Traveling While Black Team Visits Seattle Southside

In Part 1 of the Seattle Southside Regional Series, Anthony and Marlie visit Seattle Southside and explore each of the cities: SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines.

In Tukwila, the pair explore Westfield Southcenter for shopping and then enjoy trying a mead tasting at Oppegaard Meadery. They enjoyed exploring the hidden gem of Des Moines with a walk through Des Moines Creek Trail to the Des Moines Beach Park. In SeaTac, they visited Cedarbrook Lodge, viewed local artwork, and toured the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden.

They felt pretty comfortable exploring each of the cities, especially the park and garden.

Drive Grade = 5 out of 5 due to the abundance of and access to free parking and the simple direction of the drive just south of Seattle

In Part 2 of the Seattle Southside Regional Series, Anthony and Marlie visit Black-owned businesses in Seattle Southside.

In Des Moines, they hit up Dat Creole Soul for some authentic New Orleans cuisine, diving into a classic brunch complete with bottomless mimosas. The vibe was just right. Then, it was off to Mini the Dough-Nut, where they got to see the magic happen - fresh donuts coming right off the line.

Over in SeaTac, they checked out Star Coffee for a taste of Ethiopian coffee, which was a hit. They're already planning a return trip to try the food. The visit to SeaTac International Mall was an eye-opener; they got to learn about the vendors and how the mall focuses on community. It's not just a shopping spot; it's a place that brings people together.

Tukwila was next on their list, where they explored Spice Bridge. It was more than just a food stop; they learned about the organization's mission to support food entrepreneurs from different countries. They recommend it highly, urging others to support these small, owner-operated businesses. They also swung by Legacy Gaming in Tukwila, but luck wasn't on their side – it was closed. Still, they're all for what Legacy Gaming stands for, especially its commitment to giving back to the community.

They had a lot of fun at all the businesses they visited.

Comfortability for Black People Grade = 5 out of 5 due to a lot of these businesses giving back and building a strong foundation for the community.

In Part 3 of the Seattle Southside Regional Series Anthony and Marlie visit the best things to do in Seattle Southside.

Their first adventure was the Seattle Chocolate Factory Tour, starting with an informative session in the classroom where they learned all about chocolate. The excitement peaked as they started the factory tour, witnessing firsthand the transformation of chocolate from bean to bar. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the tasting session, where they indulged in an array of chocolates, sampling to their hearts' content.

Then there was iFLY Indoor Skydiving. If you've ever wondered what skydiving feels like without actually jumping out of a plane, this is it. Anthony geared up, learned all about safety, and then stepped into the wind tunnel. It was epic watching him fly around in there. Marlie's definitely giving it a go next time.

The Museum of Flight was another highlight. It's packed with exhibits and artifacts, making it a paradise for anyone even remotely interested in aviation. Anthony was in awe; he'd been to a bunch of museums, but this one topped his list. The sheer scale and history of it all really left an impression.

To round off the day, they headed to Bacovino for some wine tasting. It was the perfect way to unwind after a day packed with adventure and learning. Sipping on different wines and just relaxing and hanging out with visitors and staff, it was a great end to an incredible day.

As Black people, they felt comfortable at each location.

Level of Fun = 5 out 5 based on all of the activities being fun and must-dos