walk to Woodland Park, Greenlake, and the Woodland Rose Garden. One of my favorite things to do is to walk into the rose garden, be quiet, and observe all the different colors of roses and flowers. I then walk on to the Woodland Park. Sometimes, it feels like I'm not even in the city, but in a dense woodland area. Finally, a walk around Greenlake can take about 1 hour and it's lovely to meet up with friends for a nice chat and look out onto the water.” ~Blake
“For an easy nature escape from the city, Discovery Park is incredible. The views are unbeatable. If you’re looking for a bigger hike outside the city, Lake Serene is my favorite hike, ever - but expect an all-day and intense hiking excursion. For gorgeous views and a manageable hike and drive, Snow Lake is gorgeous.” ~Lilia
Where do you go when you want the best juice?
“Honestly don't have a juice spot, I feel like Seattle is lacking in this area!!!” ~Hannah
“My favorite spot for the go-to wellness lattes and smoothies is Retreat in Greelake. TBH- unsure if they have juices, but their smoothies are ahhmazing!” ~Lilia
If you were doing a staycation, where would you stay? (what area, neighborhood, hotel?)
“The only place I’m going for a staycation is Whidbey Island. It’s where you disconnect and unwind.” ~Mari
“I’m such a sucker for Pike Place Market — it never gets old to me! I’d stay near the market (if we’re balling out, I’d love to stay at Inn at the Market — or the W or Kimpton for secondary options). I’d wake up and get fresh donuts at the market and buy a mini bouquet of flowers!” ~Lilia
Any other fun-need-to-know Seattle recs?
“I’m taking you to Chihuly!” ~Mari
“Go see a Drag Show at Dreamland in Capitol Hill. So. Much. Fun. We took my bestie there for her bachelorette weekend in Seattle and it was the perfect group activity for laughs and mimosas.” ~Lilia
