There’s a bigness about Seattle—the mountains, the space needle, the evergreens, the Fremont troll. Whenever I travel to places like this, I’m reminded that I’m a small person in a big world, and while for some people that means insignificance, for me, it simply means there’s more to life than just me. It’s an invitation to be curious about what I don’t know, including parts of myself.

Hotel Ändra is roughly a 25 minute drive from Sea Tac Airport, has plenty of great food options nearby, including Lola immediately downstairs in the lobby, and it’s not far from favorite attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront and more. If that hasn’t sold you, it is also incredibly chic and cozy.

If you’re visiting Seattle and looking for a natural escape, a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls is something you simply must do. Just a short drive from the city, this majestic 268-foot waterfall is an incredibly beautiful wonder to experience.

Before my family and I arrived in Seattle, we all heard from various people that seafood and Asian cuisine were the way to go, so we found plenty of restaurants that offered both, but we also discovered restaurants that offered other cuisines that were just as tasty.

Seattle is brimming with locally made goods and internationally sourced items. Pike Place Market is the most ideal place for tourists to shop for artisan items, but you will also find shops all over the city and surrounding islands like Bainbridge that sell stunning, one of a kind pieces.