November 22, 2021
Updated November 22, 2021
Why stay at Greenlake Guest House this holiday season? It's all about the location, the breakfast and amenities, neighborhood restaurants and shopping, festive lights and Christmas cookies, holiday performances and more!
Lakeside Location
Guests love our location right across the street from beloved Greenlake Park. The 2.8-mile pathway around the lake is beautiful for walking and jogging even during winter. We have loaner umbrellas available if needed. With most of the trees bare now, the lake views from our common areas and guest rooms are looking spectacular, especially at sunset. There are restaurants and shops within walking distance, and even a neighborhood, organic wine store.
Private Breakfast & Guest House Amenities
Enjoy a private, cooked to order breakfast at your own table in our spacious common space or have it delivered to your room at no extra charge. We’ve got lots of choices from savory egg dishes to French toast, fresh fruit, and homemade pastries. In the afternoon, sip a glass of our complimentary local wine, homemade cookies and snacks, and savor the beautiful view. Watch a movie from our large DVD collection or read a book in front of your own private fireplace or in your jetted tub. The house will be festive and decorated for the holidays. Want to stay a little longer? Upgrade to our Late Checkout Package and stay until 2pm (subject to availability).
Indoor & Outdoor Dining Experiences & Shopping
Enjoy local dining and have an opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping in a festive atmosphere. Restaurants and businesses are fully open this holiday season. Many of our local restaurants have created cozy and creative indoor and outdoor dining options that are worth exploring. Duke’s Chowder House, always a guest favorite, has a heated and well lit patio, and is within walking distance. You might also enjoy driving to nearby Ballard Avenue to visit the many small, independently owned shops, restaurants and breweries with twinkling lights and covered, heated outdoor patios. Other popular locations with lots of inside and outside options and local, independent stores include the iconic Pike Place Market neighborhood downtown, and beautiful, upscale University Village. Another unique Seattle experience is top-rated Chihuly Garden & Glass. Experience outdoor dining in the Art Plaza, glassblowing demonstrations, shopping, and stunning gardens. King County restaurants are currently requiring proof of vaccination or a negative covid test to dine inside (not required for outside dining or takeout). We will also be happy to provide extra dishes or silverware for takeout upon request.
Christmas Lights
After dinner, you might enjoy visiting the Christmas Lights. Drive to local, adorable Candy Cane Lane during the month of December. Candy Cane Lane has been a free holiday event since the 1940’s and is only a few minutes away. Our neighborhood's Woodland Park Zoo will be hosting Wild Lanterns again each evening from November 12 to January 30. Wild Lanterns is an outdoor holiday light festival with over 300 individual lantern pieces depicting zoo animals. Food and drinks are also available for purchase there. Buy tickets online via the Woodland Park Zoo’s website.
December Christmas Cookies
During the month of December, Julie and the staff at Greenlake Guest House will once again be baking daily Christmas Cookies for our guests. Many of the cookies are longtime Guest House favorites and Julie's family recipes. We'll be sharing occasional photos and recipes on our social media. All guests visiting in December will also receive a package of festive, homemade cookies to take home.
Nutcracker Ballet & Seattle's Holiday Performances
We are delighted to report that Seattle's performance venues have re-opened this holiday season. Seattle also has a newly renovated large concert venue, Climate Pledge Arena that hosts regular performances. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be playing there on November 27. The holidays wouldn't be the same without Pacific Northwest Ballet's classic Nutcracker Ballet. This Balanchine version is absolutely gorgeous. Other holiday shows include ACT's "A Christmas Carol," and Seattle Symphony's "Holiday Pops."
Walking distance from the Greenlake Guest House, our neighborhood's intimate Seattle Public Theater is putting on "Christmastown" and "A Very Die Hard Christmas." Please note that all area performance groups including Pacific Northwest Ballet require masking and vaccinations or negative COVID-19 testing to ensure a safe and successful return of Seatttle area arts.
Safety First Amenities
Seattle holidays will definitely be special in 2021. We are fully open and will safely and warmly welcome you if you need to travel to Seattle for any reason this winter. We are also noticing more locals wanting a change of scene and we’re happy to provide a getaway for our neighbors too. Our Safety First Amenities help us provide a healthy and welcoming respite to everyone.
Holiday Gift Certificates
Not ready to travel yet? Please consider purchasing a gift certificate for a future stay for yourself or to give as a gift. Purchased gift certificates never expire and are fully transferable. When you are ready to travel, we are ready for you!