Hidden Gems Seattle: Panama Hotel

They say those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Today we remember the past and take a trip to a Seattle institution where they proudly represent a trying period of time in the Pacific Northwest.

For such a young city, Seattle has an incredibly interesting history. Unfortunately, parts of the history are also very sad. Some would argue the biggest stain is Seattle's participation in the internment of local Japanese immigrants, many of which were American citizens, during World War II. This is a page in the history books we usually skim over. Many people aren't aware that we sent over 100,000 men, women, and children to camps around the U.S., forcing them to leave almost all their possessions behind, strip them of their freedom, and move them to confined camps with dismal living conditions. 

The Panama Hotel Tea House

The Panama Hotel works to educate people. When you walk into the Panama Hotel you are walking on floors that have a large piece of history beneath them. In the dark basement you can still find items left behind by Japanese families who believed they would return to Seattle for them someday. Sadly, many never did and their possessions remain here, protected, to tell their story. 

You can see the items left behind through a glass floor.

In 2006, the Panama Hotel was awarded the title of National Historic Landmark. You can visit it and peer into the basement via a glass floor in the back of the tea house. It is absolutely worth a visit and then we encourage you to share the story with friends and family; it is one we should talk about openly, so we can learn not to repeat it in the future. 

While you are there stop to have a pot of tea. Enjoy the atmosphere (and of course, a pastry, you can't NOT eat the pastries) and take in the old photographs and news clippings they have that document the past. 

If you want to learn more...

We see this story being told and remembered more and more now. If you would like you can check out popular books like Snow Falling on Cedars and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet that tell the story of the people who were unjustly sent to these camps because of mass paranoia during the war. Actor George Takei also wrote and performed in a musical, Allegiance, which tells the story of the internment that he was a part of as a child, and the Seattle Times did a great piece on the Panama Hotel, which you can read here. 

Your Ultimate Father's Day Guide

Actual Rain or Shine Guide Dad

Father's Day is coming people (Sunday, June 19 for those of you who forgot)! Even though it is after Mother's Day, it is still important. I mean, he didn't have to physically give birth to you, but he still probably did some nice stuff over the years. We've compiled a list for you to successfully wow dad into loving you the most (it is a competition, don't let your sibling tell you differently). 

Photos From: Ray's Boathouse Instagram, Tom Douglas Co. Instagram

Best Restaurants

Ray's Boathouse is dining with a decent view (you know, only 30 feet of waterfront bar seating with views of the perfect Puget Sound). Their seafood is delicious, their service is friendly, and seriously, the view is unreal. Dad will love their cocktails too :) 

Dahlia Lounge is that place in town for a good steak, but for other good food too. So if dad wants a juicy cut of red meat, but other people in the family don't, head to Dahlia and order anything, literally anything, on the menu. 

Chandler's is famous for their local Dungeness Crab, but any of their other 20 crab dishes are worth the price tag too. Plus, they have unique views of Lake Union. 

And for the casual dad, Royal Grinders makes a mean sandwich and serves up delicious ice cream too! Spend the afternoon at the Solstice Parade (see below) after you are so full you want to die.

Best Activities

Snoqualmie Falls is a great day trip out of Seattle. 

A ride on the antique steam engine is a treat for all ages. 

America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA is any gearheads dream. They have an exhibit right now featuring the Hot Rods of Route 66. 

Snoqualmie Falls is a fun family outing, especially during the beautiful summer months! The Northwest Rail Museum is conveniently down the road for a second stop that dad will love. Plan your visit according to the train schedule because no trip is complete without a ride on the steam engine.

The Museum of Flight is a place everyone has to visit in Seattle, so if you haven't yet, hit it up! If you've already been and loved it, we recommend driving up to Everett, WA to visit the Flying Heritage Museum. This collection of planes is primarily from WWII and provides a lesson in the history of aviation different than what you gain from the Museum of Flight. 

Your Dad will love all the wacky Fremont Solstice events

Fremont Solstice Festival has a great stage on Father's Day, particularly the Seattle Rock Orchestra from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Take dad to jam out and don't forget to go hungry and thirsty to take advantage of all the awesome vendors that will pack the area! 

Photos From: Seattle Thread Instagram, Seattle Cutlery, Fitbit, NFL Shop

Best Gifts

Seattle Thread Company is a local men's fashion company that sells only the best. This shirt is calling your dad's name ($145). 

This Shippu Santoku Knife ($139) is a chef's best friend. Prep vegetables, meats, or fish with this beauty. 

Help him track his fitness goals with the stylish new Fitbit Blaze ($245). Pair it with this sleek watch band (137.17) and we guarantee he will be the sexiest dad around (ok, we aren't going to guarantee that, but with "Dad Bod" taking the world by storm it is a lower bar to hit).

No Seattle Father can have too many Seahawks items. Get him a new shirt ($27.99) or if you want to really go big, an autographed Marshawn Lynch football ($279). Be sure he is sitting down when he opens that, we aren't responsible for any harm that may come if he isn't.

And if you really love him...

Photo from Lily

Meet Lily. The coolest drone around for the coolest dad around. Throw her into the air and she will follow you and film all your adventures whether that is rafting, biking, fishing or partying at a summer BBQ. 

Alright, we release you! Good luck and god speed. May the best sibling win. 

Sam's Tavern and the Famous Bloody Mary

Sam's Bloody Mary in all her glory

Bloody Marys. God's gift to brunch and hangovers. Also, it's a drink that tastes good with food...in it. Have we ever mentioned how much we love food?

Ya. We thought so. 

Enter Sam's Tavern.

There is this little spot in Capitol Hill that is a little grimey, but in a good way, and serves up awesome burgers with friendly service. You can find a moose head, Mrs. Pacman, and a Henry mural in their spot and they have Happy Hour $1 cans of Rainier. Could this place be any more Seattle? 

Oh, did we also mention Sam's Tavern is run by the son of the creators of Red Robin? He probably had to learn to grill a perfect burger before he was allowed to learn how to read. 

The chili also gets our vote.

#PNW

The Henry mural is hidden in the back of the bar!

Don't be intimidated...you got this.

The sign of any good dive bar is dolla dolla bills as decorations.

Seattle Art From The Center of the Universe

Seattle neighborhoods are similar to the tables in the cafeteria in high school. Everyone has a place they fit in. Belltown is for the Yuppies, Capitol Hill is for the music junkies, and Fremont is for the free spirits. These free spirits/artists/hippies call themselves Fremonsters and they reside in "The Center of the Universe." 

Fremont is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. It packs an insane amount of culture, food, and activities into a tiny space and as you walk around you will be delighted to stumble upon all the wacky, weird, and incredible art Fremont has placed around its neighborhood. We give you the highlights here:

The Fremont Troll

The most famous piece of art in Fremont, featured in the film 10 Things I Hate About You, is a giant troll who lives under the Aurora Bridge. It is inspired by the nursery rhyme we all know and love, Three Billy Goats Gruff, luckily our troll seems to only eat VW Beetles, not billy goats. 

Photo by Xurxo Martínez

Waiting for the Interurban

This statue has been an interactive work of art in Fremont since 1979. The five people and the dog waiting for the bus has always been a place where people add to the art for holidays, wedding proposals, and demonstrations. 

Fun Fact: The dog is rumored to represent the unofficial Mayor of Fremont, Arma Napoleon Stepanian, who pioneered the recycling program we now have in Seattle and was then replicated across the nation! 

Rapunzel

In the northwest tower of the colorful Fremont Bridge, Rapunzel stands trapped in her tower. Made of neon lights, this piece of art was created by a Fremonster, Rodman Miller, and is a permanent piece in Fremont to inspire your imagination as you cross the bridge.

Topiary Dinosaurs

A while back the Pacific Science Center had a couple topiary dinosaurs it no longer wanted so Fremont bought them for $1 and placed them at the corner of Phinney Ave and 34th (because why not??). They are 66 feet long, weigh 5 tons, and have over 7,000 ivy plants helping them keep their dino form! 

Lenin Statue

Love him or hate him, this statue of Vladimir Lenin is sitting outside Grinders for people to contemplate. It was built in Slovakia and torn down during The Revolution where it eventually made its way to Fremont, Seattle to encourage healthy debates and conversation. In our opinion we doubt there is any place more free than Fremont. Plus locals occasionally dress him in drag.

Late for the Interurban

This statue pays homage to "Patches Pals," a fun-loving kids show that aired for over 20 years on KIRO-TV. Patches and his girlfriend, Gertrude, run in different directions, arms interlocked in this charming piece of art. You can also find a donation box for Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center to give to the children these clowns brought joy to everyday. If that doesn't pull at your heartstrings, we don't know what will, you grinch.

We compiled a walking tour for you to check out all our favorite pieces of art around Fremont, Seattle!