Two places immediately come to mind when people mention Seattle: the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Those are definitely the two spots to place on everyone's itinerary for a first-time visit to Seattle. What about the places surrounding the Needle? Below are some spots that are worth a visit.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington
Admission: $22; discounts available for seniors, youth and packages to combine with Space Needle access

Dale Chihuly developed a unique approach to blowing glass, presenting the form as a new avant-garde art style. The results are truly breathtaking, with the multitude of colors and shapes, objects and figurines, twists and turns, above and below, large and small, indoors and outdoors.








Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
440 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington
Admission: free

This was an unplanned stop and I'm so glad that my friend and I stopped by. Outside is a large screen documenting the work that they have achieved and the problems that lie ahead of them, as well as a timeline of the progress of how the foundation began. Inside is a well-designed exhibit. Through meticulous work, the foundation has explored how to 'green' their building inside and out to reduce environmental impact and energy usage, as well as gathering people to collectively think about how to improve the lives of millions of people who are less fortunate. Their message is that no matter how close or how far somebody lives, work can be done in local neighborhoods or far-reaching regions to create equal lives for everybody and to unlock everyone's potential.



Electronic Music Project Museum (EMP)
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, Washington
Admission: $30; discounts available for youth; extra for the additional special exhibition

I didn't actually go inside here. We visited the park outside and played with the uniquely designed playground that produces sounds and music of all sorts. Be a carefree kid again!!




Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, Washington
Admission: free
This outdoor park has so many wonderful pieces of art. While doing some background research, I discovered that this site used to be a contaminated brownfield. Since remodeled, the park has become famous for the Eagle by Alexander Calder. This unique place is great to see extra large outdoor contemporary art pieces, take a walk, and to enjoy the views over Elliott Bay.




Happy travels!
Cat

Manhattan has all things that people want to visit when in New York: shopping at 5th Avenue, Central Park, Wall Street, the Met, MOMA, Guggenheim, Times Square, Empire State Building, SoHo, Statue of Liberty, and so on. I visited most of the places on my first visit to New York several years ago, so for this trip, I picked some more interesting spots off the beaten track.

Due to a coincidence in timing, I found out that Collective Design's annual exhibition matched up with my travel dates! I dragged a friend along, who was only mildly impressed since she was an industrial design student, and enjoyed the art with no price tags.










The Cooper Hewitt Museum has become one of my favorite museums that I have visited. As a part of the ticket, they loan you an interactive pen that you can press to exhibit placards to 'save' to your online portfolio. Want to check out the ones I personally saved? Head to cooperhewitt.org/you and enter the code: wqtk. On the site are high resolution images, details of the object, and background information. In addition, there are interactive exhibits to create wallpaper, 3D objects, and such through this pen. This is the first museum that really enhances the museum experience through technology! During my visit, I experienced several ongoing exhibitions, I could pause and ponder the arising emotions and thoughts that are elicited from within and muse about the designer's decisions as they created a piece of artwork. Through these quiet moments, I neither felt the pressure to move on or the push and shove of a crowded museum like that of the Guggenheim, the Met or the Art Institute in Chicago. Each exhibit offered a sense of personal enjoyment that I thoroughly enjoyed.





















After the museum, I had every intention to rent a bike to cruise around Central Park, but the best of spring allergies took over, and I suffered on a seat in the comforts of a Duane Reade Pharmacy :(

Another place I visited was the High Line. This former railroad project is now a very popular urban park. With views of the Hudson River, perspectives of the Chelsea neighborhood, modern architectural residences and offices, mini landscape gardens, outdoor art exhibits, places to relax and food carts, what's not to love about the High Line? Personally, the park was too crowded for me, though it's definitely worth a second visit during an off-peak time. Maybe in the morning or towards sunset? With multiple access points to this elevated park, the High Line has something for everyone while casually strolling.





















Collective Design: Skylight Clarkson Square, 550 Washington Street, Manhattan, New York (2016 exhibit is over)
Cooper Hewitt Museum: 2 East 91st Street, Manhattan, New York
The High Line: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York

And to satisfy the hungry, here are a couple places worth checking out (clockwise from left):

1. Shanghai Cafe: 100 Mott Street (between Canal and Hester Streets), Manhattan, New York
2. 10Below Ice Cream: multiple locations
3. Two Little Red Hens: 1652 2nd Avenue (between 85th and 86th Streets), Manhattan, New York (~delectable cheesecake!!)
4. Cho Dan Gol Korean Restaurant: 55 W 35th Street (between Avenue of the Americas and 5th Avenue Midtown West), Manhattan, New York
5. Luke's Lobster: multiple locations
6. Totto Ramen: multiple locations






And other eateries I visited:
Momofuku Milk Bar: 251 E 13th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), Manhattan, New York (~the crack pie is so addictive)
Halal Guys: multiple locations
Fresco Gelateria: 138 2nd Avenue (between St. Marks Place and 9th Street), Manhattan, New York
Maison Kayser: multiple locations
Shake Shack: multiple locations

Alas, there's only so much time in the day. For future visits, I definitely want to check out Whitney Museum of American Art, the Met Cloisters, the Frick Collection, Dia: Beacon, Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate, and Storm King Art Center.  To satisfy hunger pangs: Bibble & Sip, Russ & Daughters, Xi'an Famous Foods, Spot Desert Bar, Levain Bakery, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Eataly, Beecher's Handmade Cheese, and Raclette. For shopping: Gentle Monster, Agnes B., Dashwood Books, Aedes Perfumery, and Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks. 

Been to New York or planning to visit? What's on your must-visit and must-eat list?

Happy travels!
Cat

(visited New  York in May 2016)

The interesting thing about a plebian is that we often fancy and dream of the high life, the fashion, the glamour, the fame, the riches, and all that comes with being a celebrity. Oscar de la Renta, a fashion designer, designed gowns for people whom all you need is their first name to recognize. His whole life-career was devoted to dressing women and he relished living in the modern era, declaring that "never in the history of the world have women been more in control of their destiny." His expertise focuses on vibrant colors that speak with such an arduous love for life and of materials and prints for outfits that command undivided attention without overwhelming its wearer. To see Mr. de la Renta's style at this special exhibition that the de Young museum hosted as he progressed through the years was an emotional moment. Thinking about historical events over the span of his life while observing his style and design was a gift in itself. How did he approach the changing hemlines and the changing attitudes? How did the women he dressed evolve as they tackled powerful events and ceremonies and celebrations in their life? Why did he choose this style when exploring that period in that particular region? So many questions abound and we may never know the true answers. Even in death, his clothes will speak for him, full of vivacity, while keeping the secrets of the designer and the wearer.





After a trip to the museum, I stopped for dessert at b. patisserie in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. This popular spot, known for its open-kitchen concept and highly tempting sweets, is worth a visit. Though seating is limited, it doesn't really matter because each piece will be scarfed down in a couple bites. Ah, I'm kidding - finding a seat to sit down and relish each bite makes each piece a lot more delectable. The crispy flaky crust and the soft doughy inside of the kouign amann is heavenly. As is the chocolate almond cake.










de Young Museum: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, California
b. patisserie: 2821 California Street, San Francisco, California

Cheers,
Catherine

(museum and bakery visited in April 2016; both the Oscar de la Renta and Bouquets to Art exhibitions at the de Young museum are over)