Hotel at a Glance: Pensione Nichols B&B

There are no neon lights or roadside billboards advertising the Pensione Nichols B&B; in fact, you might miss the intimate little inn if you weren’t looking for it. It’s tucked away atop a century-old building in downtown Seattle, within easy walking distance of Pike Place Market and surrounded by views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Inside, the inn draws inspiration from Europe, with several antique furnishings that were imported from Sussex, England.

• A bistro-style breakfast of freshly baked breads, fruit, and coffee helps you start your day.
• Stylish rooms and suites are trimmed in elegant turn-of-the-century furnishings, but free WiFi keeps you in touch with the modern world.
• Bring Fido!: Pets can tag along for an additional fee. The innkeeper’s cavalier king charles spaniel, Theo, is likely to welcome you when you arrive. 
• Watch the sunset: The hotel is known for its stunning views of Elliott Bay’s sunsets.

Downtown Seattle: Art, Architecture, and Famous Coffee in Coastal Urban Center

Street performances, flowers, and fresh-caught fish find a common home at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Founded in 1907, this market is where both sightseers and locals shop for fresh seafood, meat, and produce. Drop into the Fish Market to watch the staff tossing salmon, halibut, cod—a famous tradition. There are plenty of nonperishable goods as well, including jewelry and other crafts. And you might want to take a picture in front of the market’s iconic sign, which now rivals Space Needle as the city’s most-recognizable symbol.

The original Starbucks coffeehouse has operated out of Pike Place since the 1970s. You can stop here for a pick-me-up before taking the half-mile walk to Seattle Central Library. Whether you love books or architecture or both, this futuristic-looking library is worth a visit. The 11-story glass-and-steel structure consists almost entirely of diamond-shaped windows arranged to look like a geometric net. The otherworldly interior is a playground for book lovers. Be sure to check out the library’s “living room” in the morning, when sunlight creates a kaleidoscopic shadow on the floor.

Like the library, the nearby Seattle Art Museum is full of spectacles, starting with its collection of “exploding” white Ford Tauruses suspended from the lobby ceiling. Exhibits range from Renaissance-era European art to Korean and Japanese panels.

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