The Micoadventure: Epic Adventures Without the Epic Hassle

52 Microadventures in 52 Weeks

Seattle Southside is full of incredible sights, activities, eats, and more. With so many places to explore, where do you begin? We'll highlight a new microadventure every week for all of 2023 to help you find your next thrill.

What is a Microadventure?

A trip doesn't have to be of epic proportions to be incredible. In fact, some of the best travel stories come from finding joy, wonder, and fun in unexpected places. That's why here in Seattle Southside we are focusing on the microadventure - the walk off the beaten path that takes you on an incredible journey without taking up too much of your time, energy, or cash. Microadventures are perfect for folks who are in town on a long layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), looking to fill free time before or after a conference or meeting, about to head out on a cruise, or who are staying in Seattle Southside as their home base for their Pacific Northwest adventures.

Our neck of the woods is full of a fantastic array of places to go, things to do, dishes to eat, and experiences to be had that you'd never expect. In fact, we're regularly told by locals that they're surprised to learn about something in the area, even if they've lived here their whole lives! Don't believe us? Follow this blog post, which will be updated every week through 2023 as we walk you through 52 microadventures in Seattle Southside.

1. Take in Tunes at 13 Coins
2. A Winter's Walk at Des Moines Beach Park
3. Feast Across Asia at The Eatery
4. Sip and Charcuterie at Marina Mercantile
5. Delight in a Symphonic Performance
6. Game Your Heart Out at Legacy Gaming
7. Savor Ethiopian Cuisine at Star Coffee
8. Explore the Mall of Africa
9. Dine Globally while Dining Locally at Spice Bridge
10. Some Like it Hot at Moctezuma's
11. Food for the Soul at Dat Creole Soul
12. Sample Local Wines at Bacovino
13. Lunch and Lounge at Rendition
14. Spring Blooms at Seike Japanese Garden
15. Refuel at Watershed FC
16. Blossom and Bloom at Zenith Holland Nursery
17. Classic Fusion at Bob's Burgers

Looking for even more microadventures? Check out Part Two and Part Three of this series!

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1. Take in Tunes at 13 Coins

Late-night local favorite 13 Coins is known for its expansive menu and an open kitchen where half the fun is watching the chefs at work. But did you know that the SeaTac location of 13 Coins is also a great place to catch live local tunes? While other locations only offer music on the weekends, at the SeaTac location you can find live musicians performing Tuesday through Saturday nights starting at 7:30 during the week and 8 on Fridays and Saturdays with no cover charge to enjoy the music! The genre and performers vary, so be sure to check out their live music calendar for details on who and what to expect.

2. A Winter's Walk at Des Moines Beach Park

Whether you go in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, Des Moines Beach Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Seattle Southside. Not only does it boast incredible views of the Puget Sound, opportunities to see wildlife, and lush foliage, this is probably the best place to catch a sunset! While the park is very popular during the spring and summer (it is a beach, after all!), it doesn't always occur to people that the sights of the park are just as beautiful, if not even more so, when accompanied by brisk air and, if you're lucky, a dusting of snow. Explore the trails around the park and get your blood pumping to stay warm this winter.

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3. Feast Across Asia at The Eatery

The Eatery at Lam's Seafood in Tukwila is a hidden foodie paradise. Tucked into the corner of a shopping center and attached to the fantastic Vietnamese Lam's Seafood market, this isn't your ordinary food court. With options ranging from Dochi Donuts to Banh Mi Station, goPoké to Golden Daisy Dim Sum, Natalie's Sugarcane and Desserts for boba, and even Vietnam House, a full service Vietnamese restaurant anchoring the court, you have a wide array of Asian cuisines to choose from for your feast. But why pick just one spot when you can, say, pick up a bowl of poké from goPoké, some bao from Golden Daisy, and wash those down with boba from Natalie's, then indulge in a mochi donut from Dochi for dessert? The possibilities are endlessly delicious.

4. Sip and Charcuterie at Marina Mercantile

What do you get when you put together locally made crafts, a curated selection of wines and craft beer, and a delicious selection of small bites? Marina Mercantile, the ideal spot to stock up for entertaining or picnicing, or simply to hang out at their wine and beer bar and enjoy delicious Pacific Northwest inspired tapas! Not into alcohol? They also have an espresso bar. You can put together the perfect charcuterie board and impress your friends, or bring a loved one a locally crafted souvenir. Marina Mercantile also regularly hosts events like interactive art classes, concerts, and more!

5. Delight in a Symphonic Performance

Seattle Southside plays host to not one but two different symphonies, the Rainier Symphony and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. While the Northwest Symphony Orchestra travels around the Puget Sound region for performances and regularly performs at the Highline Performing Arts Center, the Rainier Symphony calls the Foster Performing Arts Center home for all of its concerts. Looking for some romantic music? The Northwest Symphony Orchestra offers an annual Valentine’s Day Concert at Highline on February 10th, while the Rainier Symphony will be performing a Classics Concert on February 25th and 26th.

6. Game Your Heart Out at Legacy Gaming

Even if you don't think of yourself as a gamer, you'll find an experience at Legacy Gaming Community that is right up your alley. Whether you like retro games like Pong, Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man or the latest and greatest in cutting-edge VR technology, Legacy has an incredible array of consoles and PCs to help you game your heart out. Even if you've never played a videogame before, there are VR experiences available that will have you so immersed that you'll forget that you're even playing a game! This local Black-owned business is a real gem tucked into a corner of Tukwila. Learn more about Legacy Gaming Community in our interview with Juanrean Cooper, the owner of Legacy Gaming!

7. Savor Ethiopian Cuisine at Star Coffee

Star Coffee is more than just any delicious Ethiopian restaurant - it was recently selected as the best Ethiopian restaurant in the Seattle area by The Infatuation! One taste and it's easy to see why - from their baked in-house injera to their raved-over beef tibs and shiro wat, their menu has something delicious and appetizing whether you're a vegetarian or a carnivore. And while "coffee" is right in the name (and it's good coffee, too!), don't miss out on their selection of Ethiopian beers at their bar. This spot is open until 2AM, so it's a great option for those long, late nights when breakfast is just too far away.

8. Explore the Mall of Africa

At the Mall of Africa, you can shop a wide array of goods from Somalia, Ethiopia, and across Africa in an amazing collection of shops under one roof. With beautiful textiles, rich fragrances, jewelry and more, you'll find a surprise in each independently owned stall. And when you've shopped 'til you're just about to drop, the Mall of Africa Restaurant offers delicious, traditional, hearty African fare to help refuel you.

9. Dine Globally while Dining Locally at Spice Bridge

Spice Bridge Global Food Hall is a place to eat like no other. This incubator program for aspiring restauranteurs and caterers allows for these small businesses to get operating without making the investment of having their own space. This means that multiple restaurants work out of the same kitchen, and the availability changes based on the day. You might find Somali and Cambodian food one day, then Asian fusion and Ethiopian food the next! Every dish on offer is delicious, plus you're supporting the dreams of BIPOC and immigrant small business owners, many of whom are women.

10. Some Like it Hot at Moctezuma's

Feeling a bit en fuego? Get your sizzle on at Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant, where they specialize in flaming fajitas and queso, sizzling steaks and molcajete, and more classic Mexican eats served with flair. And to cool off, they have a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas to make everythign go down smooth.

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11. Food for the Soul at Creole Soul

Maybe your idea of a taste of home isn't Mexican food? That's fine - if you want traditional Southern Creole food, Creole Soul in Des Moines is dishing up an authentic taste of the south right here in Seattle Southside. Fried catfish, etouffee, alligator on a stick, shrimp and grits and other Creole classics await you. You can learn more about the story behind Creole Soul in our article on Black-Owned Businesses in Seattle Southside.

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12. Sample Local Wines at Bacovino

Did you know Washington State has not one but two different wine months? It's true - the "grape" state of Washington celebrates our wine region every March and August. What better way to celebrate than to enjoy locally produced wine? At Bacovino, you can taste wine made right here in Seattle Southside using Washingotn-grown grapes. Ever wanted to blend you own wine? They also offer occasional wine-blending classes as well! Plus they have weekly live music, regular art classes, and more to make this a great place to add to your itinerary. Are you a big wine lover? Check out our blog post on Washington state wines.

13. Lunch and Lounge at Rendition

Rendition is known as a slick, urban, globally-inspired bar and restaurant by night, but during the day you can enjoy a hearty, delicious lunch during the day as well! Their newly launched lunch menu features a delicious fried chicken sandwich, miso ramen that fills the belly and warms the heart, a delicious smoked seafood chowder, and more! Plus, their bar has a fantastic selection of craft beers, wines, and house crafted cocktails. Can't make it for lunch? They have breakfast and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends, too!

14. Spring Blooms at Seike Japanese Garden

One of multiple gardens located in Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, the Seike Japanese Garden is more than just a garden - it's a beautiful memorial to a fallen WWII soldier. This beloved garden was saved by the community when it was threatened by construction at the Airport and moved to its new home, where it is accessible to the public year-round for free. It's a sight to behold in all four seasons, but the spring blooms might just be the ideal time to see the gardens.

15. Refuel at Watershed FC

After a long day of playing (or just watching!) soccer or rugby at Starfire Sports, where do you go to refuel? The Watershed Pub & Kitchen, also known as Watershed FC, has delicious pizza, both whole and by-the-slice, wings, and salads, plus a fantastic selection of craft beer on tap! It's the perfect place to recharge before or after a long day of sports. So grab a slice and keep an eye on the pitch!

16. Blossom and Bloom at Zenith Holland Nursery

The flora at Zenith Holland Nursery has been a Des Moines staple for more than 115 years, growing gorgeous greenery for homes throughout the Puget Sound region. Today, it is a part of the Seattle Southside Scenes trail, a trail of historical, cultural, and artistic sites in the region, and for good reason - the plants on display here are gorgeous enough to make this shop a scenic garden in their own right. But the best part is that you can take a part of this garden home with you and keep the love growing, no matter where you call home.

17. Classic Fusion at Bob's Burgers

Not to be confused with the cartoon of the same name, Bob's Burgers and Teriyaki is a local favorite - and for good reason! This hole-in-the-wall is tucked away like a delicious secret, and it's full of classic eats with a twist. While Seattle is known for its ubiquitous teriyaki joints, and hamburgers are seen all over as a lunchtime quick-service specialty, it's rare to see the two brought together so deliciously! Their Teriyaki Burger with its delicious and not-too-hot jalapeno jelly is the standout star, but don't miss their delicious teriyaki dishes and yakisoba as well!

Want even more microadventures?

The microadventures continue in Part Two of our 52 Microadventures in 52 Weeks blog post!

Author

Christy Maggio

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