Mom-ster Weekend

A Mother and Son Weekend Getaway to Seattle Southside

Last Updated: December 11, 2025

A mother and her adult son head north from Portland for a weekend in Seattle Southside, ready to finally explore a part of the region he’d overlooked.

What starts as a simple getaway for Jane and Ed from @thekoreanmama quickly turns into the perfect weekend focused on eating new foods, trying new things, and showing Mom a different side of the city. Coco the dog, of course, came along for the adventure.

Pictured: The rain won't stop Mom from having a great time.
Credit: @thekoreanmama

A Scenic, Pet-Friendly Stay
Their home base was Cedarbrook Lodge, a tucked-away, lodge-style escape surrounded by trees and walking paths. With plenty of amenities and an on-site restaurant, it gave them a peaceful place to land between busy, food-filled days and plenty of space for Coco, the pup, to explore.

Day One: Fish, Flight, Chocolate, and a Monster Burger
The first big meal of the trip was at Duke’s Seafood, where they ordered a spread of dishes but quickly agreed the fish and chips were the real standout. Extra tartar sauce and a hit of Tabasco made it Mom’s instant favorite.

From there, they spent the afternoon at The Museum of Flight, wandering through galleries of aircraft and space exhibits. The highlight was stepping into the NASA Space Shuttle crew compartment, where astronauts trained, "Guys, we're basically astronauts now.” Mom loved it so much she rated the museum a near-perfect “9.8,” docking just a tiny bit for being startled by the mannequins.

Next stop was a tour of the Seattle Chocolate Factory. Mom loved learning about how chocolate was made, and of course, all the samples. "I want to buy a lot!"

Dinner turned into a full-on event at Sharps Roasthouse with the Monster Burger challenge. The towering burger, stacked with multiple patties, fried eggs, and even a grilled cheese sandwich, brought out a competitive side in Mom that her son had never seen. Her philosophy made it easier to lean in: “If you enjoy your food, it has 0 calories.”

Day Two: Classics, Coastline, and Nostalgia
The next morning started at 13 Coins, where Ed went straight for chicken-fried steak, Mom opted for a Denver omelet, and they shared an indulgent Bananas Foster French toast upgrade. Somewhere between bites, he learned she’d never tried a Monte Cristo before, which should be considered a crime. Her verdict on breakfast overall: it was “so good it will make your eyes roll.”

To walk it off, they headed to Des Moines Beach Park. The skies were grey, and the ground was damp, but that only added to the mood; "it doesn’t get more Seattle than a stroll along the water in this kind of weather."

Just up the road, Waterland Arcade delivered classic, button-smashing fun. Old-school machines and basketball games turned into a running gag as he described himself as the son of a “professional athlete” while Mom hilariously missed shot after shot.

Dinner that night was all about Korean BBQ at Sumi Korean Grill, where they ordered the large beef set. Surrounded by sizzling meat and banchan, he couldn’t resist pointing out that the “large beef set” was “ironically” also his nickname in college.

On the way out of town, they grabbed Vietnamese iced coffees and sandwiches from Drip N Sip, the perfect treat for the drive back to Portland.

Mom’s Final Take
By the end of the weekend, they’d discovered a side of the region full of cozy stays, big attractions, and, most importantly, an impressive lineup of restaurants. When he asked what she thought of Seattle Southside, Mom summed it up in the way only she could: it was wonderful—and even better because “there’s so much good food.”

Mom takes on the Monster Burger at Sharps Roasthouse.

The rain won't stop Mom from having a great time at Des Moines Beach Park.

Mom lets her inner astronaut shine at The Museum of Flight.

A Seattle Chocolate Factory tour means lots of samples!

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