Kelly Andrew
Chief ideas officer, Filament
Kelly Andrew owns Wauwatosa-based online marketing firm Filament. She travels whenever she can for business and leisure, both of which bring her to Seattle annually.
Transportation:
“Alaska, Delta and Southwest airlines offer direct flights from Milwaukee to Seattle daily. Be ready to move more slowly when you hit the streets – Seattle has been ranked fourth-worst for traffic congestion in the nation. If you’re staying in the city, consider using the Link light rail system – with 14 stops between the airport and University of Washington, cheap tickets, and trains running from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., you can’t go wrong.”
Excursions:
“In the downtown area, you’ll want to visit standbys like Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit (Dale Chihuly is a UW-Madison alum!). If you can get out of downtown, check out the Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park, and spend some time shopping in neighborhoods like Fremont and Ballard.”
Accommodations and food:
“You’ll find dozens of hotels in downtown Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods, and if you’re open to a true Seattle experience, you’ll want to check out what’s available on Airbnb. You’ll find restaurants throughout the area featuring fresh fish and sushi, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, farm-to-table, and more. There are breweries popping up around every corner, so check out some craft beer while you’re in town, too!”
Travel tip:
“Looking for the best view of the city? Take a pass on the Space Needle and Columbia Center (tallest building in Seattle) and head instead to Smith Tower. Located just south of downtown in Pioneer Square, this gem is known as Seattle’s original skyscraper. Despite not being the tallest building in Seattle anymore, the newly renovated observation deck at Smith Tower offers an incredible 360-degree view of the city, with a speakeasy-style bar featuring craft cocktails and a light menu.”
