Make the Most of Cozy Season

The Perfect Fall Day in Seattle Southside

Just because temperatures have dropped doesn't mean you have to stay home to soak up the cozy fall vibes. While there's nothing wrong with curling up on the couch, a change of scene can be refreshing - especially if it involves a cute cafe, beautiful autumn scenery, and shopping for unique items to refresh your cold-weather wardrobe.

We teamed up with Seattle-based travel creator Liv, who goes by @shewillbewandering on Instagram and TikTok, to bring you the below guide to the perfect fall day in Seattle Southside.

Pictured: @shewillbewandering at Des Moines Beach
Credit: Olivia Coning
Grab a Hot Drink
Go Thrifting
Get Festive
Warm Up With Soup
Enjoy the View

Grab a Hot Drink & Take a Walk

First stop: Impresso Espresso, a family-owned coffee shop in SeaTac known for its exceptionally friendly service. There are plenty of coffee drinks to choose from, but if you're sufficiently caffeinated, we recommend their hot caramel apple cider, which is like autumn in a cup. If you're of the kind that just can't have a drink without wanting a little snack to go with it (same), they've got pastries and breakfast bites as well. Then, take a walk in the Seike Japanese Garden in the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy a quiet retreat while admiring the bright red fall leaves. Best part: it's free and open to the public.

Pictured: @shewillbewandering
Credit: Olivia Coning

Hunt for Thrifted Treasures

The changing of the seasons is a great time to reevaluate your wardrobe, and shopping at thrift stores is a fun, environmentally sustainable way to try out new styles. The Value Village in Tukwila has a huge inventory of clothes, accessories, home goods, seasonal decor and more. Given its expansive size, the store is impressively well-organized and tidy, with clearly labeled aisles that make it easy to find what you need. Sweaters and jackets are a great thing to shop for secondhand because you don't have to be as precise with size. For jackets, denim and leather tend to hold up well (and if they're a bit worn, that just adds to the vintage vibe). A wool or cotton blend sweater is always a great find as well. On her shopping trip, Liv found three sweaters for thirty dollars - a steal!

See our Guide to Thrifting for more ideas on where to shop secondhand.

Sometimes, the stars align, and two awesome stores happen to be near each other, so you can hit up both in one shopping trip. As it turns out, Half Price Books is right next to Value Village. This charming shop is a literature lover's dream, with tons of gently used classics and new bestsellers at 20% less than you'd find them elsewhere. Beyond books, the store is a treasure trove of media, including records and DVDs. There's also a surprisingly large collection of new gifts, journals, puzzles, games, and more.

Pick Up Seasonal Decor

Continue your shopping journey at Zenith Holland Nursery in Des Moines, which has a charming Halloween section filled with white and orange pumpkins to take home, spooky decor, and a cute corner for taking photos. While you're there, visit the gift shop, which has a ton of stylish seasonal decor, candles, coffee table books, and even premium skincare products.

While you're at it, pick up a houseplant or two to bring some nature into your home or office on those days when you really just can't be bothered to leave the house.

Warm Up with a Bowl of Soup

When you're done shopping, head to Candice's Vietnamese Kitchen for a steaming hot bowl of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup made with bone broth or vegetable stock). If you're always trying out different pho places in search of the perfect bowl, this is definitely one to add to your list. And if you've never had pho, there's no better time to try this delicious, savory dish than on a crisp fall day, as it's super filling and warms you up from the inside out. It's also packed with nutrients to keep you feeling healthy through the cold months. The house special is overflowing with steak, brisket, and meatballs. But if you don't want meat, the vegetarian option is just as tasty. And if pho isn't calling to you, you can also check out our guide to comfort food to find great places that serve ramen, chowder, and other soups.

Enjoy the View

After lunch, hop over to Quarterdeck, a waterfront cafe in Des Moines, where you can enjoy local craft beer or cider, or a glass of wine and a warm sandwich. If the sun is out (which happens more often than you'd think in the Pacific Northwest), you can sip your drink while admiring a picturesque view of Puget Sound and the Des Moines marina. Or, take a hot drink to go and walk along the boardwalk at Des Moines Beach Park while looking out at the forest along the shoreline, which is flecked with yellow and orange in the fall. It's one of the best places to see the fall foliage in Seattle Southside. While autumn may require a little more bundling, the softer light and cool air on your face are invigorating once you get out (and there are plenty more beautiful fall hikes to explore nearby). By the end of the day, you'll feel ready to plop back onto the couch and reflect on a day well spent.

Pictured: @shewillbewandering
Credit: Olivia Coning