A Late Autumn Getaway

48 Hours in Seattle Southside

Last Updated: December 3, 2025

How much can you pack into a single weekend?

Katherine McQueen, a travel creator who goes by @vineyardsandvoyages on social media, took a fall road trip to Seattle Southside to find out. It was her first time stopping in the area (though she'd been to Seattle proper a few times). And though her work takes her all over the world, she was still impressed by what our corner of the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Here's what she and her husband go into during their short and sweet stay.

Pictured: Travel creator Katherine McQueen and her husband exploring Seattle Southside in November 2025.
Credit: @vineyardsandvoyages

Day 1 - Global Bites and Local Delights

McQueen and her husband headed here straight from another trip in Whitefish, Montana. It was a long drive, so by the time they checked in at Seattle Airport Marriott, they were more than ready to order room service and collapse in bed. An order of sliders and chocolate cake from the on-site restaurant Aqua Terra was "the perfect end to a long day."

First Stop: Coffee

When they woke up the next day, their first stop was at Kappa Espresso, a small, locally owned stand in SeaTac serving single-origin Ethiopian coffee.

"I am a serious espresso fan," says McQueen. "I want a traditional dry cappuccino with quality tasting beans, and Kappa Espresso gave me exactly that. Really enjoyed what they are doing there."

An International Market

Next, they visited Lam's Seafood Asian Market, one of the largest international markets in the region. Lam's stocks a wide variety of imported produce, snacks, and sweets, and McQueen was delighted to recognize many of the products she'd heard you can buy in Japan. They capped off their visit with a trip to the grocery's food court, where they tried (and loved) the ube- and matcha-flavored mochi donuts from Dochi.

After, they walked off the donuts with a four-mile walk along the Green River Trail, a peaceful path that can be accessed from Fort Dent Park.

Handcrafted Mead

To warm up after their walk, they made an afternoon stop at Oppegaard Meadery in Tukwila, where they chatted with owner and local mead-maker Jon Oppegaard.

"We talked about the history of Mead and its growth in Washington State," says McQueen. "I always love meeting people who are passionate about their craft.

They tried a mead flight to sample different flavors and enjoyed the quiet, cozy vibe.

Dinner with a Retro Vibe

Finally, they ended the day with hot French dip sandwiches from 13 Coins Restaurant, a Seattle-area institution that has been going strong since 1967.

"I love the aesthetic of this restaurant, especially the high-back chairs lining the counter," says McQueen. "It has an old-school Hollywood feel."

Day 2: Quiet Autumn Beauty

Scenic Walks

After a stop at family-owned Impresso Espresso in SeaTac for a morning coffee, they headed to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. There, they admired the foliage at the Seike Japanese Garden, a traditional, artfully designed garden that shines in the fall.

More Sips and Strolls

They continued their journey with a walk on the Des Moines Creek Trail, beginning at Des Moines Beach Park on the Puget Sound shoreline. They walked from the beach up the trail for roughly two miles before turning around, admiring the babbling creek, fall leaves, and local wildlife (they even spotted a heron)!

After, they took a load off at Quarterdeck, where they ordered a beer flight to sample local craft beers. "The pumpkin spice beer is a must-have!"

A Taste of Italy

They ended their trip with a romantic Italian dinner at PortoVino in Des Moines. They loved the chicken piccata and cheesecake picked straight from an old-fashioned dessert tray.

"We have travelled through Italy several times, and this restaurant felt so authentic," says McQueen. "The food was excellent, and the service was wonderful."

If there's anything that surprised them about their trip, it's that they were able to enjoy so much nature so close to the airport. Between the botanical garden, the trails, and the waterfront, they were able to find many quiet escapes throughout the weekend. McQueen loves the Northwest so much she's considering making it her home.

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