Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
Art Director, forYoungModerns

Explorer

I would spend my Perfect Day in Seattle because this city has everything. 'The Town' has a rich music history that continues to flourish with talent. Natural beauty surrounds a city full of world-class food, nightlife and passionate driven people.

The activities that can't be missed

1. The Great Wheel is the tallest Ferris wheel on the west coast, located at Pier 57 on the waterfront. Go during sunset, and witness one of the best views of the Puget Sound.

2. Go for a hike in Seattle's largest public park! A perfect setting for a picnic, Discovery Park offers sweeping views of the Puget Sound, and one of the best places to view wildlife in the city!

3. A Monorail ride to the Space Needle is an obvious must. Ride from downtown to Seattle Center in a few short minutes. Then check out the Experience Music Project (Seattle's Rock n' Roll Museum).

Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
My favorite places to eat

1. La Vita E Bella is my favorite Italian restaurant in Seattle. Most nights you will find owner Giuseppe Forte personally describing that evening's specials with Academy Award winning passion. They offer superb customer service and ideal date night atmosphere. The Gnocci al Forno is perfection.

2. You can't take a trip to Seattle without visiting a Tom Douglas restaurant (named the best Chef in the Northwest). The Brave Horse Tavern is my favorite Tom Douglas restaurant in Seattle. It boasts a rotating beer selection of the top Northwest breweries on tap, a killer happy hour, and the greatest beer-boiled soft pretzels I've ever tasted.

3. Seattle's favorite meal is brunch, and if you're going to do 'brunch in Seattle' you have to go to Cafe Flora! Their brilliant culinary creativity is paired with local, organic and sustainable products. The 'Heirloom Tomato & Spinach Benedict' is tremendous!

The places you should definitely see

1. As a music lover, a visit to West Seattle's Easy Street Records is always on my todo list. Check out live in-store performances from local and national bands, an impressive vinyl selection, and a stellar cafe to get your coffee buzz on!

2. I may be biased because I work here, but the Nordstrom Flagship in downtown Seattle is a destination for any fashion lover. Customer service is king here. GQ even named the Nordstrom Flagship as one of the top 25 Men's Shops in the country.

3. The Ballard Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round. It's a true slice of real Seattle, with excellent local food/arts & crafts vendors selling a little bit of everything.

Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
My favorite hidden gems

1. Even though it may look a litte modest on the outside, The Clever Bottle in Belltown is the best cocktail bar in Seattle. CB features handcrafted drinks using local liquors, Northwest wine and beer. I love the gorgeous custom lighting, the impressive customer service of owner Kristen Burns, and a lovely selection of vinyl you can play on the bar's record player.

2. Kerry Park is the quintessential skyline view of Seattle. But a short walk a few blocks over to Warren Avenue North and Ward St. in Queen Anne is truly a hidden gem perspective of the Emerald City. The view is located at the top of one of the many public staircases hidden within the hillside of Queen Anne Hill. You can discover all the secret stairwells and have an amazing walking adventure while admiring the incredible homes in the beautiful historic neighborhood.

My favorite Seattle venues

1. The Crocodile is by far my favorite rock club in Seattle. This historic venue played host to a who's who of the 90s Seattle music scene. The Crocodile continues to book excellent local and national acts, plus the back bar offers some of the best wood fired pizza in town.

2. There's not a bad seat inside The Triple Door. It's a great place to enjoy dinner and cocktails while watching live music in a setting that Sinatra would have felt at home in.

3. The Paramount Theatre is a place where every Seattle band dreams of playing. Once you step inside, it's impossible not to fall in love with the venue's classic architecture and 1920s charm.

Seattle Sound with Art Director Jesse Codling
My travel tips

Best Seattle Coffee: Stumptown cold brew coffee is the best.

Best Patio for a Drink: The Red Lion Hotel has a very rad cocktail bar called Frolik, featuring Seattle's largest outdoor patio.

Perfect Rainy Day: Hit up the SIFF Uptown Cinema, Scarecrow Video or a great local record store like Sonic Boom on a rainy day.