By Chris Taylor
NEW YORK (Reuters) – If you are ever in the Pacific Northwest and catch sight of a seaplane, take a closer look: It might be T-Mobile president and CEO Mike Sievert at the controls.
The head of the wireless carrier harbors well-known obsessions with the sea and the sky, which is why his hometown of Seattle is his dream location.
For the latest in Reuters 48 Hours series, Sievert pilots us through a couple of memorable days along America’s northwest coast. (Hint: It’s not always rainy!)
The following interview is edited and condensed.
WHAT I LOVE MOST
For me, Seattle is all about snow-capped mountains meeting the ocean. Being able to spot the most prominent mountain in the continental U.S., glacier-covered Mt. Rainier, in the same frame as the Salish Sea and the Space Needle, is something that makes Seattle truly unique.
Looking west, the Olympic Mountains and the waterfront make such a beautiful backdrop to downtown.
WHERE I GO FIRST
Dick’s Drive-In (multiple locations), the best old-time burger stand around. They’ve been serving up burgers, hand-cut fries and shakes the same way for generations.
Just don’t try to customize anything. Take it the way they offer it and say thank you!
WHERE TO STAY
The Edgewater Hotel (Alaskan Way) is literally perched over the waterfront. There are pictures in the lobby of the Beatles fishing out of their hotel window. That’s how old and cool and iconic this place is.
The Four Seasons Seattle (Union St.) is just a block away from the famous Pike Place Market, and if you are down for a splurge, it’s an excellent place with incredible views.
POWER BREAKFAST SPOT
Top Pot Doughnuts. Go to the original in Denny Triangle (5th Ave.) That’s for the doughnuts.
If you want to see famous people or power breakfast types coming and going, hang out in the lobby at the Four Seasons or the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel (University St.)
FUN LOCALE FOR TEAM OUTINGS
Home to the Seattle Mariners for almost 25 years, T-Mobile Park (1st Ave. S.) is one of the most iconic ballparks in the U.S. The best food in baseball.
TOURIST TRAP THAT’S ACTUALLY WORTH IT
Pike Place Market (Pike St.) is the real deal. Still a working market, showcasing local produce, specialty foods and crafts the same way, for generations.
Try to go when there isn’t a cruise ship in town – weekdays are best.
IDEAL COFFEE SPOT
You have to at least peek in the original Starbucks store at Pike Place. But an even better experience is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill (Pike St.) A wonderful place to taste and learn about coffee.
As for smaller local roasters, I like Zoka and Fonté a lot (multiple locations).
FAVORITE AREA TO SHOP
Seattle is a city of neighborhoods, each with vibrant main streets to explore. Check out Broadway in Capitol Hill and the main streets in sections such as Belltown, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont and Wallingford. Each has something unique to offer, and each places emphasis on locally owned businesses.
SOMETHING ONLY INSIDERS KNOW
It’s called Pike Place. Not Pike’s Place. Not Pike Street Market. Thanks!
CANNOT-MISS TREATS
Molly Moon’s is pretty famous here for ice cream (original shop at N. 45th St.)
BEST DINNER SPLURGE
It’s not a full splurge, but Spinasse (14th Ave.) makes the most amazing hand-cut pasta. For the full splurge, try Altura (Broadway E.), currently the best restaurant in town in my opinion, and with such a casual, laid-back Seattle vibe, you might not even know you are about to have one of the best meals of your life.
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
People talk about the ‘Seattle Freeze,’ a term that means we aren’t welcoming of newcomers. I have found the exact opposite. My wife Suzanne and I moved here in 2002 and found the community so welcoming.
FAVORITE SOUVENIR
Bring back some Seattle Chocolate (flagship store on Andover Park W.) It’s a local favorite, woman-owned business and happens to be very tasty. Or some small-batch smoked, chunky, candied Sockeye salmon. That’s good stuff, and it screams Seattle.
BEST MEMORY
Watching the underdog Seahawks win the NFC championship at home in the 2013/14 season was a huge highlight, and of course, two weeks later they took it all at the Super Bowl in New York City. Fun times for this city in the far corner of the country.
WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW
Summer here is the golden season. Late June to late September, it is sunny daily, no humidity, few bugs … it’s “throw the doors and windows open and celebrate” kind of weather.
If you plan your visit anytime in the summer, you are going to see Seattle at its best.
MORE 48 HOURS
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Sunrise to sunset in Mumbai with Suresh Muthuswami of TCS
Tokyo street eats with Shake Shack’s Randy Garutti
(Editing by Lauren Young and Louise Heavens)
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