From the salty air along Elliott Bay to the dazzling city lights reflected on Puget Sound, Seattle has always had a hold on me. I’ve visited Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, ridden up the Space Needle, wandered charming neighborhoods, and enjoyed the incredible food and drink of “The Emerald City.” Yet when I sat down with Natalie Compagno—a Northern California native who has called Seattle home for the past decade—I was reminded there is much more to this city beyond its iconic spots.
Natalie and her husband live on a houseboat on Lake Union, and honestly, it sounds magical—sunsets, herons, rooftop hangs, and the occasional wild storm that sends patio furniture flying. Natalie has traveled to more than 100 countries, yet she speaks about Seattle with the wonder of someone who never stops exploring. She’s got that “visitor’s eye,” but with the insider knowledge only a local can share.
Seattle might be famous for coffee, grunge, and gray skies, but listening to Natalie, it’s clear the city is so much more. In this interview, we dive into her unique perspective on Seattle—whether you’re planning your first trip or think you know the city well—as Natalie shares her local insights, smart tips, and the kind of heart you only get when someone truly loves where they live.
🎧 Click on the above link to listen to the interview or listen on “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Highlights from our conversation include:
The Soul of Seattle
Seattle isn’t just rain and coffee (though you’ll find plenty of both). Its soul comes from the cultural layers built over centuries: First Nation tribes like the Puyallup and Duwamish, Scandinavian settlers in Ballard, and Japanese communities in the International District. The result is a city that feels strong, stoic, and proudly community-driven.
Seattleites love their icons — Nordstrom, Starbucks, the Seahawks — but also the quieter joys: hiking trails, whale sightings, and neighborhood parks filled with splashing kids and picnics.
When to Visit
Yes, summer (July and August) is glorious — long days, sparkling water, and mild temperatures. But Natalie swears the real magic is in April, May, and October. Spring stretches on forever with waves of blooming flowers, while fall turns the city neon with reds and golds that rival New England.
Hidden Gems Worth Finding
Smith Tower: Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, it’s now a hidden gem with sweeping Pioneer Square views, an old-school elevator operator, and a Balinese-inspired cocktail bar that hosts high tea.
Golden Gardens: Grab a kite from the Kite Café, pack a picnic, and fly it on the beach.
Marination in West Seattle: Hawaiian comfort food with killer skyline views, reached by a six-minute water taxi.
Bainbridge Island: A 35-minute ferry ride drops you right into island life.
📍 Classic Sights Are Worth It
Touristy things are absolutely worth your time:
Pike Place Market for food and wandering
The Space Needle for those classic skyline views
The Seattle Underground Tour for a walk through the city’s weird, hidden history
Chihuly Garden and Glass for mind-blowing glass art that feels part museum, part fantasy world
Neighborhood Vibes
Every corner of Seattle has its own personality:
Fremont: Funky, artsy, and proudly the “Center of the Universe” — complete with a solstice parade led by naked bike riders.
Ballard: Once home to Scandinavian fishing families, now a hipster hub with breweries, a Nordic museum, and even a Viking beard competition.
Georgetown: Industrial roots, now home to wine-tasting rooms, edgy bars, and destination dining at the Corson Building.
Wallingford: Laid-back and foodie-friendly, with the city’s best poke (45th Street Deli) and a tres leches cake worth waiting in line for.
Sports, Sports, Sports
If you think Seattleites are casual about sports, think again. This is a city where Mariners games are on every bar TV — live or rerun, it doesn’t matter. And visiting the Climate Pledge Arena to see a Kraken or Storm game, or see a show, is a must in this futuristic, eco-conscious stadium.
Hockey fever: The Seattle Kraken are still new, but season tickets sold out in under three minutes when the team launched. Fans are all in.
Basketball dreams: The city still aches for the Sonics, but locals are convinced they’ll come back.
Football & soccer: The beloved Seahawks reign, but don’t overlook the Sounders (men’s soccer) or Seattle Reign FC (women’s). Both draw passionate crowds.
Baseball: The Mariners are hot right now — and games at T-Mobile Park are within walking distance if you’re staying downtown.
Women’s sports pride: The Seattle Storm, made famous by Sue Bird, are still one of the WNBA’s top draws.
For visiting fans, Natalie suggests staying at The Populous or 1 Hotel, both chic new hotels within walking distance of the arenas and stadiums.
Eating & Drinking Seattle
Natalie made me hungry with her list of favorites:
Chefs to Know: Renee Erickson (The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Barnacle) and Tom Douglas (Lola).
Hot Tables: Filipino fine dining at Archipelago, Laotian at Taurus Ox.
Local Favorites:
Dive bar: 5 Point Café — bumper stickers, great fish & chips.
Comfort food: Stone Way Cafe.
Best breakfast sandwich: Russell’s (weekends only, until 3 p.m.).
The Drinks Scene:
Craft beer: Ballard and Georgetown breweries (Reuben’s Brews, Cloudburst).
Wine: Tastings in Woodinville or picnics at Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Spirits: Fast Penny Spirits, a female-founded Amaro distillery with a gorgeous tasting room.
Natalie’s other favorite spots include:
Ivar’s on Lake Union – Known for their Copper River salmon, plus Native artwork and waterfront views
Stone Way Cafe– Comfort food, beer, wine, and coffee all in one place
Milstead & Co. – A good coffee stop when the weather allows for outdoor seating
Tinte Cellars (Georgetown) – A chill wine tasting spot with a mission—part of sales support local charities
Pacific Inn Pub – A dive bar in Fremont famous for its fish and chips. Anthony Bourdain-approved.
Getting Outdoors
This is where Seattle really shines: paddleboarding on Lake Union (Natalie even floats around from her houseboat), picnicking at Gasworks Park, strolling around Green Lake, or renting a Duffy boat for a lazy afternoon on the water.
For bigger adventures, hop on a Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge or the San Juan Islands. Or swim at Coleman Pool in West Seattle — a public pool with front-row Puget Sound views.
That “This is Home” Moment
For Natalie, it’s evenings on her houseboat roof. Picture it: swallows swooping at sunset, seaplanes landing on Lake Union, the Space Needle twinkling in the distance. It’s a reminder that Seattle isn’t just a city — it’s a lifestyle built around water, culture, community, and the occasional rain-soaked walk.
So whether you’re flying a kite at Golden Gardens, sipping Amaro in Georgetown, or ferrying off to Bainbridge for the day, Seattle rewards you for looking past the obvious— and that’s when the real magic begins.
Meet Natalie Compagno
Natalie Compagno is a travel journalist who has visited over 100 countries. She specializes in culture, food, and wellness. She is a regular travel contributor to Seattle Magazine, and Northwest Meetings + Events, and her previous content has been published by Huffington Post, Yahoo! Travel, Food52, Travel Age West, Asia Eater, and Frequent Flyer Destinations. She has recorded numerous podcasts and delivered in-person travel talks throughout the country. She owned the renowned and beloved travel bookstore Traveler’s Bookcase in Los Angeles for ten years, during which she contributed her travel and culinary expertise to movie studios, teams filming internationally, celebrities, and globetrotting locals. Natalie hosted an episode of Secret Swimming Holes on the Travel Channel that filmed in Spain. Compagno helps host Impact Journeys for Brighton Jones and she loves discovering and learning about new places, especially off the beaten path destinations and hip new finds.
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