A Glance at Seattle's Magnificent Magnolia

Every neighborhood in Seattle has its own vibe. Magnolia, just north of downtown, kinda feels like a small town that somebody just threw into a bigger city. The traffic here is minimal, the local businesses are fun to check out, and natural beauty abounds. Here are some of my favorite things about this Seattle sweet spot.

Discovery Park

Image via Flickr by La.Catholique

Discovery Park is the largest park in Seattle, featuring more than 500 acres of natural beauty. I love to walk the 2.9-mile trail that takes you past gorgeous sound views as well as through peaceful open green spaces and tree-sheltered path. You can pick up a map when you arrive so you  know exactly where to find the visitors' center and the bathrooms.

The site is that of the former Fort Lawton, so there is some history involved here, too. It house artillery and other such ugly thing. It even served as a POW camp during WWII.

The Walkability

Even if you don't take Discovery Park into account, Magnolia is still a great place to take a stroll. The exhaust from passing cars won't choke you, and some of the houses are older and have charm oozing from their orifices. Plus, the views are great. There are a few places, like Ursula Judkins viewpoint, that offer up a stunning view of downtown.

Finn's Bakery & Cafe

The reviews on this place are mixed, but I can't help but throw my two cents into the bucket. The coffee--delicious. Worth losing a battle in my war against caffeine addiction. They sell Stumptown Coffee, a local brand that will make you wonder how the Starbucks down the street stays in business.

The baked goods are a dream. The selection changes from day to day, but from the few things I've tried, I'm convinced that everything there is delicious. Sure the prices are little steep, but if you have to, you can always sell a kidney to buy something at Finn's.

Where to find Finn's: 3204 W McGraw St Seattle, WA 98199

The bottom line on Magnolia? It's magnificent!