@ www.theotherpress.ca

 

Buffalo Exchange

One of University Way’s hot spots
is Buffalo Exchange: a vintage
thrift store where you can get cash
for your clothes and find designer
items that range in prices. Located
on the centre of the strip, Buffalo
Exchange is one of the many thrifty
clothing stores in the University
district where students shop for
unique apparel.

Portage Bay Cafe

Another Seattle must-do in the
University district is breakfast at
Portage Bay Cafe, which promotes
local, organic, and sustainable food
sourced from farms and producers.
Inside the café are pictures and
menus about the food suppliers,
which are all within a few miles

of the café. The company’s motto
is “Eat like you give a damn,” and
the café is one of the most popular
breakfast and brunch spots in the
city. During the three days I was

in Seattle it was packed every time
I walked by—which was often, as
it is located beside the University
Inn—but the waiting time was

less than 20 minutes, and there

is a coffee bar where individuals
can fill up a mug to sip on while
they wait. The pricing was decent
considering the amount of food
and preparation; for example, a full
toppings bar including a selection
of syrups, whipped cream, nuts,
fresh fruit, and berries is served
with any order of pancakes and
French toast.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is another trendy area
with interesting places to shop and
eat. Hot spots in this area include
Unicorn, a bar with an eclectic

feel (reminiscent of Vancouver’s
Eatery), great tunes, and drink
specials every night. Located off
of East Pike Street, the Unicorn is
one of many pubs frequented by
20-somethings who want to have a
good time.

Also on East Pike Street, Big
Mario’s is a much smaller pub that
serves New York-style pizza—
possibly the best tasting pizza |
have ever had. For $4.11, one piece
is bigger than the paper plates they
stack the slices on, with fresher
and far tastier creations than Mega
Bite. Artichoke and roasted red
pepper, and feta cheese crumbled
over Italian sausage were the best
flavours on the menu.

Volunteer Park

After walking around the popular
shopping districts and the
University, which is scattered with
large fraternity houses that look
like small museums, I recommend
visiting Volunteer Park, which is
located in the heart of Seattle and
is just a bus ride away from Capitol
Hill.

Although the park was
established in 1876, the city just
declared Volunteer Park a Seattle
Landmark on November 2, 2011.
A large flower conservatory, the
Seattle Asian Art Museum, and
the park’s water tower are all free

@ Portage Bay Cafe

 

to both residents and tourists.
Volunteer Park was not quite as
nice as Stanley Park, but it was
much less busy and, therefore, more
relaxing. This was probably my
favourite excursion of the trip, as
the water tower offers a spectacular
view of the city—possibly better
than the view from the Space
Needle.

If you need a weekend getaway,
grab three friends and your piggy
bank and Greyhound down to
Seattle. Avoid all the tourist traps;

anything on a “City’s top 10 list” is
usually pretty lame and expensive.
Vancouver area must-sees include
the Capilano Suspension Bridge
and Whistler Blackcomb; two
things I cannot afford and would
not recommend to travelling
friends. My advice? Research your
destination before you leave so
you have a better idea of the area,
and walk around. Most of the
restaurants, boutiques, cafés, and
parks we discovered were thanks to
my mishaps with bus schedules!